Explore LA13 things to do in Los Angeles with kids today
Guide dates: 2026-09-26.
Saturday brings an unusually strong mix: a Burbank pretend-play clinic for little ones, an officially supported low-sensory museum morning, a free bilingual book festival, neighborhood markets, art events and focused options for tweens and teens. The first three picks match today’s featured Mommy Compass selections; the rest are organized so families can scan by fit.
Top 3 today
1. Stuffed Animal Walk-In Clinic
Bring one favorite plush for a gentle pretend wellness check-up—an easy, imaginative morning outing for very young children.
- When: Saturday, September 26, 10–11:30 a.m.
- Where: Buena Vista Branch Library, 300 North Buena Vista Street, Burbank, CA 91505.
- Cost: Free.
- Ages: Ages 0–6 with a caregiver.
- Planning: Drop in; bring one stuffed animal or plush per child. The library is open 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
2. Calm Morning: Frightfully Fun Movie Poster Designs
The Academy Museum designates the morning as a less-sensory-stimulating time and adds a family movie-poster workshop. An ASL-interpreted gallery tour is offered at noon on the same day.
- When: Saturday, September 26, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.; the family workshop begins at 10 a.m.
- Where: Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, 6067 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036.
- Cost: Included with museum admission: adults $25, seniors 62+ $19, students 18+ with ID $15, ages 17 and under free; EBT cardholders are free.
- Ages: Families and the neurodivergent community; the workshop is family-friendly.
- Planning: Advance museum reservations are encouraged. The museum is accessible by wheeled mobility device. Nearby paid parking generally ranges from $10–$40.
Official Academy Museum program page · Admission, parking and accessibility.
3. Los Angeles Libros Festival
A free bilingual book festival for the whole family with Spanish-language and bilingual storytelling, authors, music, workshops, books and community organizations.
- When: Saturday, September 26, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Where: Los Angeles Central Library, 630 West 5th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071.
- Cost: Free.
- Ages: All ages and whole families.
- Planning: Free Eventbrite registration is available. Validated Saturday parking is $1 flat rate at Westlawn Garage, 524 South Flower Street; show a library card for validation and arrive early because the garage can fill.
Official Los Angeles Public Library festival page and schedule · Official Central Library parking information.
Babies + toddlers
Cinderella Tea Party
Storytime, songs, dancing, a craft, treats and open play make this a contained two-hour option for young princess fans.
- When: Saturday, September 26, 10 a.m.–noon or 2–4 p.m.
- Where: Castle & Crown, 2012 West Burbank Boulevard, Burbank, CA 91506.
- Cost: $40 per child; infant siblings are free.
- Ages: Young children; the organizer does not publish a specific age range for this event.
- Planning: Reserve ahead because special events can sell out. Two parking spaces are behind the venue, with street parking nearby; do not use the neighboring Chili John’s lot.
Kids + family
Burbank Certified Farmers Market
A low-pressure local stop for seasonal produce, flowers and baked goods, with EBT, WIC and Market Match accepted.
- When: Saturday, September 26, 8 a.m.–noon, rain or shine.
- Where: Community Services Building parking lot at Olive Avenue and Glenoaks Boulevard, Burbank, CA 91502.
- Cost: Free to browse; purchases vary.
- Ages: All ages.
- Planning: Wheelchair accessible. Free parking is available in the small market lot, the weekend fire-station lot at Orange Grove and Glenoaks, City Hall parking at Third and Orange Grove, and on the street. Service animals only.
Pasadena Chalk Festival
More than 500 artists create large chalk murals in Brookside Park, with a children’s chalk area and plenty to watch without committing to a formal program.
- When: Saturday, September 26, 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
- Where: Brookside Park beside Kidspace, 480 North Arroyo Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91103.
- Cost: Free; food and merchandise are extra.
- Ages: All ages.
- Planning: The official tourism listing notes free parking, a children’s chalk area and food trucks. Expect crowds and outdoor walking; a stroller can be useful for younger children.
Official Pasadena Chalk Festival schedule · Visit Pasadena planning details.
Love Letters to L.A. — Autry Block Party
An all-ages museum celebration with live music and cultural performances, family activities, face painting, a Ferris wheel, cars and food trucks.
