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

Four Reasons to Visit the Petersen Automotive Museum

by Susan Choi

August 18, 2009

My toddler son and I visited the Petersen Automotive Museum the other day with a friend and her son. If you have a little one who loves cars, definitely check out this museum. As much fun as we had, I can only imagine how much more my son would love this place as he grows up. Here is what I love about the Petersen Automotive Museum:

1) The Discovery Center on the third floor of the museum is full of activities exclusively for children. There are books, dress up clothes, and toys all related to cars, planes, and transportation. There is a 1910 Ford Model T, a CHP motorcycle and an Indianapolis 500 race car on display for the kids to climb around and pretend to drive. I think the Ford Model T occupied my son for a good 30 minutes. He loved it. On the other side of the Discovery Center are some interactive display boards which help explain various things like how an engine works or why engine oil gets dirty. There are a lot of other hands-on exhibits in the Discovery Center which is also staffed with helpful volunteers who are more than eager to talk about all things automotive.

2) Cool cars are on display. I don't think that my son can tell the difference yet between a Honda Odyssey and a Ferrari GT. Even so, he was impressed with the cars on display as far as I can tell (the fact that he didn't complain about being strapped down in the stroller while we walked around is a good indicator for me).  The "Batmobile" and "Herbie" cars from the movies are on display in the Hollywood exhibit as well as other well known cars such as "Black Beauty" from the Green Hornet TV show and the race car from Speed Racer the movie.

3) The Hot Wheels Hall of Fame permanent exhibit boasts walls and walls of those tiny diecast cars as well as a rotating display of full-size versions of some of the most beloved models. I actually think it was a little painful for my son to be walking through this exhibit and being unable to grab the display cars. The Hotwheels arch captivated my son whenever it lit up like a christmas tree.

4) Johnny Rockets is on the first floor of the museum and a perfect place for lunch with the kids. The wait staff was very friendly and accommodating to our kids and the food came very fast. It is so convenient to have a place to eat that is reasonably priced, easily accessible inside the museum, and very kid-friendly.

Our visit to the Petersen museum was very manageable for a morning visit. It is conveniently located, has plenty to do for the kids, and children under five are free. They also have a monthly family program on the first Saturday of every month from 1 pm to 4 pm called Discovery Days where they host a story time and free crafts. So cruise on over to the Petersen Museum and enjoy a fun playdate with a friend!  Read more...

Local Preschool Theatre for August

by Susan Choi

August 11, 2009

A few months ago, I posted about local theatre shows geared for preschoolers. As I contemplate shelling out the bucks to watch Legally Blonde: The Musical (check out this link for a special discount available to Savvy readers), I realized that it is time to do another posting on current shows. Kids really enjoy live shows and we're so fortunate to be in a place that has so many options for our little ones. So take advantage and get your kids a little culture with some Snoopy or burping Shakespearean actors.

Snoopy! The Musical is playing at the Knightsbridge Theatre in Los Feliz on Saturdays at 5 pm and Sundays at 3 pm through August 23rd. It is a series of vignettes about a group of five-year old friends we've come to know as the Peanuts Gang. Through song and dance, this show teaches children (young and old) life lessons about friendship, learning, and living to your full potential.

Cymbeline The Puppet King is playing at Media Park in Culver City on Saturdays and Sundays at 11 am through August 30th. Performed through the Actors' Gang, Cymbeline is a comical, child-friendly take on Shakespeare's tragic tale. In this minimally furnished stage, the actors use maximum energy to keep the audience well engaged. There is wit to keep the parents laughing, and physical humor to appease the little ones. Admission is free.

Aesop's Fables is playing at the Westchester Playhouse this Saturday at 11 am and 2 pm. This is a performance of the Kentwood Kid's Summer program which is sure to be entertaining!

