Last updated: October 15, 2026 \u00b7 By Joel Kuznetsky<\/p>\n
Long Beach is one of those Southern California cities that can be easy to underestimate when you\u2019re looking for things to do with kids. Most people know about the Aquarium of the Pacific, but once you start exploring, there is a surprisingly deep lineup of family activities here.<\/p>\n
You can spend the morning touching sharks and watching sea otters, take a whale-watching boat into the Pacific in the afternoon, learn to sail in Alamitos Bay, explore a historic ranch, ride a train through an Old West-themed amusement park, bike along the beach, or simply let the kids play in the sand at one of the city’s calmer beaches.<\/p>\n
Long Beach also works particularly well for families because many of its best attractions are clustered together. Downtown’s waterfront alone can easily fill an entire day, while the Alamitos Bay, Naples and Belmont Shore area offers another completely different set of activities.<\/p>\n
Whether you live nearby or you’re planning a family day trip, here are 25 of the best things to do with kids in Long Beach.<\/p>\n
Quick Picks<\/p>\n
If you’re picking just one major attraction in Long Beach for kids, the Aquarium of the Pacific is the obvious place to start.<\/p>\n
Located on Rainbow Harbor, the aquarium introduces kids to marine life from Southern California and Baja, the Northern Pacific and tropical Pacific waters. The experience goes well beyond looking through aquarium glass. Kids can get close to sharks, rays, sea jellies, colorful fish, sea otters and other animals, and there are plenty of interactive experiences that make it particularly good for younger visitors.<\/p>\n
One of the best areas for families is Shark Lagoon, where kids can see sharks and rays from above and, when available, touch some of the animals in designated pools. The aquarium’s outdoor spaces also give restless kids room to move around rather than requiring them to quietly walk from gallery to gallery all day.<\/p>\n
Plan on spending at least a few hours here. You can also combine the aquarium with Shoreline Village, a harbor cruise or a waterfront bike ride without getting back in the car.<\/p>\n
Seeing a whale or a huge pod of dolphins in the open ocean is a completely different experience from seeing marine life in an aquarium.<\/p>\n
Whale-watching cruises leave directly from Long Beach’s Rainbow Harbor, making this an easy activity to pair with the Aquarium of the Pacific. Harbor Breeze Cruises operates whale- and dolphin-watching excursions from Dock #2 next to the aquarium.<\/p>\n
Exactly what you see depends on the season and a fair amount of luck. The waters off Southern California can be home to or visited by gray, blue, humpback, fin and minke whales, while dolphins and sea lions can also be spotted.<\/p>\n
For kids who are fascinated by animals, the boat ride itself is part of the adventure. Bring layers even when Long Beach is warm because temperatures can feel considerably cooler once you’re out on the water.<\/p>\n
When your family needs a break from rides, screens and busy attractions, head to El Dorado Nature Center.<\/p>\n
The 105-acre nature sanctuary feels surprisingly removed from the surrounding city. More than two miles of trails wind through wooded areas and around lakes and streams, and families may spot turtles, rabbits and a wide variety of birds along the way.<\/p>\n
There are several routes, so you don’t have to commit to a long hike with younger children. A paved quarter-mile loop is particularly useful for families with strollers or kids who aren’t ready for a longer walk, while the longer dirt trails give older children more of an adventure.<\/p>\n
Start at the Visitor Center and Museum, where kids can learn about the plants and wildlife they might encounter before heading onto the trails. The Nature Center also offers educational and seasonal programs throughout the year.<\/p>\n
The trails and museum are free, although there may be a vehicle parking fee.<\/p>\n
Tucked inside El Dorado East Regional Park is one of Long Beach’s most underrated attractions for younger kids: El Dorado Frontier.<\/p>\n
The small Old West-themed amusement park is intentionally much more manageable than a major theme park. Kids can ride the Ruvolo Valley train, hop aboard the carousel, pan for treasures, tackle a giant slide and enjoy other Western-themed attractions.<\/p>\n
That smaller scale is exactly what makes it appealing for families with young children. You can have the excitement of rides and attractions without committing to an exhausting full day at Disneyland<\/a> or another major amusement park.<\/p>\n El Dorado Frontier generally operates on weekends, and schedules can vary for holidays and special events, so check the calendar before making the drive.<\/p>\n For families with younger kids, Mother’s Beach is one of the most convenient places in Long Beach to spend a sunny afternoon.<\/p>\n Officially called Marine Park, the beach sits inside Alamitos Bay rather than directly on the open ocean. The protected location means gentler wave action and a shallow designated swimming area, making it particularly popular with families.<\/p>\n The big advantage is that this isn’t just a strip of sand. There is also a children’s playground, grassy picnic space and restrooms nearby, so kids can alternate between swimming, digging in the sand and playing on the playground without having to pack up and move somewhere else.