I'm going to be out in the Los Angeles area babysitting my 9 (boy) and 13 (girl) niece and nephew, while their parents are away for a few weeks. I'd love to come up with a few day trips that would be low budget and fun for their age range. Any suggestions in LA or Orange County?

For starters: Olvera Street (my friend's nephew, age 10 loved it), Universal Studios (not low budget), pony rides at Griffith Park,renting bikes at the beach?, there are pumpkin patches in the valley (pick your own--my friends kids enjoy doing that). The footprints at the Chinese theatre are always a draw.

Pony rides for a 9 and 13 year old? I don't think so! Take them to Hollywood and show them the footprints and then a movie at the Disney owned theater.

Tough age range and gender difference to keep satisfied. Good luck pal.

Don't knock the ponies--my sister took her 10 and 12 year olds there and despite the initial groaning they had a blast.Like the Chinese theatre and movies idea also.

I took an 8 and 10 year old for the pony rides last year and all I heard was balking about how embarrassing if any of their friends saw them there. So I'd agree that your niece and nephew are too old for this activity.

Not sure if it would be of interest to the girl, but a trip to the Peterson's Auto Museum might be fun for the boy.

Petersen is a good idea. I have NO interest in cars and loved that place. I liked the movie cars,especially.The Natural History Musuem is another good stop.The LA Zoo (Griffith Park)attracts lots of kids of all ages. I did hestiate to mention the pony rides, but I have seen older kids there hamming it up cowboy style, so it's a thought. My other suggestion is a visit to one of the nearby Missions. I'm guessing a 9 year old is either in fourth grade or close to it. California history is part of the course. It's another place my friend took his nephew and the kid loved it. Got some extra credit , too. The one in San Juan Cap is gorgeous.

The Getty Center is great & cheap. Admission is FREE, only $5 to park, you need a parking reservation though. Go to www.getty.edu
Disneyland would be great, though not cheap. Best of Luck!

The kids have been to all of the local amusement parks on a number of occasions. I'm trying to find fun things to do with them that would be a little different, but not costly. Thanks for the suggestions so far. I don't think my niece is much into cars, but might still be a fun day.

Maybe you could take them to a pumpkin patch to load up for Halloween.

Drive down to San Diego for a day or two? I guess it isn't cheap, but it would be something new to do.

I don't think you need parking reservations for the Getty anymore..

I think exploring Griffith Park would be fun. Hike some of the trails, go up to the top if you can make it. The views are great and the trails are actually very easy.

Maybe their are some Nick shows that may be taping? Check www.tvtickets.com

That's all I can think of for now.

inexpensive and southern california are two words that don't go together.
why not splurg on a two day trip (one night) and go to san diego. especially if they've never been to the zoo or sea world. get a cheap room in hotel circle (with a pool & hottub). probably cost you $200 max for food & everything but it would be an event your neice & nephew would already remember doing with their uncle. then, since you did something special, the rest of the time just do freebe stuff...

We were at Getty 2 weeks ago & needed a parking reservation. I think it would be great for 9 & 13 yrs old.
San Diego zoo & SeaWorld would be a wonderful experience also. It would be more than $200 though. I think SW is $42 to get in, not sure on child's, maybe $32? Food is outrageous there, of course.

Thanks for the suggestions. The kids were just in San Diego over the summer. The reason I'm taking care of the kids is because I'm unemployed right now and have the time. Hence the reason for the budget conscious activities.

Would Venice Beach be an appropriate place to take them for an afternoon?

cheap things in LA for this age:
LaBrea Tar Pits
Science Center (Imax)
Natural History Museum
rent rollerblade in Santa Monica and go on the path down to Venice (in Venice get your hair braided or henna painted on)
Check out who is filming on location and go watch for a while
Watch a show being taped
See if you can sign up to be a film extra(s) for the day
Horseback riding in Griffith Park
Flower market in early morning
Garmet district or toy district (downtown LA shopping) soccer balls for $1
Apple picking in nearby Riverside county
Hike Malibu Canyon, walk the creek and catch crayfish
Go to Pacific Palisades' Meditation Center (big beautiful park with lake and swans and I think entrance is free)

Orange County has Balboa Island and some tide pools in Dana Point that might appeal to kids.