Santa Monica Playhouse is continuing its performances of Cinderella on Saturdays and Sundays at 12:30 pm and 3 pm. On August 29 and 30, at 12:30 pm and 3 pm (in lieu of Cinderella), the Santa Monica Playhouse will be putting on a special performance of And Awaaay We Go to Wonderland. This is a special interactive show in which the audience helps decide the fates of their favorite fairy tale characters. From solving riddles to fun sing-a-longs, this unique performance is worth watching. Santa Monica Playhouse is a nonprofit organization that puts on wonderful productions of family friendly theatre.

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Why Westside Pavilion is My Second Home

by Susan Choi

August 04, 2009

If I am not at home or on the road, chances are, I am at Westside Pavilion Mall. This mall has everything you could possible need and a lot of fun activities for kids. The location is ideal and it really has it all. Here are some of my favorite stores and some events you may not have known about before.

Kids Club--The first Wednesday of every month at 6 pm, Westside Pavilion hosts a free kids program called Kids Club on the third floor food court area. Every month, they invite a different entertainer such as a balloon artist or marionette puppeteer. Also, at 5:30 pm, Music, Stars, and Masters performs a pre-show for the children. Check it out tomorrow (August 5th)!

Music, Stars and Masters--As I posted before, I love them. Everyone there is so cool, and all my kids adore their classes (semi-private piano lessons, Rock Stars, and Music 'n' me). If you are considering an enrichment class for your child, call Music, Stars and Masters for a free trial class.

Three Cheeky Monkeys--Just a couple doors down from the music classes is my favorite toy store. They recently moved to this expanded space and now have twice the fun for your little one. They have toys out for your kids to play with while you check out their selection. They carry a lot of the classic redux toys, wooden toys, non-battery operated, creativity encouraged toys. Everything is reasonably priced and they gift-wrap fror free. Through the month of August, they will have free face painting available on Sunday afternoons.

School Cents--Westside Pavilion participates in a Shopping Partnership program that rewards schools monetary prizes. This year $25,500 was donated to thirty local schools through this program. Isn't it nice to support organizations with a social conscience?

With the great food court, children's play area (which I affectionately call "the fruit pit"), and many children's clothing stores, Westside Pavilion is a great resource for parents. More reasons to go out and help stimulate the economy!







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Discover the Beauty of the Santa Monica Mountains

by Susan Choi

June 15, 2009

If you haven't guessed it already, I really enjoy living here in LA.  The world is at our fingertips: the beach, the mountains, the desert--and a Barney's to buy cute shoes to boot (pun intended).  What other city could boast of such riches?

Even though the weather hasn't been a perfect 72 degrees and sunny as it normally is, there is still so much to experience.  Case in point, the Santa Monica mountains.  Managed by the National Park Service, the Santa Monica mountains has so much to offer. Almost daily, there are activities being hosted from Full Moon evening hikes, to the Fun with Nature series for children at the Malibu Creek State Park.

Here is a list of the parks/trails/visitors sites connected to the Santa Monica mountains:

• Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Map: Headquarters at 401 West Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks
• Arroyo Sequit: 34138 Mullholland Highway, Malibu  
• Backbone Trail:Multiple trailheads
• Cheeseboro/Palo Comado Canyon: 5792 Chesebro Road, Agoura  
• Circle X Ranch: 12896 Yerba Buena Road, Malibu
• King Gillette Ranch: 26800 West Mulholland Highway Calabasas, CA 91302  
• Paramount Ranch: 2903 Cornell Road, Agoura Hills
• Peter Strauss Ranch: 30,000 Mulholland Highway, Agoura Hills
• Rancho Sierrra Vista/ Satwiwa: Main Entrance cross street is Via Goleta and Potrero Road, Newbury Park
• Rocky Oaks: Mulholland Highway and Kanan Road Intersection, West of Kanan on North side of Mulholland Hwy 
• Solstice Canyon Main Entrance is on Corral Canyon Road off cross street Pacific Coast Highway, Highway 1.

Next time your family wants to enjoy the great outdoors (and I'm not talking about The Grove), pack lunch, water bottles, and wear a pair of sturdy shoes, and take the family for a hike! Remember to be smart and conscientious hikers--sign in so the rangers know that you are on the trail, discard trash in designated receptacles only, and do not take any souvenirs from your hike.

