6 Family Activities in Los Angeles That Help You Actually Connect This Summer
Summer means a lot of vacant time. With it comes a quieter question some families don’t say out loud: what do we actually do together?
Maybe it’s a parent and teen who now mostly talk in one-word texts. Maybe it’s siblings who love each other but forgot how to hang out. Or maybe it’s a family just trying to find their rhythm again.
Connection doesn’t always come naturally, even between people who love each other. Sometimes it just needs a reason to happen.
You don’t need a perfectly planned summer. Just a few good "let's do this together" moments that give everyone something to talk about, laugh about, or mildly compete about.
If you have been typing "family activities near me" into Google at 11pm trying to plan tomorrow, here are six local ideas worth trying, plus insight from one of our therapists at Highland Park Holistic Psychotherapy on why they actually work.
Please note: This post is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are navigating family stress or relationship challenges, a therapist can help.
Key Takeaways
Vacant summer time can bring up a real question for families: what do we do together? That question is common and nothing to feel awkward about.
Shared activities, even small or free ones, build real connection in a way that simply being in the same house does not.
Research shows that consistent, simple bonding activities like reading or storytelling support healthy social-emotional development in kids.
Highland Park and the greater LA area have plenty of free or low-cost options, from the Audubon Center at Debs Park to Beach Movie Nights at Dockweiler, free Shakespeare at Griffith Park, and always-free museums like the Getty Center and The Broad.
Simple, low-prep moments, like a walk or a dance party, can lower stress while building connection.
Letting every family member have input, putting phones away, and repeating what works are simple ways to make these moments count.
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It’s tempting to think bonding just happens if you spend enough time in the same house. In reality, proximity is not the same as connection. A 2025 study using 2022 National Survey of Children's Health data found that simple, consistent bonding activities, like reading together or telling stories, are linked to stronger social-emotional development in kids. You don't need a big production. Consistency and presence matter more than the size of the activity.
It works for adults too. Think about why "Bluey" hit so hard with parents, not just kids. The show is basically seven minutes of imaginative play turning into real connection. The reason it works is simple: the parent is fully present. Kids can feel that difference, even when they never say so.
Simple ideas work best, like a stroll through the neighborhood, a low-key movie night, an impromptu dance party, or a few minutes of mindful breathing or grounding together. If you’re curious about how stress shows up in the body in the first place, we’ve written about that too. None of it needs to be elaborate to make a difference.
6 Family Activities Near Me to Try This Summer
1. Bird Watch and Hike at the Audubon Center at Debs Park
You don’t have to drive far for this one. The Audubon Center at Debs Park sits right along the Arroyo Seco, just minutes from Highland Park, and it's free to visit. Trails are short enough for younger kids but interesting enough that teenagers will not roll their eyes the entire time. Bring binoculars if you have them, or just use your phone camera to zoom in on whatever you spot.
Nature also tends to lower the social pressure that makes togetherness feel like a performance. Teenagers especially open up more when nobody is sitting across from them making deliberate eye contact.
2. Story Time and an "LA Plays" Kit at Arroyo Seco Regional Library
The Arroyo Seco Regional Library on Figueroa offers free story times, craft activities, and something genuinely clever called an "LA Plays" kit. It comes with a toy, a book, and a list of activities designed for families to do together at home. It's a built-in bonding plan, and the best part is it costs nothing. Reading together and storytelling are also exactly what the research above links to stronger development in kids.
3. Catch a Free Outdoor Movie or Concert
Two of the best free movie nights in LA happen right by the water. Beach Movie Nights runs all summer at the Dockweiler Youth Center, and Marina Movie Nights takes place at Burton Chace Park in Marina del Rey. Pack a blanket, grab snacks, and let the night do the work. There is something about sitting outside with salt air and a screen that gets people talking in a way the living room couch never quite does.
That is what makes all of these worth trying. Here is how one of our therapists puts it:
"Leaning into easy, enjoyable activities can help lower cortisol levels and create opportunities for connection. Intentionally creating time to slow down and enjoy one another’s company can be a meaningful way to reconnect and reduce stress together." –Natalie Beltran, MA, AMFT
4. Visit the Bob Baker Marionette Theater
Now located at LA Historic Park, the Bob Baker Marionette Theater is a genuinely fun, slightly nostalgic outing that works for every age. Little kids love the puppets. Teens love the absurdity. Parents love that everyone is laughing at the same thing for once. It’s one of those rare outings where nobody is on their phone because nobody wants to look away. Laughing at the same thing at the same time is one of the fastest ways to feel close to someone. That is not a coincidence.
