Outdoor Activities for Babies in Los Angeles

1. Griffith Park - Los Angeles

Babies force us to slow down and enjoy the wonders of nature close to home, including Griffith Park. Ride Walt Disney's favorite carousel, enjoy one of the city's largest universal access playgrounds, ride a train together at Travel Town, or enjoy a picnic far from the crowds.

2. LA Zoo - Los Angeles 

While at Griffith Park, why not hop over to the LA Zoo? Even the tiniest tots get a kick out of the seal shows, meerkats, and monkeys, but my little weirdo's favorite was the geese. Make sure to bring a stroller with shade, as there are sunny patches. Unfortunately, you can't jump into the otter play area to join the fun (I asked). A membership is a great deal if you plan on going more than once. 

3. Adventure City - Anaheim

This theme park bills itself as “a little theme park that’s big on fun,” which is a perfect description of this old-fashioned amusement park nestled between Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm. Babies 12 months and younger are admitted free. The park has quite a few rides, gentle enough for a baby to enjoy (accompanied by an adult, of course).

The scale of everything is small, and the Adventure City Express Train that circles the park is a great first ride for babies. There is also a carousel, a Thomas the Tank Engine play area, and a petting zoo. Toddlers have even more options. Big kids won't find much to thrill them, except maybe for the best caramel apple I’ve ever had. (Babies are allowed their food and formula; no other outside food is allowed.

RELATED: Best Amusement Parks near Los Angeles for Preschoolers

4. Disneyland - Anaheim

Once you’ve dipped your toes into the theme park waters, you might be ready for the granddaddy of all theme parks. Here’s why it’s a blast with babes in arms: Babies get in free, and there are plenty of fun ways to entertain them, from It's A Small World to their first lick of a first Dole Whip at the Enchanted Tiki Room. Plus, you will treasure that picture of your little one wearing their first mouse ears. Check out our game plan for more details on baby’s first trip to the Magic Kingdom.

5. Farmers Markets In Hollywood, Santa Monica, Mid-City, and Studio City

Even if your baby is still on a liquid diet, one way to get them used to a diet of fruits and vegetables is to start them young. LA farmers' markets are stimulating places for wee ones, too. Many vendors offer samples, making this a great way to get a baby to try something new or to stock up on fresh, local, and organic goods to turn into baby food at home. In addition to the many markets throughout the city, remember "the" Farmers Market is still at 3rd and Fairfax.

6. Animal Encounters at the Montebello Barnyard Zoo - Montbellow

One day, completely out of ideas, I took my kid to the Rose Bowl Riders in Hahamonga Watershed. Not only did we get to watch big kids ride, but we also got to meet and pet a ton more incredibly sweet horses who didn't seem to mind when my daughter yelled "NEIGH!" at them. It turned out to be a pretty good free show and a petting zoo. Speaking of petting zoos, there are several around Los Angeles—like the Montebello Barnyard Zoo—where even babies can get up close and personal with furry friends.

7. Descanso Gardens or The Huntington - Los Angeles

Descanso Gardens, and The Huntington, to name a few of the many botanical gardens in Los Angeles, are enjoyable, shady places with paved sidewalks to push a stroller and take in the sunshine. Look out for free garden days at favorite flora spots. 

Flower gardens are where I taught my daughter to "sniff the flowers," which I use as a way to get her to breathe and regulate when she's having big feelings. Tucked away in the sumptuous grounds of The Huntington is a little children’s garden with fountains and water misters to appeal to kids of all ages. Be sure to bring a change of clothes if you’ve got a new walker, as kids tend to get wet. 

8. Underwood Farms - Moorpark

Pick a day that isn't crazy hot for this outing, and then harvest the joy of pulling your little one around a farm in a wagon while you pick a variety of healthy treats for Baby to taste before bringing home for a fresh, farm-grown meal. While there are loads of farms within easy driving distance, my favorite is Underwood Farms.

Here, everyone under age two gets in for free, and the petting zoo makes a nice stop when the wagon loses its charms. Underwood has fun seasonal events, making it a great spot to get baby's first holiday photo-ops. Check our calendar for details. 

9. Fern Dell Trail in Griffith Park - Los Angeles

If you’re feeling adventurous, strap your baby on and go for one of LA’s many wonderful hikes. Lake Hollywood Reservoir and Fern Dell in Griffith Park are excellent stroller-friendly options in iconic Los Angeles spots. 

