10 Things to do in Los Angeles with Kids

Los Angeles is not only a dream destination for film buffs, but also for children. There are so many things to see and do in Los Angeles that it's even a dream destination for the little ones. Universal Studios and Disneyland are favourites, where you can see the world of their favourite stories such as Harry Potter or Mickey Mouse and friends.

However, as an adult you will probably want to visit other important places such as Beverly Hills, the Walk of Fame or Venice Beach. Even if kids don't get too excited when they hear those names, I'm sure if you talk to them and explain what it's all about, they'll love it. The secret to a good trip with children is to maintain good communication and respect the pace of each companion. Are you ready to learn these tips?

Amusement parks are one of the favourite destinations for families. Children will surely be looking forward to this visit. Whether you're visiting Universal Studios, Disneyland or Pacific Park in Santa Monica, you'll want to consider a few factors. For example, if you are staying in Los Angeles for more than a week, you can compensate for the "duller" days for your children with a day where you spend the whole afternoon at one of these parks.

If the plan is for a shorter holiday, you can save the park visit for after a few other rides. This way they can look forward to the most exciting day for them. Just don't bore them with slow tours, intersperse the visits with something fun or with a dessert that they enjoy.

On the other hand, before going to the park it is good to check what kind of tickets it offers. Some tickets allow you to skip the queue, which will help you avoid the stress of waiting. One important thing, as I mentioned at the beginning, is to book in advance. Tickets to the famous parks are the first to sell out, especially if you go at weekends.

In these parks you will find different attractions that younger children cannot go on. It would be a good idea to talk to your children about these rules to avoid disappointment before you arrive. If they are allowed to go on the rides, it is best that they don't eat something heavy beforehand as they might get dizzy or vomit. I recommend that they eat something light on the day and have a bottle of water or a natural electrolyte drink on hand to help them recover quickly.

If you are travelling alone or with adults, my recommendation would be to explore the streets on foot or using public transport. However, that can be a bad idea if you are travelling with children. They get tired quickly from long walks in the sun. In addition, they will need a few stops to go to the toilet or eat. If you book one of the best tours in Los Angeles you can visit places like the Walk of Fame, the Hollywood sign, Beverly Hills, among others in a comfortable private transport.

In this sense I suggest you talk to your children and let them know what the tour consists of, what they will see and you can even ask them what they prefer to see and choose the plan they like the most. In the list of tours you will find that some are boat tours of Los Angeles, others are helicopter tours.... If you know your little ones, you'll know what they'll like best.

Keep in mind that these tours require a minimum age for children to travel. Generally they must be over 12 years old, although this is not always the case. Bus tours, on the other hand, are the best for children of any age.

You can even take the Hop On Hop Off, a double-decker bus that travels around different major sites in Los Angeles and allows you to get off wherever you want. You can plan your itinerary and see which stop is best for you and your little ones without missing a thing.

Museums can be a bit boring for kids. Even if you tell them you're going to visit a museum they might be a little put off. However, in Los Angeles you will find different options that are entertaining for adults and children. That's why I recommend you make a list of the museums that interest you and the ones that might excite your little ones.

Most kids like to hear fun facts about the sky, the universe and the stars. That's why the first museum you can visit is the Griffith Observatory, although it's not really a museum, you'll find fun activities for kids. From there you can have a beautiful view of Los Angeles and learn about the universe in the different exhibits or in the show of the day.

If you go to the Walk of Fame you can go to Madame Tussauds Hollywood. I'm sure the kids will be delighted with this visit as you will find many sculptures of celebrities they have seen in the movies.

Another good option is the Los Angeles Aquarium of the Pacific, where they will have a great time among the more than 500 marine species that live there.

Do you think your kids get tired quickly? It will be even worse if you make them stand in long queues. So far I've recommended taking tours and visiting museums, but I haven't told you the most important thing - book in advance! Plan all the places you want to go before you arrive in Los Angeles, so you don't have to make your kids stand in line and die of boredom and exhaustion. Booking a day tour in Los Angeles can help with planning, as these usually include food and transport.

When making reservations also check how long it will take you to explore the areas. Make sure that the tours are not too long or tedious to prevent children from getting desperate. The idea of travelling with them is that they have as much fun as you do. If you don't have the option of booking in advance, you can research the best times to go and buy tickets without having to queue.

On the other hand, even if you make every possible precaution, something can always happen to delay your plans. Whether it's traffic or rain, some of your plans may be damaged. In those cases it is best to keep calm and have a second plan so that the day is not a waste of time. If you've got it all figured out, you'll be the best parent in the world!

Los Angeles has many different places to enjoy and children are the ones who can benefit the most from that. Most children's tickets are priced much lower than adult tickets. Some sites like the Heal the Bay Aquarium in Santa Monica allow free admission for children under 12 years old. Also, if you are in a group of 5 or more adults, each ticket will cost an average of €7 per person.

Keeping these discounts in mind will allow you to manage your budget much better. Keep in mind that many attractions websites do not directly tell you the price of children's tickets. In this case, when buying your tickets you should look for the "age range" option. When you select it you will be able to check the final ticket price.

Tours may also have discounts for children, especially if they are under 7 or 5 years old. For this reason, you should check the website where you buy them. In general, you can check the final price of the tours you want according to the age of the people and also confirm if the tour is suitable for children, if they make stops to go to the bathroom and other similar details that are relevant to you.

