Kids Empire South Gate
Rating
Family of 4
$70-100 (admission ~$16-20/child, adults free or minimal, food on-site)
Duration
2-3 hours
Best Ages
Best for ages 1-10
About
Kids Empire South Gate is one of the most highly reviewed indoor play spaces in the greater Los Angeles area, with nearly 3,000 Google reviews at a 4. 6 rating — a volume that reflects genuine, consistent family satisfaction rather than novelty. This Kids Empire location serves southeast LA communities including South Gate, Downey, Lynwood, Compton, and Long Beach with a large, well-designed indoor playground that covers the full spectrum of young children's play needs.
The facility is organized into age-specific zones: a dedicated toddler section with appropriately scaled equipment, and larger multi-level climbing structures, ball pits, and slide complexes for kids ages 5-10. The separation is meaningful — toddlers aren't getting knocked over by bigger kids, and school-age kids have room to actually move and challenge themselves. This intentional design is one reason the reviews skew so positive.
Hours are a genuine advantage. Kids Empire South Gate is open until 10PM on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday — making it a legitimate dinner-and-play destination for families who prefer evening outings. The weekday 10AM-8PM schedule is standard and consistent.
Food is available on-site, and Kids Empire regularly offers meal-and-admission bundles that reduce the total cost. The franchise's membership program is worth investigating for families who visit more than 3-4 times — per-visit savings add up quickly.
For southeast LA families who've been driving to the Valley or Westside for indoor play options, this location is the answer they've been waiting for.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
Yes
Nursing / Changing
Available
Kid Meals
Available
Setting
Indoor
Rainy Day
Great option!
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings for shortest waits; weekends until 10PM serve evening family outings
Wait Times
10-20 min on weekend evenings for popular attractions
Nearby Food
Kids Empire has on-site food service. South Gate's Garfield Ave area has fast-casual and family dining. Downey's Firestone Blvd has more options nearby.
Why Kids Love It
Kids Empire South Gate is part of the growing Kids Empire franchise and delivers a consistently high-quality indoor playground experience with multi-level play structures, slides, ball pits, and dedicated toddler areas. The 4. 6 rating across nearly 3,000 reviews reflects the scale and consistency of the operation — kids ages 1-10 have distinct zones that serve each age group without one overwhelming the other.
The extended evening hours (until 10PM on weekends) make it a viable dinner-and-play option.
Pro Tips from Parents
- Extended weekend hours until 10PM — good for evening family outings
- Kids Empire membership plans are worth it if you'll visit more than 3-4 times
- The South Gate location serves southeast LA, Downey, Compton, and Long Beach families well
- Dedicated toddler sections separate the littlest ones from bigger kids
- Food available on-site — check for meal deal bundles with admission
What to Bring
- Grip socks (or purchase there)
- Change of clothes
- Water bottles
- Kids Empire membership card if you have one
Cost Info
Admission Prices
- Adult
- $5
- Child
- free
Tips to Save
- Kids Empire offers membership plans that provide significant per-visit savings for frequent visitors.
- Check for sibling discounts.
- Weekday visits are cheaper.
- The South Gate location serves southeast LA communities well — often less crowded than the Valley locations.
Hours & Contact
Hours
- Friday
- 10AM-10PM
- Monday
- 10AM-8PM
- Sunday
- 10AM-10PM
- Tuesday
- 10AM-8PM
- Saturday
- 10AM-10PM
- Thursday
- 10AM-8PM
- Wednesday
- 10AM-8PM