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Long Beach, CA · Guide

Rainy-day activities for kids in Long Beach

Last updated September 16, 2026 · 12 places

Long Beach and its neighboring hubs like San Pedro and Cerritos offer a variety of substantial indoor escapes perfect for rainy weather. Families can spend hours exploring naval history aboard a massive battleship or engaging with marine life in specialized touch pools. For a more casual afternoon, the area is home to expansive indoor shopping centers and modernized cinema complexes that provide a reliable refuge from the elements.

This guide skews toward school-age children and all-ages family outings, highlighting venues where walking, learning, and interactive play are the focus. These locations are chosen for their consistent climate-controlled environments and range of activities, ensuring that a storm does not disrupt your plans.

Good to know this fall

The first truly wet weekends of fall catch everyone off guard — indoor play spaces and museums hit capacity by late morning. Arrive at opening, or save the trip for a weekday afternoon when school is in session.

Want picks tuned to your kids' ages, dietary needs, and interests — not just a static list?

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  1. 01

    Battleship IOWA home of the National Museum of the Surface Navy

    4.8 (8,813)250 S Harbor Blvd, San Pedro, CA 90731, USA
    LivelyBest for school-age

    This floating museum allows families to explore the interior of a massive warship. Children can climb into cockpits and follow a kid-friendly scavenger hunt to find Vicky the Dog throughout the decks.

    When to go: buy tickets online

    Parent tip · Ask for the kid-friendly scavenger hunt to keep children engaged throughout the ship tour.
  2. 02

    Aquarium of the Pacific

    4.6 (35,800)100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802, USA
    Kids' menuLivelyAll ages

    A massive indoor aquarium featuring touch pools with jellyfish and sharks, a rainforest exhibit, and playful penguins. The facility includes stamping stations for children to track their progress through the exhibits.

    When to go: arrive before noon

    Parent tip · The cafe can be expensive and uses paper straws; consider eating at nearby restaurants before or after visiting.
  3. 03

    Shoreline Village

    4.6 (12,711)429 Shoreline Village Drive, Long Beach, CA 90802, USA
    Kids' menu likelyHigh chairsLivelyAll ages

    This waterfront destination features a collection of shops and a dedicated arcade for indoor entertainment. The area includes an indoor mall section and several sit-down dining options with views of the marina.

    When to go: walk-in only

    Parent tip · Get your parking validated at one of the shops to avoid paying the full fee.
  4. 04

    Los Cerritos Center

    4.5 (17,123)239 Los Cerritos Center, Cerritos, CA 90703, USA
    Kids' menuLivelyAll ages

    A clean, well-maintained indoor mall with a straightforward layout for navigating between major retailers and dining. It serves as a reliable location for families to escape the weather while accessing movies and food.

    When to go: no wait weekdays

    Parent tip · Park near Nordstrom or the 91 freeway entrance for more convenient access during busy hours.
  5. 05

    Harkins Theatres Cerritos

    4.7 (3,363)600 Los Cerritos Center, Cerritos, CA 90703, USA
    Kids' menuAll ages

    An indoor cinema featuring power reclining seats and a wide selection of fresh concessions. The theater is noted for its clean environment and proximity to an attached shopping mall.

    When to go: reserve on weekends

    Parent tip · Park near the Forever 21 entrance of the mall as the spaces directly in front of the theater fill up quickly.
  6. 06

    Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

    4.6 (4,777)3720 Stephen M White Dr, San Pedro, CA 90731, USA
    CalmBest for preschool

    This community-focused aquarium specializes in Southern California marine life with interactive touch tanks and educational labs. It offers a smaller, more personal experience with knowledgeable staff available to answer questions.

    When to go: walk-in only

    Parent tip · Check the schedule for touch tank times as the last session on weekdays often ends by 3:30 PM.
  7. 07

    Lakewood Center

    4.4 (21,841)500 Lakewood Ctr Mall, Lakewood, CA 90712, USA
    Kids' menuHigh chairsLivelyAll ages

    A mid-sized indoor shopping center featuring a food court and department stores. The facility is bright and spacious, often hosting family-oriented indoor events and creative activity centers for children.

    When to go: no wait weekdays

    Parent tip · Look for the creative activity sections that offer hands-on fun similar to a craft store for kids.
  8. 08

    LBX Long Beach Exchange

    4.6 (2,739)4069 N Lakewood Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90808, USA
    Kids' menuLivelyAll ages

    A modern food hall and shopping destination with a wide variety of local eateries, including many vegan and gluten-free options. The space provides ample indoor seating and a communal atmosphere for dining.

    When to go: arrive before 12

    Parent tip · Parking becomes difficult after midday, so plan for an early lunch to secure a spot.
  9. 09

    The Pike

    4.4 (11,262)95 S Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802, USA
    Kids' menuLivelyAll ages

    This shopping and dining complex features an indoor movie theater and several family-friendly retail stores. It provides a seaside atmosphere with plenty of indoor corridors and restaurants to avoid the rain.

    When to go: no wait weekdays

    Parent tip · Valet parking is available for a relatively low fee if you want to avoid the larger parking structures.
  10. 10

    AMC Marina Pacifica 12

    4.6 (2,079)6346 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90803, USA
    Kids' menuAll ages

    A clean movie theater known for its comfortable reclining seats and friendly service. Located near the water, it is surrounded by indoor dining and retail options.

    When to go: reserve on weekends

    Parent tip · The theater is located in a walkable area with several restaurants and shops nearby for after-movie activities.
  11. 11

    Long Beach Towne Center

    4.4 (9,617)7575 E Carson St, Long Beach, CA 90808, USA
    Kids' menuLoudBest for school-age

    A sprawling retail hub featuring a bookstore, cinema, and a Dave and Busters for indoor games. It offers a variety of quick-service and sit-down dining options for families.

    When to go: no wait weekdays

    Parent tip · The Barnes and Noble is a good spot to spend time browsing with children between other activities.
  12. 12

    SouthBay Pavilion Mall

    4.4 (8,376)20700 Avalon Blvd, Carson, CA 90746, USA
    Kids' menuHigh chairsLivelyAll ages

    An indoor mall that includes an IKEA and a variety of retail boutiques. It provides a budget-friendly environment with a food court and a movie theater for a full afternoon of indoor activities.

    When to go: walk-in only

    Parent tip · Be aware that the mall may enforce a policy requiring minors to be accompanied by an adult after 2 PM or 5 PM.

Common questions

How were these rainy-day activities in Long Beach chosen?

Each place starts from current local listing data for Long Beach, then is screened for family fit — things like kids' menus and high chairs, how loud it gets, the ages it suits best, and practical details like stroller room and wait times.

How current is this guide?

This guide was last updated in September 2026. FamSpots refreshes its city guides on a rolling schedule, and each page shows its own update date at the bottom.

Is FamSpots free?

Yes. Every city guide is free to read with no account. Creating a free account adds recommendations tuned to your kids' ages, interests, and dietary needs. No credit card is required.

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