Which Hollywood Studio Tour Is Right for Your Kids? Our 2026 Guide to All Four
Your kids can sit in the Central Perk café from Friends, get sorted into a Hogwarts house, and watch Jaws lunge at their tram, all within a few miles of each other. For most families, the best Hollywood studio tour for kids is Warner Bros. in Burbank (ages 5 and up). Traveling with a toddler? Universal's tram tour is the only one open to all ages.
Los Angeles has four public studio tours, and they could not be more different. Two roll through the backlot on carts, one is a walking tour built for teens, and one is basically a theme-park ride with special effects. Choose the wrong one and you may spend two hours whispering "almost done" to a restless seven-year-old.
Below, we break down all four side by side: the ages each studio actually admits, how long you'll be on your feet, what it costs, where to park, and which holiday extras are running this season. Use it to match the right tour to your kids' ages, interests, and attention spans.
Key Takeaways: Hollywood Studio Tours With Kids
Under 5: The Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood is your only option. Warner Bros. does not admit children under 5.
Ages 5 to 9: Warner Bros. is the standout, with hands-on Wizarding World and DC exhibits after the cart ride.
Ages 10 and 11: Paramount opens up, with a cart tour of its classic Hollywood lot.
Ages 12 and up: All four tours are open, including Sony's weekday walking tour in Culver City.
Photo ID: Adults 18 and older need a government-issued photo ID at Warner Bros. and Paramount.
SoCal deal: Southern California residents save $15 on a regular Warner Bros. Studio Tour ticket through November 8, 2026.
The 4 Hollywood Studio Tours in Los Angeles, Compared
Here's what each tour is really like with kids, from our top pick for most families to the tour that's best saved for teens. Prices, ages, and hours below are current for fall 2026, but studios update them often, so confirm on the official site before you book.
3400 Warner Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91505
Hours: Daily, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (closed Nov. 3 to 5 and Nov. 26, 2026)
Ages: 5 and up; kids under 18 must be with an adult
Tour length: About 3 hours (45 to 60 minutes guided by cart, then self-guided)
Tickets: $79 adults (11+), $68 kids 5 to 10; You may find cheaper tickets at Tiqets when they have promotions
Parking: $20 per vehicle at the Tour Center
Warner Bros. is the tour we'd pick for a first visit with school-age kids. A guide drives your group around the working backlot in a tour cart, pointing out the streets and soundstages behind decades of movies and TV, and the stops can change from day to day depending on what's filming.
Then you're free to explore at your own pace. Stage 48: Script to Screen shows how a show gets made and lets you step onto the Central Perk and Big Bang Theory sets, and the expanded Central Perk Café serves real coffee and snacks (food is extra). Outside, the famous Friends fountain is the photo everyone wants.
For many kids, the real payoff is Action and Magic Made Here, packed with DC Universe and Wizarding World props and costumes. Expect a sorting moment in the Great Hall, Potions and Herbology classrooms, the Batcave, and green-screen spots where kids can ride Harry Potter's Firebolt or the Batpod. A new Supergirl costume exhibit is now part of every tour, too.
Superhero fans can add the Superman Experience: Defenders Unite, a separate, roughly one-hour interactive game for ages 5 and up, open Thursday through Monday with tickets from $39. Old-movie lovers can upgrade to the TCM Classic Films Tour ($99 adults, $79 kids), which runs about 3.5 hours.
Parent Tip: Southern California residents (ZIP codes 90000 to 93599) can save $15 per regular Studio Tour ticket through Nov. 8, 2026, for up to six tickets. Bring a photo ID showing your address to Will Call, and read the SoCal residents offer for full terms. Video isn't allowed on the tour, so plan on photos only.
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
Hours: Daily during park hours; check the park calendar for your date
Ages: All ages are welcome
Tour length: About 60 minutes by tram
Tickets: Included with theme park admission; 1-day tickets from $109 (prices vary by date)
You may find cheaper tickets on Tiqets
Parking: General parking $27 before 6 p.m.
If your crew includes a preschooler, this is your studio tour. Universal's tram tour has no age minimum, and it leaves right from inside the theme park, so you get a peek at a real backlot without planning a separate outing.