RELATED: 10 Toddler-Friendly Hikes and Nature Walks in and around Los Angeles

10. Grand Park Fountain - Los Angeles

There are many splash pads in and around LA, but one of my favorites for little ones is the fountain at Grand Park in Downtown LA. This area of the park is well-secluded from busy streets, and there is usually plenty of seating around the fountain. Plus, there's almost always something going on in the park, from concerts to festivals.

11. National History Museum - Los Angeles

You can probably save visiting the inside of the Natural History Museum until your child is over the age of 1. However, kids of all ages will be entranced by the butterflies flying about the Butterfly Pavilion in the summer and by the spiders and their webs at the Spider Pavilion in the fall. Because this is a no-touching space, it’s best to bring babies in their carriers or just hold your little wiggle worm in your arms.

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Indoor Activities for Babies in Los Angeles

12. Cayton Children's Museum - Santa Monica

While LA has kids' museums that are great for children of all ages, the Cayton Children's Museum in Santa Monica is specifically for kids 8 and under. In fact, the Launch Your area is an enclosed cushioned section surrounded by mirrors for babies under 2, making this a fun choice for newly mobile little ones. 

13. Kidspace - Pasadena

There are also great kids' museums on the Eastside! Check out Kidspace, which has a wonderfully padded baby room with the most absurdly safe slide I’ve ever seen. Also worth a day is the Southern California Children's Museum, and Pretend City has special events just for babies under 18 months (and their parents). There are so many fantastic indoor museums in LA for your youngest explorer.

14. LACMA - Los Angeles

Don't limit yourself to museums specifically for kids! While there are kids’ areas at some museums, most family or children's rooms are intended for older kids. But babies in strollers or carriers are the perfect age to bring to your favorite museum. The art and people-watching are entrancing to babies, and you’re beginning a lifetime of modeling the importance of art to your children. 

RELATED: Kid-Friendly Always-Free Museums in Los Angeles 

15. Westfield Century City - Century City 

With next-level family lounges and a pirate ship in the play area, Westfield Century City is the perfect place to push baby around in a stroller while completing your shopping list. If you want to shop locally for baby, or second-hand, browse these Los Angeles baby boutiques. 

The Americana and The Grove have big expansive areas where those just learning to walk can figure it out (plus Kids Club entertainment once a week). 

16. Annenberg PetSpace - Playa Vista

Whether or not you have a pet, pet stores can be fun places to push babies around to look at fish swimming, colorful birds, weird rodents, and usually a few cats or dogs to meet and pet. One of my simple joys has always been sitting in front of the grooming window, holding my daughter, eating animal crackers, and watching dogs get haircuts.

Annenberg PetSpace has animals available for adoption, if you want another way to meet and greet some animals. If your kid likes fish like mine, try the big aquarium in Long Beach or the smaller Heal the Bay aquarium at the Santa Monica Pier. 

17. Get Baby’s First Haircut

This is an exciting rite of passage. There is nothing like trimming that first little curl. A Beverly Hills institution since 1971, kids' salon Tipperary is on S. Robertson and has a hip, sophisticated vibe. Several places specialize in first cuts, including various locations of The Yellow Balloon.

18. Take a Trip to the Firehouse

Babies love fire engines. They are red. They are shiny. They have gleaming chrome accessories, and firefighters wear cool outfits. Fire stations always welcome young visitors; it's part of the department's directive to educate little ones about fire safety and help them feel comfortable with potential rescuers. 

Many fire stations will deputize your baby and hand them a bright plastic firefighter hat. (Hello, amazing photo-op!)

19. Visit an Indoor Playground like Under the Sea or My Little Paris

When the weather is nice, it’s great to be outside. Sometimes, however, it’s too hot, or you want to be somewhere easy and confined. If your little one has an older sibling, it’s nice to head somewhere that suits both kids. Under the Sea is a favorite on the Westside, with small activities for babies and bouncers for bigger kids. In the SGV, we love My Little Paris. 

20. California Science Center - Los Angeles

So much to see, even for tiny babies. While they’ll be mesmerized by the sharks in the tank in the Kelp Forest, you can also take little ones to watch chicks hatch, feel the ice wall, and play in one of several Family Discovery Rooms.

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Classes and Storytime for Babies in Los Angeles

21. Lovebug and Me Music Classes, Yoga Classes, and More - Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Pasadena

We started attending Lovebug and Me music classes when my daughter was three months old. Even though she couldn’t sing, stand, or dance, her eyes would light up when surrounded by music and other kids. Since I introduced her at such a young age, it remains one of our favorite things to do together.

