Best Things to Do With Kids in Los Angeles in May
Whether you’re celebrating Mom or the start of summer, we’ve got you covered on all the fun things to do with kids from the first of May to Memorial Day weekend.
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Our Favorite Things to Do With Kids in May
Summer vacation is just around the corner, but before you hit the summer camps and day trips, there’s still plenty of fun and excitement in May. Check out some of our favorite family-friendly things to do with kids this month.
Local Anchor Mother’s Day Celebration at South Bay Galleria
May 6
Join us for a fun-filled day of family activities to celebrate Mother’s Day! Activities include arts and crafts, a DJ dance party, character meet and greets, a special Mother’s Day photo-op, and more.
Looking for more fun Mother’s Day celebration ideas? Check out our lists of the best spots for brunch in Los Angeles and breakfast in the South Bay.
LA County Fair
May 5 – 29
The LA County Fair is back and celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. There’s so many fun things to do with kids including food, games, rides, exhibits, and concerts. You could spend the entire month here!
Great Big Family Play Day at the Autry
May 6 – 7
The Coachella for kids is back again for another fun-filled event featuring live music performances by the Beat Buds and Lisa Loeb with the Hollow Trees. Rides, games, character meet and greets, soft play zones, food, baby gear, and much more await!
Free Comic Book Day
May 6
Leave your allowance at home and head to a local comic book store to score a free comic on this nationwide event that takes place on the first Saturday of May each year. This year’s giveaway titles include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, InvestiGators, Dog Man, The Babysitter’s Little Sister, and more. Check the Free Comic Book Day website for a participating shop near you.
Long Beach Touch-A-Truck
May 7
Do you have a vehicle-obsessed kiddo? Bring them to the best event in town, where they can explore nearly 100 awesome cars, trucks, and more. Pre-registration for this event is required.
Dinos Alive
March 24 – May 14
Calling all Dino fans! Travel back in time and explore a park full of life-sized dinosaurs. The exhibit features 80 realistic, moving replicas of your favorite dinos, like velociraptors, stegosaurus, and even T-rex.
Walk and Play L.A.
May 20
Support the critical care and work of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles at this annual, family-friendly community event. Walk and Play includes a 3K walk, a family festival for all ages, and exclusive sports activities hosted by professional teams and athletes.
California Strawberry Festival
May 20 -21
The popular festival celebrating all things strawberries is back again, but at a new location: the Ventura Fairgrounds. The new spot makes it easier to access the festival, which features a Ninja Nation Obstacle Course, live music and entertainment, over a hundred arts and crafts booths, and, of course, dozens of strawberry-based foods and treats.
Stars on Ice
May 20
The 2023 Stars on Ice tour unites figure skating’s U.S. superstars, including Olympic Champion Nathan Chen, for a family-friendly show sure to dazzle audience members of all ages.
Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest and Folk Fest
May 21
Put your dancing shoes on and head to Paramount Ranch for a music-filled day. The annual festival includes live bluegrass performances, folk dancing, crafts, sing-alongs, and more.
NHM’s Bug Fair 2022
May 20 – 21
The bugs are back! Celebrating 37 years of all things creepy and crawly, the Natural History Museum’s annual Bug Fair is here again. Insect fans will enjoy close-up encounters with live bugs and learn about the local insect life in Los Angeles.
Museums of the Arroyo Day
May 21
The annual event is back to treat LA families to free admission to six local museums focused on local heritage. The museums participating include Heritage Square, Pasadena Museum of History, Gamble House, the Lummis Home, the Los Angeles Police Museum, and the Autry’s Historic Southwest Museum (Mt. Washington campus).
Renaissance Pleasure Faire
April 8 – May 21 (Saturdays and Sundays)
Take a step back in time to the days of yore at the Ren-Faire. The faire features over 100 artisans, merchants, vendors, costume contests, games, rides, a food court, and more. Check the website for details on specially-themed weekends, like Pirates and Heroes.
Huntington Rose Garden Tea Room
Starting May 24
Beginning May 24, you can once again enjoy tea time in the garden at the newly renovated Huntington Rose Garden Tea Room. Reservations for the Tea Room open on May 10.
Disney’s The Little Mermaid
Premieres May 26
The highly anticipated live-action Littel Mermaid is finally here and ready to be part of your world!
Paws & Pages at Annenberg PetSpace
May 6 – 27 (Saturdays)
Put your reading skills into good practice by reading to a furry friend. This unique in-space experience includes a book reading, an opportunity to meet an adoptable pet or critter ambassador, and a fun pet-related craft! Afterward, young readers can pick a book from the Annenberg PetSpace library and read it to the pets outside their adoption suites.
LA Fleet Week
May 26 – 29
LA Fleet Week is an annual, multi-day celebration of our nation’s Sea Services held on the LA Waterfront at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro. Events and activities include active duty ship tours, concerts and live performances, and aircraft flyovers.
Fiesta Hermosa
May 27 – 29
Fiesta Hermosa is back and in full swing for the first time since the pandemic. Spend Memorial Day Weekend checking out artisans, vendors, and fun, family-friendly activities in the sunshine on the beach.
Marina Culture Jam Part II
May 28
The Marina Culture Jam series returns to Burton Chace Park with the second performance of this special 3-part series, presented by the Department of Beaches and Harbors and The Music Center. The show features live performances, arts and crafts, cultural learning activities, and more!
World of Barbie
April 19- June 30
If you’re a Barbie girl or boy and you’ve been dreaming about living in a Barbie World, now’s your chance! This immersive experience allows you to explore the Barbie Dreamhouse, hop aboard her camper van, build a customized Barbie set, and so much more.
Looking for more fun things to do with kids? Check out our guide to what’s happening in SoCal this spring. Stay in the know by subscribing, joining our Facebook group, and following us on Instagram.
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