Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around the San Fernando Valley
Best Places for Kids in the San Fernando Valley!
Every May and June, thousands of local parents, grandparents, and caregivers weigh in on their favorite local places to take kids. Typically, we showcase the Top 20 winners... but this year, in honor of KidsOutAndAbout.com's 21st birthday (we originally launched in June of 2001), we bring you the San Fernando Valley's
TOP 21 Places to Take Kids!
Of course, there are literally hundreds of wonderful places to take your kids in our area, not just this year's winners! Get great ideas here! After you check out the list, make sure to find great things to do on our packed daily calendar, sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter, and visit our Everything That's Free page for lots more ideas.
1. California Science Center
Embark on a journey of science learning and fun for everyone as you explore over 150 interactive exhibits in their galleries like Ecosystems featuring live animals in living habitats, including a 188,000 gallon kelp forest tank. Complete your visit by seeing Space Shuttle Endeavour in the Samuel Oschin Pavilion. View the orbiter up close and discover the science behind this amazing vehicle. Admission to permanent exhibits is FREE. (Excludes IMAX and special paid exhibitions).
3. Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Nurturing wildlife and enriching the human experience.
4. Sherman Oaks Castle Park
Sherman Oaks Castle Park is the San Fernando Valley's premier family entertainment center. Enjoy the finest miniature golf, arcade and batting cages. Great family fun for kids of all ages!
5. La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
Rancho La Brea is one of the world's most famous fossil localities, recognized for having the largest and most diverse assemblage of extinct Ice Age plants and animals in the world.
6. Griffith Park
With over 4,210 acres of both natural chapparal-covered terrain and landscaped parkland and picnic areas, Griffith Park is one of the largest municipal parks with urban wilderness areas in the United States. Situated in the eastern Santa Monica Mountain range, the Park’s elevations range from 384 to 1,625 feet above see level. With an arid climate, the Park’s plant communities vary from coastal sage scrub, oak and walnut woodlands to riparian vegetation with trees in the Park’s deep canyons. The California native plants represented in Griffith Park include the California species of oak, walnut, lilac, mountain mahagony, sages, toyon, and sumac. Present, in small quantities, are the threatened species of manzanita and berberis.
7. My Local Library
Of course, the libraries in the San Fernando Valley area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication.
8. Descanso Gardens
Descanso Gardens is an urban retreat of year-round natural beauty, internationally renowned botanical collections and spectacular seasonal horticultural displays. Visit for a stroll, a concert or a class — there are so many ways to explore.
10. Wildlife Learning Center
Wildlife Learning Center (WLC) is a zoological park nestled in an old olive grove in Sylmar, California, where visitors can appreciate and learn about animals from around the world. WLC was founded to provide public education in the life sciences, conservation, and our environment. WLC is dedicated to providing life-long care to more than 100 displaced, rescued, and zoo-born wild animals from about 50 different species that call this shady, natural environment home. WLC has given more than 22,000 educational presentations since 1998 to hundreds of thousands of people.
12. Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden
The Arboretum is an 127-acre botanical garden and historical site located in what was the heart of Rancho Santa Anita in Arcadia. Our mission is to cultivate our natural, horticultural and historic resources for learning, enjoyment and inspiration. We strive to reflect Southern California’s distinct climate, community and openness to new ideas. In addition to concerts and tours, we offer activities and events that cater to every audience.
13. Rose Bowl Aquatics Center
The Rose Bowl Aquatics Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, opened in 1990 and is located in Pasadena’s beautiful Brookside Park, just south of the famous Rose Bowl Stadium. This world-class aquatics facility offers year round aquatic and fitness programming to children, youth, families and seniors so that all generations can achieve the benefits of healthy living habits, regular exercise, and sports training. Today we serve more than 450,000 patrons annually.
14. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
Dive into the wet, wild world of Six Flags Hurricane Harbor. At this 22-acre waterpark next door to Six Flags Magic Mountain, you'll splish-splash into a world of fun. Enjoy two of the tallest fully-enclosed speed slides in Southern California, a 1,300-foot river, a wave pool, an interactive lagoon and a kids' play area.
17. Ultrazone Laser Tag
Ultrazone Laser Tag is "The Ultimate Laser Adventure" completely equipped for kids birthday parties, casual play, groups, teens, adults, youth groups, church groups, company parties, fundraisers and more!
18. Universal Studios Hollywood
With thrilling theme park rides and shows, a real working movie studio and Los Angeles’ best shops, restaurants and cinemas at CityWalk, Universal Studios Hollywood is a unique experience that’s fun for the whole family.
19. Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve
The more than 5,600-acre Upper Las Virgenes Open Space Preserve in the Simi hills at the western edge of the San Fernando Valley, is part of a critical ecological linkage and wildlife corridor between the Santa Monica Mountains and the ranges to the north. Hikers, runners, mountain bikers and equestrians enjoy miles of trails through rolling hills studded with valley oaks, sycamore-lined canyon bottoms, and vistas of unspoiled California landscapes.
Diverse habitats and endangered species such as the California red-legged frog, the San Fernando Valley spineflower, and the Southwestern willow flycatcher are permanently protected here. The property encompasses headwaters of Malibu Creek which flows to Santa Monica Bay and supports one of the few populations of Southern steelhead trout.
20. Pickwick Ice
Welcome to Pickwick Ice, the coolest ice skating rink in Burbank, CA! Our NHL size state of the art arena is the place for you and your family to enjoy hours on the ice.
Ice Skate to music; relax in our lounge equipped with wireless internet access, LED TV’s and Snack Bar with Arcade. Visit our fully stocked Sport Shop — with enough equipment and apparel to satisfy even the most discriminating buyer. Ask us about Birthday Parties, Skating Lessons, Hockey Programs, or how we can help with your Fundraising efforts for non-profits. Put together a small group and try Broomball on ice!
21. YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles
The YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles is committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. This commitment ensures that every individual has access to essentials needed to learn, grow & thrive.
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in three categories. Here were their choices.Top Sports Educator: YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles
The YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles is committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. This commitment ensures that every individual has access to essentials needed to learn, grow & thrive.
Top STEM Educator: Wildlife Learning Center
Wildlife Learning Center (WLC) is a zoological park nestled in an old olive grove in Sylmar, California, where visitors can appreciate and learn about animals from around the world. WLC was founded to provide public education in the life sciences, conservation, and our environment. WLC is dedicated to providing life-long care to more than 100 displaced, rescued, and zoo-born wild animals from about 50 different species that call this shady, natural environment home. WLC has given more than 22,000 educational presentations since 1998 to hundreds of thousands of people.