There are loads of classes all over town, and most will give you a free trial class to find the one right for you. In addition to music classes, Los Angeles offers movement, yoga, sensory, and nearly any class for babies you can imagine.

22. Vroman's Story Time - Pasadena

Vroman’s is Southern California's oldest independent bookstore. Every Wednesday at 11am enjoy story time and songs with Miss Marie and Mr. Steven, and grab a coffee to go from Tepito Coffee before you leave. 

23. Rose Bowl Aquatic Center - Pasadena

Start getting baby used to the water by signing them up for inexpensive group classes or private lessons. We did ours at The Rose Bowl aquatic center, but most LA County pools offer classes. SoCal kids need to get water safe as early as possible, as there are many beach and pool parties in their future. (Lucky kids!) 

RELATED: Griffith Observatory: Reasons to Visit with Kids

Classic LA Photo Ops for Babies

Snap photos yourself, or set up a photo shoot with a professional photographer so the whole family can be in the pictures.

24. Rodeo Drive - Beverly Hills 

Another iconic spot where you can easily navigate the street with your stroller in Beverly Hills, peek in the windows, and even have breakfast at (or near) Tiffany’s. 

25. Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame - Hollywood

Stars are born in Hollywood, and your little one already gets the limelight, so allow them to share the spotlight with other famous starlets. 

26. Hollywood Sign - Los Angeles 

Hold your baby up with the Hollywood sign as a backdrop. You’ll want this for their baby book, for sure. Don’t act like a tourist and block neighborhood traffic in Beachwood Canyon. You can get a great picture from the hiking paths at Griffith Observatory or Lake Hollywood Park.

RELATED: Best Beaches for Kids and Families in Los Angeles & Orange County

Seasonal Fun for Los Angeles Babies

Is your baby too young to remember these adventures? Probably. But, not only will you enjoy adorable pictures from holiday outings, but these visits can also become the cornerstone for traditions that will last throughout their childhoods. Find a favorite Santa, the perfect pumpkin patch, and everything kids will clamor for year after year. (It’s also easy to see how much they grow when you have pictures in the same setting each year.)

27. Pumpkin Patch at Underwood Farms - Moorpark

Everyone needs a picture of their little pumpkin in the middle of a patch. There are loads of pre-picked pumpkin patches all over town, with bales of hay and other fall decor just waiting to be the background for your photo op. And if you want to take the kids to an actual patch, where they can sit among the still-growing gourds, you’ll find that at farms like Tanaka and Underwood.

28. Marina Del Rey

It's a no-brainer that a first summer for Los Angeles babies has to visit the beach. Bringing an infant (and all their accompanying swag) to a hot, sandy environment far from bathrooms can be daunting. Luckily, not all beaches are created equal. 

Mother's Beach in Marina Del Rey is tucked away from the waves, perfect for your baby to take a dip. Or try the Annenberg Community Beach House for its great facilities and stroller-friendly boardwalk to the shore, Orange County's gentle Baby Beach, or one of these other kid-friendly beaches. I’ll admit that my little one’s first “beach” trip was mostly spent in the Annenberg pool, not on the sand!

RELATED: Halloween Trains near Los Angeles: Trainspookulars and Pumpkin Express Trains

29. Lacy Park - San Marino

While Los Angeles doesn’t boast the variety of fall foliage you’ll find in Vermont, there are plenty of drives you can take to find fall leaves. But with a baby, you might not want to take a long drive. Instead, head to a local park (the leaves turn stunning shades of yellow at Lacy Park in San Marino) or one of the botanic gardens mentioned above. 

Rake up a mini pile of colorful leaves (with your hands) and let your babe explore. Kids love the crunch of the leaves, and you’ll love the colorful picture.

30.  Wrightwood

Yes, you can see snow in the morning and be back by the beach for sunset. Our favorite place to see the snow is Wrightwood, but you can peruse our list of easy day drives where you can see snow.

31. Santa at the Mall

LA has Santas of all stripes. You’ll find a classic Santa at The Huntington, Mrs. Claus in Beverly Hills, and Surfing Santa by the beach. Just do a little research and pick the perfect Santa for your family. Then try to return to this same Santa year after year. 

32. Easter Bunny at Irvine Park Railroad

Most locations that host a seasonal Santa also have an Easter Bunny that will pose for pictures in the spring. For more than a mall bunny, take a trip to Irvine, where the Easter Bunny will greet little ones on the train at Irvine Park Railroad.

Baby Activities in Los Angeles FAQ

Originally published June 25, 2018