Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in west la, CA

Weekend Warrior: Easter and Passover

by Susan Choi

April 09, 2009

Easter is here! My children love Easter--the egg hunts, the chocolate bunnies, the Peeps. Even though the weather is still on the mild side, go out and enjoy all that Easter has to offer. For many families, this is an opportunity to go to church, and for others, it is a chance to get the whole family together for dinner.

Passover has also begun at sundown yesterday--families get together for the Seder and celebrate the historic deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. Whatever your traditions may be, I wish you a wonderful weekend of family gatherings and joyous events.

If you wish to commemorate Easter by attending a service, consider the following Easter services:

Easter Sunrise Service at the Hollywood Bowl: Easter service with a multi-denominational clergy, a 240 voice choir, 250 children in the Living Cross, and Children's Choirs in nature's cathedral, decorated with thousands of Easter Lilies, and ending with the mass release of the White Birds of Peace. Service is from 5:30 am to 7 am. The parking is free.

Also at the Hollywood Bowl is the Bel Air Presbyterian Easter Service. A modern worship band, a professional orchestra, and a 100-person choir with the senior pastor of Bel Air Presbyterian sharing an Easter message, beginning at 11 am. Free parking.

If you wish to just stick to bunnies, go to Big Bunny's Spring Fling at the LA Zoo! Kids can pet live bunnies, make bunny ears, get their face painted, and help plant carrot seeds. Musicians, puppet shows, and the Easter bunny round out the celebration. From Friday through Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm.

If you want to have your kids run around for a few hours and load them up with sugar, then look at my previous post about Easter Egg hunts in the area.

If Spring Fever is equal to Dance Fever for you, then check out Baby Loves Disco . This month's theme is Earth Day celebration. So put on your organic bamboo tie-dye tees and head on over to the Cinespace in Hollywood on Saturday from 11 am to 2 pm. $15 in advance, $18 at door.

Hunting for an Egg Hunt?

by Susan Choi

April 07, 2009

When my older daughter just turned one, we met an amazing group of friends through Gymboree Play n Music. These friends had a standing playdate every Thursday so we ended up hanging out at least twice a week, sometimes more. It was a tough transition when our children went to preschool. We no longer saw each other on a regular basis and it was hard scheduling playdates with all of their conflicting schedules. But the one event we have kept constant is the annual Easter egg hunt.

When the kids were two years old, we organized an Easter egg hunt. It was cute to see the kids walking around the grassy area, picking up an egg, carefully inspecting it, putting it in their basket, and then moving on to another egg. Sometimes they got distracted by a leaf on the ground, or a distant squirrel, or a meandering cloud, before they resumed their search for another egg. Now, four years later, these eggs are actually filled with goodies, and we've had to establish rules so the younger siblings can participate fairly. The kids race around the grassy fields and the egg hunt is over in five minutes. Times have changed, but fortunately, the friendships have not for both parents and children alike.

Many local recreation centers are sponsoring egg hunts on their turf. Here is a list of a few favorites:

Rustic Canyon Recreation Center--Friday, April 10th at 2 pm for ages 2 to 10. Bring your own baskets.
Westwood Recreation Center--Saturday, April 11th at 10 am to 1 pm for ages 11 and under. In addition to the egg hunt, there will be a bounce house, games and a special appearance by the Easter bunny.
Mar Vista Recreation Center--Saturday, April 11th at 11 am to 2:30 pm. The egg hunt for 2-4 year olds is at 11 am. In addition to the egg hunt, there will be pony rides, petting zoo, crafts, games and food for sale. Bring your own basket.

If you want to organize your own egg hunt, consider the following parks:

Will Rogers State Park--We have a picnic lunch and then scatter the eggs on the polo field.
Westwood Park --There are many grassy areas adjacent to Aidan's Place to host an egg hunt.
Virginia Avenue Park--There is a big grassy area where soccer games are played and the farmer's market is held.