 

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A Timeless Treasure: Musical Movies to Enjoy at Home

by Susan Choi

May 18, 2009

Raise your hand if you grew up singing, Do Re Mi and Let's Go Fly a Kite? Before every home owned a VCR (we had a beta play at first), the bi-annual network TV showings of Sound of Music were always a treat for me as a kid. My parents owned the LP of Sound of Music as well. Man, when that needle hit the record, I would dance around the house, reenacting the scene of Liesl in the gazebo, jumping between the sofas in the living room. Musicals were such a big part of my childhood and I am so, so happy that my children share my love. In honor of Mary Poppins coming to the Ahmanson Theatre in November 2009 (it is early but tickets are already on sale for this limited engagement), here is a list of our family's favorite musicals that are available on DVD.

1) Sound of Music--Of course, this is number one. In fact, we watched some scenes today. My kids can watch the whole movie in one sitting with no problem, and they love each song (and can practically sing each one from memory). It also gives us an opportunity to discuss treating families who have lost a parent and the idea that all step-moms are not bad (curse those Disney princess movies!).

2) Mary Poppins--Another Julie Andrews classic! The special effects on this movie are a treat, even by today's standards. Most of the songs are great and it also gives us an opportunity to talk about the fact that sometimes, we parents make mistakes too.

3) Annie--Okay, the girls love the songs from this musical. However, they seem to have issues with Miss Hannigan and the scheme she concocts. We have watched both the recent Disney remake with Victor Garbo and the 1982 movie, and both of them, we can only watch the singing scenes. We still watch it on occasion but not as much as the first two. But this musical still went over much better than My Fair Lady (they lost interest pretty quickly even though they love watching Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina, go figure).


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An Annual Treat: Hollywood Bowl SummerSounds Kids Concerts

by Susan Choi

May 13, 2009

Every year, the Hollywood Bowl hosts a special kids concert series called SummerSounds. It features great concerts created especially for kids and a Fine Arts Outdoor Studio. The program is held each weekday from July 6th to August 14th and is geared for three to nine year olds. Every two weeks, they focus on a different location and the music and arts from there. This year they are focusing on Brazil, Mexico and India. Local artists perform and the kids truly enjoy the program. The ticket prices are reasonable ($7 for the concert and $5 for the art program). I intend on attending with friends this summer. Hope to see you there!

Weeks 1 and 2 Jul 6 - 10 Jul 13 - 17	Brazil on the Westside Music: From its base on the Westside, the Swing Brazil Dance Company and their director Vida Vierra invite you to join them in celebrating the spirit of Carnaval with congas, percussion, keyboards and samba whistle. The rich cultural heritage of Brazil thrives in our own backyard — come learn how to dance orixa with your neighbors! Art: Get into the spirit of Carnaval at the Art Workshop — paint pictures, make a beaded necklace, and much more.
Weeks 3 and 4 Jul 20 - 24 Jul 27 - Jul 31	Mexico in East Los Angeles Music: Musician, teacher, instrument-maker and more, Cesar Castro brings to life the spirit of his beloved East Los Angeles by leading a fandango — the colorful celebration where musicians, dancers, poets and the community gather around the platform (tarima) to sing and dance. Come learn about the hidden treasure that is East Los Angeles, now a thriving home to the musical style called son jarocho. Art: °Viva la arte! Come to the Art Workshop and make a beaded painting, sculpt a Day of the Dead mask, and much more.
Weeks 5 and 6 Aug 3 - 7 Aug 10 - 14	India — Little India in Artesia Music: Shakti Dance Ensemble, led by Viji Prakash, brings the spice-laden neighborhood of Artesia's Little India to the Bowl to share the traditional roots of Bharata natyam, with its complex foot patterns, striking facial expressions and vivid story telling. Dance and music are inseparable as the performers bring you into their magical circle, dancing and acting out Indian folk tales and other touching stories. Art: Celebrate vibrant Indian art at the Art Workshop — create a sculpture, make a sand painting, and much more.

