Since the private jet to Cabo isn’t happening and spring break camp is as hit or miss as a playdate with someone you met once at the park, it’s time to figure out how to actually fill these two weeks. The goal, of course, is stimulation and enrichment — or more accurately, to tire them out so completely that bedtime happens before 8pm and you can quietly reclaim the hours between 9 and midnight to do your actual job. Here are the best things to do with kids in LA this spring break. Or, you know, forward this to your nanny.
Free — As In, Truly, Actually, No Catch, Free
California Science Center (Exposition Park) — Free admission, which in LA feels borderline illegal. Interactive science exhibits, an aquarium, and a sports activity building. IMAX is extra because of course it is. Note: Space Shuttle exhibit is currently under renovation.
Natural History Museum of LA (Exposition Park) — Dinosaurs, dioramas, gems and minerals, and the quiet dignity of a building that has seen things. Free for LA County residents 3–5pm daily. Yes, really.
The Getty Center (Brentwood) — Technically free (parking is $25, because this is LA and nothing is truly free). Stunning hilltop art museum with gorgeous gardens, a tram ride the kids will inexplicably love, and panoramic views of the entire city. Closed Mondays.
Fern Dell Nature Trail (Griffith Park) — A shaded forest trail with actual running streams, inside Griffith Park, inside Los Angeles. It feels like a fever dream in the best way. Free, easy, dog- and stroller-friendly. You can continue up to Griffith Observatory from the same path if you’re feeling ambitious.
Ballona Discovery Park (Playa Vista) — A native wetlands preserve near Playa Vista that most people have never heard of, which is exactly the kind of thing you want to casually mention at pickup. Free and genuinely beautiful.
Stoneview Nature Center (Culver City) — Free nature center with native plants, a labyrinth, resident quails with attitude, and a walking bridge to Kenneth Hahn Park. Closed Mondays.
Griffith Observatory (Griffith Park) — Free to enter, genuinely spectacular, and one of those places that somehow never gets old. Planetarium shows are ticketed and worth it. Pair it with the Fern Dell trail below for a full Griffith Park day. Closed Mondays.
Old Los Angeles Zoo (Griffith Park) — The original LA Zoo, abandoned in the 60s and now a free public park where kids can walk directly into old animal enclosures and grottos. Slightly eerie, completely free, excellent picnic spot. Big win.
Tongva Park (Santa Monica) — A beautifully designed free park with sculptural climbing structures and ocean views, steps from the beach. Bring snacks. Stay awhile.
Dirt, Trees, and Actual Fresh Air
Descanso Gardens (La Cañada) — Spring is peak bloom season, which means it’s genuinely stunning right now. Botanical garden with a miniature train ride the little ones will ask to do four times. Open daily 9am–7pm.
Placerita Canyon Nature Center (Newhall) — Free nature center with easy trails, a waterfall, a butterfly garden, a bird sanctuary, and a historic cabin. It’s a lot. In a good way. Closed Mondays.
Griffith Park Horse Rentals (Riverside Dr, Glendale entrance) — The other horseback option, on the quieter Glendale side of the park. Guided one-hour trail rides through the park with mountain views and very patient horses. Open daily 9am–3:30pm. Book ahead during spring break — this one fills up.
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area (Baldwin Hills) — A genuinely gorgeous park sitting high above the city with views of the ocean, the skyline, and the mountains all at once. Hiking trails, a lake, disc golf, picnic areas, and some of the most unexpected birdwatching in LA. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays, which feels like a personal slight.
Los Angeles Zoo (Griffith Park) — A full day out in Griffith Park. Baby orangutans and chimps are on site right now, which is basically cheating. Open daily 10am–5pm.
Edutainment (They’re Learning, They Just Don’t Know It)
Kidspace Children’s Museum (Pasadena) — Hands-on indoor and outdoor exhibits, a water creek, and rotating themes. Best for toddlers through grade schoolers. Closed Mondays, so plan accordingly.
Cayton Children’s Museum (Santa Monica Place) — Fire truck, helicopter, food van role-play exhibits inside a mall, which means if one kid melts down you can pivotinto Erewhon. Two blocks from the beach.
Star Eco Station (Culver City) — A small wildlife rescue center with guided tours and exotic animals — reptiles, birds, a big cat, a fox — most of which arrived via illegal trafficking seizures, which is a sentence you'll have to explain to your child and honestly good luck. Weekends only, 10am–4pm.
