11 Best Family-Friendly Activities in Arcadia

The weekend is coming, and that means 48 hours to make the most of family time. You’ll find plenty of activities and attractions in Arcadia for children of all ages –– and for the young at heart as well. Local real estate agent Gordon Wang has compiled a list of local favorites to kick-start your weekend planning. 

Natural beauty abounds from the Queen Anne Cottage to ponds, greenhouses, and themed gardens. Kids will find new adventures around every bend, while adults will appreciate the wide variety and lush gardens featuring plants collected from around the world. Wander through the prehistoric forest or experience a taste of African and Australian horticulture in their respective areas. Watch out for the peacocks who call the Arboretum home, and perhaps they will treat you to a display of their brilliant plumage. Special events frequently occur at the Arboretum, so be sure to check the calendar when you’re planning your visit. 

For a fun-filled day outdoors, pack a picnic, hiking boots, sunscreen, and plenty of water, and head over to Eaton Canyon. Begin at the nature center, where you can learn about local flora and fauna, get hiking recommendations from the park rangers, or participate in an informative program. Hiking trail maps, including routes of moderate difficulty and duration, can be downloaded right onto your phone for your convenience and will guide you to beautiful vistas, as well as glimpses of local animals.

Challenge your family to set new records as you go head-to-head with Guinness Book of World Record holders in a wide variety of hands-on challenges. You’ll be amazed at what people can do! And your own abilities may surprise you too. Alongside the interactive challenges, learn about the fascinating- and outright bizarre- records set in fields of science, athletics, culture, and more. You may even discover some amazing accomplishments by man’s best friend at the Guinness World Records Museum.  

Rainy day? Too much energy? No problem! Get ready to challenge your children to a parents versus kids battle. Jump ‘n Jammin was created for energetic kids to run, slide, jump, throw, catch, and have a great time while getting a workout. This venue is popular for birthdays as well, so expect a full house on weekends. If you plan to visit frequently, save on admission by purchasing a 10-visit Jam Pass. 

Younger children will love exploring indoor and outdoor exhibits that put the world at their fingertips. Kidspace knows kids learn and grow best through exploration and play, and with forty years of experience, they get kids! The latest exhibit to open, “Butterfly Season,” is an immersive exploration in which kids can become butterflies, craft caterpillars, and learn about these beautiful and fascinating creatures. In other exhibits, kids can explore climbing structures, work “Muddy Boots Farm,” hop over boulders on the “Arroyo Adventure,” and discover “Physics Forest.”

If you’ve got super sleuth kids or teens in your household, head into the city to work together solving mysteries, finding interesting and off-the-beaten-path sites, and learning a bit more about your hometown. A number of scavenger hunt themes are available through Let’s Roam. Choose the one that best suits your family’s interests –– or try one now and come back for another soon. Remember to take lots of pictures! You’ll be talking about all you’ve discovered for months to come. 

What child doesn’t love getting up close and personal with farm animals? At the Montebello Barnyard Zoo, kids can pet and feed horses, donkeys, sheep, and goats, many of whom have been rescued or donated to the barnyard. Other animals reside on-site for observation. The all-attractions pass includes a pony ride, a John Deer ride, and a merry-go-round. Helmets are requested for pony rides, so bring along your child’s bike helmet. 

Bring kids face to face with real creatures of the ice age. Discover prehistoric remains and observe the working excavation of the La Brea Tar Pits. See a real wooly mammoth and saber-toothed cats. Watch and learn as paleontologists add to the 3.5 million fossils already uncovered. If your mind isn’t already boggled, the tar pits and museum are only one part of the Natural History Museum and Exposition Park. Plan a full day of exploration, or break your visits into segments to enjoy the incredible discoveries of our natural world one piece at a time. 

The Pirates Adventure Dinner is a rollicking feast complete with acrobatic and aerial antics, music, sword fights, and mermaids. The dazzling set features a Spanish galleon in an enormous 250,000-gallon tank. Secure reservations and pre-order your meal selections online for a swash-buckling good time. 

Summer days are fast approaching, and what better way to beat the heat than with thrilling water park slides and attractions at Raging Waters Los Angeles? Along with the terrifying free fall of the brand new “Bombs Away!,” kids will enjoy the “Aqua Rocket” multi-rider tube slide, the “High Extreme” flume ride, and the “Wave Cove” wave pool. Season passes are the way to go to keep cool all summer long. 

With so many activities in Arcadia for families to enjoy, Arcadia is truly a great place to be a kid –– and this list is just the tip of the iceberg. If, in your many family adventures, you fall in love with a piece of property and want to learn more, reach out to real estate expert Gordon Wang. He’ll be happy to answer any of your questions and help you find the perfect place for your family to call home.