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Weekend Warrior: Last Week of April and a Pat on My Back

by Susan Choi

April 23, 2009

I feel like I say this every month but I can't believe it is already the end of the month! April flew by and May is around the corner. For many students, May is the last month of school! Yikes! Already? Do you have your summer plans set yet? If not, check out the Camps and Classes section of the main Savvy Source site. I'll share a few favorites on Tuesday. Until then, there are some fun activities available this weekend--many of them are free to the public!

Is your daughter a Fancy Nancy fan? Then RSVP for a special Storyopolis and the Geffen Playhouse event featuring Robin Press Glasser, the illustrator of the Fancy Nancy books. She will be presenting her new book Tea for Ruby, which was written by Sarah Ferguson, the dutchess of York. This free event is on Saturday at 11 am. Advance RSVP is required by emailing education (at) geffenplayhouse (dot) com. Please indicate the number of people in your party.

On Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm, and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm, the Los Angeles Times is hosting their annual Festival of Books at UCLA. This event features authors and musicians, and has something for everyone, regardless of your subject preference or age. This event is free but tickets are required for indoor panel and speaker sessions (available through ticketmaster.com).

Taiko Center of LA will be performing at the Mark Taper Auditorium on Saturday at 2 pm. The mission of the Taiko Center of LA is to preserve this Japanese art form of drumming. Therefore performances are often free to the public, and participation in classes and workshops is welcomed.

Pillow Theatre at the LA Music Center is hosting another free event for preschoolers. This month's performance is ZunZun, musical theatre duo Stephen Snyder and Gwynne Cropsey, blend a variety of folkloric instruments, storytelling and comedy to celebrate the vast array of sights, sounds, stories and songs of the endangered rain forests of the Americas. The Rain Forest Sings (La Selva Canta) is a musical journey filled with songs about monkeys, snakes, jaguars, the rainforest canopy, and an orchestra of birds performed in Spanish, English and Portuguese. Performances are at 10 am and 11 am. This event is free but tickets are required. The box office will be open one hour prior to each performance.

The Murad Inclusive Health Center and Spa invites all new, seasoned and expecting moms to enjoy a day filled with treats and tips for moms and moms-to-be. On Saturday from 12 noon to 4 pm, Murad's team of experts will provide guests with the most up-to-date tips and trends in diet, nutrition and acupuncture. Indulge in Mama Mio and Mineral Essence products and free makeovers and receive a complimentary Murad gift product for scheduling a Murad signature treatment. Attendees will enjoy a free 30 minute yoga class, receive Murad Skin evaluations and be pampered! No cost to attend, just RSVP.

At the Skirball Cultural Center on Sunday at 10 am, create your very own 3D superhero figure to take home. After drawing inspiration from the galleries, head over to the art studio and use clay, glue, fabric, and other special materials. Fee includes admission to workshop and Noah's Ark: $25 Child-Adult Pair; $15 Member Child-Adult Pair; $5 per additional Adult or Child. Entrance to Noah's Ark at 10 am and studio art workshop begins at 11:30 am.

This weekend, there are two really important walks you can participate in:
March for Babies is sponsored by March of Dimes. It will be held at Exposition Park on Saturday at 8 am (registration at 7 am).
Children's Cancer Research Fund is sponsoring a Kids 4 Kids 5K Run/Walk in Century City on Sunday at 10 am (registration at 8 am).
Please click on the respective links for more information and to register.

Not to toot my own horn but GoCityKids-LA added West LA Savvy Source as an exceptional local blog site for parents. If you like us too, go on their site to get more information on other events going on throughout the week, and give us a rating and review (subliminal text: five stars, best local blog). Thanks!

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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.

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Weekend Warrior: The First Weekend of April and a Starbucks Giveaway!

by Susan Choi

April 02, 2009

There are a lot of activities around town this weekend but I'm going to focus on the outdoor ones in our area and a little beyond since the weather has been nothing short of perfection these days.

