Free Arts, Crafts, and Culture for Kids in Long Beach

When you’re a parent or caregiver for young children, you’re always looking for an activity that gets you all out of the house and offers a fun and interesting experience–especially an educational one–for free. Check out our listings of free fun stuff for kids to do at the city’s cultural institutions and landmarks.

Credit: 2nd & PCH

STORYTIME

The Long Beach Public Library offers weekly storytimes for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers at all 12 branch locations. These include bilingual storytimes, and some branches offer inclusive Sensory Storytimes for children of all abilities and opportunities to practice reading aloud to therapy dogs. For dates and details, visit LBPL’s Storytime page. Rancho Los Cerritos (4600 Virginia Rd) also hosts a weekly storytime on Tuesdays at 10AM as well as a bilingual storytime every third Saturday at 10AM.

CRAFTS

If your kids love arts and crafts, bring them to Rancho Los Alamitos (6400 E Bixby Hill Rd) every second Thursday of the month for the Cool Crafts Roundup, 1:30 to 4PM, from April to August, when the weather is perfect for being outdoors. 2ND & PCH (6400 Pacific Coast Hwy) hosts a monthly Kids Club every first Tuesday, usually with live entertainment, crafts, and goodies. After Kids Club, your family can grab lunch at one of the center’s many restaurants or get some shopping done.

Credit: 2nd & PCH

ART MUSEUMS

Long Beach’s art museums offer ample opportunities for kids to get immersed in culture at no cost. First, take advantage of free admission to the Museum of Latin American Art (628 Alamitos Ave) every Sunday. Then, get creative at the Long Beach Museum of Art’s (2300 E Ocean Blvd) free Family Artmaking workshop every third Sunday of the month. The Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum (1250 Bellflower Blvd) on the campus of Cal State Long Beach hosts a monthly, Second Saturday Family Day, where museum educators teach art skills related to the current exhibition.

THEATER

Throughout 2024, International City Theatre will be introducing kids and families to the magic of theatrical performance with their Free Family Saturday Theatre events in the Beverly O’Neill Theater (300 E Ocean Blvd) downtown. With events on February 17, May 4, June 22, August 31, and November 2, kids can see stories from their favorite poems and fables come to life on stage. For details and to make reservations, visit the ICT website.

Credit: International City Theatre

About the Author

Claire Atkinson

Claire Atkinson is a Southern California native who has lived in Long Beach for nearly 20 years. She spends her free time visiting local parks, farmers markets, and museums, and loves learning about Long Beach history and culture.