- When: Saturday, September 26, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Where: Autry Museum of the American West, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027.
- Cost: Special 1988-style pricing through the official ticket seller: $4.75 adults, $3.50 seniors 62+ and students 13–18, $2 children 12 and under; members, active-duty military and veterans with ID are free.
- Ages: All ages.
- Planning: Tickets are required. Although the Autry normally offers free parking, the museum specifically asks block-party visitors to use transit, rideshare or carpool because of event traffic.
Official Autry calendar and travel notice · Official ticket checkout.
Spider Pavilion at the Natural History Museum
Walk through an open-air habitat with orb weavers and webs, then visit enclosed displays with tarantulas, wolf spiders and other species.
- When: Saturday, September 26, during museum hours, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.; timed pavilion tickets are required.
- Where: Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90007.
- Cost: $10 pavilion add-on plus general admission: adults $18, seniors 62+ and ages 13–17 $14, ages 3–12 $7, ages 2 and under free.
- Ages: Families; best for children comfortable around live spiders.
- Planning: Advance tickets are highly recommended. Parking is $20, but a 4:30 p.m. USC football game will affect traffic, parking and street access; NHM recommends Metro’s E Line to Expo/USC.
Official Spider Pavilion details · Museum admission · Game-day travel and parking notice.
Tweens + teens
Online Middle Grade Book Club
Readers discuss Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk in a small online book-club format.
- When: Saturday, September 26, at 10 a.m.
- Where: Online via Zoom.
- Cost: Free.
- Ages: Grades 4–7.
- Planning: Email Ms. Gail at the address on the official listing to request the Zoom login.
Hands on Ceramics: Clay Inventions
A museum educator introduces ceramic technology from the Mesoamerican period to today, then participants make a clay invention to take home.
- When: Saturday, September 26, 3–4 p.m.
- Where: Westwood Branch Library Community Room, 1246 Glendon Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024.
- Cost: Free.
- Ages: Ages 10–19.
- Planning: Limited to 15 participants. Sign up by email, phone or in person using the contact information on the official listing.
Teen Creative Showcase
A supportive open showcase for teens to share original music, art or creative writing.
- When: Saturday, September 26, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
- Where: Sunland-Tujunga Branch Library, 7771 Foothill Boulevard, Tujunga, CA 91042.
- Cost: Free.
- Ages: Ages 11–19.
- Planning: No advance registration is listed. Performers should bring work in a shareable format.
All-ages / whole-family
The Other Art Fair Los Angeles
A large indoor contemporary-art fair with work from independent artists; it suits art-curious families who want a flexible walk-through rather than a children’s program.
- When: Saturday, September 26, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; final entry is 15 minutes before closing.
- Where: Barker Hangar, 3021 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90405.
- Cost: General admission is $25, including taxes and processing fees. Children under 12 are free with a valid Child Ticket; maximum two Child Tickets per order.
- Ages: All ages; visitors under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Planning: Every visitor needs a ticket. On-site parking is $20. The venue is fully accessible on one ground level.
Official hours, tickets and parking · Official age and accessibility information.
Officially supported sensory-friendly / neurodivergent-friendly
Neurodivergent Starfish: A Parent Workshop
This online caregiver session covers sensory needs, communication, regulation and advocacy for neurodivergent children, students and teens. LAPL officially categorizes it as Sensory Friendly.
- When: Saturday, September 26, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
- Where: Online, hosted by Wilshire Branch Library.
- Cost: Free.
- Ages: Adults and caregivers supporting neurodivergent kids and teens.
- Planning: Zoom registration is required through the official event page.
Official Los Angeles Public Library event and registration page.
Free + low-cost shortcut
For the smallest budget, start with the Stuffed Animal Clinic, Los Angeles Libros Festival, Burbank Farmers Market, Pasadena Chalk Festival, Middle Grade Book Club, Clay Inventions, Teen Creative Showcase or Neurodivergent Starfish. The Autry Block Party is the standout low-cost paid event at $2–$4.75 per ticket.
Choose the pace that fits
Stay close to Burbank for a short library visit, market browse or tea party; head to Pasadena for outdoor art; choose DTLA for the biggest free literary event; or use the online options for a no-drive plan. Before leaving, re-open the official link for ticket inventory and any last-minute operational changes.
