Things to Do with Kids in Los Angeles This Memorial Day Weekend (May 23-24, 2026) + Easy Mini Plans

Q: What are the best free things to do with kids in LA this weekend?

Strong free picks include Wellness & Waves at Santa Monica Pier, Fiesta Hermosa (family zones), and LA Fleet Week EXPO in San Pedro. Low-cost splash picks include Hansen Dam Aquatic Center (pool admission from $1). Also see Wander the Wilderness Bus, Family Fun Day in Pasadena, Art Carnival at Baldwin Park Library, Kids Learn to Ride, Andell Family Sundays, Boone Children's Gallery, and the Children's Film Festival at The Stray Theater.

Q: What are the best toddler-friendly events this weekend?

Try Wellness & Waves, Storytime in the Nature Garden at NHM, Boone Children's Gallery, Choo Choo Revue if they can sit, or Family Fun Day in Pasadena before afternoon crowds.

Q: What should we do if we need an indoor backup?

Look at NHM, LACMA, Pretend City, Bob Baker Marionette Theater, or the Children's Film Festival for AC, bathrooms, and a controlled exit.

Q: Is Memorial Day Monday part of this guide?

This guide focuses on Saturday and Sunday. Fiesta Hermosa, the Santa Anita carnival, LA Fleet Week, and Hansen Dam Aquatic Center continue Monday May 25.

Memorial Day weekend things to do with kids in Los Angeles, May 23-24, 2026: Fiesta Hermosa, Santa Anita carnival, LA Fleet Week, Bob Baker puppets, NHM, LACMA, free film fest, Pasadena park day, and easy mini plans.

Looking for Memorial Day things to do with kids in Los Angeles (May 23–24, 2026)? This Memorial Day weekend guide covers beachside carnivals in Hermosa, rides at Santa Anita, free LA Fleet Week on the San Pedro waterfront, Hansen Dam Aquatic Center reopening in the Valley, puppet theater in Highland Park, a free kids film fest in East Hollywood, Pasadena park day energy, and solid museum backups if the coast gets windy.

Below are the strongest non-library family picks by area, with parent notes so you can choose based on nap windows, ticket budget, and how much crowd noise everyone can handle.

Monday May 25 note: Fiesta Hermosa, the Santa Anita Memorial Weekend Carnival, LA Fleet Week, and Hansen Dam Aquatic Center continue on Memorial Day. This guide focuses on Saturday and Sunday; browse the full calendar for Monday rows.

South Bay / Beach

Fiesta Hermosa — Memorial Day Weekend

Fiesta Hermosa is the big free-admission beach weekend: carnival rides, Makers Mercado, and food fair zones along the pier area (11am–7pm). The separate “Garden” area is 21+ with its own cover — stick to the family zones if you are bringing kids.

Best for families who want a full afternoon near the sand without buying a ticket just to walk around. Go earlier with toddlers; older kids may last longer if you plan food before the evening crush.

View Fiesta Hermosa (Saturday) on Play Map LA →

View Fiesta Hermosa (Sunday) on Play Map LA →

Tip: Park once, then walk the pier loop instead of driving block to block as crowds build. Sunscreen and sandals beat fancy shoes — Hermosa is real beach pavement, not mall flooring.

Santa Anita Memorial Weekend Carnival

If your kids want rides, the infield carnival at Santa Anita Park is the high-energy counterpoint to Fiesta Hermosa: $5 infield admission, ages 17 and under free, plus wristbands and family packs if you want unlimited spins.

This is a “commit to parking and lines” outing — great for elementary kids, harder for nap-sensitive toddlers unless you go right at opening.

View Santa Anita Memorial Weekend Carnival (Saturday) on Play Map LA →

View Santa Anita Memorial Weekend Carnival (Sunday) on Play Map LA →

Mini plan: Santa Anita carnival + Arcadia lunch reset

Hit the carnival when gates open, then roll to Old Town Arcadia for a sit-down lunch once ride tickets are spent. Why this works: You get the thrill first while everyone still has patience, then escape before the infield feels like a furnace.

