14 Free Things to Do in Los Angeles with Kids

Los Angeles has a reputation as an expensive city - and it can be. But beneath the celebrity brunch spots and $25 parking fees lies a genuinely generous collection of free experiences for families that rivals any city in the country.

This guide covers 14 of the best, organized so you can actually build them into a real day out rather than just a list of places that cost nothing.

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Free Parks and Outdoor Spaces

1. Griffith Park

Over 4,200 acres of free urban wilderness with hiking trails at every difficulty level, the LA Zoo (paid admission), the Griffith Observatory (free), Travel Town Museum (free), picnic areas, and playgrounds. You could spend an entire LA week in Griffith Park and not run out of things to explore. Best arrived at before 10am on weekends.

2. Griffith Observatory

Free admission to one of the most architecturally striking buildings in LA, with sweeping views of the city and the Hollywood Sign. The interior planetarium shows cost a small fee, but the grounds, the Zeiss telescope (free in the evening), and the exhibit halls are all free. A dusk visit is particularly magical with city lights spreading below.

3. Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area

An underrated free park in the Baldwin Hills with a Japanese garden, fishing lake, picnic facilities, playgrounds, and gentle hiking trails. Significantly less crowded than Griffith Park and worth the short detour for families looking for a quieter green space in the city.

4. El Matador State Beach (Malibu)

One of the most beautiful beaches in Southern California - sea stacks, sea caves, and dramatic cliff formations along a relatively uncrowded Malibu stretch. Free beach access with a small parking fee. Best for older children who can navigate the trail down to the beach; younger children need close supervision near the formations.

5. Santa Monica Beach

The most iconic LA beach, free to access, with the Santa Monica Pier (rides are paid) at one end and quieter residential beach stretches to the north. The beach itself - sand, ocean, people-watching, volleyball nets - is completely free. Palisades Park above the beach has benches, chess tables, and ocean views at no cost.

Free Museums and Cultural Spaces

6. California Science Center

Home to Space Shuttle Endeavour and one of the best science museum experiences in the country - the core exhibits are entirely free. IMAX films and the shuttle's Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center (coming soon) are ticketed. Free parking in adjacent Exposition Park garages on non-event days.

7. Getty Center

Free admission always. The architecture, gardens, views, and world-class art collection are all included at no charge (parking is $20). The Family Room has hands-on art activities for children on weekends. The tram ride up from the parking structure delights younger kids as a bonus.

8. Natural History Museum Gardens

The Nature Gardens surrounding the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles are free to access and worth a walk even if you're not paying museum admission. Native plant habitats, a butterfly pavilion (seasonal, small fee), and a restored urban wilderness space in the heart of Exposition Park.

9. Travel Town Museum

In the north end of Griffith Park, Travel Town is a free outdoor museum of vintage locomotives, rail cars, and steam engines that kids can climb on and explore. The adjacent miniature train ride costs a few dollars per person - one of the most consistently beloved toddler activities in the city.

10. Watts Towers

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of LA's most genuinely extraordinary folk art structures - massive wire and cement towers covered in glass, tile, shells, and found objects, built over 33 years by one man. Tours of the interior are a modest fee; the exterior and grounds can be viewed free. A surprisingly memorable stop for curious kids.

Free Events and Seasonal Activities

11. Levitt Pavilion Concerts

Free outdoor concerts all summer long at MacArthur Park in Westlake. Kids dance on the lawn, families bring picnics, and the atmosphere is one of the most genuinely warm summer evenings in the city. The calendar runs from late May through September.

12. CicLAvia

Several times a year, CicLAvia closes major city streets to cars and opens them to bikes, scooters, skates, and pedestrians. The result is one of the best free family days available anywhere in the city - miles of car-free streets to explore. Check cicLAvia.org for upcoming route dates.

13. Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine

A serene, free garden sanctuary in Pacific Palisades surrounding a private lake. Swans, koi, a houseboat temple, and beautifully maintained gardens - all open to the public at no charge. A peaceful contrast to busier LA attractions, particularly lovely for families with younger children who need a quiet, beautiful space to slow down.

14. Grand Central Market

Downtown LA's historic indoor market has free admission and is one of the best places to eat an affordable family meal while taking in one of the city's most alive, diverse spaces. Vendors cover everything from Thai food to tacos to egg sandwiches. The historic Broadway architecture outside is a bonus. Not a "free activity" in the food sense, but zero admission and full of energy.

Tips for Free Days in LA

• Time your museum visits: Many LA museums have free days or early bird windows - check individual websites before planning, as schedules change seasonally.
• Bring food: Many of the best free spaces (Griffith Park, beaches, the Getty grounds) are perfect for picnics, and packing lunch versus buying it saves $40-$60 on a family day out.
• Go on weekdays: Most of these spaces are dramatically less crowded Monday through Thursday, making for a better experience even if your family's schedule requires planning around school.

Final Thoughts

LA's free family experiences aren't a consolation prize for budget travelers - many of them (Griffith Observatory, the Getty, Griffith Park) are among the best things the city offers at any price. Build a trip around two or three of these and supplement with one paid attraction, and you'll have a full, genuinely great LA family day for a fraction of what theme park visits cost.