Los Angeles is a very widespread city, with many neighborhoods, shopping areas, public parks, and playgrounds for children and adults to enjoy. LA’s perfect weather keeps the young ones outside and there’s plenty to do, whether it’s trekking through magnificent Griffith Park or spending the day at the beach. Most activities are just a short drive away. Schools organize after-school and weekend activities for children, including American football, soccer, basketball, and baseball.
Children’s safety is common sense as it is for adult safety. There are certain areas in the city that are no-go zones, but it’s easy to spend a lifetime in this city without having to ever venture into these areas. Kids are always driven to and from school, so there is a certain safety in knowing that they are never wandering the streets alone.
Angelinos work long hours, add on the commute and there’s very little time to spend with the kids during the week if both parents are working. After school and summer activities keep the kids busy until the early evening. There’s also a list as long as your arm of daycare facilities, baby sitters, and nannies so that parents can rest assured that their little ones are well cared for.
On the weekends, places like Kidspace Children’s Museum, Griffith Park Observatory, and the California Science Center, are among many places that a child can spend their spare time in the city. One place that stands out is The Natural History Museum, as do world-famous theme parks such as Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Universal Studios, and Six Flags Magic Mountains are here in Los Angeles. Other attractions that children will enjoy are Adventure City, La Brea Tar Pits, J. Paul Getty Center, and more!
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is the first and largest hospital in Southern California that is dedicated to treating more than 93,000 children.
Kids Space Museum
This museum offers lots of information as well as activities for young kids.
http://www.kidspacemuseum.org
California Science Center
Specializes in all things science. Free admission with $8 parking per car. The space shuttle ‘Endeavour has chosen here to be its resting place. Selective movies are shown at the IMAX theater.
http://www.californiasciencecenter.org
Natural History Museum
Located near USC (University of Southern California), the Natural History Museum is children-friendly and information-packed with stuffed animals from all over the world and 4.5 billion years of history. It is the largest natural and historical museum in the western US and an active research center. Highlights are the life-size African animals, the enormous dinosaur skeletons, the insect room which is not for the squeamish, and the summer butterfly and moth display in the Pavilion of Wings.
http://www.nhm.org
La Brea Tar Pits
Natural history museum shows the history of La Brea (The Tar in Spanish) area.
http://www.tarpits.org
Paul Getty Museum
The gorgeous visual arts museum sits on top of the Santa Monica mountains. Free admission, $15 parking per car. Check the website for the exhibition and event schedule.
http://www.getty.edu
Griffith Observatory
Looking over the city of Los Angeles, Griffith Observatory is located at the peak of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park. Planetarium shows include laser shows and scientific films.
http://www.griffithobs.org
Disneyland
No introduction is needed for this “Happiest Place on Earth”. The original Disneyland, built in 1955 with more than 600 million guests to date, Disneyland still is the most famous one ever.
http://disneyland.disney.go.com
Knotts Berry Farm
America’s first theme park was founded by the Knotts’ couple, whose fruit preservatives are nationally well known and available.
http://www.knotts.com/
Universal Studios Hollywood
One of the biggest theme parks in Los Angeles. If you are interested in the movie magics of Hollywood, studio tours are fun and informative.
http://www.universalstudios.com/
Adventure City
Very affordable, smaller theme parks for younger kids.
http://www.adventurecity.com/
Chuck E Cheese’s
Famous for its arcade and pizza parlor for kids, almost every kid in the US has had their birthday party at least once in one of their many locations.
https://www.chuckecheese.com
