There are so many things to do with kids in Los Angeles, but sometimes it can be hard to find activities that are free or affordable. Not to worry! Here is a list of 10 free and cheap things to do in LA with your little ones.
Explore Hollywood
Can you really call yourself an Angeleno if you haven’t walked down the Hollywood Walk of Fame? Even better, have your kids find their favorite star! If you’re up for it, take a tour of some of the celebrity homes in the area.
Here are just some of the fun things you can do for free while exploring Hollywood:
Walk along the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Visit the TCL Chinese Theatre
See the Hollywood Sign
Watch a movie at Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre
Take a tour of the Hollywood Bowl Museum
View art at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery
People watch on Hollywood Boulevard
Explore Melrose Avenue
Explore Downtown LA
Though it is often thought of as a business district, Downtown Los Angeles is actually home to plenty of great attractions that can be enjoyed for free. From art galleries to historic sites, there are plenty of things to do in Downtown LA without spending a dime. Here are some ideas:
Take a walking tour of the Historic Core
View art at the Grand Park Downtown LA Gallery
Visit the Los Angeles City Hall
See the interior of the Bradbury Building
Explore the Million Dollar Theater
Visit a Beach
With 75 miles of coastline, Los Angeles is home to some of the best beaches in the world. And, luckily, many of the best beaches are also free to enjoy. From Venice Beach to Santa Monica Beach, here are 10 great free beaches to visit and enjoy in Los Angeles.
Venice Beach
Santa Monica Beach
Hermosa Beach
Manhattan Beach
Redondo Beach
Malibu Beach
Zuma Beach
Leo Carrillo State Park
Point Dume State Beach
Topanga State Beach
Visit a Park
Some of the world's greatest parks can be found in Los Angeles. From world-famous Griffith Park to smaller neighborhood parks, there are plenty of green spaces to enjoy in LA. Kids will definitely enjoy getting out and exploring some of these great parks.
Griffith Park
Elysian Park
Echo Park
MacArthur Park
Exposition Park
Grand Park
Venice Beach Boardwalk
Explore a Museum
Los Angeles is home to many different museums. And, luckily, some of these museums offer free admission. Some of these are always free however some only offer free admission on certain days or for certain hours. Here are some of the best museums to explore in LA
The Getty Center - always free but requires a reservation.
The Getty Villa - always free but requires a reservation.
The California Science Center - always free.
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County - Free on the first Tuesday of every month with an exception of July and August, however in September every Tuesday is free.
The La Brea Tar Pits - always free.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art - free after 3pm on working days.
Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust - always free.
Take a Hike
With its many hills and mountains, Los Angeles is a great place to go hiking. This is a really great family activity you can do for free. Make sure to research a trail before you go to make sure it is appropriate for your family.
Here are some great hiking trails in Los Angeles:
Runyon Canyon Park
Eaton Canyon Falls
Mount Hollywood Trail
Wisdom Tree Hike
Griffith Observatory Hike
Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden
Visit a Neighborhood
Did you know that LA has over 100 different neighborhoods? Los Angeles is a city of endless exploration. So, make a route and start exploring! Besides downtown LA and Hollywood there are a lot of other great places to explore and roam:
Beverly Hills - Some of the best things to see in Beverly Hills are the homes of some of the richest and most famous people in the world. Checking out these homes is a fun and free thing to do. Additionally, you can enjoy a walk along Rodeo Drive and visit Beverly Gardens Park.
Koreatown - Koreatown is a great place to explore and experience some of LA’s best Korean food. You can also visit one of the many spas in the area or do some shopping at one of the many malls and markets.
Malibu - Malibu is a great place to enjoy the beach, go hiking, or explore some of the many parks in the area. You can also visit the Malibu Pier or take a drive along Pacific Coast Highway to see some amazing ocean views.
Pasadena - Pasadena is a great place for exploring. You can visit Old Town Pasadena, the Pasadena Playhouse District, the Rose Bowl, or the Norton Simon Museum.
Watch a Live Recording of a TV Show
One of the best things about living in LA is that you can often catch a live recording of your favorite TV show. And, best of all, it’s usually free! Just make sure to do your research ahead of time and get there early to snag a seat.
Here are some popular TV shows that are filmed in LA:
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Dr. Phil
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Price is Right
Let’s Make a Deal
DTLA Art Walk
Downtown LA is home to many great art galleries. And, on the second Thursday of every month, you can explore them for free during the DTLA Art Walk. This is a great way to explore the downtown area and see some amazing art. Here are some of the best galleries to check out during the DTLA Art Walk:
Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery
Hauser Wirth & Schimmel
The Broad
MOCA Grand Avenue
USC Fisher Museum of Art
Japanese American National Museum
Play sports
One of the great things about living in LA is that there are so many opportunities to play sports. There are a lot of public courts and fields where you can play for free. And, if you’re looking for a more organized game, there are plenty of amateur leagues you can join, for both kids and adults.
There you have it! There are so many things to do in LA, but it can be challenging to know where to start. But, if you’re looking for some great free activities, these suggestions should get you started. So, get out there and explore all the amazing places Los Angeles has to offer!