Think of it as more thrill ride than film class. A live guide, plus video segments with Jimmy Fallon, narrates the ride past famous sets like the Psycho Bates Motel and the War of the Worlds plane crash. Then the special effects take over: a flash flood, a subway earthquake, King Kong 360 3-D, a surprise from Jaws, and a Fast & Furious finale.
The hour-long ride also gives tired legs a break in the middle of a big park day. The tour is wheelchair accessible, offers closed captioning, and runs a Spanish-language version, too.
Want a true behind-the-scenes look? The VIP Experience (from $369, ages 5 and up) adds a guided trolley tour with soundstage and prop department stops, plus front-of-line access, breakfast, lunch, and valet parking.
Parent Tip: Some moments are loud and dark, so talk through the Jaws and King Kong surprises with little ones beforehand. We advise against this tour if your child is sensitive to noise and darkness or is easily frightened. You can bring bottled water and small snacks into the park, which helps on a long day.
Visiting from Nov. 21 to Jan. 3? Read our guide to holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood.
5515 Melrose Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90038
Hours: Most days, with tours leaving every 15 to 30 minutes; check the official site for times
Ages: 10 and up; kids under 18 must be with an adult
Tour length: About 2 hours, by cart with some walking
Tickets: $71 per person (taxes and fees included)
Parking: $20 in Visitor Lot A, 643 N. Windsor Blvd.
Paramount is a great fit for kids 10 and older who love the stories behind the movies. You'll ride a small cart past the studio's famous arched Bronson Gate, its New York street sets, and soundstages where film and TV classics were made, hopping off for closer looks along the way.
The history leans toward older films, so it lands best with tweens and teens who have a few favorites and some patience for a good story. Still photos are welcome in approved areas, but video isn't allowed.
For an even bigger day, the Premier Tour ($160, about 3 hours, weekdays) adds the studio archives and backlot operations, and the VIP Tour ($230, about 4.5 hours) includes lunch and free parking.
Parent Tip: Watch a movie or show filmed at Paramount together before your visit, so your tween gets a "that's the place!" moment on the lot. Visiting with a big group? Parties of 14 or more can ask about discounted rates.
10202 W. Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
Hours: Monday to Friday; standard tours at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
Ages: 12 and up; kids under 18 must be with an adult
Tour length: About 2 hours on foot
Tickets: $55 per person; reservations required
Parking: Free in the Overland parking structure, 3990 Overland Ave.
Sony is the best value of the four and a smart pick for teens who are curious about how movies and TV actually get made. It's a guided walking tour of the historic Culver City lot, with time in the studio museum and a stop at the Studio Store.
Game show fans get a bonus, since the tour swings by the home of Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune. Every guest also leaves with a free souvenir photo.
For a smaller, more relaxed outing, the Premium Studio Tour is a 2-hour cart tour for up to five guests on weekdays, and the VIP Lunch Tour adds a three-course lunch. Check the official site for current pricing.
Parent Tip: Check in at the Overland Gate and arrive 30 minutes before your tour time. Since it's all walking, comfortable shoes matter more here than at any other studio. Make a day of it with our guide to things to do in Culver City with kids.
How to Choose the Right Studio Tour for Your Family
Start with your youngest child's age. Every studio except Universal sets a minimum, and the age rules are firm, so a 4-year-old can't join a Warner Bros. tour and a 9-year-old can't join Paramount's.
Next, think about stamina. Warner Bros. takes about three hours, Sony and Paramount about two, and Universal's tram just one. If your kids fade after lunch, book a morning tour.
Finally, match the tour to what your kids love. Wizards and superheroes point to Warner Bros., thrills and big effects to Universal, classic movies to Paramount, and game shows and behind-the-camera jobs to Sony. On a budget? Sony has the lowest ticket price and free parking, and Universal makes the most sense when you're already planning a theme park day.
Studio Tour Tips for Parents
Bring your ID: Adults 18 and older need a government-issued photo ID at Warner Bros. and Paramount, and everyone goes through security screening.
Pack light: Leave big bags at home. Warner Bros. asks guests not to bring large bags, and bags are screened at security.
