Family-Friendly Activities

But with this kid-focused guide, finding family-friendly activities for your little ones has never been easier. Here are a few kid-favorite and mom-approved activities that will enrich your trip to Pasadena so it stays memorable, stress-free, and fun for the whole family.

Kidspace Children's Museum

The Kidspace Children's Museum, located just yards from the Rose Bowl Stadium, is dedicated to childhood discovery, motor skill development, education, and hands-on enrichment activities. Over 40 exhibits – mainly outdoors – allow children to learn and grow without confining them to a traditional classroom or indoor setting. Learn and play while exploring natural environments and investigate subjects like art, insects, weather, physics, and more in the bright and lively museum that is a joy for the entire family.

The Huntington Children's Garden

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens is 120 acres consisting of 12 breathtaking gardens – one of which is specialized around childhood enrichment. The Children's Garden introduces children to nature through splashing water fountains, topiary animals, magnetic sand and musical pebbles, and a rainbow prism tunnel. The garden encourages your child to step through the "fairy doors" and escape to a place where their imagination can run wild as they explore the four elements: earth, air, fire, and water.

Neon Retro Arcade

The Neon Retro Arcade is perfect for developing fine motor skills while also allowing parents to get a little taste of their own childhood. This throwback arcade celebrates the history of video games and features 40+ classic arcade games and pinball machines, including original games like Pacman, Frogger, and Donkey Kong. Transport back in time and share the tradition of coin-operated entertainment with a new generation without having to lug your quarters. The arcade charges a flat-rate per-hour to play as much as you want.

Eaton Canyon

The Eaton Canyon hiking trail is ideal for families. Not too strenuous, the whole loop is only 3 miles and surrounded by unique terrain. Since the canyon is at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, it's still not too steep for little legs to make the trek. The first mile is mostly flat, and the elevation change is only 375 feet. It's the perfect way to get some fresh air and burn off energy. Not to mention, the 44-foot waterfall is the perfect pit stop for skipping stones and splashing in puddles.

Southern California Children's Museum

The Southern California Children's Museum is a nonprofit museum that is dedicated to play-based activities designed to foster excitement and spark a real sense of wonder in your child and your inner child. The "museum without walls" has a variety of exhibits that incorporate learning time into fun time. Some activities encourage children to explore their creative side through hands-on art projects and sensory exhibits, engage in underwater worlds, or ride along on planes, trains, and automobiles through games and collaborative exercises. Then unwind and conclude your day with bilingual story time.

Arlington Gardens

The Arlington Gardens are a quaint, three-acre community garden that is a perfect way to get out and unleash your imagination. Because the garden is non-profit and publicly managed, parents can create their own hands-on learning curriculum to teach their children about plant life, insects, and gardening practices all for free. All plants are labeled and no area of the garden is off limits. Whether you opt for the geometric rock garden or prefer to learn about the birds, bees, and butterflies that frequent the garden, the possibilities are endless.

Pasadena Ice Skating Center

The Pasadena Ice Skating Center is located right next to the official visitors center. The rink's iconic white tent-like structure makes it hard to miss – just like a public skating session.

Pasadena Ice Cream Scene

Another opportunity to get a throwback in and satisfy some cravings, check out our full ice cream guide.

Local Parks with Playgrounds

And of course, it's hard to beat the classics. Pasadena has many outdoor parks with playgrounds including Brookside Park near the Rose Bowl Stadium and Kidspace Children's Museum, Central Park located in the heart of downtown near the metro station, and Singer Park.