LA County Arboretum in Arcadia is hosting a family adventure themed "the Dinosaur Forest" on Saturday from 10 am to 12 noon. Stroll back in time with a short talk, a walk to a special part of The Arboretum, and a take-home nature craft activity. Pre-registration is required and can be done by calling the education department at 626-821-4623.

Want to teach your children about volunteering and caring for the earth? Join the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro on their Native Garden Workday/Beach Cleanup day from 8 am to 10 am on Saturday. You and your kids will work with the staff and other volunteers to help maintain the Cabrillo Coastal Native Plant Garden as well as help clean up the beach. Registration is required by today (Thursday). Can't make it this Saturday? Join them any first Saturday of the month.

Also at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro on Saturday at 11:30 am and Sunday at 12 noon is the free Weekend Tide Pool Walk. Expose your kids to sea anemones, sea stars, crabs and tide pool fishes. Just be sure to wear shoes with good traction and bring a light jacket.

The Children's Nature Institute is hosting a family walk on Saturday from 10 am to 12 noon at Hopkins Wilderness Park in Redondo Beach. The suggested donation is $10 for this guided hike. Most strollers are okay for this trail.

Bubblefest is back at the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana. Guinness Book World Record Holder Fan Yang returns from Saturday through April 19th to share his bubbly gift. We attended last year and the show is a little Vegas but a lot of fun! Free with admission.

Lastly, I have a Starbucks gift card to giveaway! Use the credit to try out their new perfect pairings for breakfast for just $3.95. A coffee and a delicious artisan sandwich, or latte with perfect oatmeal. "Perfect" for those days when you didn't have time to get in a proper breakfast and want a little indulgence (hmmm...that would be everyday). Just submit a comment with your favorite indulgence (Starbucks or otherwise). Be sure to include your email address. The giveaway is open until Thursday April 9, 12 midnight PST. Good luck!

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Game Play: Teaching your Preschooler Basic Sports Skills

by Susan Choi

March 30, 2009

My husband played sports competitively all the way through college while I did cross country in 9th grade to get out of PE. My husband is also a big sports nut while I am a TV junkie. But the one thing we agree on is getting our kids involved in sports. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, sports helps children develop many important skills such as learning to play fair, being a member of a team, and physical skills. It can also help improve self-esteem. For girls, there is a link between playing sports as an adolescent and higher self-esteem. As the weather gets warmer, we have been playing in the backyard more and my husband has found some good tools for teaching the kids different sports. What we figure is, if the kids show an inclination or a natural ability for one sport over the other, then we would help foster that. And, if it turns out, that there best skill is running (like their mom), then that's okay too. So these are the things we have been doing to introduce various sports to our kids.

Ball Playing--When my oldest was about one year old, we got her a Gertie ball. This is a great ball because it is really easy for the kids to grip so they learn how to throw a ball. It is also great because it doesn't bounce or roll away so it is a less frustrating for both children and parents alike.

Tennis--My husband tied up a couple balls onto a tree so that the kids could practice swinging the racket and making contact with a ball. This way they can focus on one skill at a time. First they can work on their swing, then they can work on their hand-eye coordination. Also, we don't have to chase a million balls.

Golf--Instead of starting the kids off with iron clubs, we got them a little plastic golf set. It even came with big tees so the kids could practice hitting off a tee.

Basketball--We got the Little Tikes Easyscore Basketball Set and it is a lot of fun for the whole family!

Bike Riding--My husband just bought the Skuut to help our kids learn how to ride a bike. The girls have bikes with training wheels and though my five year old is getting more confident on the bike, she is still nervous about taking off the training wheels. The idea of the Skuut is that kids can learn how to balance and steer more safely. We just got it but we have heard from our friend that it helped his sons tremendously.

Hope these tools help you discover the Tiger Woods or Kobe Bryant in your child!



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The Four Best Parks in West LA

by Susan Choi

March 03, 2009

The great thing about playgrounds is that kids don't seem to need much to have a great time. Some sand, some swings, and a slide, and the kids can play for hours. So if there is a neighborhood playground that you frequent and you are happy, then great. But if you are looking to check out other playgrounds in the West LA area, these are the ones that will have you coming back again, again, and again.