Arrive early: Give yourself time to park and get through check-in. Sony asks guests to arrive 30 minutes before their tour.
Set expectations: These are working studios, so what you see on the backlot can change with the production schedule. Keep it a fun surprise rather than promising a specific set.
Photos, not video: Warner Bros. and Paramount don't allow video, and your guide will let you know where photos are OK.
Accessibility: Warner Bros. carts handle most wheelchairs, loaner wheelchairs are free, and ASL interpreters are available with 72 hours' notice. Paramount offers a walking version for guests using their own mobility devices, plus ASL interpreters by request.
Dress in layers: LA afternoons can be warm while soundstages and museums are air-conditioned, so a light jacket and comfy shoes go a long way.
Holiday Extras at LA Studio Tours This Season
Planning a studio visit over winter break? At Warner Bros., Gilmore Girls Holidays decks out Stars Hollow from Dec. 12, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027 (closed Christmas Day), with a nightly tree lighting. Event-only tickets are $79 for adults and $68 for kids 5 to 10, or $124 and $113 when bundled with the Studio Tour.
Over at Universal Studios Hollywood, the holiday season runs daily from Nov. 21, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027, with Grinchmas, Illumination's Merry Minions, Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and festive touches in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.
Make It a Movie-Lover's Day in LA
Pair your tour with the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures at 6067 Wilshire Blvd., where kids get in free. It's open Wednesday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed Tuesdays, so check the official site for any special closures before you go.
Touring Warner Bros. or Universal? Round out the day with our list of fun things to do in Burbank with kids. After Paramount, the Griffith Observatory is an easy drive for sweeping views of the Hollywood Sign and the city below.
Want to Be in the Audience? TV Tapings With Teens
Free audience tickets to TV tapings are another way to watch a real production, but they're usually not for little kids. Age minimums vary by show and are often 16 and up; for example, music performances at Jimmy Kimmel Live require guests to be at least 16. Always check the show's ticket page before you plan around it.
📬 Get LA's Best Family Fun in Your Inbox
Join fellow LA parents who get our free weekly guide to things to do with kids: weekend events, free activities, and seasonal ideas.
Takeaway
Every Hollywood studio tour shows kids a different side of movie-making. Warner Bros. is the all-around winner for ages 5 and up, Universal is the easy yes for families with little ones, Paramount suits young film buffs 10 and older, and Sony is a budget-friendly behind-the-scenes walk for teens.
Book ahead, bring your ID, and let your kids pick a movie or show to watch the night before. Seeing a set they recognize in person is the kind of LA memory they'll keep talking about.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Hollywood studio tour for kids?
For most families, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood in Burbank is the best choice. It welcomes kids 5 and up and pairs a guided backlot cart ride with hands-on Harry Potter, DC, and Friends exhibits. Families with children under 5 should choose the tram tour at Universal Studios Hollywood, which has no age minimum.
Can toddlers go on a Hollywood studio tour?
Yes, but only at Universal Studios Hollywood. Its hour-long tram tour, included with theme park admission, is open to all ages. Warner Bros. requires guests to be at least 5, Paramount at least 10, and Sony at least 12, and those minimums are firm, so toddlers and preschoolers can't join.
How much is the Warner Bros. Studio Tour for kids?
The standard Warner Bros. Studio Tour costs $68 for kids ages 5 to 10 and $79 for guests 11 and older, with parking at $20 per vehicle. Southern California residents can save $15 per regular ticket through Nov. 8, 2026, with a photo ID showing a qualifying ZIP code.
Is the Universal Studios tram tour included with admission?
Yes. The World-Famous Studio Tour is one of the attractions included with a Universal Studios Hollywood theme park ticket, so there's no separate fee. The tram ride lasts about 60 minutes. For a deeper, guided backlot visit, the VIP Experience costs extra and is open to ages 5 and up.
Do you need ID for a Hollywood studio tour?
Adults 18 and older must show a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport, at Warner Bros. and Paramount. Kids don't need ID, but minors must be with an adult. Expect a security check, and leave large bags at home to speed things up.
❤️ You May Also Like
Comments