Los Angeles has more for kids to do than almost any city in the country, and that’s exactly the problem. Soccer signups live on one site, swim lessons on another, and the acting class your neighbor raved about only posts its schedule on Instagram.
This guide pulls it together. It covers the ongoing activities LA parents actually sign up for — sports leagues, swim, martial arts, dance, acting, music, art, coding and camps — with ages, typical costs and picks across the Valley, the Westside, Pasadena and the South Bay.
Jump to: Sports & Leagues · Arts & Performance · STEM & Coding · Camps · Free & Low-Cost · Little Ones · By Neighborhood · FAQ
Quick tip from us: start with one activity per season. Many LA programs run in seasons or multi-week sessions, so it’s easy to try something new each term.
Prefer an outing?
If you’re after a day out rather than a weekly class, a few of our family’s favorites: the marble runs at Cayton Children’s Museum in Santa Monica, riding the train at Travel Town in Griffith Park, and the chimpanzees at the LA Zoo. Find 50+ more in Things to Do in Los Angeles with Kids.
Sports & Leagues
City-run leagues are the best value in LA, often around $100–$170 a season with uniform included. For a full rundown, see our Best Youth Sports Leagues in Los Angeles.
Soccer
AYSO is the default first league for most LA families: volunteer-run, everyone plays, and regions cover nearly every neighborhood. Fall 2026 fees on regional sites ran about $150–$240, plus a $25 national membership at some regions; several offer scholarships.
| Program | Area | Ages | Price (as posted) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AYSO Region 58 | Van Nuys / Sherman Oaks | See league site | Not listed; games centered at Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Rec Center |
| AYSO Region 13 | Pasadena | 4U–19U | $210–$240 fall; pay-what-you-can option |
| AYSO Region 17 | North Redondo Beach | 5U–19U | $160–$220 + $25 membership; spring signups expected early December |
| AYSO Region 1031 | South LA | From age 3 | $100–$200; scholarships |
Not listed here? Find your local region with AYSO’s region finder.
Basketball
| Program | Area | Ages | Price (as posted) |
|---|---|---|---|
| YMCA Jr. Clippers | YMCA branches incl. Van Nuys, Pasadena, Culver-Palms, Hollywood, Crenshaw | 4–15 | Free for Y members; equal playing time |
| Westwood Recreation Center | Westside | 5–15 | $100, uniform included |
| City of Torrance Youth Basketball | South Bay | K–8 | $104 for 8 weeks |
Baseball & softball
| Program | Area | Ages | Price (as posted) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sherman Oaks Little League | Sherman Oaks | About 4–13 | Our neighborhood league; check league for fees |
| West Pasadena Little League | Pasadena | 4–14 | Not listed; founded 1952 |
| Balboa Sports Center Baseball | Encino | About 6–13 | $170, uniform included; fee waivers |
Swim lessons
In a city full of pools, swim lessons are the one activity we’d call non-negotiable. City pools are the bargain; private schools offer heated indoor pools year-round.
| Program | Area | Ages | Price (as posted) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SwimLA city pools | Citywide | 6 months+ | $10 for 8 group lessons; scholarships |
| SafeSplash Torrance | South Bay | 4 months+ | $139/month group (max 4 kids) + $50/yr |
| Waterworks Aquatics | Northridge, Torrance | 2½+ | From $179 for 8 semi-private lessons (Torrance) |
More options: Best Swim Lessons for Kids in Los Angeles and the Valley.
Martial arts
| Program | Area | Ages | Price (as posted) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bejanian Martial Arts | North Hollywood, Glendale | 3+ (Tiny Tigers 3–5) | Free first class |
| Torrance Shotokan Karate | Torrance | Under 18 | $30/month + $125/yr membership |
| Gracie Barra Pasadena | San Gabriel | Kids program | Free trial class |
More options: Best Karate and Martial Arts Classes for Kids in Los Angeles.
Gymnastics
| Program | Area | Ages | Price (as posted) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vernon Lee Gymnastics | Pasadena, Burbank | Toddler+ | Not listed; nonprofit since 1993 |
| The Little Gym of Torrance | Torrance | 4 months–12 | $145–$153/month for 1 class/week |
| My Gym Encino | Encino | 6 weeks–14 | $149 per 4 weeks; non-competitive |
Arts & Performance
Plenty of LA kids’ classes are taught by working actors, dancers and musicians. Most studios don’t post prices, so ask about a trial class. Not a sports kid? See 25 After-School Activities for Kids Who Don’t Like Sports.
Acting & theater
| Program | Area | Ages | Price | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Monica Playhouse | Santa Monica | 4–16 | Group classes not listed | Year-round youth theatre since 1969; most classes end in a performance |
| Pasadena Playhouse | Pasadena | 5–18 | Not listed | 16 youth classes in its 2026 lineup, from puppetry to kids’ musicals |
| The Young Actors Studio | North Hollywood | Not listed | Not listed | Kids’ acting studio founded in 1996 |
| Michelle Danner Acting Studio | Culver City | 5–17 | Not listed | Acting, filmmaking and musical theater camps |
| Encore South Bay | Torrance | Not listed | Not listed | Youth shows staged at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center |
More options: Best Theater and Drama Classes for Kids in Los Angeles.
