Comic conventions aren’t just for adults anymore — many of the biggest cons have become full-blown family events with kids’ programming, family cosplay contests, and age-appropriate panels. If you’ve been thinking about taking the family to a con, here’s your guide to the best ones in North America.
🎪 1. Fan Expo — Multiple Cities
📍 Address: Various cities — Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front St W, Toronto, ON
Fan Expo is arguably the most family-friendly major convention series. With dedicated kids’ zones, family cosplay parades, and programming for all ages, it’s the perfect entry point for families new to the convention scene. Celebrity guests, artist alleys, and vendor halls are well-organized and less overwhelming than mega-cons like SDCC.
- Best for: First-time convention families
- Kids highlights: Kids cosplay contest, family photo ops, LEGO building areas
- Ticket tip: Single-day Sunday passes are cheapest and usually least crowded
👉 Check availability and prices on Expedia
🎪 2. New York Comic Con (NYCC)
📍 Address: Javits Center, 429 11th Ave, New York, NY 10001
The second-largest comic convention in the US has expanded its family programming significantly. NYCC Kids offers dedicated panels, hands-on workshops, and a family lounge for breaks. The show floor is massive — plan which sections to visit in advance to avoid overwhelm.
- Best for: Families with older kids (8+) who can handle big crowds
- Kids highlights: NYCC Kids programming track, family cosplay meetups, artist alley (many artists do free sketches for kids)
- Ticket tip: Thursday passes are least crowded. 4-day badges are best value but intense for young kids — Sunday only is ideal for families.
👉 Check availability and prices on Expedia
🎪 3. MegaCon — Orlando, FL
📍 Address: Orange County Convention Center, 9800 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
MegaCon combines comic, anime, gaming, and sci-fi fandoms into one mega event every February. Its Orlando location makes it easy to combine with theme park visits. The family-friendly programming includes a kids’ costume contest that’s become legendary in the cosplay community.
- Best for: Families already visiting Orlando for parks
- Kids highlights: Kids costume parade, free LEGO building stations, gaming tournaments
- Ticket tip: Bundle MegaCon tickets with an Orlando hotel + parks trip for the ultimate fandom vacation.
👉 Check availability and prices on Expedia
🎪 4. Anime Expo — Los Angeles, CA
📍 Address: Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015
The biggest anime convention in North America (100,000+ attendees). While it skews older, families with anime-loving tweens and teens will find it incredible — huge dealer halls, cosplay that’ll blow your mind, premiere screenings, and Japanese cultural activities.
- Best for: Families with anime-obsessed teens
- Kids highlights: Japanese cultural workshops (calligraphy, origami), cosplay gatherings, exclusive merchandise
- Ticket tip: Pre-registration opens months in advance and is significantly cheaper than at-door pricing.
👉 Check availability and prices on Expedia
🎪 5. Dragon Con — Atlanta, GA
📍 Address: AmericasMart, 240 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Dragon Con is more of a celebration than a traditional convention — it’s like a massive, multi-day fandom party spread across five connected hotels. The annual parade through downtown Atlanta is free and open to the public, making it a great taste of convention culture even without a badge.
- Best for: Families who love cosplay and want a convention with a party atmosphere
- Kids highlights: Free parade, family-friendly programming track, massive cosplay scene
- Ticket tip: The Saturday parade is free — you don’t need a badge to watch. It’s the best free fandom event in America.
🎯 Ready to Book?
Find the best deals on hotels, flights, and packages on Expedia.
💡 Convention Tips for Families
- Plan your day: Download the convention app and star the panels and events you want to attend.
- Book hotels ASAP: Search convention city hotels on Expedia — prices spike once the event is announced.
- Bring snacks and water: Convention food is expensive. Pack lunch for young kids.
- Set a budget for merch: Dealer halls are designed to empty your wallet. Decide on a spending limit before you go in.
- Comfort cosplay: If kids cosplay, make sure costumes are comfortable for walking and standing. Avoid heavy props.
- Have a meetup point: Cell signals die in crowded convention halls. Pick a physical meeting spot in case you get separated.