Los Angeles

Free and Cheap Summer Camps in Los Angeles

Submitted by Li Starr on

Camp Hollywoodland is an affordable sleepaway camp in the heart of LA. Photo courtesy of laparks.org

There are a variety of free and cheap summer camps in Los Angeles for kids to keep them entertained while keeping costs at a minimum. If you are hoping to give your kids a camp experience without parting with a chunk of change, the list below is for you! These camps are all very affordable, and a few are even (gasp!) completely free. Check out these free and cheap summer camps in Los Angeles for your kids, tweens, and teens now, as spots will fill up fast. 

For more summer camp options, browse STEM camps in Los Angeles, and LA musical theater camps. Find even more options in our Los Angeles Summer Camp Guide, or peruse our Camp Directory of listings by interest, age, and area.

The Aquarium of the Pacific: What Makes LA's Biggest Aquarium So Spectacular

Submitted by Kylie Williams on

Kids will love admiring all the sea creatures at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Photo by Kylie Williams

The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is one of the largest and most diverse aquariums in the country. With interactive touch tanks, and otters and penguins to admire, it's also the perfect outing for kids. Engaging exhibits and underwater creatures will entertain children of all ages. 

 
Intrigue is around every corner at the Aquarium of the Pacific, and it's easy to spend a full day there. With its spectacular displays and commitment to environmental stewardship, the Aquarium of the Pacific is a must-visit destination for families. 
 
The Aquarium of the Pacific is one of the top things to do with kids in Long Beach. After you've had your fill of fish at this iconic aquarium, you can check out Heal the Bay Aquarium in Santa Monica. For more animal encounters, browse our Guide to Zoos and Gardens for Los Angeles Kids. 

Presidents Day Weekend 2025: 16 Things To Do in Los Angeles With Kids

Submitted by Toby B on

Big Sunday Valentinemania! Event photo courtesy of Big Sunday

Presidents Day weekend is jam-packed in Los Angeles. The long weekend starts with Valentine's Day on Friday; kids can pitch in at Big Sunday's Valentinemania to help make cards and goody bags for people across the city. Starting Saturday, Kidspace reminds us we are Wired for Wonder with its new multisensory immersive maze experience. The Harlem Globetrotters swoop into the Intuit Dome on Sunday with a show that entertains, amazes, and redefines the laws of physics. LA families can spend Presidents Day Monday at one of the two local Presidential Libraries or cheer on the rescheduled Kingdom Day Parade.  

Best Overnight Summer Camps in California

Submitted by Ana Belibasis on

Kids have a blast in the ocean at Catalina Island. Photograph courtesy of Catalina Sea Camps

Overnight summer camps are pretty heady stuff: Sleep away from home, meet new friends, have adventures, master new abilities, boost social skills, develop confidence, and learn to handle situations without parents around! For parents, it's a chance to have a little kid-free time without feeling guilty, because we know our kids are having the experience of a lifetime—and disconnecting from their devices.

For some reason, sleepaway summer camp isn't quite as big a deal in California as it is in the Northeast. Still, we've scoured the state and found some pretty amazing overnight summer camps in California, from stunning Catalina Island to the rustic Sierra Nevada mountains.

For more fabulous overnight summer camps, check out our Sleepaway Summer Camp Guide to the Best Overnight Camps in the US. Or if you're looking to stay more local, bookmark our Los Angeles Summer Camp Guide and our Camp Directory where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and town.

Best Indoor Birthday Party Places for Kids in Los Angeles

Submitted by Kylie Williams on

Throw a party in this pretty play space, where everything is taken care of for you. Photo courtesy of PlayLab

There are many fantastic indoor birthday party places for kids in Los Angeles to host memorable birthday parties. If you ask my kids about their dream birthday parties, they will paint a grand picture complete with indoor play places, elaborate themes, and a whole lot of fanfare. 

From energetic play centers to creative studios, there are indoor birthday party places for every child's interests. These venues provide safe and entertaining environments where kids can enjoy activities like bouncing on trampolines, exploring obstacle courses, or getting artistic with crafts. With so many indoor birthday party places available, planning the perfect celebration in Los Angeles is easy and exciting when you need a roof overhead. 

For more birthday party ideas, check out fun restaurants for kid's birthdays in Los Angeles. Usually, the weather is nearly perfect in LA, so when that's the case, explore these parks and playgrounds for kids' birthday parties in LA, and find more b-day inspo in our Birthday Party Ideas Guide for Los Angeles Kids. 

Best Kids Indoor Playgrounds & Play Spaces in Los Angeles

Submitted by Matt Matasci on

Climbing is encouraged at Wild Child. Photo courtesy of Wild Child Gym

Indoor playgrounds and play spaces in Los Angeles let kids climb, and their imaginations fly. Colorful rooms full of slides, play structures, ball pits, and engaging activities hold a special kind of magic for kids. Adults can appreciate indoor playgrounds too—places where the Wi-Fi works, coffee is (usually) available, kids remain contained, and someone else cleans. 

Rainy days, birthdays, hot days, cold days—no matter why you need indoor playgrounds in Los Angeles, these are the best of the best. For more indoor fun, discover free things to do indoors in LA, research these indoor birthday kids' birthday party places in Los Angeles, and check out our Indoor Fun and Play Spaces Guide for Los Angeles Kids. 

Valentine's Day and More Top Things to Do in Los Angeles February 2025

Submitted by Toby B on

Barbie: You Can Be Anything: The Experience rolls into Discovery Cube. Photo courtesy of the exhibit.

February brings plenty of things to do in Los Angeles, from holiday celebrations to inspirational exhibits and sports events. This month is full of enthralling activities. 

Anything is possible this February in Los Angeles! Still wondering what you're going to be when you grow up? Discovery Cube LA enlists Barbie to let you know You Can Be Anything. The Harlem Globetrotters trick-shot their way into the Intuit Dome, showing you that you can do anything - even impossible feats of athleticism. And the Pokémon GO Tour - Unova pops up at the Rose Bowl, reminding you to catch 'em all!

For a tiny month, February is full of holiday happenings, from the San Gabriel Lunar New Year Festival to a Black History Parade and Festival in Pasadena, to Presidents Day celebrations at both the Nixon and Reagan Libraries. 

Kids Eat Free: 22 Los Angeles Restaurants for Every Day of the Week

Submitted by Kylie Williams on

Food is even better when it's free and near the beach! Photo courtesy of Mamas on 39

Kids eat free are three little words that make a restaurant dinner feel possible. I'm a mom of four and constantly searching for great food and good deals to feed my hungry little mouths as well as my own. 

This list of restaurants throughout the Los Angeles area offers free meals for kids at least one night a week. The restaurants vary from local joints to national chains, from the valleys to the beaches, from Italian to Mexican, and from seafood to steakhouses—enough to satisfy picky and non-picky eaters.

For more bargains, check out these birthday freebies for kids, discover where to take the kids for free museum days, and uncover more complimentary deals and ways to save with our Guide to Free Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids. 

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