Enjoy lights, holiday activities, and visits with some familiar characters at Pal-O-Mine Equestrian's Winter Wonderland. Photo courtesy of the event
Laurie Berkner, Blippi, and More Things To Do on Long Island this Weekend
LuminoCity returns to Long Island with another stunning installation at Eisenhower Park. Photo courtesy of LuminoCity
20 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities on Long Island in 2025
Fifth Street in Ronkonkoma is aglow with Christmas lights during the holidays.
Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and 2025 Holiday Lights on Long Island
GUIDE
Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Long Island Kids
LuminoCity returns to Long Island's Eisenhower Park this Christmas season. Photo courtesy LuminoCity
Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows on Long Island 2025
See how the village of Port Jefferson magically turns back time to the Dicken's Era. Photo courtesy of the festival's Facebook page
23 Free Holiday and Christmas Events on Long Island for Kids in 2025
From holiday tales to dreidel making, the Sands Point Preserve boasts an afternoon full of family fun. Photo courtesy of Sands Point Preserve
20 Best Things To Do on Long Island with Kids December 2025, from Mommy Poppins Editors
Have brunch with Santa at the Long Island Aquarium this holiday season. Photo by Jennifer Voit
Breakfast with Santa on Long Island in 2025
Meet Santa aboard The Polar Express chugging along the Morristown and Erie lines. Photo courtesy of the Morristown and Erie Railway
Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains near NYC in 2025
Eglevsky Ballet’s
Long Island's Most Popular Christmas Events to Book Now Before They Sell Out in 2025
The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
Ultimate New York Bucket List: 100 Things To Do with Kids in NY State
Kids can hop on tricycles and ride around the indoor track at L.I. Salty Kids Cove.
21 Best Kids' Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Suffolk County
Xplore Family Fun Center's birthday parties include pizza, drinks, and arcade cards. Photo by the author
Top Birthday Party Places on Long Island for Kids
Get ready for back to school with all the right supplies, classes, and tips.
GUIDE
Back-to-School Guide 2025-2026
Summer camp is a great way for kids to make new friends and learn new skills
GUIDE
Long Island Summer Camp Guide
Speed down the slides at Bellmore's Planet Play.
Top Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Nassau County
Bounce! in Syosset is a trampoline adventure destination that includes a toddler playground for younger kids. Photo by Jennifer Voit
15 Family Fun Centers on Long Island
Kids eat free at participating IHOPs beginning at 4pm each afternoon. Photo courtesy of IHOP
Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free on Long Island
Photo of Liddle Bites play space in Long Beach by Lisa Fogarty for Mommy Poppins
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Long Island Kids
Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center's interactive exhibits are free. Photo by Gina Massaro
Top Free Things To Do Indoors on Long Island: Free Places To Play Indoors
The Vanderbilt has a planetarium, an expansive mansion, and a museum, making it a great place to explore on a rainy day. Photo by Kristen Markel
25 Things To Do Indoors on Long Island on a Rainy Day
Find free fun for Long Island kids at the free play space at the Broadway Mall. Photo courtesy the mall
GUIDE
Guide to Free Things To Do with Long Island Kids
Families gather at Northport Park as the sun sets on the scenic Northport Harbor. Photo by the author
Best Cute Towns on Long Island with Walkable Main Streets
A day at Sunken Meadow State Park can feature playground games, a walk on the beach, and more. Photo by Kimberly Chacon
Best Playgrounds on Long Island for Kids
Speed down the slides at Bellmore's Planet Play.
Top Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Nassau County
Celebrate with a themed birthday at Sippy Cups. Photo by the author
Fun Indoor Birthday Party Places for Kids on Long Island
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
GUIDE
Guide to Classes for Long Island Kids
Kids eat free at participating IHOPs beginning at 4pm each afternoon. Photo courtesy of IHOP
Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free on Long Island
Winding paths, ponds, and streams line the lush grounds of Clark Botanic Gardens.
17 Secret Long Island Spots Kids Love
Encourage an introduction to STEM education at the Long Island Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of LICM
Best Long Island Science Museums for Kids
Long Island is home to some of the most beautiful beaches on the eastern seaboard. Photo courtesy of Discover Long Island
Ultimate Long Island Bucket List: 100 Things To Do on LI with Kids Before They Grow Up
Host an affordable birthday party at Whimsical Vine Party Hall. Photo by Chofit the Man to Call via Pexels
Inexpensive Birthday Party Room Rentals on Long Island
Babies 2 and younger can pet the goats, alpacas, and ponies for free at Fink’s Country Farm.
12 Free Places to Play on Long Island with Babies and Toddlers
Photo of Liddle Bites play space in Long Beach by Lisa Fogarty for Mommy Poppins
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Long Island Kids
Enjoy the engaging exhibits at the Long Island Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of LICM
Best Museums for Kids on Long Island
Keep the kids busy at Applebee's with games on a tableside tablet. Photo by Anne Caminiti - Momee Friends of Long Island www.momeefriendsli.com
Long Island Restaurants with Fun Entertainment for Kids
Photo by Dora Somosi via Instagram
GUIDE
Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for Long Island
Grab the brass ring and get a free ride at Greenport's carousel. Photo by Jaime Sumersille
Top Attractions in Long Island: Best Things to See and Do With Kids
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
Suncatcher_Liz Baill @creativishmom
GUIDE
Crafts for Kids Guide: Thousands of Craft Ideas