Main LA Fleet Week EXPO (San Pedro)

LA Fleet Week is Southern California’s big free Memorial Day tradition at the Battleship IOWA waterfront: military displays, live entertainment, food trucks, competitions, and family activities (10am–6pm daily). Ship tours use a virtual queue the day you visit — build that into your plan so kids are not stuck waiting hangry on the pier.

Best for families who want a full-day harbor adventure without ticketed admission to the main EXPO. The drive to San Pedro is real; treat it as a worth-the-drive anchor, not a quick errand between naps.

View Main LA Fleet Week EXPO (Saturday) on Play Map LA →

View Main LA Fleet Week EXPO (Sunday) on Play Map LA →

Tip: Arrive near opening for cooler temps and shorter lines. Free trolley and shuttle service along the LA Waterfront helps you move without re-parking every stop — check lafleetweek.com for the tour queue and ship-tour shuttle details before you go.

Northeast LA / Highland Park

Choo Choo Revue at Bob Baker Marionette Theater

Choo Choo Revue at Bob Baker Marionette Theater is the charming, old-school LA pick: puppet spectacle in a theater kids still talk about afterward. Book showtimes on the theater calendar before you promise it to your child.

Best for ages 3–8 who can sit through a performance with a snack plan. It is more contained than a carnival — good when you need wonder without megaphone energy.

View Choo Choo Revue on Play Map LA →

Westside / Santa Monica

Wellness & Waves — Memorial Day

Wellness & Waves on the Santa Monica Pier is the breezy, free, early-morning reset: movement by the ocean before the day gets hot and crowded.

Best for stroller families, babies, and parents who want structure without tickets. Bring layers — pier mornings can flip windy fast.

View Wellness & Waves — Memorial Day on Play Map LA →

Mini plan: Wellness & Waves + Main Street Santa Monica

Finish pier movement, then drive a few minutes to Main Street for one of LA's best smoothies at Main Squeeze and a casual bite at Bread + Butter while little legs are still cooperative. Why this works: You keep the airy reset first instead of fighting pier lunch lines once everyone is sandy and done.

Central LA / Museums / East Hollywood

Natural History Museum weekend stack

NHM is the reliable Memorial Day weekend anchor: Dinosaur Encounters, Storytime in the Nature Garden, rotating exhibits (Orcas, Unearthed, Reframing Dioramas), plus T. rex 3D and Oceans 3D showtimes if you want a seated break.

Go earlier on Saturday if you are pairing exhibits with a timed show. If your child is bug- or crowd-sensitive, treat Dinosaur Encounters as optional spectacle — you can still win with gardens and a film.

View Dinosaur Encounters (Saturday) on Play Map LA →

View Dinosaur Encounters (Sunday) on Play Map LA →

View Storytime in the Nature Garden (Saturday) on Play Map LA →

View Storytime in the Nature Garden (Sunday) on Play Map LA →

Tip: Buy NHM tickets and any 3D showtimes together online so you are not negotiating at the desk with a tired kid in the lobby. From much of LA, Metro to Expo Park/USC on the E Line is often faster than circling Exposition Park parking — it is a short walk to the museum entrance with a stroller.

Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival

Sunday afternoon at The Stray Theater is a standout free pick: short films from around the world, aimed at young audiences, with free admission (reserve via Eventbrite if you want a guaranteed seat).

Best for kids who can sit 45–60 minutes with a bathroom plan beforehand. Pair with an early lunch — this is a culture outing, not a bounce-house morning.

View Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival on Play Map LA →

Mini plan: Children's Film Festival + Courage Bagels

Stop at Courage Bagels first — about a 4-minute drive from The Stray Theater — so everyone is fed before the 2pm screening block. Courage Bagels closes at 2pm, so do not save this for after the films. Lines can run long, so plan ahead (order online if they offer it, or build in buffer time), but it is worth the wait: the bagels are genuinely delicious. Why this works: You skip hangry meltdowns in the theater and keep the afternoon feeling like a treat, not a scramble.