Dance
| Program | Area | Ages | Price | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Starz Dance & Theatre | Sherman Oaks, Toluca Lake, Glassell Park | 12 months–12 | Free first class | Classes from toddler age up |
| Westside School of Ballet | Santa Monica | Pre-ballet–teen | Not listed | Founded 1967 by a New York City Ballet ballerina; no audition to join |
| Pasadena Dance Theatre | Pasadena | Elementary–pre-pro | Not listed | Placement class for new students; annual Nutcracker |
Music
| Program | Area | Ages | Price | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kid Row | North Hollywood | 4–10+ | $175/month | Our family’s pick: Ford, 4, spent six months learning his songs, building to a final performance. He loved his teachers and that show |
| Colburn Community School | Downtown LA | 7 months–18 | Not listed; scholarships | Lessons, choirs, orchestras, Suzuki and adaptive music |
| Silverlake Conservatory of Music | Los Feliz/Silver Lake | Not listed | Not listed; scholarships | Co-founded in 2001 by Flea after LA school arts cuts |
| Pasadena Conservatory of Music | Pasadena | Not listed | $32/lesson + $60/yr registration | Youth chamber, jazz and world music groups |
More options: Best Music Classes and Lessons for Kids in Los Angeles.
Art
| Program | Area | Ages | Price | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meri Cherry Art Studio | Encino | Not listed | Not listed | Process-art studio; classes, camps and drop-in art |
| Alyce’s Art Studio | Santa Monica | 6+ | $65/workshop | Runs a winter art camp over December break |
| Armory Center for the Arts | Pasadena | 6–12, teens | Free (registration required) | Free classes with the City of Pasadena |
| Barnsdall Junior Arts Center | Los Feliz | Kids + parent-and-child | Low cost | City-run since 1967: ceramics, darkroom, media arts |
STEM & Coding
LA’s coding and robotics programs mostly run as weekly classes during the school year, plus camps over every break. Ages typically start around 5.
| Program | Area | Ages | Price | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rolling Robots | Hancock Park, Pasadena, Glendale, West LA, Rolling Hills Estates | 5–18 | Not listed | Founded 2008 by aerospace engineers; competitive VEX robotics teams |
| CodeREV Kids | Santa Monica, Studio City (+ camp sites citywide) | 6–14 | Not listed | Minecraft modding, Roblox, Unity, Arduino and Lego robotics |
| Code Ninjas Sherman Oaks | Sherman Oaks | 5–14 | Varies by location | Ongoing coding plus summer, winter and spring break camps |
Camps: Summer, Winter & Spring Break
Winter and spring break camps cover the weeks school is out, and popular ones can fill early, so check dates against your school calendar in the fall. For more, see our full guides to Winter Break Camps in Los Angeles and the Best Summer Camps in Los Angeles.
| Camp | Area | Ages | Dates & price (as posted) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Monica Playhouse Break Theatre Camp | Santa Monica | 6–11 | Winter: Dec 26–29, 2026, $495 · Spring: Mar 22–26, 2027, $545 |
| UCLA Recreation Winter Camp | Westwood | 5–12 | Jan 4–8, 2027, $895 (community rate) |
| Discovery Cube LA Winter Camp | Sylmar | Grades K–5 | $70/day or $240 for 4 days (non-members); check site for current dates |
| CodeREV Kids | Santa Monica, Studio City | 6–14 | Winter and spring camps; price not listed |
| LA City Rec & Parks day camps | Rec centers citywide | 5–14 | Follow LAUSD break dates; fees vary by center |
Free & Low-Cost Options
Some of LA’s best kids’ programs cost little or nothing.
- LA City Recreation & Parks: classes (dance, gymnastics, piano, guitar, art), youth sports and break camps at neighborhood rec centers. Winter class registration opens the first Saturday in December.
- LA County Parks: free drop-in programs, including “Every Body Plays” for ages 7–17.
- LA Public Library: free storytimes, crafts, homework help and reading clubs at 73 branches.
- LA County Library: free kids’ events and homework help with a library card.
- Armory Center for the Arts and Barnsdall Junior Arts Center: free or low-cost art classes.