<\/p>\n Lifeguards supervise the swimming area during peak periods, but parents should always check current beach and water conditions before swimming.<\/p>\n Rancho Los Alamitos is the kind of place that works surprisingly well with kids because history isn’t confined to display cases.<\/p>\n The historic ranch includes a ranch house, approximately four acres of gardens, barns and livestock. The barnyard is usually the highlight for younger visitors, with animals that can include horses, sheep, goats, chickens and ducks.<\/p>\n Older children can get more out of the site’s much deeper story. Rancho Los Alamitos sits on land with thousands of years of human history and provides an opportunity to learn about the Indigenous Tongva people, California ranching and the different communities that have shaped the region.<\/p>\n Admission and parking are free, making this one of the better no-cost educational activities in Long Beach.<\/p>\n Long Beach actually has two historic ranchos worth visiting with children.<\/p>\n Rancho Los Cerritos is a historic home and garden that gives families another way to introduce children to Southern California history without making the experience feel like a school assignment.<\/p>\n The gardens provide plenty of room to explore, while family programming throughout the year can include children’s storytimes, crafts and seasonal events. The site’s Creation Station programs are designed specifically to bring families together for hands-on activities.<\/p>\n This is especially worth checking when you’re looking for something educational and low-key rather than another big-ticket attraction.<\/p>\n Shoreline Village is less of a single attraction and more of an easy family afternoon.<\/p>\n The colorful waterfront area sits along Rainbow Harbor near the Aquarium of the Pacific. Families can walk the boardwalk, watch boats come and go, get ice cream, browse the shops, eat by the water and stop for kid-friendly entertainment along the way.<\/p>\n There is an antique carousel and an arcade, and Wheel Fun Rentals operates from Shoreline Village if you want to turn your visit into a family bike ride.<\/p>\n One of the best ways to use Shoreline Village is as the relaxed portion of a bigger waterfront day. Visit the aquarium in the morning, have lunch here, let the kids ride the carousel, and then walk or bike along the water.<\/p>\n If you’ve never pedaled a four-wheel surrey bike with your family, Long Beach is a great place to try it.<\/p>\n Wheel Fun Rentals at Shoreline Village offers traditional bikes as well as multi-person surreys, tandems, cruisers and other specialty cycles. The location puts you right next to Long Beach’s waterfront paths.<\/p>\n A surrey is particularly fun when you have kids who aren’t ready to ride several miles independently. Everyone gets to participate, but the adults can handle most of the actual pedaling.<\/p>\n Long Beach’s flat waterfront makes the experience much more approachable than trying to navigate hills or city streets with children.<\/p>\n You don’t need to rent anything to enjoy one of Long Beach’s best free family activities.<\/p>\n The Shoreline Pedestrian\/Bike Path stretches for roughly three miles along the beach between the downtown waterfront area and Alamitos Bay. The paved route is relatively flat, making it useful for family bike rides, scooters, skating or a long walk.<\/p>\n Because you’re alongside the beach, you can stop whenever the kids need a break. Pack snacks, bring bikes or scooters, and make the journey itself the activity rather than worrying about reaching a particular destination.<\/p>\n For active families, this is one of the easiest ways to experience the Long Beach coastline.<\/p>\n El Dorado East Regional Park deserves more than a quick stop on the way to the Nature Center.<\/p>\n This enormous recreation area has playgrounds, picnic areas, paved bicycle trails, fishing lakes and plenty of open space. Families can easily spend several hours here without buying tickets to anything.<\/p>\n Bring bikes, a soccer ball and lunch and make a day of it. The park has more than four miles of paved bike trails, and the lakes give kids another environment to explore.<\/p>\n Because El Dorado Frontier and El Dorado Nature Center are also in this general area, families can combine multiple activities into one outing.<\/p>\n A massive historic ocean liner permanently docked in Long Beach is inherently interesting to a lot of kids.<\/p>\n The Queen Mary made its maiden voyage in 1936 and later served as a troopship during World War II before eventually becoming one of Long Beach’s most recognizable landmarks. Today, visitors can explore portions of the ship and learn about its history through exhibits and tours.<\/p>\n Older elementary-age children and teens will probably appreciate the experience more than toddlers, particularly if they’re interested in ships, engineering or history.<\/p>\n Even if you don’t spend hours touring the ship, seeing the Queen Mary up close helps kids understand just how enormous an ocean liner actually is.<\/p>\n A children’s activity doesn’t always have to involve playground equipment.