Valley / Glendale / Pasadena

Hansen Dam Aquatic Center — Memorial Day reopening

Hansen Dam Aquatic Center reopens for Memorial Day Weekend at one of the largest swimming pools in the United States — a huge outdoor pool complex in Lake View Terrace with water slides (11am–6pm May 23–25, then weekends until daily summer hours start June 13).

Pool admission is cheap but cash only ($1 kids, $4 adults 18–49). Slides require riders at least 48 inches tall and age 7+ — check the official rules before you promise slides to a smaller kid. Enter via Dronfield Ave from Osborne St; bring towels, sunscreen, and a post-swim snack plan.

View Hansen Dam Aquatic Center (Saturday) on Play Map LA →

View Hansen Dam Aquatic Center (Sunday) on Play Map LA →

Tip: Go earlier in the 11am window if you want calmer deck space before the Valley heat peaks. Weekends-only hours after Memorial Day mean this is a strong splash anchor now, not something to save for a random Tuesday in May.

Wander the Wilderness Bus

Wander the Wilderness Bus is a free Glendale Parks adventure day: shuttle between Pacific Park and Deukmejian Wilderness Park with ranger-led activities (8:30am–1:30pm Saturday).

Great for kids who like buses, trails, and novelty. Wear closed-toe shoes and pack water — this is outdoors, not a mall program.

View Wander the Wilderness Bus on Play Map LA →

Family Fun Day — La Pintoresca Park (Pasadena)

Pasadena's Family Fun Day (11am–3pm) is the classic neighborhood festival: arts and crafts, games, and live entertainment at La Pintoresca Park. There is also an earlier Family Fun Day and Family Ride window if you want bikes in the mix.

Best when you want community energy without a ticketed museum day. Stroller-friendly and easy to bail early.

View Family Fun Day on Play Map LA →

View Family Fun Day and Family Ride on Play Map LA →

Kids Learn to Ride Class (Sunday)

Kids Learn to Ride at Robinson Park in Pasadena is a free Sunday morning skills class (9am–noon). Bring a helmet and realistic expectations — this is instruction, not a drop-off camp.

Perfect if your child is ready to ditch training wheels and you want a structured, low-cost push.

View Kids Learn to Ride Class on Play Map LA →

Art Carnival at Baldwin Park Library (Saturday)

Art Carnival at Baldwin Park Library (3–4pm Saturday) is a free, hands-on afternoon for kids who like crafts more than storytime — stations, color, and a contained library setting with bathrooms on site.

Best for elementary-age makers or younger kids who want a short creative block without buying tickets. Arrive a few minutes early if your child needs transition time between stations.

View Art Carnival at Baldwin Park Library on Play Map LA →

Miracle Mile / Orange County indoor backups

LACMA family picks (Saturday + Sunday)

LACMA spreads the weekend across free and low-friction programs:

Saturday: Boone Children's Gallery and Family Art-Making: Collage Portraits
Sunday: Andell Family Sundays in the new David Geffen galleries plus LACMA Family Tours

These work when you want culture without committing to a six-hour museum march. Leave before galleries become a negotiation.

View Boone Children's Gallery on Play Map LA →

View Family Art-Making Workshops: Collage Portraits on Play Map LA →

View Andell Family Sundays on Play Map LA →

View LACMA Family Tours on Play Map LA →

Mini plan: Andell Family Sundays + LACMA courtyard break

Start with the free Andell program, then let kids decompress on the museum courtyard before you decide whether to tour more galleries. Erewhon at LACMA is right on campus if you want a bite or smoothie without leaving the museum footprint. Why this works: You get one focused art block, an easy courtyard reset, and a snack stop on site so gallery negotiations do not end in hangry exits.

Pretend City + Castle & Crown (Sunday)

Pretend City's TeensTeach (1–2pm Sunday) is a nice older-preschool / early-elementary indoor slot when you need AC and role-play reset.

Castle & Crown's Princess Play Date (10am–noon, $25/child) is the dress-up opposite: best for kids who are excited by character magic and you are fine with a ticketed, timed window.

