{"id":2165,"date":"2026-11-11T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-11T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/afterschoolsearch.com\/parent-resources\/?p=2165"},"modified":"2026-11-08T11:26:03","modified_gmt":"2026-11-08T19:26:03","slug":"kids-activities-los-angeles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/afterschoolsearch.com\/parent-resources\/kids-activities-los-angeles\/","title":{"rendered":"Kids Activities in Los Angeles: The Parent’s Guide to Classes, Sports & Camps"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

This guide pulls it together. It covers the ongoing activities LA parents actually sign up for \u2014 sports leagues, swim, martial arts, dance, acting, music, art, coding and camps \u2014 with ages, typical costs and picks across the Valley, the Westside, Pasadena and the South Bay.<\/p>\n

Jump to:<\/strong> Sports & Leagues<\/a> \u00b7 Arts & Performance<\/a> \u00b7 STEM & Coding<\/a> \u00b7 Camps<\/a> \u00b7 Free & Low-Cost<\/a> \u00b7 Little Ones<\/a> \u00b7 By Neighborhood<\/a> \u00b7 FAQ<\/a><\/p>\n

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.<\/em><\/p>\n

Prefer an outing?<\/h3>\n

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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sports & Leagues<\/h2>\n

City-run leagues are the best value in LA, often around $100\u2013$170 a season with uniform included. For a full rundown, see our Best Youth Sports Leagues in Los Angeles<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Soccer<\/h3>\n

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\u2013$240, plus a $25 national membership at some regions; several offer scholarships.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Program<\/th>\nArea<\/th>\nAges<\/th>\nPrice (as posted)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
AYSO Region 58<\/a><\/td>\nVan Nuys \/ Sherman Oaks<\/td>\nSee league site<\/td>\nNot listed; games centered at Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Rec Center<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
AYSO Region 13<\/td>\nPasadena<\/td>\n4U\u201319U<\/td>\n$210\u2013$240 fall; pay-what-you-can option<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
AYSO Region 17<\/td>\nNorth Redondo Beach<\/td>\n5U\u201319U<\/td>\n$160\u2013$220 + $25 membership; spring signups expected early December<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
AYSO Region 1031<\/a><\/td>\nSouth LA<\/td>\nFrom age 3<\/td>\n$100\u2013$200; scholarships<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Not listed here? Find your local region with AYSO’s region finder<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Basketball<\/h3>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Program<\/th>\nArea<\/th>\nAges<\/th>\nPrice (as posted)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
YMCA Jr. Clippers<\/a><\/td>\nYMCA branches incl. Van Nuys, Pasadena, Culver-Palms, Hollywood, Crenshaw<\/td>\n4\u201315<\/td>\nFree for Y members; equal playing time<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Westwood Recreation Center<\/a><\/td>\nWestside<\/td>\n5\u201315<\/td>\n$100, uniform included<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
City of Torrance Youth Basketball<\/a><\/td>\nSouth Bay<\/td>\nK\u20138<\/td>\n$104 for 8 weeks<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Baseball & softball<\/h3>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Program<\/th>\nArea<\/th>\nAges<\/th>\nPrice (as posted)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Sherman Oaks Little League<\/a><\/td>\nSherman Oaks<\/td>\nAbout 4\u201313<\/td>\nOur neighborhood league; check league for fees<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
West Pasadena Little League<\/a><\/td>\nPasadena<\/td>\n4\u201314<\/td>\nNot listed; founded 1952<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Balboa Sports Center Baseball<\/a><\/td>\nEncino<\/td>\nAbout 6\u201313<\/td>\n$170, uniform included; fee waivers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Swim lessons<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Program<\/th>\nArea<\/th>\nAges<\/th>\nPrice (as posted)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
SwimLA city pools<\/a><\/td>\nCitywide<\/td>\n6 months+<\/td>\n$10 for 8 group lessons; scholarships<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SafeSplash Torrance<\/a><\/td>\nSouth Bay<\/td>\n4 months+<\/td>\n$139\/month group (max 4 kids) + $50\/yr<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Waterworks Aquatics<\/a><\/td>\nNorthridge, Torrance<\/td>\n2\u00bd+<\/td>\nFrom $179 for 8 semi-private lessons (Torrance)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