Sometimes it will be close to lunchtime and you won't have finished a tour or visit. To avoid stressing your children out or giving them a tummy ache, it's best to pack some snacks in your backpack. Make sure they are nutritious and entertaining options, as in many of the destinations you will be going to you will find donuts, pizza and other treats that are not recommended for children.

I recommend that you bring a simple sandwich that can be eaten cold. Fruit is also a good idea, however, I suggest you bring fruit that you can easily eat such as bananas, tangerines or grapes. I suggest that you store bananas in a specific place to prevent them from being ruined on the trip.

Boredom can be the cause of late-night hunger, so you could bring some fun treats to keep your child entertained for a while. It could be gummies with figures on them or just their favourite. It is important that you administer these carefully throughout the day and always have enough water to keep you and the children hydrated.

If you're going to be doing a lot of walking, it's best to take a pram. However, you can choose to go on a number of plans that don't require a stroller, such as a bus tour. There you can carry your baby in your arms or in a kangaroo without any problem. It all depends on how you plan your day.

On the other hand, if you are travelling in high season, the crowds can overwhelm you and your little one. Walking around in a pram can be uncomfortable, so I recommend that you take the stroller alone at times when there is less activity and people present. Sometimes it will be better to hold your baby in your arms than in a pram, because there will be no way to move around. But when it is necessary to carry it, do it, because you won't be the only one with one.

In theme parks you could use it to move around more easily. However, I recommend that you take a simple trolley that doesn't take up too much space, especially on pavements. It is also important that it is easy to transport and even foldable.

Los Angeles is known for its beach vibe thanks to the famous Venice Beach and its warm weather. That's why you'll find plenty of things to do in Los Angeles in the summer. However, you should be aware that prolonged exposure to the sun can cause skin damage, especially to children's skin.

Before going out you should apply sunscreen to your children's skin as well as your own. This will prevent sunstroke or sunburn. Remember to carry the sunscreen in your backpack to touch it up after a few hours, as sweat and clothing can remove it, and even after a while it can lose its effect.

It may also be a good idea to research the best time to visit Los Angeles with children. This way you will be better prepared and avoid the sunniest months if your children are more sensitive to the sun, as well as equipping yourself with plenty of sunscreen.

In a hot environment it's important to stay hydrated. That's why I recommend bringing a few bottles of water, depending on the number of children travelling with you. However, make sure they don't drink it too quickly or they will spend the whole day begging to go to the bathroom. A good strategy is to drink enough water before lunch, so they can take advantage of visiting the bathroom when they are at the restaurant.

When I have travelled on my own, I often leave the transfer from the airport to the hotel to the last minute. This means looking for a taxi at the airport, asking if there is a bus to take me to a nearby place... In short, it is very stressful. If you are travelling with children it is best to plan all the details of your arrival.

I suggest you research the best transfers from Los Angeles International Airport. Although there are different buses you can take from the airport, I recommend renting a car at the airport or getting a taxi.

It might be a good idea to call your hotel or Airbnb before you arrive and make sure it's a good place for you and your children. It's best to pay for your accommodation in advance and get a good location. Make sure you choose a good location that allows you to get to the tourist destinations you want to visit.

I know, rules are boring for kids, even for many adults, but you'd better make a few things clear before you head out to visit Los Angeles. The first thing you should let them know is that Los Angeles is a very touristy destination, so it will be normal to see too many people everywhere. That's why the main rule is never to leave your side, the best thing is that they always walk holding your hand.

Also, you must explain the whole trip to the children. I insist on this, because many times adults don't talk to the little ones believing that they won't understand, but they are very intelligent! Show them pictures of the places you will visit together, tell them a little bit about the history, who lives in Beverly Hills (in case you want to do a tour by tour of the celebrities' houses), this way they will be more excited about the trip.

After telling them where you are going, it will be time to explain how they should behave. Tell them that every activity has a timetable and that there will always be a time for everything: eating, resting, walking or going to the toilet. Remind them that in some museums it is not allowed to take photographs or touch the exhibits.

When travelling with children it's always good to take some important precautions. Always think about everything they might need during their stay in Los Angeles. The first thing I would do would be to pack sunscreen. I know I mentioned it before, but it really is important. Little ones can be more sensitive to the sun, so you shouldn't forget it.

It's also recommended that you take wet wipes with you, especially if you're travelling with children under 7 years old. When eating ice cream or sweets, they can make a mess and get dirty, but you won't always find a bathroom where you can wash them. With wipes you can solve these situations in a matter of minutes.

In case you are going to the beach, don't forget the swimming costumes! If they have a favourite life buoyancy aid, they can take it with them. However, don't forget that near the beach you can get all kinds of toys for them. If you don't want to fill your suitcases, buying them toys on the beach can be a good option.

Children are full of energy, dreams and illusions, can you imagine their happy face when they see the world of Harry Potter? Or when they ride the Santa Monica Ferris wheel? Giving them that happiness is a unique feeling, plus it will be a wonderful memory of their childhood.

Visiting the different attractions with them is a totally different experience. They will transmit you the joy of those moments. Besides, thanks to them you will be able to see much more joyful shows that you might not have noticed if you hadn't gone with them.