Big kids are done with passive entertainment. They want to solve things, climb things, explore things, and feel like they're actually doing something. LA has that — in spades — if you know where to look beyond the obvious tourist circuit.
Here are the 26 best activities for kids 6–12 in Los Angeles, ordered by what actually lands.
---
The Escape Room That Gets It Right
Maze Rooms Escape Game - Vermont earns a 4.9 rating across 1,100+ reviews for a reason. The puzzles are calibrated well for mixed-age groups — kids ages 8 and up are genuine contributors, not just spectators. Plan 1–1.5 hours and budget $80–$100 for a family of four. Book a few days ahead for weekend slots. Avoid Friday and Saturday night premium pricing if you can swing it.
---
Science That Doesn't Feel Like School
Discovery Cube Los Angeles in Sylmar runs 3–4 hours without kids noticing the time. They'll spend 45 minutes manipulating water currents, watch earthquake simulation tables shake, and get close to live animals in the eco-station. Budget $80–$110 for a family of four (admission ~$18–$20/person plus food and $5–$10 parking). Closed Mondays — write that down.
La Brea Tar Pits and Museum hits differently than a typical museum. Real bubbling tar pits in the middle of Miracle Mile. Mammoth bones pulled from the ground under the city. The Fishbowl Fossil Lab lets kids watch actual scientists cleaning fossils through glass — the only active urban paleontological excavation site in the world. Budget $75–$100 for four (adults ~$15–$18, kids under 3 free, plus cafe and parking).
---
Big Parks With Big Payoffs
Griffith Park is free to enter and enormous. Pony rides (~$3), the miniature train (~$3/person) on weekends, the Griffith Observatory, and miles of trails. You'll spend 2–5 hours easily and under $30 total. Park near Crystal Springs Drive — the lots near the Observatory fill fast on weekends.
The Old Los Angeles Zoo sits abandoned inside Griffith Park and it's genuinely fascinating for kids 8 and up. Empty animal enclosures, stone grottos, crumbling infrastructure reclaimed by nature. Completely free. Pack a picnic — there's no food on site.
Bronson Canyon Playground in the Hollywood Hills is free. After the playground, walk up into Bronson Canyon — older kids love exploring the Batman Caves, old quarry tunnels used in the original Batman TV series. Bring a picnic for the shaded tables nearby.
Vermont Canyon Play Area inside Griffith Park sits in a shaded canyon that feels removed from the city. Free, 4.9-rated, and a solid add-on to any Griffith Park day.
Juntos Family Park in Glassell Park is free, open 6:30am–10pm every day. One of the longest operating windows for any city park — great for early mornings or after-dinner energy burns.
Aidan's Place at Westwood Recreation Center is free and open until 10pm on weekdays near UCLA. Westwood Village is a short walk for food afterward.
Griffith Park Playground has 900+ reviews at 4.7 — the most-reviewed playground in LA. Free.
Grand Park Playground sits in downtown LA with Little Tokyo steps away for affordable Japanese food. Metro-accessible. Free.
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Recreation Area in South LA has a free park plus a summer pool at $2–$4/person. One of the best-value family days in the city.
---
Adventure That Gets Hearts Racing
Adventure Playground is a summer-only program (typically June–August, weekdays) where kids build, hammer, dig, and do things that wouldn't survive a liability review anywhere else. Admission is ~$5/child, adults free — $20–$40 for a family. Wear clothes you don't mind destroying.
Adventure Park is a free LA County park — but it's weekday-only. Pack a full picnic; food options are sparse nearby.
Super Silly Fun Land is inside Universal Studios Hollywood — not a standalone stop. A full Universal day runs $400–$600+ for four. Bring a change of clothes because kids will get soaked, and the rest of the park is more enjoyable when dry.
---
Museums Worth the Admission
Los Angeles County Museum of Art is enormous. For kids, it's about discovery across wildly different wings — Japanese pavilion with koi pond, costume galleries, the iconic Urban Light sculpture outside. Kids under 17 are FREE for LA County residents. Adults ~$25. Parking $15–$20. Closed Wednesdays.
World of Illusions Los Angeles on Hollywood Blvd uses optical illusions, mirror mazes, and trick art rooms to genuinely bend perception. Kids ages 8–12 are consistently impressed. Budget $90–$120 (tickets $22–$28/person plus $15–$20 parking). Use side street lots.
Bubble Planet in the Arts District has giant bubble sculptures and UV-lit rooms that kids ages 6–12 find genuinely engaging. $80–$100 for four ($20–$25/person plus Arts District parking ~$10–$15). Closed Tuesdays. Book online for your time slot.
---
Nature and Animals
Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden in Arcadia earns its keep for one unexpected reason: free-roaming peacocks. Kids go absolutely wild for them. The 127-acre property has a cafe and enough variety to fill 2–3 hours. Adults ~$15, kids 5–12 ~$8, under 5 free. Third Tuesday of the month is free for LA County residents.
Wildlife Learning Center in Sylmar is a nonprofit rescue facility with hands-on animal encounters. Limited hours — check the website before planning. Budget $50–$70 for four.
---
Indoor Play and Active Venues
Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Van Nuys has wall-to-wall trampolines, foam pits, dodge ball courts, and a dedicated toddler area. Sessions run $80–$110 for four ($20–$25/person plus grip socks ~$3–$5 if needed). Book online to guarantee your time slot.
Jump Club Arena in Sunland is smaller and less corporate than the big chains — the neighborhood energy is friendlier. Budget $70–$90 for four ($18–$22/person). Weekday hours don't start until noon.
Kids Empire Northridge is the highest-rated Kids Empire in the LA area at 4.7 — better maintenance than other locations. Multi-level structures, dedicated zones, food on-site. Budget $70–$100 for four.
Kids Empire South Gate and Kids Empire Woodland Hills offer the same format with weekend hours until 10pm. Each runs $70–$100 for four.
Kids World Family Fun Center in Oak Park combines indoor/outdoor play with a full family restaurant — no need to leave mid-visit for food. Budget $90–$130 total.
---
Bottom Line
Griffith Park alone can fill two days for free. For paid experiences, Discovery Cube ($80–$110) and La Brea Tar Pits ($75–$100) give the most substance per dollar for big kids. Adventure Playground at ~$5/child is the best deal in the city in summer.
The trap is stacking too many paid venues in a row. LA's free parks are genuinely excellent, and big kids don't know the difference between free and expensive — they just know if it was fun.