50 Amazing Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids this Spring

The Flower Fields at Carlsbad are filled with gorgeous blooms. Photo by Chris Jimenez/Flickr/CC-BY-2.0

Spring is in the Los Angeles air, which means wildflowers bloom, waterfalls gush, and after a long winter at home, it's finally time to start venturing out again to take advantage of all the wonderful springtime things to do in Los Angeles. Spring is the best time to explore LA—the weather is gorgeous, but it's before desert destinations get too hot and beaches get too crowded. Without further ado, here is our roundup of 50 great spring activities in Los Angeles for the whole family. These picks range from outdoor adventures to museums—plus a few suggestions for ticketed activities and even some spring day trips and getaways.

Don't forget, you can find more seasonal happenings in our Los Angeles Spring Fun Guide or our always-bursting Event Calendar, where we add new events every day.

3 Days on the Jersey Shore with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom

Spread your towels on the expansive beach in Seaside Heights. Photo courtesy of Seaside Heights Boardwalk and Beach

The Jersey Shore overflows with things to do and see, from action-packed boardwalks and beautiful family-friendly beaches to lighthouses, and nature centers. There are tons of family-friendly attractions in the region.

If you're not a local, it can be a little daunting to think about what to do and where to go—especially if you only have a couple of days to play with. Here, we've put together a three-day plan to help you hit some of the best things to do in the Point Pleasant, Seaside, and Long Branch areas. Plus, we've even offered a bonus side-trip idea if you have time.

So, read on for our top things to do on a mini-vacation to the Jersey Shore and find more family-friendly things to do in our Guide to the Jersey Shore, plus more local getaways in our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

Munchkins Indoor Playground is a Bright Spot for Kids in Los Angeles

Munchkins Indoor Playground is balls of fun!

Munchkins Indoor Playground in North Hollywood is the perfect solution for when you're about to give birth to a baby but also have young kids to entertain—and a special occasion to celebrate.  Let me set the tone: It was raining. It was my daughter's second birthday. It was the due date of my fourth baby. Maybe it's crazy to head to a play space when you are worried your water could break, but it was a birthday. And it turned out to be the perfect thing to do.

Read on to find out why Munchkins is a great place to play indoors, no matter why you need a distraction for your kids! And if you're looking for more indoor entertainment, visit the best indoor playgrounds in LA and browse even more ideas in our Indoor Fun and Playspaces Guide for LA Kids

Candytopia Brings a Sweet Escape to the Washington, DC Area

See sculptures made entirely out of candy at Candytopia. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters

You don't have to have a sweet tooth to be wowed by Candytopia, a new pop-up "museum" near Washington, DC. This candy-themed, selfie-inspired immersive experience opened March 17, 2023 on the first floor of Tysons Corner Center in Northern Virginia, following successful runs in Los Angeles, New York City, Houston, Atlanta, and other cities. Candytopia features 14 interactive environments with art and sculptures made entirely of candy, fun photo ops, a marshmallow pit to jump and play in, and so much more.

My family had the opportunity to visit Candytopia on the day it opened. Read all about our sweet experience, then make a sugar rush to get tickets—this candy wonderland is expected to leave town on December 31, 2023!

20 Awesome Easter Movies to Get the Whole Family Hoppin'

Hop is an Easter movie even tweens and teens will enjoy. Photo courtesy of Relativity Media and Netflix

Enjoy these Easter movies that kids of all ages—and parents, too—will all love.

From Easter egg hunts and Easter Bunny pictures to Easter parades and festivals, there are so many fun ways for families to get out and celebrate the impending arrival of Easter. But sometimes, you just want to put on some cozy PJs and spend some quality time at home with your peeps. For those days, we've rounded up 20 of the best Easter movies for families, including Easter Bunny movies, animated films, religious Easter movies, and more.

For more at-home Easter fun, try one of our easy Easter crafts for kids, put together a creative Easter egg hunt, or make one of our kid-pleasing Easter desserts and recipes to enjoy during your Easter movie marathon. Don't forget the popcorn!

Dinos Alive: Immersive Experience Brings Dinosaurs Roaring Into Washington, DC

Come face-to-face with over 80 lifelike dinosaurs at Dinos Alive. Photo by the author

Dino lovers, take note: Dinosaurs have taken over the Rhode Island Center in Washington, DC with the Dinos Alive: Immersive Experience! In this museum-like exhibition, visitors are surrounded by over 80 life-sized, robotic dinosaurs as they walk through a prehistoric jungle habitat, getting an exciting peek at the world as it was millions of years ago. Even kids (and grown-ups) who are not dinosaur fanatics will enjoy seeing the dinos and their surroundings in this interactive experience. The exhibit is in town through April 8, 2024.

My family recently got the opportunity to visit Dinos Alive. All three of my kids—ages 10, 8, and 4—really enjoyed it. Read on for my full review of the Dinos Alive: Immersive Experience, and be sure to purchase tickets before the exhibit roars out of town!

Hotel Xcaret Mexico: An All-Inclusive Adventure in Playa del Carmen

With lush reefs and crystal-clear waters,  Xcaret is a fabulous place to snorkel. Photo courtesy of Xcaret Parks

While my family has stayed at many great all-inclusive resorts, we were particularly impressed by our recent trip to Hotel Xcaret Mexico in Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya. Set between the Mayan rain forest and the Caribbean Sea, the five-diamond Hotel Xcaret (ISH-kah-rhett) offers stunning views and plenty of family fun. But what really sets it apart is its unique All Fun Inclusive concept, which gives guests access to all seven Grupo Xcaret parks.

The Grupo Xcaret parks offer all sorts of natural and cultural experiences such as zip lining, water adventures like snorkeling and whitewater rafting, cave tours, live entertainment, monster truck rides, a wacky town full of optical illusions, and so much more.

The thrill factor of my family's adventurous trip to Xcaret was off the charts, and I highly recommend Hotel Xcaret Mexico for your next warm and sunny family vacation. Read on to learn all about it, and check out our Mexican Family Travel Guide for more cool vacation spots in Mexico.

How to Celebrate Passover as a Family (and Make it Fun for Kids)

An illustrated Haggadah encourages kids to read the story of Passover and the Passover Seder. Photo by Melanie Preis

Passover 2023 is almost here—time to add some crunchy matzah to your shopping list of tasty spring treats. We're going into detail about the when, what, why, and more of this Jewish holiday, including its hallmark delicacy: matzah! Whether you're Jewish or not, you've probably seen boxes of these large, flat "crackers" lining the aisles of your local grocery store each spring. Read on to learn more about matzah, as well as how to celebrate Passover (also known as Pesach) as a family and make it fun for kids of all ages.

For more tips on celebrating Passover with children, check out our list of 10 ways to make Seders more fun for little kids.

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