Little Ones (Ages 0–5)
For babies through preschoolers, the best classes are short, play-based and grouped tightly by age, and most let a parent join in. Our son Ford, 4, spent six months at Kid Row in North Hollywood this year, learning his songs and building up to a final performance. His favorite parts were his teachers and that end-of-session show.
| Program | Area | Ages | Price (as posted) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kid Row | North Hollywood | 4–10+ | $175/month |
| Pasadena City College Parent Education | Pasadena, Altadena, Arcadia + more | Newborn–5 | Free (TB test and birth certificate required) |
| Gymboree Play & Music Encino | Encino | Babies, toddlers | Not listed |
| My Gym Santa Monica | Santa Monica | Parent-and-child | $169 per 4 weeks; 30-day cancellation notice |
| Blue Starz Dance | Sherman Oaks, Toluca Lake, Glassell Park | From 12 months | Free first class |
| Colburn Community School | Downtown LA | From 7 months | Not listed; scholarships |
| SwimLA city pools | Citywide | 6 months+ | Parent-and-child $30 per session |
Toddler-friendly outings like children’s museums are in our 50+ Things to Do in LA with Kids. Looking for rainy-day ideas? See Best Indoor Activities for Kids in Los Angeles.
Kids Activities by Neighborhood
In LA, the best activity is often the closest one. Here’s where the programs in this guide cluster.
| Area | Programs in this guide |
|---|---|
| San Fernando Valley (Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Encino, North Hollywood, Van Nuys, Northridge) | Kid Row, Sherman Oaks Little League, Blue Starz Dance, Code Ninjas Sherman Oaks, CodeREV Studio City, Meri Cherry Art Studio, Young Actors Studio, Bejanian Martial Arts, My Gym Encino, Gymboree Encino, Balboa baseball, Waterworks Northridge, YMCA Mid Valley |
| Westside (Santa Monica, Culver City, Westwood) | Santa Monica Playhouse, Michelle Danner, Westside School of Ballet, Alyce’s Art Studio, CodeREV Santa Monica, My Gym Santa Monica, Westwood Rec basketball, UCLA winter camp |
| Central LA (Downtown, Hollywood, Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Hancock Park) | Colburn, Silverlake Conservatory, Barnsdall Junior Arts Center, Rolling Robots Hancock Park |
| Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley | Pasadena Playhouse, Pasadena Dance Theatre, Pasadena Conservatory, Armory Center, AYSO 13, West Pasadena Little League, Vernon Lee Gymnastics, Gracie Barra, PCC Parent Education, Rolling Robots Pasadena |
| South Bay (Torrance, Redondo Beach) | Encore South Bay, AYSO 17, Torrance basketball, Torrance Shotokan, SafeSplash, Waterworks Torrance, The Little Gym, Rolling Robots Rolling Hills Estates |
| South LA | AYSO 1031, SwimLA city pools |
How to Choose an Activity
The right activity is the one your kid will still want to go to in week six. (For the bigger picture, see Finding Your Kid’s Thing and How to Build the Perfect Activity Schedule.) Before you sign up, run through this list:
- Drive time. In LA traffic, a great program 40 minutes away usually loses to a good one 10 minutes away. Check the drive at pickup time, not on a Sunday.
- Age fit. Ask how they group kids. A 4-year-old in a 4–8 class is a very different experience from a 4–5 class.
- Trial class. Many studios, gyms and swim schools offer a free or low-cost first class. Use it.
- Total cost. Ask about registration fees, uniforms, recital costumes, tournament travel and make-up class policy, not just the session price.
- Instructor background. Ask who actually teaches and whether coaches are background-checked. Volunteer leagues like AYSO require it.
- Commitment. Rec leagues ask for one season. Competitive and club teams can mean year-round practices and weekend travel.
- Your kid’s vote. If they hated it after a fair try, let it go. There’s always next season.
Every child is different. For sensory-friendly ideas, see 10 Things to Do in LA With Autistic Kids.
More guides for LA parents: best parks in LA for kids and best hikes for kids in LA.
FAQ
How much do kids activities cost in Los Angeles?
It varies widely. City-run leagues and classes are the cheapest: LA Rec & Parks basketball runs about $100 a season and city swim lessons $10 for 8 lessons. AYSO soccer is typically $150–$240 a season. Private gyms, swim schools and studios usually run $140–$180 a month for one class a week.
What are free kids activities in Los Angeles?
LA Public Library and LA County Library branches offer free storytimes, crafts and homework help. LA County Parks runs free drop-in programs, the Armory Center for the Arts offers free classes in Pasadena, and Pasadena City College has free parent-and-child classes for ages 0–5.
What age can kids start activities in LA?
Many programs start in infancy: parent-and-child swim from 4–6 months, music from 7 months at Colburn, and dance from 12 months at Blue Starz. AYSO soccer and T-ball start around ages 3–4.
When do I need to sign up?
Rec leagues usually open registration a few months before each season, and popular break camps can fill early. For example, LA City Rec & Parks winter class registration opens the first Saturday in December.
How do I find activities near me in LA?
Start with the neighborhood table above. AfterschoolSearch is building a free directory where you’ll be able to filter LA activities by age, area and schedule.
Prices, ages and dates were taken from each program’s website in October 2026. Programs change often, so confirm details directly before you register.
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