25 Things To Do in Venice Beach with Kids

Open up your costume closet for Venice Mardi Gras
Open up your costume closet for Venice Mardi Gras
2/15/19 - By Roberta B

Venice, California is about as unlike Venice, Italy as two cities could be, but the Bohemian beachside community has nonetheless acquired nearly as much fame as its namesake. Both Venices can boast canals, beach, and some larger-than-life parties, but LA's famous seaside tourist attraction replaces old world charm with funkadelic grunge, opera with karaoke, and gondoliers with bodybuilders.

Sandwiched between Santa Monica and Marina del Rey, Venice may be small but has its own distinct personality. And the 25 kid-pleasing activites below are good for a few days' worth of fun in the sun, Venice style.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

  1. Start with the obvious: sunbathe and bodysurf!
  2. Go for a walk along the canals.
  3. Bike or blade on the beach path, stopping to join any dancing skaters you pass along the way.


    The beach path is world famous. Photo by Caccamo/CC BY 2.0
     
  4. People-watch while munching pizza-by-the-slice on the Boardwalk.
  5. Put lights on your bikes and join the Sunday Electric Light Parade.
  6. Play paddle tennis on the free public courts (racquets and balls available at the Ocean Front Walk Parks & Rec office).
  7. Play a game of basketball on the iconic courts (you've seen them in movies for sure).
  8. Watch the flashy bodybuilders flex their stuff at Muscle Beach Gym.
  9. Participate in a drum circle (there's always one going on).
  10. Go sandsledding!


    Sand sledding is classic Venice. Photo via Bigstock
     
  11. Wander the irresistible shops, cafes, and ice cream parlours of Abbot Kinney Boulevard.
  12. Bring a board to skate the Venice Skate Park.
  13. Rent kayaks or paddleboards—for either the ocean or the canals.
  14. Create your own graffiti on the famous Venice Art Walls.
  15. Enjoy the farmers market with a beach breeze, Friday mornings at the corner of Venice Blvd. & Venice Way.


    Photo courtesy of Moo Moo Musica
     
  16. Snap a photo under the iconic Venice sign.
  17. Let the good times roll at the annual Venice Beach Mardi Gras Parade.
  18. Meet other coffee-drinking parents at the the free morning sing-alongs at the Cow's End.
  19. See a family-friendly show at the Electric Lodge theater.
  20. Boogie in a room full of dancing babies with Moo Moo Musica. 
  21. Have a family night of food trucks and free entertainment at Abbot Kinney's First Fridays.


    First Friday food trucks meet for a monthly party on Abbot Kinney Blvd. Photo by Marissa Vitale
     
  22. Eat piles of pasta and garlic knots while Mom and Dad pour themselves glasses of Chianti on C & O Trattoria's famous honor system.
  23. Frolic at one of the two beach playgrounds on Ocean Front Walk.
  24. Go to a storytime or other family activity at the Venice Abbot Kinney branch library.
  25. Photograph the sunset on the restored Venice Beach Pier.

Top photo by CJ Gronner/Blogtown

About the Author

Roberta Brown
Roberta to launched Mommy Poppins' Los Angeles in 2011. Previously she served as LA Editor for GoCityKids, National Editor for ParentsConnect, and Editor for NickMom—all of which worked out well for her son, who grew up serving as Chief Guinea Pig for all things fun in LA and beyond.
Recent Articles By Roberta Brown:
Read more articles by Roberta B.