Douglas Park in Santa Monica
Okay, I might be a little biased because we used to live next door to Douglas Park, so it will always have sentimental value for us. But it really is a unique park, filled with a little something for everyone. Duck pond, summer water play, play structures for various ages, picnic tables, and of course, sand! There are also a lot of great little eateries close by so you can pack a lunch, or pick up some food from Whole Foods, California Chicken Cafe or Snug Harbor and play for hours.

Aidan's Place in West LA
The moment you walk through the Aidan's Place arch, you know that your kids are in for loads of fun. There are several play structures, mostly geared towards toddler and preschool aged children, and a huge sand pit. It is also a Shane's Inspiration playground so many of the features are accessible to all children, regardless of their physical capabilities. Water misters, huge grassy fields next door and plenty of picnic tables make this park perfect.

Virginia Avenue Park in Santa Monica
This park was renovated a few years ago and it is so much fun for kids. The play structures are nice and there is a huge grassy field to play soccer. But what makes this park really exceptional is the water play area (summer months). There are soakers and fountains and lots of ways for kids to really enjoy the warm weather. 

Roxbury Park in Beverly Hills
I feel like this park has a larger than life personality, very befitting for the Beverly Hills address. The playground area is expansive, there is a water misting area, tons and tons of sand and grass and shade and picnic areas. It is a great park to meet up with friends or host a birthday party.

 

 

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How Dancing Saved My Day

by Susan Choi

March 02, 2009

The other day my older daughter wasn't feeling well so I picked up both of my daughters from school early. It is one thing when I am mentally prepared to deal with three children all day, but another when I am caught off guard. But such is a mother's plight, right?

I thought I could have all of my kids take a nap at the same time, and luckily, they did! They passed out in the car and I thought I would treat myself to a little In-N-Out cheeseburger, fries and a chocolate shake (yes, I know, overindulgent but I deserved it)! Unfortunately, my ordering at the drive-thru woke up my son, who woke up my daughters. Drats! So much for the one hour reprieve.

So after a long day of three kids, no naps, and making dinner, I was ready to blow off some steam. I turned on the iPod with my eighties music and I began to "dance it out" (a la Grey's Anatomy). At first, the kids looked at me like I had lost it. After all, generally, I run through the day, harried, always feeling behind--dishes, dinner, driving, always demanded yet never completely done.

But today, I felt I deserved another indulgence. Nothing that a little "Cure" couldn't cure. My kids, including my 15-month old, quickly joined in on the fun. Our arms were waving madly, our feet were shuffling in every direction, and best of all, our laughter was frequent and genuine. The girls started to do silly leaps and asked me to copy them. My little boy wanted so desperately to jump too.  Though I wanted to do my running man and roger rabbit moves, such skill would have been wasted on my kids.

As we closed down Club Choi to get dinner on the table, I began to think that perhaps it should become a regular routine. After all, by the end of the day, we are all exhausted, teetering on potential tantrums (and I'm not just talking about the kids here). What better way to release the pent up tension? Thanks "A-Ha" for the a-ha! Dance Hall Days--Fridays, 6 PM, kitchen floor, be there or be square!
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99 Things to Do with Your Preschooler

by Susan Choi

February 24, 2009

We are very fortunate that here in LA, there are probably a gabazillion things to do (my daughters are into making up numbers to one up each other and it is rubbing off on me).  There will never be a shortage of activities thanks to beautiful weather year-round, great playgrounds, innovative businesses that cater to kids, and awesome nature just a few steps or short car drive away.  Of course we are paying an enormously high cost of living to be here, but the perks make up for it, right?  Believe it or not, I really had to limit myself to 99.  Maybe one day, I will post 999 things to do...you know...when I have all this extra time on my hands.   

I included hyperlinks for each activity/location for addresses, directions, and more information.

