Ziplining, a night food market, and indoor rock climbing all made the list
Looking for fun activities to do with your teens that aren’t total cringe or TikTok dances? We’re spilling the tea on some of the coolest experiences around LA—from teen-friendly stand-up shows and rad art exhibits to ziplining through the mountains and thrill-seeking theme parks. No matter what you choose, you’ll have an opportunity to reconnect and let loose with the people you love most.
The IRL Show at The Crow
Chris Mortenson
Need a laugh break from all the teen angst at home? Every fourth Friday of the month, The Crow (a female-owned Santa Monica Comedy Collaborative) hosts a show just for teens. The IRL Show is a teen-friendly comedy show for ages 13 and up featuring comics from Comedy Central, HBO, and late-night. If you come early, The Crow orders pizza for everyone and kids even get a chance to hop on stage before the show to work out their own material and receive feedback from a rotating cast of pros.
Tickets: $10 with student ID, $15 general admission.
The Crow 2525 Michigan Ave., Unit F4 Santa Monica Online: crowcomedy.com
Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood
Pry your teen’s face away from their Nintendo Switch to experience the real deal. Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood is now open, fulfilling the Mario and Luigi dreams of kids (and adults) everywhere. If you’re willing to pay $40 for a Power-Up Band, you can participate in four interactive key challenges around the World that mimic Mario games. Once you earn three keys, you’re granted access to Bowser Jr.’s lair where you’ll take part in the ultimate boss battle. If you want to ride Mario Kart Bowser’s Challenge or dine at Toadstool Café, we highly recommend arriving to the park as early as possible as both book up quickly. Also, if you can swing it, the Universal Express tickets or Early Access tickets are worth the extra dough during this crowded time to guarantee entry into the World without stressing about reservations.
Tickets: 1-day general admission from $109, Universal Express from $199, Early Access from $20 in addition to the cost of regular admission.
If you have a teen who’s into Funko pop culture collectibles and accessories, the Funko store in Hollywood slaps. Whether you’re into Harry Potter and Marvel collectibles or Stranger Things and Star Wars are more your jam, Funko brings different fandoms together to unite in the spirit of fun. The Hollywood location features larger-than-life photo ops for the gram, immersive sets inspired by your favorite worlds and characters, and one of the best selections of Funko merch around. Admission to the store is free.
Funko Hollywood 6201 Hollywood Blvd., #100 Hollywood Online: funko.com
Jean Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure Exhibition
This special touring exhibition in DTLA invites guests to step inside a recreation of artist, Jean Michel Basquiat’s family home, art studio, and VIP room of New York’s Palladium nightclub which showcased two of his paintings. Over 200 rarely-shown pieces (paintings, drawings, and artifacts) are displayed throughout the space, providing a truly unique peek into the artist’s mind. The exhibition runs through July 31, 2023.
Tickets: Timed entry is $32 on weekdays, $35 on weekends, and children ages 3-13 are $25.
Jean Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure Exhibition The Grand LA 100 S. Grand St. DTLA Online: kingpleasure.basquiat.com
Moonlight Rollaway
Lace your skates and hit up the legendary Moonlight Rollerway in Glendale for a groovy good time. Part of the LA scene for decades, this old-school roller rink has not only welcomed generation after generation of Angelenos but it’s also been a prized filming location for shows like Euphoria and The Goldbergs, as well as hosted a memorable performance by Lizzo, among others. Skate times vary depending on the day and lessons are available for young people on Saturdays.
Tickets: $19 per skater online and skate rental is available at the rink for $7.
If you haven’t been to 626 Nightmarket yet, uh hello, what are you waiting for? Inspired by the vibrant after-hours markets of Taiwan, 626 Nightmarket offers visitors a truly unique experience. Filled with indulgent food booths featuring items like deep-fried squid, potato swirls, and Hawaiian honeycombs, it’s a curious foodie paradise. There are also clothing, art, and gift vendors, as well as DJs, lasers, games, and gigantic baby bottles you can sip fruity drinks from (our personal fave). Most vendors accept Square, Venmo, or ApplePay, but be sure to have some cash on hand for those that don’t. Along with the market’s original location at the Santa Anita Racetrack, other markets are available around town too so be sure to check the site for dates.
Tickets: $5 online or $6 at the door. Parking is free
Every parent wants their child to soar beyond their wildest dreams, so take ‘em to iFly! Located at Universal Citywalk, iFly offers visitors a chance to experience the heart-pounding thrill of indoor skydiving. When you arrive, you’ll meet with a world-class flight instructor who will show you the ropes then you’ll put on your flight suit, step into the wind tunnel, and up, up, and away you go! Happy flying!
Cost: Different flight packages are available starting at $69 and up.
As the world’s first micro-amusement park, Two Bit Circus features 38,000 sq. ft of never-ending fun. From a Midway filled with games and classic coin-op machines to immersive story rooms, an arcade, a VR arena, and interactive gameshows, there’s truly something for everyone. With all this excitement, your teens will definitely work up an appetite, so be sure to stop by the Box Car for creative and delicious carny treats before you head home.
