LA with little kids works best one area at a time, Griffith Park one day and Exposition Park another.
The places we go back to all year. Where to eat with a toddler, where to burn off energy when it rains, where to splash, what’s worth the admission, and where to spend a night without going far.
Places where a dropped fork is no big deal and nobody minds a little noise.
The aquarium’s café, handy when you don’t want to leave mid-visit.
Pools, fountains, zoos and theme parks: the big all-day outings.
Retired steam locomotives and train cars you can climb around, free every day with free parking. The miniature train ride next door is run separately.
A small zoo of Southern California animals with a petting area. Entry is $2, and the Irvine Park Railroad is a short walk away.
County park entry is $3–$7 per car
Museums, animals and farm days that hold a little one’s attention.
The zoo sits in Griffith Park, and the animals start going in for the night at 4pm. Prices go up on Nov 2, 2026, so a visit before then saves a couple of dollars a ticket.
From Nov 2, 2026: adults $29, kids $24 (city ordinance 189051)
A children’s museum with indoor and outdoor play next to the Rose Bowl. Bring spare shoes if they’ll play in the water. Every child from age 1 pays full price, and the museum doesn’t take cash.
The core galleries are free with no reservation. Only IMAX and special exhibits cost money. The Expo Park/USC stop on the Metro E Line is right outside.
Dinosaurs next door to the Science Center. Kids 2 and under are always free, and LA County residents get in free on weekdays from 3 to 5.
A big aquarium on the Long Beach waterfront with Shark Lagoon and the Jelly Dreamscapes gallery. Weekend and holiday visits need a reservation.
These don’t change week to week. Last checked . Hours and prices change, so check the place’s own site before you go. Know a spot we missed? Tell us at hello@littlesweekly.com.
Where a family can go in LA without paying for admission. For free days, free events and this week’s free outings, see every free thing to do in LA.
Free or cheap for babies and toddlers, and easy with a stroller.
Griffith Park, 5333 Zoo DriveLos Angeles ZooFree for kids under 2.Kids $22Adults $27Under 2
Pasadena, 480 N. Arroyo Blvd.Kidspace Children’s MuseumInfants are free.$17 eachInfantsExposition Park, 700 Exposition Park DriveCalifornia Science CenterFree for everyone.FreeIndoorExposition Park, 900 Exposition Blvd.Natural History Museum of Los Angeles CountyFree for kids 2 and under.Kids 2 and under; LA County residents Mon–Fri 3–5pmIndoor
Griffith Park, 5200 Zoo DriveTravel Town MuseumFree for everyone.FreeIrvine Regional Park, 1 Irvine Park Road, OrangeOrange County ZooFree for kids 2 and under.$2 each2 and underRecurring and free. Times change by branch, so check the calendar. For every weekly storytime by day and branch, see library storytimes in LA.
Most weekday morningsFree baby, toddler and family storytimes at branches across the county, many in Spanish.
Schedule ↗Baby storytimes, places where babies get in free, and where to change and feed. For rainy days, see indoor play places; for zero-cost ideas, see free things to do.
Thursdays at 10:15am · West Covina LibraryFor babies and a grown-up.
Storytime calendar ↗Thursdays at 10:30am · East Los Angeles LibraryFor babies and a grown-up.
Storytime calendar ↗Wednesdays at 10:30am · Live Oak LibraryFor babies and a grown-up.
Storytime calendar ↗Saturdays at 10:15am · La Puente LibraryA Saturday option.
Storytime calendar ↗Wednesdays at 11:30am · Main LibraryAt the Main Library downtown.
Storytime calendar ↗Tuesdays at 10:30am · Heritage Park LibraryFor babies and a grown-up.
Storytime calendar ↗Wednesdays at 10:30am · University Park LibraryFor babies and a grown-up.
Storytime calendar ↗Mondays at 11am · WestminsterA lap-sit storytime.
Storytime calendar ↗Wednesdays at 11am · Central LibraryMay not run every week; check the calendar.
Storytime calendar ↗
2 and under
Admission page ↗Under 2
Admission page ↗Kids 2 and under; LA County residents Mon–Fri 3–5pm
Admission page ↗Santa visits and Christmas lights only run part of the year, so they have their own pages with this season’s dates and prices. For holiday and indoor rinks with season dates, prices and skate aids, see ice skating with kids in LA.
The guide is the evergreen list. Here’s what’s happening in Los Angeles right now.
Yes. The zoo, Travel Town and Kidspace are all built for little kids, and the Science Center is free.
The Science Center and Travel Town are free for everyone, and the Natural History Museum and the zoo are free for the youngest kids.
Go indoors. The California Science Center’s core galleries are free and don’t need a reservation, and the Natural History Museum next door in Exposition Park is free for kids 2 and under. The Science Center is across the street from the Expo Park/USC Metro station.
Los Angeles Zoo: Free for kids under 2. Kidspace Children’s Museum: Infants are free. California Science Center, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and Travel Town Museum are also easy with a baby or toddler. Free for the littlest: Orange County Zoo (2 and under) and Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (Kids 2 and under; LA County residents Mon–Fri 3–5pm). See best for under 3s.
LA County Library: Most weekday mornings. Library storytimes don’t need a ticket, but times change by branch, so check the calendar first. See library storytimes, and this week’s dated sessions are on the LA weekly list.
Every one of the 8 places is somewhere we’d take a baby, toddler or preschooler, with a note on who it suits and when to skip it. Prices, hours and menus come from each place’s own site, and 7 of them have checked admission or menu prices. The guide was last checked Oct 28, 2026. How we choose and check.
2 and under; kids: $2; adults: $2 (county park entry is $3–$7 per car). We checked this on its official site on Oct 28, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you go.
Infants; kids 1+: $17; adults: $17. We checked this on its official site on Oct 28, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you go.
One short email every Thursday evening with the five things we’d leave the house for in LA.
