With Dave & Buster’s as well as the enormous candy shop Sweet mere steps from the hotel lobby, it’s no wonder kids give two thumbs up to the Loews Hollywood Hotel. Add a fifth-floor pool with dynamite views, suites with sofa beds, and it follows that parents are happy too. As part of their Loews Loves Kids program, the hotel maintains a selection of board games to lend to families, and the very youngest guests receive a coloring book and crayons upon check-in. The hotel is ideally located for concerts at the Hollywood Bowl. In addition to their morning Summersounds program for children ages 3-11—advanced tickets recommended—this summer the Bowl hosts three live concert performances of The Little Mermaid accompanying the film, as well as the annual Sound of Music Sing-A-Long.

Everything in life isn’t free. But a whole lot is at the Magic Castle Hotel, a comfortable spot in the heart of Hollywood. They offer free snacks like candy and chips, as well as soda, 24-7. There’s a poolside popsicle hotline - just call and a frozen treat will be delivered. They have a library of movies to borrow at the front desk. Complimentary breakfast is included with all reservations. And they have the inside line on admission to the Magic Castle, the private magic club next door. Keep in mind that children can attend weekend brunch performances only. Also, admission is dependent on availability.

How cute is this? At the family owned, centrally located boutique Orlando Hotel, they offer an American Girl package. (It so happens The Original Farmers Market and The Grove, home to an American Girl store, is just a few blocks away.) BYOD. That’s bring your own doll. She will receive her very own bed with blanket and pillow, as well as a robe and slippers, all to take home at the culmination of your stay. The package includes some other goodies as well, including one the grown-up will appreciate: breakfast for one child and one adult at the stylish, adjacent Churchill restaurant.

Your kids will be in good hands with Paintbox, the Montage Beverly Hill’s in-house children’s program, available seven days a week. Kids do science projects, arts and crafts, and scavenger hunts, among other activities. Sign up for a half-day or a full day. Both include lunch. Or if you just need a couple hours, they can do that too. Paintbox also offers “Children’s Night Out” on Fridays and Saturdays from 6-10 p.m., allowing parents to enjoy a grown-up night out sans worry. Don’t forget to schedule some family pool time during your stay. The rooftop pool is a great place to unwind after a day of shopping and sightseeing.

This gorgeous, historic Pasadena property allows guests to add their Kids Program (for children 12 and under) to any reservation. The $30 add-on is well worth it, especially if you plan on having dinner at the hotel, as it includes a complimentary child’s dinner from the kids’ menu, with purchase of an adult dinner, at the Terrace Restaurant, for each night of your stay. Also, children signed up for the program receive an adorable Teddy bear backpack at check-in as well as a fairy home or birdhouse along with art supplies to customize it.

Kids love bunk beds. The folks behind The Garland, a sprawling property with lots of greenery that's located a hop, skip and a jump from Universal Studios Hollywood, know this. So they put bunk beds in both the Family Suites and the cozier rooms, called Kids Rooms. Add in a lovely heated outdoor pool, classic movie screenings poolside at sunset in the summertime, board games to borrow from the front desk, free trolley service in the neighborhood (including to Universal Studios) and it becomes apparent why The Garland is a favorite with families. If you know Universal is part of the plan, ask about their Universal Getaway Package, which includes tickets to the world-famous theme park, which recently debuted the spectacular new Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

All year long the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows goes out of its way to welcome its youngest guests. At check-in, children ages 4-12 receive a stuffed sea animal—after all, the hotel overlooks Santa Monica Beach. And when they arrive to their room, they will find their name spelled out in colorful little bath sponges near the tub. Older kids meanwhile receive ear buds and have access to BMW beach cruiser bikes (first come, first served). This summer, there are some extra goodies, like a trio of complimentary poolside pizza making classes for young chefs with the team from the celebrated on-site restaurant Fig.

At check-in, the youngest guests at this swanky seaside hotel receive a lion backpack containing a scavenger hunt. The objective: complete the hunt, adding the requisite stickers. Then they can stop by the front desk to choose a treasure. The hotel also has a basketball court and tennis courts; youth tennis lessons are available. On-site bike rentals, including kids’ bikes, make it easy to tool around the marina and neighboring Venice Beach. During the summer, they often screen family friendly movies outside, early in the evening on Saturdays. They provide the blankets, juice and popcorn. Parents provide the tired and happy kid(s).

Terranea Resort’s Family Adventure Package is like the ultimate summer camp for the entire family. Offered for stays of four nights, the package allows families to choose two water activities and two land activities. Examples of the former include kayaking and surfing while the latter could be playing golf at the resort’s Par 3 course, The Links, and getting up close—well safely up close—and personal, with the resort’s resident falcons and hawks. Daily breakfast for four is also included. Even if you aren’t staying for four nights, you can partake of these activities. Of course, most kids are happy zipping down the 140-foot water slide into the gorgeous pool again and again and again. And if mom and dad want some grown-up time, the Tide Pool Kids Club will keep your kiddos busy and engaged.