Tickets: Packages start at $35 depending on the number in your party and what activities you’d like to do.
Experience a mind-blowing new storytelling medium that combines the emotional power of cinematic storytelling with the thrill of theme park rides at Dreamscape, the ultimate destination for virtual reality entertainment. Guests suit up in their gear (light backpack, hand trackers, foot trackers, and VR headset) and are transported to fantastic worlds beyond their wildest imaginations, including DreamWorks Dragons Flight Academy, MIB: First Assignment, Alien Zoo, The Blu: Deep Rescue, and Curse of the Lost Pearl: A Magic Projector Adventure. Each experience lasts 10-14 min. and comfortable clothes (no flip-flops) are recommended.
Who doesn’t dig a good escape room? Hatch Escapes: Lab Rat takes place in a laboratory where giant rats are doing experiments on human beings – that means you! Unhinged Dr. Ratkenstein has tasked you with completing a series of tests and puzzles. If you succeed, he gets to write his dissertation. If you don’t, he puts you and your pals in the old chipper—and that doesn’t sound great. You have only one hour to escape from the lab – so better get crackin’!
Tickets: Start at $44 per person.
Hatch Escapes 1919 3rd Ave. Los Angeles Online: hatchescapes.com
Sender One LAX
Climb to new heights at Sender One LAX. As one of the city’s premier climbing destinations, Sender One offers a fantastic range of activities for tweens and teens at all experience levels. From the Sender City interactive climbing center where kids gear up with auto belay devices to scale tall buildings and crazy towers in the sky to learning bouldering and rope climbing (open to ages 14+) in the other areas of the gym, it’s a great workout, you gain self-confidence and most importantly, have tons of fun. If you want to boulder or rope climb on your own, the gym requires visitors to take the 1-hour class, Intro to Rope Climbing, first.
Cost: A youth day pass with rental gear (ages 6-13) is $34 and the Intro to Climbing Class & day pass (ages, 14+, rental gear included) is $39.
Does your teen feel the need, the need for speed? Check out K1 Speed for some of the best go-karting in SoCal. With locations in Burbank, Torrance, Irvine, and Anaheim, there’s bound to be a spot close to you. No reservations are necessary, just arrive and drive. Adult and junior electric karts are available, and the challenging indoor track is crazy fun. There’s also a restaurant on-site, as well as an arcade with billiards and air hockey. Closed-toed shoes are required to race and a helmet and headsock will be provided for you.
Sure, everyone loves Disneyland, but when you have a teen coaster fiend, Six Flags Magic Mountain may be more up their alley. With 20 world-class roller coasters – more than any other theme park on the planet, there’s much more thrill than chill here. From Wonder Woman Flight of Courage – the tallest and longest single rail coaster in the world to West Coast Racers – the world’s first single track quadruple launch racing coaster, Magic Mountain is really at the top of their game when it comes to the ultimate adrenaline rush.
Tickets: Single-day tickets start at $69.99 per person.
As the biggest water park in California, it’s no surprise Raging Waters is a fan fave during the summer. Less than an hour's drive from LA, Raging Waters features 50 world-class attractions for all ages, including Aqua Rocket – California’s hydromagnetic water coaster, a variety of tube and body slides, a lazy river, a one-million-gallon wave pool, and a 30,000 sq. ft. water playground. And coming this season, guests can check out the new Bombs Away, a pair of heart-pounding drop tubes where the floor drops out from under you, and one sends you flying straight down at 26 ft. per second while the other tube loops you around and around until you hit the water. Yikes, better you than us!
Tickets: Tickets start at $69 per person, but be sure to check their website for any promotions.
Raging Waters 111 Raging Waters Dr. San Dimas 909-802-2200 Online: ragingwaters.com
Marvin Braude Bike TRail
Craving some good quality time with your teen? There’s no better way to spend the day together than biking the Marvin Braude Bike Trail – the famous 22-mile paved bike path that runs from Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades through all the South Bay beach communities and harbors at Marina Del Rey and Redondo Beach Pier in Torrance. If you don’t have bikes of your own, there are plenty of affordable rental shops along the path in Santa Monica. There are also fantastic places to pull over and eat along the way, whether it’s Back on the Beach in Santa Monica, a cafe along the Venice Boardwalk, or one of the delicious dining spots on the Redondo Beach Pier.
Located just 75 miles from LA in the San Gabriel Mountains, Ziplines at Pacific Crest is ready to give your family a thrilling day to remember. With two zipline challenge courses, there’s something for every daredevil in your brood. The Canopy Tour offers heights of up to 300 ft. off the forest floor and lengths of over 1,500 ft. while the Mountain View Tour provides a totally unique zipline experience with the bonus of leaping off a tree platform in a controlled free-fall. There’s also the Quest Tour for people who have less time to spend, but still want a taste of ziplining, or the Ultimate All-Day Adventure which includes six hours of ziplining, rappelling, hiking, and lunch.
Tickets: Start at $94 per person depending on tour.
Ziplines at Pacific Crest 6014 Park Dr. Wrightwood Online: ziplinespc.com
