Explore LA8 things to do in Los Angeles with kids and teens today
Today in Los Angeles · October 2, 2026.
A storytime morning, a splash-pad afternoon or a pumpkin-lit evening? Here are the six picks from today’s Kids & Tots and Teens & Family posts, plus two more free library outings. Choose the plan that fits your family’s ages and energy.
Top 3 today
Babies + toddlers
Family Story Time
A short morning outing with books, songs, rhymes and silly fun for little ones and their grownups.
- When
- 10–10:30 a.m.
- Where
- Buena Vista Branch Library · 300 N. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91505
- Cost
- Free
- Ages / fit
- Ages 0–5 with their grownups
- Booking
- No advance registration is listed on the library event page.
Choose this if a half-hour activity fits best before lunch or nap time.
Official Burbank Library event details · Directions in Apple Maps
Kids + family
Pacific Park Splash Pad
An outdoor water-play option if the kids still have energy to splash, with playgrounds and adjacent restrooms at Pacific Park.
- When
- 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
- Where
- Pacific Community Center & Park · 501 S. Pacific Ave., Glendale, CA 91204
- Cost
- Free splash-pad outing
- Ages / fit
- Children with their families
- Booking
- Regular seasonal hours; no timed ticket is listed.
October 2 is the last day of the published daily splash-pad schedule. From October 3–31 it runs on weekends only. Bring a towel and a change of clothes; check the city page for any operating changes.
Official Glendale splash-pad schedule · Directions in Apple Maps
Free First Friday at Kidspace
A free afternoon to explore Kidspace’s hands-on play and learning spaces. A practical pick for families who can reserve a spot.
- When
- 2–5 p.m.
- Where
- Kidspace Children’s Museum · 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91103
- Cost
- Free admission during the 2–5 p.m. event
- Ages / fit
- Kids and their families
- Booking
- Advance reservation required. Check availability before leaving; the published event does not guarantee remaining tickets.
The free window is 2–5 p.m., not the whole museum day. Tickets are released approximately two weeks before each Free First Friday.
Official Kidspace event and reservation links · Directions in Apple Maps
Read With STAR Volunteer Beverly
A smaller library outing centered on sharing stories and reading with a STAR volunteer.
- When
- 2–3 p.m.
- Where
- Van Nuys Branch Library, Community Room · 6250 Sylmar Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91401
- Cost
- Free
- Ages / fit
- Kids, babies and toddlers
- Booking
- No advance registration is listed.
The library lists today’s October 2 session explicitly. Children can take home a free book after attending three STAR events at this branch.
STAR: Stories With Sam
Children can listen to stories or read to STAR volunteer Sam during this flexible afternoon reading program.
- When
- 3–5 p.m.
- Where
- Palms–Rancho Park Branch Library, children’s area · 2920 Overland Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90064
- Cost
- Free
- Ages / fit
- Children of all ages
- Booking
- Drop-in; children may need to take turns depending on demand.
A useful Westside alternative to a larger outing. The official schedule includes October 2.
Tweens + teens
Teen Council + Sugar Skulls
A Teen Council session where participants make sugar-skull bases using sugar, meringue powder and water.
- When
- 4:15–5:15 p.m.
- Where
- Van Nuys Branch Library · 6250 Sylmar Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91401
- Cost
- Free
- Ages / fit
- Teens
- Booking
- Registration required; spaces are limited. Use the library’s registration form.
This is a hands-on making activity: mix the sugar, pack the molds and dry the skulls. Check the ingredients with the library if you need allergy information.
Official LAPL event details · Register with LAPL · Directions in Apple Maps
Firefly Teen Festival
An evening celebrating teens with a conversation panel, a live Firefly performance and a showcase of local teen performers.
- When
- Doors 6:30 p.m.; program 7–9 p.m.
- Where
- Wende Museum Community Center · 10858 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90230
- Cost
- Free; RSVP required
- Ages / fit
- Teens ages 11–19 are the guests of honor; parents, siblings and other family members are welcome
- Booking
- Reserve for every person attending, including family members. Seating is limited.
Arrive at 6:30 p.m. for the pre-show activities and seating. The organizer gives 10858 Culver Blvd. in its event instructions; the embedded venue map lists 10808, so use the Community Center arrival instructions and reconfirm with the host if needed. Free onsite parking is listed. The organizer says the event will be photographed and filmed.
Organizer details and free RSVP · RSVP with the organizer · Directions in Apple Maps
Whole-family evening
Carved at Descanso Gardens
Opening night of Descanso’s seasonal celebration of glowing jack-o’-lanterns, carved pumpkins and illuminated garden displays.
- When
- 6–10 p.m.; choose a ticketed entry time
- Where
- Descanso Gardens · 1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
- Cost
- Published seasonal general-admission range: $12–$52. Nonmembers: children $19–$37; adults $29–$52. Ages 2 and under are free.
- Ages / fit
- Families and kids; an outdoor evening garden walk
- Booking
- Separate Carved ticket required. Reserve a date and entry time; pricing varies by age, membership, date and time.
Carved runs nightly October 2–November 1. The evening ticket does not include daytime garden admission. Free parking is first come, first served; wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a layer. This is an evening outing, not a guaranteed no-scare or sensory-friendly experience.
Official Descanso event details · Check Carved tickets · Prices, parking and FAQs · Directions in Apple Maps
Free + low-cost snapshot
Seven picks are free; Carved is the paid evening option. Reserve ahead for Kidspace, Teen Council + Sugar Skulls and Firefly. Kidspace’s free admission applies only from 2–5 p.m., and Carved’s lowest advertised price is a member child ticket.
Check the official links for availability and last-minute changes before heading out. None of these listings is an officially designated sensory-friendly session.
