Explore LA11 things to do in Los Angeles with kids and teens today
Guide dates: 2026-09-29.
Tuesday’s roundup spans toddlers through teens: a Halloween-flavored toddler morning in Pasadena, a free family art-and-gardens day in Brentwood, practical college help, chess, crafts, reading and low-stress library stops. The first three are today’s strongest overall quick picks; every event featured in the separate Kids & Tots and Teens & Family social editions also appears below.
Top 3 today
1. Toddler Tuesday at Kidspace
A special Halloween morning geared to toddlers, with art, sensory stations, imaginary play and storytime. The museum remains open to all ages.
- When: Tuesday, September 29, 10 a.m.–noon. Halloween parade at 11 a.m.; storytime at 11:30 a.m.
- Where: Kidspace Children’s Museum, 480 N. Arroyo Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91103.
- Cost: Included with admission: $17 adults and children ages 1+; $15 seniors 62+; infants under 1 and members free.
- Ages: Activities are toddler-focused; the museum is open to all ages and its exhibits are primarily designed for children 1–10.
- Planning: Choose a timed museum entry. Today’s entry times were displayed as available during the morning check. Parking is free in Rose Bowl Lot I. Bring a change of shoes if water play is part of the plan.
Official Toddler Tuesday details · Official admission and parking information.
2. Getty Center family visit
Free art, gardens, architecture and city views make this the day’s strongest flexible outing for mixed ages, especially older kids and teens.
- When: Tuesday, September 29, 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
- Where: Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049.
- Cost: Admission is free. Parking is $25, $15 after 3 p.m. and $10 after 6 p.m.
- Ages: All ages; particularly good for older kids, teens and adults interested in art, architecture and gardens.
- Planning: A free timed-entry reservation is required for each visitor over age 2. The official ticket page showed good or excellent availability across today’s listed entry times at the morning check. There is no street parking nearby. Standard strollers and wheelchairs are available free on a first-come basis.
Official family-visit details · Official timed reservations · Official parking information.
3. Get Ready for College: Scholarship Search
A hands-on funding lab where teens can identify scholarships, organize deadlines and begin building a practical application list with counselor support.
- When: Tuesday, September 29, 4–5 p.m.
- Where: Exposition Park–Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Regional Branch Library, Community Room, 3900 S. Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90062.
- Cost: Free.
- Ages: Teens.
- Planning: No advance registration is listed. The branch has a parking lot and bike rack. For disability-related accommodations, LAPL asks patrons to call at least five business days ahead when possible.
Babies + toddlers
Preschool Storytime and Crafts
A free Valley morning with a children’s librarian, stories, singing, dancing and a simple craft.
- When: Tuesday, September 29, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
- Where: West Valley Regional Branch Library, 19036 Vanowen Street, Reseda, CA 91335.
- Cost: Free.
- Ages: Babies and toddlers with caregivers.
- Planning: No advance registration is listed. The branch has a parking lot and bike rack.
Tiny & Tall Play
A drop-in play hour with LEGO, a play kitchen, light tables, art, car town, sensory bins, baby toys and games.
- When: Tuesday, September 29, 4–5 p.m.
- Where: Junipero Serra Branch Library, 4607 S. Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90037.
- Cost: Free.
- Ages: Babies, toddlers and kids with caregivers.
- Planning: No advance registration is listed. The branch has a parking lot and bike rack. Sensory bins are one activity; this is not advertised as a sensory-friendly session.
Kids + family
Read to a Dog
Children can read to, cuddle, comb or simply enjoy time with Grant, a friendly yellow Labrador.
- When: Tuesday, September 29, 2–3 p.m.
- Where: Sun Valley Branch Library, 7935 Vineland Avenue, Sun Valley, CA 91352.
- Cost: Free.
- Ages: All ages.
- Planning: No advance registration is listed. The branch has a parking lot and bike rack.
Kids’ Chapter Book Club
This month’s grades 2–4 discussion is Holes by Louis Sachar; copies are available at the library.
- When: Tuesday, September 29, 4–5 p.m.
- Where: Fairfax Branch Library, 161 S. Gardner Street, Los Angeles, CA 90036.
- Cost: Free.
- Ages: Geared to grades 2–4.
- Planning: No advance registration is listed. The branch has a parking lot and bike rack.
Tweens + teens
Teen Crafternoon: Making Stickers
A free craft hour for teens to learn an affordable method for making custom stickers.
- When: Tuesday, September 29, 4–5 p.m.
- Where: Robert Louis Stevenson Branch Library, 803 Spence Street, Los Angeles, CA 90023.
- Cost: Free.
- Ages: Teens.
- Planning: No advance registration is listed. Event information is offered in English and Spanish; street parking is available.
Chess Club
Beginners through experienced players can drop in for games, feedback and short lessons from a professional volunteer instructor.
- When: Tuesday, September 29, 4–5:30 p.m.
- Where: Encino–Tarzana Branch Library, 18231 Ventura Boulevard, Tarzana, CA 91356.
- Cost: Free.
- Ages: Kids, teens, adults and seniors.
- Planning: Drop in; no advance registration is listed. The branch has a parking lot and bike rack. Instruction is offered in English and Persian.
College Admissions Essays Lab
Teens can bring ideas, drafts or questions for structured writing time and one-on-one feedback on admission essays and UC Personal Insight Questions.
- When: Tuesday, September 29, 5–6 p.m.
- Where: Silver Lake Branch Library, 2411 Glendale Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90039.
- Cost: Free.
- Ages: Teens.
- Planning: No advance registration is listed. The branch has metered street parking and subterranean parking, plus a bike rack and nearby Metro options.
All-ages / whole-family
Boone Children’s Gallery at LACMA
A free, hands-on drop-in art space where visitors of all ages can pick up a brush or pencil and create inside the W.M. Keck Education Center.
- When: Tuesday, September 29, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Where: W.M. Keck Education Center at LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036.
- Cost: Boone Children’s Gallery is free and no membership is required. Separate museum galleries use LACMA admission rates; the Pritzker Parking Garage is $24.
- Ages: All ages.
- Planning: Drop in; seating is first come, first served. The D Line’s Wilshire/Fairfax station serves LACMA. Public galleries, restrooms and outside spaces are wheelchair accessible, and complimentary wheelchairs are first come.
Official Boone Children’s Gallery details · Official LACMA admission · Official parking and accessibility information.
Free + low-cost shortcut
For no-cost admission, choose West Valley storytime and crafts, Read to a Dog, Tiny & Tall Play, Kids’ Chapter Book Club, Scholarship Search, Teen Crafternoon, Chess Club, College Admissions Essays Lab, the Boone Children’s Gallery or the Getty Center. Budget separately for parking, transportation and any optional paid museum galleries noted above.
Choose the pace that fits
For a close-to-Burbank hour, Sun Valley’s reading dog is the easiest featured stop. West Valley offers a simple toddler morning, while Encino–Tarzana has a later family chess option. Kidspace, Getty and LACMA work better as the day’s main outing. Reopen the official link before leaving in case an organizer posts a same-day operational change.
