Art & Crafting Out-of-the-Box Activities in LA

1. Tufting

Create your own rug to take home and display at a tufting studio. They're all the rage and probably the trendiest activity right now. This brand-new crafting experience combines creativity with a soothing and rhythmic process as guests create their works of art. Choose from a variety of different patterns to create a piece that perfectly matches your own aesthetic. 

Our favorite places for tufting in LA: 
Tuft House LA — Tropico
Tutu Fun IFC — Sherman Oaks, Century City & Irvine

 
Combine a scavenger hunt with crafting. Photo courtesy of Kidd's Jewelry Heist

2. Jewelry Quests

Create a piece of jewelry while solving a crime in this "escape room" style adventure that deserves its own category. Kids can piece together a bracelet or necklace after they work to solve clues and collect gems in this "scavenger hunt meets crafting" adventure. 

Our favorite spot for a jewelry quest in LA is Kidd's Jewelry Heist in San Marino. 

3. Slime Making 

It's no secret that kids are obsessed with slime and Sloomoo Institute is one of the ultimate places to get your slime fix. Get slimed under a waterfall of the gooey stuff, and create customized slime to take home at the DIY slime bar. Slime making is one of our favorite trendy spots in Los Angeles. See what to expect at Sloomoo Institute in our Instagram Reel. 

Places we love for slime making in LA: 
Sloomoo Institute — Mid-City
Slime Kitchen — Topanga

4. Custom Lipstick Design 

Create the perfect color for your palette at a DIY lipstick bar. Participants of all ages can learn how to customize a lip color that suits skin tones and coloring and then take home a tube to keep. There is no age limit at Lip Lab, though minors must be accompanied by an adult at their appointment. 

Our favorite spot for custom lipstick in LA is Lip Lab in Century City and Irvine. 

5. Shoe Designing 

Transform a drab pair of shoes into a work of art that will have people stopping on the streets at SRGN Academy. This spot in the Del Amo Fashion Center books customization sessions on Saturdays and Sundays, and there is no age requirement to participate. Make sure to bring your own pair of shoes. If you want a more detailed course on shoe design, this venue also offers in-depth, four-day shoe workshops where aspiring "shoe surgeons" can deconstruct and reconstruct popular shoes. 

We love SRGN Academy in Torrance for custom Shoe Designing in Los Angeles. 

6. Fluid Bear Art

Shot of Art was one of our favorite adventures in LA last year, and for good reason. My kids were able to create amazing fluid art canvases (we have them on display in our playroom) and then splatter paint all over a room (a kid's dream!). In addition to fluid art canvases, Shot of Art offers fluid bear art, where kids can pour mesmerizing paint over a large bear to take home. Older guests can opt for balloon art (shooting balloons full of paint on a white canvas) and spin art to create a statement piece. 

Our favorite places for Fluid Bear Art in LA:
Shot of Art — DTLA 
BearDrips — Fairfax 

 
Channel your inner blacksmith. Photo courtesy of Adam's Forge

7. Forging 

Kids aged 12 and over can learn the basics of this ancient art form and select a class at Adam's Forge where they can create their very own tool or cutlery to take home. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. 

We recommend Adam's Forge in Simi Valley for forging near LA. 

Trending Fitness & Sports Activities in LA

8. Bungee Fitness Classes 

When a friend of mine invited me to bungee fitness with her, I had no idea what to expect, but it didn't take long until I was giggling through a routine and couldn't wipe the smile off my face. Air Fit Bungee in Burbank offers bungee fitness classes for children 8-13, teen classes, and adult classes. Participants must be at least 60 lbs. 

Having gone here myself, I love Air Fit Bungee in Burbank for bungee fitness in LA. 

9. Circus School 

Ever wanted to be in The Greatest Show on Earth? Now imagine yourself in the big top at Cirque School in LA. Kids can learn all the skills to make it in the circus with regular weekly classes, or a one-off class. Most classes are geared toward teens 14 and up, though Cirque School also offers a kids program including classes and summer camps. Guests of all ages can learn more about trapeze, acro skills, flexibility, hula hooping, aerial straps, and more. 

We recommended trying Circus School in Los Angeles at Cirque School LA in Hollywood. 

10. Trapeze Fitness

Fly through the air with the greatest of ease, or "rewrite the stars" (any Greatest Showman fans here?) with a lesson in trapeze artistry on the iconic Santa Monica pier. One of our writers checked out the fun last year, and we have an Instagram reel about the experience. Kids 6 and up can enjoy swinging with the ocean in view- make sure to book online in advance and arrive early to account for parking and walking to the location on the pier. 

