There are so many fun things to do in Santa Monica with kids you’ll want to spend a few days exploring this picturesque coastal city in Western LA County. Santa Monica’s known for having a laid-back beach town atmosphere with big city sophistication and the quality and variety of attractions and parks will ensure that this reputation holds up.
Things to do in Santa Monica With Kids
This immense pier is home to Pacific Park (an amusement park), the historic Looff Hippodrome Carousel, a solar powered ferris wheel, an arcade, restaurants and shops, all with the most sensational views.
Download and print the FREE scavenger hunt PDF for each of your kids before you head to the pier. It includes a 15% discount on a ride wristband!
On the beach below the carousel, the aquarium houses more than 100 species of marine animals, all of which are found in the Santa Monica Bay.
This world-class aerial school from New York makes learning the flying trapeze a reality without running away to join the circus.
Every holiday season in Downtown Santa Monica the corner of Fifth Street and Arizona Avenue is transformed into the winter wonderland known as Ice at Santa Monica, an 8,000-square-foot ice-skating rink. Rentals and lessons are available.
Tour from Santa Monica to Venice along the beach bike path, kids over 100lbs can ride.
Featuring a fly fishing area, picnic tables, tennis courts, reflecting pools, a playground, and a splash pad.
Visiting this iconic 3-mile stretch of beach is a must.
This 6-acre park was once an asphalt parking lot. Now it’s a lovely park with a fun play area. The name honors the indigenous Tongva people who once lived in the region for thousands of years.
Opened in the fall of 2018, this is Santa Monica’s third universally accessible playground.
This public beach facility was built on the location of a now-demolished 110-room mansion that was built for Marion Davies by William Randolph Hearst. With spectacular views, splash pad, playground, gallery, Marion Davies Guest House, beach courts & fields, community & cultural events, historic pool, free wi-fi, and more, the whole family will enjoy!
Open to the public every Friday night for family-friendly shows. Using digital technology, you will fly beyond the solar system and soar among the stars. You’ll be transported across our galaxy to the limits of spacetime or into the heart of the atom.
Kids will enjoy the interactive center and flight simulator. Families will find artifacts from the Douglas Aircraft Company, aviation-related art, a replica of the Wright Flyer, a flight simulator, and more.
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It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Santa Monica. My kids would love all of these activities, especially anything that involves the water. They’re little fishies!
These pictures are amazing! I would love to go here with my family. We love traveling all over the globe.
I’ve never been to Santa Monica. In the past, I have been to several destinations including Myrtle Beach. It was fun but my kids weren’t with me. Maybe next summer me and the kids can go to the beach.
I want to go to that pier on our road trip in May! I’ve been to California before but never to Santa Monica.
Santa Monica looks like a great place to visit or live! I’d love to see all of these things.
Thank you for the list. We have friends in California and we hope to visit them someday and do these fun things with them.
There is so much to do, who knew. this article would have been helpful when we visiting LA a couple of years ago. All we did was visit the Santa Monica Pier.
This is such a fun list! I am sure kids would surely enjoy any of these activities.
Sounds like a great place for the whole family,the beaches and parks look so peaceful. Thanks for sharing tips.
It’s so nice to see so many places be kid friendly. Although living in the Midwest far away from beaches, that’s all my kids need. The ocean, the sand, the warmth. Is it spring break time yet?
I love visiting Santa Monica, and there are so many things to do with kids, I really need to plan a trip there again
What a fun list! I’ve always wanted to go to Santa Monica. One day, I hope. We love being by the water.
The kids would have a field day going there. They love to travel with me when they can.
Santa Monica looks like a great place for kids and adults so many great parks and beaches. I love the idea of solar powered ferris wheel in that amusement park
Santa Monica sounds like a great city to take the kids. I’d love to take a walk on the Santa Monica Pier and the North Beach Playground is an excellent place for the kids to run and play.
Lizzie thanks for a great post, as we’ve been to Santa Monica when my son worked at one of the CC in Beverly Hills for 4 years. Great place to hang out, and great photos as well!
Kevin