Here are just 99 things to do, in no particular order, broken down by categories:

Neighborhood Parks--These are my kids' favorites and each are unique in their own way. (9)
Douglas Park in Santa Monica
Aidan's Place in West LA
Holmby Park in Westwood
Virginia Avenue Park in Santa Monica
Burton Chace Park in Marina Del Rey
Griffith Park in Los Feliz
Veteran's Park in Culver City
Roxbury Park in Beverly Hills
Stoner Park Pool in West LA

Hiking Trails--We've hiked most of these trails with the kids, some with a stroller. (6)
Solstice Canyon in Malibu
Franklin Canyon Park in Beverly Hills
Point Dume in Malibu
Temescal Canyon Gateway Park in Pacific Palisades
Coldwater Canyon Park in Beverly Hills
Will Rogers State Park in Pacific Palisades 

Amusement Parks--Do I need to say more? (6)
Disneyland in Anaheim
Knotts Berry Farm in Buena Park
Adventure City in Anaheim
Knott's Soak City in Buena Park
Universal Studios in Universal City
Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia

Indoor Play Area--These are our favorites and all of them can be rented out for birthday parties. (6)
Under the Sea (many locations)
Giggles n Hugs in West LA
Treehouse Social Club in Los Angeles (Robertson Blvd)
Adventure Plex in Manhattan Beach
Child's Play in Westwood
Play in Mid-Wilshire
Naya's Garden in Silverlake

Beaches--I included the beaches that were more kid-friendly (bathrooms, nearby food vendors in the summer). (10)
Santa Monica Beach
Malibu Lagoon State Beach
Zuma Beach in Malibu
Venice Beach
Leo Carillo State Beach in Malibu (tidepools)
Redondo Beach
Seaside Lagoon in Redondo Beach
Paradise Beach in Malibu
Jalama Beach in Lompoc (beach camping)
Marina "Mother's" Beach in Marina Del Rey

Mountain Resorts--Most of these resorts have recreational activities all year long. (7)
Mt Baldy
Mt High
Lake Arrowhead
Big Bear Lake
El Capitan Canyon
Mammoth Mountain
Yosemite National Park

Theatres--El Capitan and Santa Monica Playhouse are geared more for children.  The others occasionally have programs that preschoolers would be interested in.  Check the schedule for upcoming shows. (5)
El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood
Santa Monica Playhouse in Santa Monica
Mark Taper Forum in Downtown LA
Pantages Theatre in Hollywood
Walt Disney Concert Hall in Downtown LA

Sports Teams--My husband and I are big sports fan.  We've taken the kids to Dodgers games a couple times and they had a great time. (5)
LA Galaxy at Home Depot Center in Carson
Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodgers Stadium in LA
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium in Anaheim
Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center in Downtown LA
Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center in Downtown LA

Gardens--All of these gardens are a bit of a drive but absolutely worth it. (3)
The Huntington in San Marino
Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge
LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Arcardia

Aquariums--Big and small, all lots of fun! (3)
Santa Monica Pier Aquarium
Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro

Local Attractions--An array of local venues that the kids are sure to love. (11)
The Grove in Mid-Wilshire
Santa Monica Airport
Los Angeles Zoo
Santa Monica Pier/Carousel/Paradise Park
3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica
Griffith Park--Travel town
Star Eco in Culver City
Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana
Culver Ice Arena in Culver City

Museums--All of these museums are kid-friendly and even have programs/exhibits specifically for kids! (11)
Getty Center in Bel Air
LA County Museum of Art in Mid-Wilshire
Museum of Contemporary Art in Downtown LA
Autry National Center of the American West (across from the LA Zoo)
Zimmer Children's Museum in Mid-Wilshire
Page Museum at La Brea Tar Pits in Mid-Wilshire
Kidspace Children's Museum in Pasadena
Skirball Cultural Center in Bel Air
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County near USC
California Science Center near USC
Petersen Automotive Museum in Mid-Wilshire