<\/p>\n The Museum of Latin American Art, or MOLAA, introduces families to modern and contemporary Latin American and Latino art in a museum that is manageable enough to explore without overwhelming younger visitors.<\/p>\n Children under 12 currently receive free admission, and the museum also offers free admission for everyone on designated Free Sundays. Exhibitions change, so every visit can be a little different.<\/p>\n For parents trying to introduce children to art museums, MOLAA can be a good starting point because you can keep the visit relatively short and pair it with another Long Beach activity.<\/p>\n The Long Beach Museum of Art is worth watching specifically for its family programming.<\/p>\n In addition to its galleries, the museum hosts Family ArtMaking programs where children and adults can create projects inspired by current exhibitions. The museum has offered free drop-in family artmaking monthly during much of the year and more frequently during summer, so check the current calendar before visiting.<\/p>\n Its oceanfront location is another advantage. You can introduce the kids to an art museum without making the museum the entire day, then head outside for the beach, Bluff Park or lunch overlooking the water.<\/p>\n Children under 12 currently receive free general museum admission.<\/p>\n Located on the Cal State Long Beach campus, the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden offers a very different kind of family outing.<\/p>\n The 1.3-acre garden was designed as a peaceful Japanese-style landscape and gives kids a chance to slow down and notice the environment around them. Instead of rides and screens, the attraction here is wandering pathways, looking at the pond and appreciating the plants, water and carefully designed landscape.<\/p>\n It is best suited to children who are old enough to enjoy a quieter experience, although younger kids who love fish and gardens can enjoy it as well.<\/p>\n Check the garden’s current visitor policies and reservation requirements before heading over.<\/p>\n Colorado Lagoon combines several things families want from an outdoor activity: water, sand, a playground and picnic space.<\/p>\n The saltwater lagoon has historically been used for swimming and recreation and also includes wetland habitat and a marine science component. The playground features equipment for different age groups, including slides, swings, climbing elements and imaginative play features.<\/p>\n Because restoration and construction work has been taking place around the lagoon area, families should check current access and swimming conditions before making plans.<\/p>\n When everything you want to use is accessible, it can be an excellent alternative to a traditional beach day.<\/p>\n Living near the ocean gives Long Beach kids access to activities that children in most cities simply don’t have.<\/p>\n Leeway Sailing Center offers youth sailing instruction in Alamitos Bay. Beginner programs introduce children to dinghy sailing, while seasonal programs can also expose younger participants to kayaking, canoeing and water safety.<\/p>\n This isn’t necessarily a spontaneous Saturday activity because classes require registration, but it’s one of the more interesting options for local families looking beyond the usual soccer, baseball and gymnastics routine.<\/p>\n The city offers programs for different ages and experience levels throughout the year.<\/p>\n You don’t have to travel to Italy to take the kids for a walk over canals and arched bridges.<\/p>\n Long Beach’s Naples neighborhood is built around a network of waterways lined with homes, gardens and boats. A walk around the canals can be surprisingly entertaining for kids, especially when you turn it into a simple adventure: count bridges, look for interesting boats, watch kayakers and gondolas, and let everyone choose their favorite waterfront house.<\/p>\n The neighborhood becomes especially memorable during the holiday season, when decorated homes and boats turn the canals into one of the area’s favorite Christmas destinations.<\/p>\n For an everyday visit, combine a canal walk with Mother’s Beach or a stop for food in Belmont Shore.<\/p>\n For a more memorable way to experience those same canals, get on the water.<\/p>\n Gondola Getaway has been operating Venetian-style gondola cruises through the Naples canals since the early 1980s. While gondolas might sound like an activity reserved for couples, private rides can also make a fun family experience.<\/p>\n For kids, there’s something inherently exciting about traveling through their own city by boat. Evening rides can be particularly memorable when the homes around the canals begin to light up.<\/p>\n This is more of a special-occasion activity than an inexpensive everyday outing, but it’s certainly one of the more unusual things families can do in Long Beach.<\/p>\n Sometimes the best kids activity is still the simplest one: bring towels, toys and snacks and go to the beach.<\/p>\n Alamitos Beach is a broad stretch of sand near Downtown Long Beach with volleyball courts and easy access to the waterfront bicycle and pedestrian paths. Rentals nearby can include beach cruisers, tandem bikes and family surreys, so you can easily turn a beach day into something more active.<\/p>\n Long Beach’s offshore breakwater generally reduces the size of the waves compared with many open-ocean Southern California beaches, although families should always check current ocean and beach conditions.