Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around 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. This page is where we showcase the 2024 list of winners for the Valley. (Click here for the full list of nominees.)
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. Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens 2. Descanso Gardens 3. Kidspace Children's Museum 4. Universal Studios Hollywood 5. California Science Center 6. Sherman Oaks Castle Park 7. My Local Library 8. Moonlight Rollerway 9. El Capitan Theatre 10. Six Flags Magic Mountain 11. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor 12. Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden 13. O'Melveny Park 14. La Brea Tar Pits and Museum 15. Verdigo Boulders 16. Wildlife Learning Center 17. Burbank Community YMCA 18. Mission San Fernando Rey de España 19. Pickwick Ice 20. The Japanese Garden |
Top Arts Educator: Burbank Music Academy Top Sports Educator: Aqua Buddies Swim School Top STEM Educator: Wildlife Learning Center |
© 2024, KidsOutAndAbout.com. This information may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the express written permission of KidsOutAndAbout.com.
1. Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Nurturing wildlife and enriching the human experience.
2. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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).
6. 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!
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. Moonlight Rollerway
Roller skating rink in Glendale, California. The building that houses Moonlight Rollerway was built in the 1940’s and was used to make airplane parts for the great war. In February of 1956 it opened as Harry’s Roller Rink. The skating floor is the original 2 ¼ inch maple flooring, with no nails all tongue and groove. The current owner, Dominic Cangelosi, became an employee in the late 1960’s and has been playing the organ ever since. He became the owner in 1985 and has maintained the architecture and ambiance to replicate that era. Moonlight Rollerway has been featured in multiple television shows, motion pictures and music videos.
10. Six Flags Magic Mountain
Six Flags Magic Mountain is known as the “Thrill Capital of the World,” the 260-acre theme park boasts world-class roller coasters, more than any other theme park. The park features over 100 rides, games, and attractions for the entire family.
11. 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.
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. O'Melveny Park
O'Melveny Park is a public park located in the Santa Susana Mountains, in the Granada Hills community of the northern San Fernando Valley, in the northernmost portion of the City of Los Angeles, California.
14. 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. The La Brea Tar Pits Museum is part of a Family of Museums that includes the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County downtown in Exposition Park and the William S. Hart Museum in Newhall, CA. Visitors can learn about Los Angeles as it was between 11,000 and 40,000 years ago, during the last Ice Age when animals like saber-toothed cats and mammoths roamed the Los Angeles Basin.
15. Verdigo Boulders
Verdigo Boulders gym combines Touchstone's history and commitment to the climbing community with state-of-the-art flooring and wall design, bringing you the best that the industry has to offer. It is the largest bouldering gym in Burbank California, complete with fitness classes and training.
16. 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.
17. Burbank Community YMCA
The Burbank Y offers a variety of preschool and youth enrichment classes including swimming, ballet, yoga, gym classes, & more! Our classes provide a safe, familiar environment with creative curriculum. Classes are designed to offer age and developmentally appropriate activities.
18. Mission San Fernando Rey de España
Mission San Fernando Rey de España is a Spanish mission in the Mission Hills community. It contains a museum and gardens.
19. 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!
20. The Japanese Garden
In the midst of the busy San Fernando Valley lies an oasis – a 6 1/2 acre garden, which features three gardens in one. As one enters The Japanese Garden, designed by Doctor Koichi Kawana, there is a dry Zen meditation garden (karesansui) containing Tortoise Island, a three-Buddha arrangement of stones, and a wisteria arbor at the end of the Plover Path. Next along the path is an expansive Chisen or “wet-strolling” garden with waterfalls, lakes and streams, abundant greenery, and stone lanterns which were hand-carved by artisans in Japan. At the end of this path is the Shoin Building with an authentic 4 1/2 tatami-mat teahouse and adjacent tea garden.
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 Arts Educator: Burbank Music Academy
Burbank Music Academy is the premier music education destination for students of all ages in the San Fernando Valley. The 3400-square-foot, air conditioned, sound treated facility sets the standard by which independent music schools are judged. Offering lessons, camps, classes, programs, events, bands, retail sales and philanthropic endeavors.
Top Sports Educator: Aqua Buddies Swim School
Aqua Buddies Swim School offers swim lessons in the greater Los Angeles area and in Oahu. In LA we have 2 locations (Glendale and Sherman Oaks) and offer in-home swim lessons in the privacy of your own home.
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.