The Santa Monica Pier Situation
Pacific Park — Rides and games on the most iconic pier in Los Angeles, including a solar-powered Ferris wheel with genuinely breathtaking ocean views. Weekend hours are longer. Go on a weekday if you can.
Santa Monica Pier Carousel — A historic carousel inside a gorgeous 1916 building for $3 a ticket. There’s also an old-fashioned soda fountain inside, which your kids will become immediately obsessed with. Thu–Sun only, check hours.
Heal the Bay Aquarium — Touch tanks with starfish, sea urchins, and local marine life, located directly under the pier. Charming, educational, and genuinely delightful. Important caveat: Sundays only, 12–4pm. Pair it with the pier and make a day of it.
Burn It All Off (The Energy, We Mean)
Sender One Climbing – Westwood (with Sender City kids section) — Rock climbing gym with a dedicated kids area called Sender City. Great for ages 4 and up, and honestly pretty fun for the adults too.
Activate Culver City (Westfield Culver City) — Interactive physical game rooms that are essentially a real-life video game. Perfect for ages 10 and up. Currently sitting at a perfect 5-star rating, which almost never happens. Opens at 9:30am on weekends.
Off The Wall LA (Woodland Hills) — Trampolines, rock climbing, bumper cars, arcade games. The goal is to arrive with a fully charged child and leave with a depleted one. This place delivers.
Actually Cool Stuff
Bubble Planet (Arts District) — Multiple rooms of bubble-themed immersive art installations that are genuinely magical for kids and make for unreasonably good photos. Fun for all ages. Closed Tuesdays.
The Escape Game LA (Century City) — The gold standard of escape rooms in LA, currently running an Only Murders in the Building-themed room that is genuinely exceptional. Best for ages 10 and up — younger kids can participate but the puzzles are real. Book ahead, especially during spring break week.
Star Eco Station (Culver City) — A small wildlife rescue center with guided tours, exotic animals (reptiles, birds, a big cat, a fox), and hands-on encounters. A hidden gem. Weekends only, 10am–4pm.
Bubble Planet (Arts District) — Multiple rooms of bubble-themed immersive art installations that are genuinely magical for kids and make for unreasonably good photos. Fun for all ages. Closed Tuesdays.
World of Illusions LA (Hollywood Blvd) — Optical illusion museum with lots of photo ops. Better for older kids and tweens. Open until 10pm if you’re doing a Hollywood night.
For the Littles (Indoor Play)
Wonderworld Playground (Culver City) — Spotlessly clean, family-owned indoor playground with a vet play area, grocery store, tiny tots section, and comfortable seating for parents who need a moment. The west side finally has a good one.
Worth the Drive (30–45 minutes. Probably. Depending on the 405)
Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach) — Sharks, sea otters, penguins, jellyfish, and touch pools. Plan for at least four hours. Validate your parking inside and it drops to $8 for the day, which in Southern California feels like a clerical error. Open daily 9am–6pm.
Descanso Gardens (La Cañada) — Spring is genuinely peak bloom season here right now, which means it’s worth every minute of the 210. Gorgeous botanical garden with a miniature train ride the little ones will demand to do multiple times. Open daily 9am–7pm.
Placerita Canyon Nature Center (Newhall) — Free nature center up in the Santa Clarita hills with easy trails, a seasonal waterfall, a butterfly garden, a bird sanctuary, and a historic cabin. It’s a lot, in the best way. Perfect for kids who like to hike but won’t do anything described as “challenging.” Closed Mondays.
Sherman Oaks Castle Park (Sherman Oaks) — Four 18-hole mini golf courses, batting cages, and an arcade, now run by LA Parks & Rec which means it’s clean, well-maintained, and cheaper than it has any right to be. The Valley’s reliable answer to “I have no idea what we’re doing today.” Open until 10pm most nights.
Discovery Cube LA (Sylmar) — Hands-on science museum with rotating exhibits. Good half-day option for anyone on the north side of the hill. Open daily 10am–5pm.
There you go. No excuses, no screens, no one asking you what's for lunch while you're on a work call. Just get in the car, pick something, and remember: a tired child is a grateful parent. You're welcome.