<\/p>\n During summer, the city has also operated free floating Wibit aquatic playgrounds at Alamitos Beach. These include inflatable climbing, jumping and balancing features in the water and require participants to pass a swim test.<\/p>\n Junipero Beach, also commonly called Cherry Beach, is another good choice when the family wants some ocean time without leaving the city.<\/p>\n The beach connects with Long Beach’s bike and pedestrian paths, while Bluff Park sits above the shoreline and provides grassy space and ocean views. Nearby Bixby Park has a playground, fitness equipment, restrooms and shaded grassy areas.<\/p>\n That combination makes this more flexible than a traditional beach trip. One child can play in the sand while another wants to ride a scooter or bike, and the family can move up to the park when everyone has had enough of the beach.<\/p>\n There are also food options close to the sand, which is always helpful when a supposedly quick beach visit turns into half the day.<\/p>\n For families whose dog goes everywhere with them, Rosie’s Dog Beach can be one of the most entertaining stretches of sand in Long Beach.<\/p>\n The designated dog zone covers several acres of beach between Granada and Roycroft avenues. Dogs can be off leash within the designated area during operating hours as long as owners follow the posted rules and maintain control.<\/p>\n Kids who love dogs will obviously get a kick out of watching them run through the sand and water, but parents should supervise children closely. This is an active off-leash dog area, not a children’s playground, and the city’s rules specifically require children to be supervised.<\/p>\n If your family has a beach-loving dog, though, it’s hard to beat.<\/p>\n A public pool can save the day when kids want to swim but the ocean isn’t cooperating.<\/p>\n Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine operates public swimming facilities with recreational swim sessions and aquatics programs. Facilities include Belmont Plaza Pool, Martin Luther King Jr. Park Pool and Silverado Park Pool.<\/p>\n Programs and schedules vary by location and season, so this is one activity where checking the city’s current recreation schedule before leaving home is important.<\/p>\n For local families, the pools are also worth investigating for swim lessons and ongoing aquatics programs rather than just occasional recreational swimming.<\/p>\n If you live in Long Beach rather than simply visiting, don’t overlook the city’s recreation system.<\/p>\n Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine runs hundreds of classes, programs and special events for children, teens and families. Depending on the season, options can include sports, aquatics, arts, camps and other recreational activities.<\/p>\n This is where the definition of “things to do with kids” expands beyond a one-time Saturday outing. A great local activity might be something your child returns to every week for an entire season.<\/p>\n Check LB RecConnect and the current recreation guide because offerings change throughout the year.<\/p>\n One of the best things about Long Beach is that you don’t necessarily need 25 separate trips to experience these activities.<\/p>\n For a first family visit, build a day around the waterfront. Start at the Aquarium of the Pacific in the morning while everyone still has energy. Walk over to Shoreline Village for lunch and a carousel ride. Rent a surrey or bikes in the afternoon and explore the shoreline path, then finish with ice cream and a walk around Rainbow Harbor.<\/p>\n Older kids could swap the carousel for a whale-watching cruise. Younger families might skip the longer activities and spend more time simply watching boats around the harbor and exploring Shoreline Aquatic Park.<\/p>\n It’s one of those rare areas where a family can park once and keep finding new things to do.<\/p>\n You don’t need to spend aquarium or amusement-park money every time you want to get the kids out of the house.<\/p>\n Some of Long Beach’s best family experiences are free or very inexpensive. Rancho Los Alamitos offers free admission and parking, while El Dorado Nature Center’s trails and museum can be explored without an admission charge. Walking around the Naples canals costs nothing, and families can spend hours at the city’s beaches, parks and playgrounds for little more than parking.<\/p>\n The Long Beach Museum of Art and Museum of Latin American Art also offer opportunities for free or reduced-cost visits, including children’s admission and designated family or free-admission programs. Always check the current details before visiting because schedules and admission policies can change.<\/p>\n For a nearly free day, pack lunch and head to El Dorado East Regional Park, walk the Nature Center trails, find a playground and have a picnic. Another easy option is to bring bikes or scooters to the waterfront and explore the Shoreline path before spending some time on the beach.<\/p>\n Families with toddlers don’t necessarily need the biggest attractions. They need places where little kids can move, explore and take breaks without turning the outing into an ordeal.<\/p>\n Mother’s Beach is one of the strongest options because the protected swimming area, sand, playground and grass are all close together. El Dorado Frontier is another good choice for younger children because the rides and attractions are approachable and the park is much smaller than a traditional theme park.