More options: Best Swim Lessons for Kids in Los Angeles and the Valley.<\/p>\n

Martial arts<\/h3>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Program<\/th>\nArea<\/th>\nAges<\/th>\nPrice (as posted)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Bejanian Martial Arts<\/td>\nNorth Hollywood, Glendale<\/td>\n3+ (Tiny Tigers 3\u20135)<\/td>\nFree first class<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Torrance Shotokan Karate<\/a><\/td>\nTorrance<\/td>\nUnder 18<\/td>\n$30\/month + $125\/yr membership<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gracie Barra Pasadena<\/a><\/td>\nSan Gabriel<\/td>\nKids program<\/td>\nFree trial class<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

More options: Best Karate and Martial Arts Classes for Kids in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

Gymnastics<\/h3>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Program<\/th>\nArea<\/th>\nAges<\/th>\nPrice (as posted)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Vernon Lee Gymnastics<\/td>\nPasadena, Burbank<\/td>\nToddler+<\/td>\nNot listed; nonprofit since 1993<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The Little Gym of Torrance<\/a><\/td>\nTorrance<\/td>\n4 months\u201312<\/td>\n$145\u2013$153\/month for 1 class\/week<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
My Gym Encino<\/a><\/td>\nEncino<\/td>\n6 weeks\u201314<\/td>\n$149 per 4 weeks; non-competitive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Arts & Performance<\/h2>\n

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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Acting & theater<\/h3>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Program<\/th>\nArea<\/th>\nAges<\/th>\nPrice<\/th>\nWhy it stands out<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Santa Monica Playhouse<\/a><\/td>\nSanta Monica<\/td>\n4\u201316<\/td>\nGroup classes not listed<\/td>\nYear-round youth theatre since 1969; most classes end in a performance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pasadena Playhouse<\/a><\/td>\nPasadena<\/td>\n5\u201318<\/td>\nNot listed<\/td>\n16 youth classes in its 2026 lineup, from puppetry to kids’ musicals<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The Young Actors Studio<\/a><\/td>\nNorth Hollywood<\/td>\nNot listed<\/td>\nNot listed<\/td>\nKids’ acting studio founded in 1996<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Michelle Danner Acting Studio<\/a><\/td>\nCulver City<\/td>\n5\u201317<\/td>\nNot listed<\/td>\nActing, filmmaking and musical theater camps<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Encore South Bay<\/a><\/td>\nTorrance<\/td>\nNot listed<\/td>\nNot listed<\/td>\nYouth shows staged at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

More options: Best Theater and Drama Classes for Kids in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

Dance<\/h3>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Program<\/th>\nArea<\/th>\nAges<\/th>\nPrice<\/th>\nWhy it stands out<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Blue Starz Dance & Theatre<\/a><\/td>\nSherman Oaks, Toluca Lake, Glassell Park<\/td>\n12 months\u201312<\/td>\nFree first class<\/td>\nClasses from toddler age up<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Westside School of Ballet<\/a><\/td>\nSanta Monica<\/td>\nPre-ballet\u2013teen<\/td>\nNot listed<\/td>\nFounded 1967 by a New York City Ballet ballerina; no audition to join<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pasadena Dance Theatre<\/a><\/td>\nPasadena<\/td>\nElementary\u2013pre-pro<\/td>\nNot listed<\/td>\nPlacement class for new students; annual Nutcracker<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Music<\/h3>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Program<\/th>\nArea<\/th>\nAges<\/th>\nPrice<\/th>\nWhy it stands out<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Kid Row<\/td>\nNorth Hollywood<\/td>\n4\u201310+<\/td>\n$175\/month<\/td>\nOur family’s pick: Ford, 4, spent six months learning his songs, building to a final performance. He loved his teachers and that show<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Colburn Community School<\/a><\/td>\nDowntown LA<\/td>\n7 months\u201318<\/td>\nNot listed; scholarships<\/td>\nLessons, choirs, orchestras, Suzuki and adaptive music<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Silverlake Conservatory of Music<\/a><\/td>\nLos Feliz\/Silver Lake<\/td>\nNot listed<\/td>\nNot listed; scholarships<\/td>\nCo-founded in 2001 by Flea after LA school arts cuts<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pasadena Conservatory of Music<\/a><\/td>\nPasadena<\/td>\nNot listed<\/td>\n$32\/lesson + $60\/yr registration<\/td>\nYouth chamber, jazz and world music groups<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

