Matt Matasci

Exploring the La Brea Tar Pits is one of the best free things to do in Los Angeles with kids of all ages. But did you know that there's also an incredible museum just a few yards from the famous tar lake? The Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits gives an inside look at the city's prehistoric past and explains why that sticky black tar is seeping up all over the Miracle Mile. With a small footprint compared to the Natural History Museum or California Science Center, the Page Museum is easy to explore in a day—in fact, you'll have plenty of time to check out other sites along LA's "Museum Row," like the brand new Academy Museum.

Here's a detailed look at highlights of the La Brea Tar Pits and Page Museum, plus tips on where to eat, where to park, and what to explore in the area.

Located in the expansive Exposition Park just south of DTLA (right between the beloved California Science Center and the soon-to-open Lucas Museum—or the Star Wars Museum, as we call it at my house!), the Los Angeles County's Natural History Museum is one of the best museums in the city, especially for kiddos. From the soaring dinosaur fossil exhibits at the Dino Hall to hands-on activities in the Nature Lab, this museum has plenty to see and explore but is also manageable—families can definitely see the highlights in one day. Here's an exhibit-by-exhibit guide to hitting all the kid-friendly faves, plus the secrets of where to eat, park, and play.

If your little one adores technology, peel them away from their Playstation and get them into a coding class! Coding is the wave of the future, and that beloved screen time can lead to a career when kids learn valuable coding skills at a young age. These coding classes for kids near Los Angeles allow beginner through advanced coders to use their creativity and problem-solving skills to build apps, video games, and more. Popular games like Minecraft and Roblox are often integrated into these coding classes.

While we've found a handful of in-person coding classes in Los Angeles, many great online coding classes for kids are available for kids to take at home. You can also check out these free coding programs for kids. And for kids who want to get physical with sports classes or dance classes, check out our guide to all the Best Kids' Classes and Activities in Los Angeles.