<\/p>\n The Aquarium of the Pacific works extremely well with this age group, too. Even children who are too young to understand the educational exhibits tend to be fascinated by giant fish, sharks, colorful tropical species and sea jellies.<\/p>\n Rancho Los Alamitos is worth remembering when you want something free. The barnyard animals provide an obvious attraction for little kids while adults get to enjoy the historic grounds and gardens.<\/p>\n Older kids open up a completely different side of Long Beach.<\/p>\n A whale-watching trip is much easier when children are comfortable spending several hours on a boat. Sailing lessons at Leeway Sailing Center can turn into a genuine hobby. Families can rent bikes and cover substantially more of the shoreline, while teens interested in history may appreciate exploring the Queen Mary much more than they would have as preschoolers.<\/p>\n Art-focused kids can explore MOLAA and the Long Beach Museum of Art, while outdoorsy families can spend more time hiking the longer trails at El Dorado Nature Center.<\/p>\n And sometimes the simplest option works best: bikes along the beach, food in Belmont Shore, a walk through Naples and sunset near the water.<\/p>\n Long Beach is spread out enough that some planning helps. Rather than bouncing between opposite ends of the city, group activities geographically.<\/p>\n For a Downtown\/Waterfront Day, combine the Aquarium of the Pacific, whale watching, Shoreline Village, Shoreline Aquatic Park and the beach bike path.<\/p>\n For an El Dorado Day, combine El Dorado Nature Center, El Dorado East Regional Park and El Dorado Frontier.<\/p>\n For an Alamitos Bay\/Naples Day, combine Mother’s Beach, the Naples canals, a gondola ride and Belmont Shore.<\/p>\n For an Arts and Culture Day, consider Rancho Los Alamitos, the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, MOLAA or the Long Beach Museum of Art depending on your children’s ages and interests.<\/p>\n Also remember that hours, admission prices, seasonal programs, swimming conditions and reservation requirements can change. Check each attraction’s official website before leaving home, particularly for sailing programs, aquatic activities, museums and seasonal attractions.<\/p>\n More guides for LA parents:<\/strong> holiday lights and events for kids<\/a>, indoor activities for LA kids<\/a> and kids birthday party places<\/a>.<\/p>\n The best family activity isn’t necessarily the biggest attraction in town. Sometimes it’s the soccer league five minutes from home, the art class your child asks to attend every week, a summer camp<\/a> that becomes the highlight of their year or a small local program you didn’t know existed.<\/p>\n That’s exactly why we created AfterschoolSearch.com.<\/p>\n\n
5. Have a Beach Day at Mother’s Beach<\/h2>\n
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6. Visit Rancho Los Alamitos and Meet the Farm Animals<\/h2>\n
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7. Explore Rancho Los Cerritos<\/h2>\n
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8. Walk, Eat and Play at Shoreline Village<\/h2>\n
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9. Rent a Family Surrey and Ride Along the Beach<\/h2>\n
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10. Bike, Walk or Skate the Shoreline Path<\/h2>\n
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11. Discover El Dorado East Regional Park<\/h2>\n
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12. Visit the Queen Mary<\/h2>\n
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13. Explore the Museum of Latin American Art<\/h2>\n
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14. Make Art at the Long Beach Museum of Art<\/h2>\n
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15. Visit the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden<\/h2>\n
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16. Swim and Play at Colorado Lagoon<\/h2>\n
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17. Learn to Sail at Leeway Sailing Center<\/h2>\n
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18. Walk the Canals of Naples<\/h2>\n
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19. Take a Gondola Ride Through Naples<\/h2>\n
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20. Spend an Afternoon at Alamitos Beach<\/h2>\n
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21. Play at Junipero Beach and Bluff Park<\/h2>\n
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22. Bring Your Four-Legged Kid to Rosie’s Dog Beach<\/h2>\n
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23. Swim at a Long Beach Public Pool<\/h2>\n
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24. Sign the Kids Up for a Long Beach Recreation Class<\/h2>\n
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25. Make a Full Family Day Out of the Long Beach Waterfront<\/h2>\n
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Free and Low-Cost Things to Do With Kids in Long Beach<\/h2>\n
Best Long Beach Activities for Toddlers and Younger Kids<\/h2>\n
Best Things to Do With Older Kids and Teens in Long Beach<\/h2>\n
Planning a Family Day in Long Beach<\/h2>\n
Finding More Kids Activities in Long Beach<\/h2>\n