Things to do in Long Beach with Small Children and Toddlers

Whether you’re vacationing with your little one or visiting Long Beach for the day, it’s good to know about a few places where bringing a small child will be a comfortable and relatively easy-going experience. Here’s our guide to Long Beach for littles; ideas for activities, restaurants, and things to do that cater to families with babies, toddlers, and kids five-and-under.

BABY BEACHES

There are several kid-friendly beaches in Long Beach, and among those there are a few that are ideal for small children, where there are protected swim areas and plenty of space for play. Check out Mother’s Beach (5839 Appian Way), located on Naples Island, and Colorado Lagoon (5119 E Colorado St) on the opposite end of Marine Stadium. Both beaches are protected from the open ocean, so children can safely play in shallow swim areas. Both also have playgrounds and large grass areas with shade trees perfect for picnics. There is also a cafe at Mother’s Beach serving Cajun cuisine and snacks. Lifeguards are stationed at both beaches during peak periods to keep a watchful eye over everyone in the water.

ATTRACTIONS

Long Beach is home to Southern California’s largest aquarium, the Aquarium of the Pacific (100 Aquarium Way), a must-visit spot for families in the area. Your little ones can safely toddle about, mesmerized by sea jellies and sharks and engaging with interactive exhibits and friendly educators. Admission is free for children three-and-under. Little kids also enjoy visiting the city’s two historic ranchos, both with lovely gardens ripe for exploring. At Rancho Los Cerritos you can join a storytime for kids every Tuesday at 10 AM or a bilingual storytime with Spanish language books on every third Saturday at 10 AM. Rancho Los Alamitos offers the chance to meet animals like horses, goats, and chickens at its barnyard, plus monthly arts and crafts for kids from April through August. Though admission is free at both ranchos, online reservations are recommended.

RESTAURANTS

Within Long Beach’s dynamic and diverse restaurant scene, there are several great options for families with small children. These spots make it possible for everyone to dine out together in an environment that’s comfortable and welcoming. Head to our blog on kid-friendly restaurants for suggestions of Long Beach eateries–from food halls to breweries–that are set up well to host little kids or that are arranged specifically to ensure these small guests enjoy their dining experience.

Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Long Beach

LIBRARIES

Libraries make wonderful spaces for small children to explore, and 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.

CREDIT: Long Beach Public Library

PARKS & PLAYGROUNDS

When you’re caring for a little one, knowing the location of the nearest park with a playground is key: a space where you can get some fresh air and get the wiggles out before nap time. With 166 parks in its award-winning Parks Department, Long Beach offers lots of places for kids to play. Here are a few of our favorites: Come face to face with the Jurassic and meet some dinosaurs at Recreation Park (4900 E 7th St). Make a joyful noise with chimes and drums and lots of climbing equipment at Whaley Park (5620 Atherton St). Enjoy the playground at Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave), which also hosts a farmers market on Tuesday afternoons and Saturday mornings for perfect playtime snacks. El Dorado East Regional Park (7550 Spring St) includes a two-mile paved trail perfect for stroller walks, picnic areas, playgrounds and El Dorado Frontier, a California Gold Rush-themed mini amusement park with a train ride and carousel.

Creative Playgrounds in Long Beach

Credit: City of Long Beach

About the Author

Claire Atkinson

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