5. Free Shakespeare Festival at Griffith Park
Every summer, Independent Shakespeare Co. puts on fully staged productions at the Old Zoo dell in Griffith Park. This year, Coriolanus runs June 24 through July 26, followed by The Comedy of Errors from August 5 through September 6, both on Wednesday through Sunday evenings at 7pm. It's completely free, but reserve a spot in advance since the space is smaller this season.
Bring a picnic blanket, arrive early, and expect themed nights and pre-show family workshops. Live performance puts everyone in the same emotional moment at the same time. That kind of shared attention tends to stick.
6. Free Museum Days at the Getty Center and The Broad
Two of LA's best museums are completely free to visit. The Getty Center in Brentwood is always free admission, with sweeping city views, European masterworks, and gardens worth the trip alone. The Broad in Downtown LA is also free general admission. Both require advance timed-entry tickets. For the Getty, parking rates vary by time of day, so arriving later in the afternoon saves you money, and it is free after 5pm during the summer. Museums also move slowly, and that pace tends to make conversation happen without anyone trying to start it.
If you are planning a Saturday evening at the Getty, check their Off the 405 schedule. It is a free outdoor concert series running through August 22, but tickets sell out fast so reserve yours a few weeks ahead.
Tips to Make Family Fun Actually Stick
A few small habits can turn a one-off outing into something that builds real connection over time.
Let everyone have a say. Even one activity chosen by the kid who never gets to pick changes the energy of the day.
Put phones away during the activity, not just during dinner. Full attention is rare and it's noticeable.
don't force deep conversation. Connection often shows up sideways, during a car ride home or while washing dishes after cooking together, not on command.
Repeat what works. If something lands well, don't be afraid to make it a regular thing. Predictability is comforting, especially for kids and teens.
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Fun
What if my teenager doesn't want to do anything with the family?
This is incredibly common and usually is not personal. Try offering activities with low social stakes, like a drive somewhere with music they pick, rather than something that feels like forced bonding time. Letting teens have some control over the plan often makes them more willing to show up for it. If your teen is consistently withdrawing, it may also be worth exploring what is going on underneath. Our teen therapy page has more on what that support can look like.
Do family bonding activities need to cost money?
Not at all. Several of the ideas above cost nothing, including the library story times, the Audubon Center hikes, Beach Movie Nights at Dockweiler, and the Shakespeare Festival at Griffith Park. The Getty Center and The Broad are also free admission, though parking at the Getty is priced by time of day and is free after 5pm during the summer.
How often should families do activities together?
There is no required number. What matters more is consistency over time rather than frequency in any single week. Even one intentional activity a week can make a noticeable difference over a summer.
What if my family tries an activity and it just falls flat?
That happens, and it does not mean the effort failed. Sometimes timing, mood, or energy levels just are not aligned that day. Try again another time, or ask family members what they would actually enjoy instead.
When should a family consider therapy instead of just trying more activities?
If conversations consistently turn tense, if certain family members seem to be pulling away over time, or if there is unresolved conflict that activities alone are not touching, that may be a sign it's time for additional support. Therapy can help families build communication skills that carry into everyday life, not just planned outings.
Still Looking for Ways to Reconnect as a Family? Therapy Can Help
Activities are a great start, but sometimes the disconnect runs deeper than a busy schedule.
If conversations keep going sideways, or certain relationships in the family feel strained no matter how much quality time you plan, working with a therapist can help everyone understand what is really going on underneath.
Therapy for Individuals and Families in Los Angeles
At Highland Park Holistic Psychotherapy, our team of relational, trauma-informed therapists works with clients at every stage, whether you’re starting therapy for the first time or coming back after a break. We collaborate on goals that matter to you and move at the pace that feels right for your family.
Schedule a free consultation with one of our therapists in Los Angeles to start exploring how therapy can support your family.
Other Services Offered with Highland Park Holistic Psychotherapy
At Highland Park Holistic Psychotherapy, we provide a wide range of mental health services, including teen therapy, couples therapy, stress management, trauma therapy, and other services, including online therapy, in our Los Angeles, CA office. You can also read more by visiting our blog, FAQ page, or our groups page.