View TeensTeach on Play Map LA →

View Princess Play Date on Play Map LA →

Library events this weekend

Saturday, May 23 is the sweet spot for library programming — most branches stack free morning sessions that fit between errands and a bigger afternoon plan. LA County Library is running the widest spread: baby and Smarty Pants storytimes, Play and Explore play sessions, and one-offs like Origami Galore in Gardena and Be Internet Awesome in La Puente. Pasadena Public Library adds Bilingual Chinese Storytime at Hill Avenue and an Encanto Sing-Along at Hastings. On the westside, Santa Monica Public Library hosts Hula Fun Fest in the central courtyard (11am). Palos Verdes families can catch Silly Saturday at Peninsula Center Library (10:15am). Sunday’s library slate is much thinner in our calendar — plan library time for Saturday, or filter events by neighborhood to see what’s still on near you. (Art Carnival at Baldwin Park Library is in the Valley section above.)

Ongoing weekly favorites across LA

When you want simpler backup lanes:

Library storytimes and play sessions: See Library events this weekend (after the neighborhood picks above); Saturday May 23 has the busiest free slate.
Barnes & Noble Saturday storytimes: Low-lift bookstore stops across the county (many run 11am).
NHM films and exhibits: Fold a 3D show into any museum morning.
Memorial Day Monday: Fiesta Hermosa, Santa Anita carnival, LA Fleet Week EXPO (Monday), and Hansen Dam Aquatic Center (Monday) if you extend the long weekend.

Browse the full LA events calendar on Play Map LA →

Quick picks based on mood

Big weekend energy: Fiesta Hermosa, Santa Anita Memorial Weekend Carnival, LA Fleet Week in San Pedro, or Family Fun Day in Pasadena.

Free or low-cost: Wellness & Waves, LA Fleet Week EXPO, Wander the Wilderness Bus, Children's Film Festival, Andell Family Sundays, Boone Children's Gallery, Art Carnival at Baldwin Park Library, and Kids Learn to Ride.

Beat the heat / splash: Hansen Dam Aquatic Center (one of the largest pools in the U.S., Memorial Day reopening).

Toddler-friendly: Wellness & Waves, Nature Garden storytime, Boone Children's Gallery, Art Carnival (if they like short craft rotations), Princess Play Date (if your child loves characters), Choo Choo Revue (if they can sit).

Older kid energy: Santa Anita carnival, Dinosaur Encounters, TeensTeach, or a full NHM day with a 3D film.

Indoor backup: NHM, LACMA, Pretend City, Bob Baker Marionette Theater, or The Stray Theater film block.

Worth a drive: LA Fleet Week in San Pedro or San Bernardino County Fair if your crew handles longer drives and wants a full fair-harbor day.

Plan your weekend in five minutes

Pick one anchor (beach carnival, racetrack rides, museum, or puppet show), then stack the rest around friction: parking, lunch, naps, and whether your kid needs quiet after loud crowds.

Play Map LA groups dates, neighborhoods, price notes, and event pages in one scan so you are not rebuilding Memorial Day weekend from scratch.

Explore all family-friendly events in Los Angeles this weekend →

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best free things to do with kids in LA this weekend?

Strong free picks include Wellness & Waves at Santa Monica Pier, Fiesta Hermosa (free admission to family zones), Wander the Wilderness Bus, Family Fun Day in Pasadena, Kids Learn to Ride, Andell Family Sundays, Boone Children's Gallery, and the Children's Film Festival at The Stray Theater.

What are the best toddler-friendly events this weekend?

Try Wellness & Waves, Storytime in the Nature Garden at NHM, Boone Children's Gallery, Choo Choo Revue (if they tolerate sitting), or a short morning at Family Fun Day before crowds peak.

What should we do if we need an indoor backup?

NHM, LACMA, Pretend City, Bob Baker Marionette Theater, and the Children's Film Festival give you bathrooms, AC, and a clearer exit than beach carnivals.

Is Memorial Day Monday part of this guide?

Saturday and Sunday are the focus above. Fiesta Hermosa, Santa Anita carnival, and LA Fleet Week also run Monday May 25 if you want to extend the long weekend.

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Things to Do with Kids in Los Angeles This Memorial Day Weekend (May 23-24, 2026) + Easy Mini Plans