Our favorite spots for LA Trapeze School: 
Santa MonicaTrapeze School — Santa Monica
SwingIt Trapeze — Anaheim

11. Falconry 

Falconry has a grace and beauty that you have to see to believe. Hawk on Hand has a variety of different experiences and activities for those interested in falconry, including demonstrations for kids. For anyone who has wanted to see a falcon in action, this is the perfect spot. 

We recommend Hawk on Hand in Monterey Hills for falconry in Los Angeles. 

12. Goat Yoga 

Let your inner kid out (with your kids) at a goat yoga session in the LA area. There are a few places in Los Angeles that welcome children to attend goat yoga sessions! Kids as young as five years old can attend goat yoga at Laughing Frog Yoga, while older kids are welcome at Hello Critter. Also, Laughing Frog Yoga has puppy yoga! 

Our favorite places for Goat Yoga in LA: 
Laughing Frog Yoga — West LA & Santa Monica 
Hello Critter Goat Yoga — LA Arboretum, South Coast Botanic Garden & Various Locations

13. Glow in the Dark Mini-Golf 

Mini-golf in Los Angeles is always fun, but glow-in-the-dark mini-golf? That's another level. Play a game under the blacklights at GLO, where creative holes and 3D blacklights make the entire experience something your family will always remember. 

We love to play glow-in-the-dark mini-golf in LA at GLO Mini Golf in San Bernardino & Riverside.  

14. Nerf Wars 

I don't know about you, but a Nerf War that doesn't involve me picking up dozens of foam bullets around the house sounds like a dream. Also, an epic Nerf battle in a room prepped for the challenge sounds like a dream for my kids. Brainy Actz in Irvine is known for its escape rooms, but they also offer coordinated Nerf battles for kids. 

Our favorite place for Nerf wars in Los Angeles is Brainy Actz Escape Rooms in Irvine.  

Viral Food Experiences in Los Angeles

A boba tea can be a magical experience at Elixir Tea Academy. Photo courtesy of Missy Heckscher 

15. Themed Boba Bars  

Yer a boba master, Harry. This secret gem in Costa Mesa is one of the coolest places to sip a boba potion. More themed boba spots have popped up (some of them, only for a limited time) around the city, and we do our best to add them to our calendar if they are making a limited run! Check out our IG Reel on Elixir Tea Academy from a recent visit. 

We love going to Elixir Tea Academy in Costa Mesa for a unique themed boba bar experience in LA! 

16. Movie Dining Experience 

Don't just watch a movie, taste the movie at a unique dining experience where staff serve dishes in a movie that correspond with the plot. Many films and fare at Fork N' Film are family-friendly (a lot of them are Disney movies), and provide a really fun memory for kids and adults alike. 

One of our favorite movie dining experiences in LA is Fork N' Film at The Wayfarer in DTLA. 

17. Cotton Candy Characters 

Order your favorite character (Pikachu, Mickey, Sonic, Bluey... ) in cotton candy form at Polar Playground in Huntington Beach. Lines are typically out the door and around the corner. I waited more than two hours to get my Winnie-the-Pooh creation when I visited. However, it will be worth the "sweet" memories and photo ops! Here's an Instagram reel of our visit. 

The best and most notable spot for cotton candy characters near LA is Polar Playground in Huntington Beach. 

18. Japanese Fluffy Pancakes 

Have you seen those viral TikTok videos of fluffy, wobbly pancakes on a plate? Well, there are several places in LA that serve these delectable little treats that are worth every bite and photo! 

Our favorite places for Japanese Fluffy Pancakes in Los Angeles: 
Gram Cafe & Pancakes — Monterey Park 
Motto Tea Cafe — Pasadena

Other Out-of-the-Box Activities in Los Angeles

19. Axethrowing 

Axe throwing may sound a bit dangerous- but it can be a whole lot of fun when it is paired with a safe and controlled environment. Golden Axe Co. allows participants ages 15 and up to try their hand at nailing a target - minors must be accompanied by an adult. 

Where to go Axethrowing in LA: 
Golden Axe Co — Tarzana
Axeventures —Hollywood 

20. Rage Rooms 

Sometimes, you've just got to let it out, and rage rooms allow teens and adults to do that in a safe space with no judgment. Smash a few objects or throw paint on the walls. Enjoy the satisfaction of letting loose for a minute. Rage rooms are for older kids. Minors need to be accompanied by adults. 

Our favorite LA Rage Rooms: 
Valley Smash — Tarzana
Rage Ground — DTLA

21. Family Raves 

"In the club, we all fam" - and it is literally true when it comes to Big Fish Little Fish family raves. These raves have all the energy and excitement of a nightclub but with kid-friendly activities such as balloon drops and epic dance parties. 

We love going to Big Fish Little Fish for family raves in LA. There are multiple locations around Los Angeles.