More options: Best Music Classes and Lessons for Kids in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

Art<\/h3>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Program<\/th>\nArea<\/th>\nAges<\/th>\nPrice<\/th>\nWhy it stands out<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Meri Cherry Art Studio<\/a><\/td>\nEncino<\/td>\nNot listed<\/td>\nNot listed<\/td>\nProcess-art studio; classes, camps and drop-in art<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Alyce’s Art Studio<\/a><\/td>\nSanta Monica<\/td>\n6+<\/td>\n$65\/workshop<\/td>\nRuns a winter art camp over December break<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Armory Center for the Arts<\/a><\/td>\nPasadena<\/td>\n6\u201312, teens<\/td>\nFree (registration required)<\/td>\nFree classes with the City of Pasadena<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Barnsdall Junior Arts Center<\/a><\/td>\nLos Feliz<\/td>\nKids + parent-and-child<\/td>\nLow cost<\/td>\nCity-run since 1967: ceramics, darkroom, media arts<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

STEM & Coding<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Program<\/th>\nArea<\/th>\nAges<\/th>\nPrice<\/th>\nWhy it stands out<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Rolling Robots<\/a><\/td>\nHancock Park, Pasadena, Glendale, West LA, Rolling Hills Estates<\/td>\n5\u201318<\/td>\nNot listed<\/td>\nFounded 2008 by aerospace engineers; competitive VEX robotics teams<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CodeREV Kids<\/a><\/td>\nSanta Monica, Studio City (+ camp sites citywide)<\/td>\n6\u201314<\/td>\nNot listed<\/td>\nMinecraft modding, Roblox, Unity, Arduino and Lego robotics<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Code Ninjas Sherman Oaks<\/a><\/td>\nSherman Oaks<\/td>\n5\u201314<\/td>\nVaries by location<\/td>\nOngoing coding plus summer, winter and spring break camps<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Camps: Summer, Winter & Spring Break<\/h2>\n

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<\/a> and the Best Summer Camps in Los Angeles<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Camp<\/th>\nArea<\/th>\nAges<\/th>\nDates & price (as posted)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Santa Monica Playhouse Break Theatre Camp<\/a><\/td>\nSanta Monica<\/td>\n6\u201311<\/td>\nWinter: Dec 26\u201329, 2026, $495 \u00b7 Spring: Mar 22\u201326, 2027, $545<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
UCLA Recreation Winter Camp<\/a><\/td>\nWestwood<\/td>\n5\u201312<\/td>\nJan 4\u20138, 2027, $895 (community rate)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Discovery Cube LA Winter Camp<\/a><\/td>\nSylmar<\/td>\nGrades K\u20135<\/td>\n$70\/day or $240 for 4 days (non-members); check site for current dates<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CodeREV Kids<\/a><\/td>\nSanta Monica, Studio City<\/td>\n6\u201314<\/td>\nWinter and spring camps; price not listed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LA City Rec & Parks day camps<\/a><\/td>\nRec centers citywide<\/td>\n5\u201314<\/td>\nFollow LAUSD break dates; fees vary by center<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Free & Low-Cost Options<\/h2>\n

Some of LA’s best kids’ programs cost little or nothing.<\/p>\n