8 Free Things To To With Kids in Los Angeles (Updated)

If you have a school-aged kid you were either on Spring Break last week or the festivities (if that’s how you see it LOL) begin for you this week!!! Parents are taking off work for a week to go on family vacations with their kids or staying in town with daily adventures planned! How sweet! But I know all this fun adds up and some families may not have as large a budget for leisure as others but making memories together doesn’t have to cost a fortune!

Oh and if you’re a Costco Member make sure to read this month’s Connect magazine issue as my husband and I share about ways we’ve used staycations to explore the local adventures our city has to offer-  which could totally be a spring break option that’s more affordable than hopping on a plane. If you don’t get a Costco Connect magazine you can pick one up at customer service during your next visit.

One thing you will never regret is spending time with your children! So here are some free things (or just about free) you can do with your toddler or school- aged kids not just on spring break but all year long!

1. If it’s a windy day pick a gorgeous park, PACK A PICNIC & GO KITE FLYING! Last week we went on a picnic with friends ages 1 to 7. All the kids no matter the age totally enjoyed taking a picnic to the park and flying a kite! Seriously it was sheer magic. I had fun with the picnic and made spring chicks out of deviled eggs to share with the adults but I was surprised that the kids LOVED them as well. I also packed green smoothies , lots of fruits, a shrimp salad for me and lentil spaghetti for the kids.  Your lunch doesn’t have to be fancy- pack leftovers or sandwiches & a kite (got ours for $4 at Target) and pick a beautiful park and have a blast!
2. Visit Travel Town Train Museum (http://www.traveltown.org.) If you’re following me on Instagram you already know this place is my boys’ favorite adventure. Admission into the train museum is free where you can explore a collection of vintage train-cars from a time past! There’s also a running miniature train display as well as an area to play with toy trains you bring from home! There is a train that rides around the museum and it costs $2.75 per ride. We normally go around twice. There’s plenty of picnic space and benches as well as BBQ grills for families as well!
3. Visit the  Getty Center (http://www.getty.edu/visit/center/). As a Los Angeles Native I am ashamed to say that I had never visited the Getty Center until last year and am shocked that it is completely free (outside of parking)! Once you park there is a complimentary tram that takes you up into the hills where the adventure awaits! My kids just wanted to ride the tram OVER and OVER again and could really care less about the rest! LOL! The views, the gardens and art exhibits are second-to-none!!! They also have children’s exhibits there.  After I took the kids my husband and I went back for a sunset date-night! There is also an upscale restaurant on the premises for fine dining! 
4. Visit Griffith Park Observatory (http://www.griffithobservatory.org/.) Again- here’s another gem I completely bypassed living in Los Angeles most of my life! Views of the entire city and Hollywood sign are magnificent from up there! There are also exhbitis inside. Once a month the Obsevatory hosts a star-gazing party where you can use telescopes for free to gaze into outerspace.
5. Take the kids to the California Science Center then take a stroll through Exposition Rose Garden (https://californiasciencecenter.org/)! Admission into the museum is FREE except for special exhibits! Adjacent to the museum is a gorgeous rose garden with a huge water fountain! I loved smelling the roses and the boys loved running through the water from the fountain!
6. Take advantage of FREE Days at Kidspace Museum (http://www.kidspacemuseum.org/events/free-family-nights) & Huntington Gardens (http://www.huntington.org/WebAssets/Templates/content.aspx?id=844). Kids of all ages will LOVE Kidspace Museum in Pasadena. They have indoor and outdoor fun including sand, mud and water areas, bike riding, storytime and interactive science exhibits. The second Tuesday of each month is free from 4-8pm. And Huntington Gardens is AMAZING as well! It’s perfect for romantic dates, teatime with the girls or as an outing for the kids. They have a children’s garden with water acitivities- perfect to cool off on those hot summer days. The first Thursday of the month is free but you must register online to secure your spot and space is limited.
7. Ride the trolley and view the watershow around the Americana at Brand in Glendale. Not too long ago my husband encouraged me to take the kids out to eat to cut back on the housework and cleanup that comes with dinnertime! So I took the kids to the Americana and we rode the trolley a few times and watched the watershow before we got off to eat! The kids didn’t want to get off! This could’ve been the entire activity for them trust me they would’ve been happy campers! The trolley conductor was kind enough to let the boys pull the horn a few times! After dinner we rode the trolley a few times more. They were sad when the conductor told them it was the last go-round. The kids ask me to take them back to the Americana all the time- not for dinner but just to ride the tram. The Americana is beautifully lit up for the holidays where snow falls nightly which makes the tram ride & water show extra special that time of year. 8. Go check out the super bloom nearest you! If you’re following me on social media then you already know about the glorious time I had at the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve. You can read all about my experience HERE . A few things you’ll need to know is parking is only $10.00, there’s no food onsite or nearby so eat before you go (and bring snacks) and bring plenty of water. Do you know of any more FREE activities for kids in Los Angeles? Please share them in the comments! Here’s to a memorable spring break!