Historic LA--Make it a really fun day trip and take the Metro!  You can take a bus to a station, or drive into Koreatown and park at the Denny's off Western. (6)
Olvera Street
Chinatown
Union Station
Grauman's Chinese Theater
Venice Canals
Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels


Farmer's Markets--These are my favorites.  We have a ton in the LA area but these farmer's markets really stand out. (5)
Culver City (Main Street, Tuesdays, 3 pm to 7 pm)
Brentwood (Gretna Green Way, Sundays, 9 am to 2 pm)
Santa Monica (three locations, four days, check schedule)
The Original Farmer's Market at Third Street and Fairfax (adjacent to the Grove, everyday, all day)
Larchmont Village (Larchmont Blvd, Sundays, 10 am to 2 pm)

Farms--Most of these farms have seasonal activities year round. (3)
Underwood Family Farms in Moorpark
Willowbrook Apple Farm in Oak Glen
Greenspot Farms in Mentone

Weekend Excursions--Just an hour or two away by car, a great family vacation awaits! (3)
San Diego

Legoland/Sea Life Park Aquarium
Sea World
San Diego Zoo/Wild Animal Park

Santa Barbara

Consider taking Amtrak Train
Santa Barbara Zoo
Solvang

Catalina Island

Feel free to leave a comment to add to this list!

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Which One is Bigger, the Manolos or the Ferragamos? Math Activities When You are Out and About

by Susan Choi

February 10, 2009

Like most parents, I run around town with my kids in tow.  Usually the kids are a distraction to the task at hand, and I beg, plead, bribe them to keep chugging along until I've accomplished all the things on my to-do list.  But today, we got home from the market, and as I was pouring the kids some milk, the kids (including my 14 month old son) decided to bring over the groceries into the kitchen, one item at a time.  They wanted so badly to help!  It was so adorable and it made me think that I need to try to think of ways that they can help while out and about.  And you can sneak in some math lessons in the process.

Grocery Store
1) Choosing fruit.  While I am sure that the produce manager would not appreciate preschoolers fondling his merchandise, it is a great exercise in teaching shapes and colors.  Tell your children what you are looking for: red apples, yellow bananas, orange peaches.  Oval mangoes and round oranges.  You can also ask them to look for the longest bananas or the package with the biggest grapes.

2) Check stand.  My kids always want to help put the groceries onto the conveyor belt.  Next time, I think I'll have my kids count things as they take the items out of the cart.  Another thing they can do is sort items as they place them on the belt.

Shoe Store
Bigger vs. smaller.  We are a family that loves shoes.  From the father to the baby, we love our shoes.  In order to keep our addiction in check, we buy from the bargain racks.  The last time we were doing some damage was actually for grandma (I guess it runs in the family from even previous generations).  So I told the kids to look for shoes that they thought grandma would like.  They were running around bringing me every shoe on the rack in every size.  Next time (because there will definitely be a next time), I will tell them to look for the sizes.  I will give them a shoe that is the correct size, and they will need to look for the right size and only bring those to me.  Annoying for the shoe salesperson, I know, so I'll just make sure they put the shoes back where they found them!

Clothing Store
Yes, we love clothes too but we mostly get the kids clothes from places that have the sizes right on the hanger (i.e. Target).  So, in order to help the children with their number recognition, I will tell them what size to look for and let them choose their summer wardrobe.

Hopefully these activities will keep the kids occupied enough so that you don't hear the dreaded, "I'm boooored.  I want to go hoooome."  Read more...

Time to Reflect: A Reflection Tour of Los Angeles

by Susan Choi

January 13, 2009

Whenever I pass by my reflection as I am walking around town, I can't help but look. How much is the gut sticking out today? What is up with my hair? Beside me are my little ones looking at themselves as well. But instead of critiquing their reflection, they are making silly faces, or staring intently at the image in front of them, mesmerized in wonderment. Since the new year is a time to  Read more...

Looking back at 2008

by Susan Choi

December 30, 2008

What an amazing year it has been at Savvy Source West LA! The site officially launched in May with Nina Moon and she filled the treasure troves with tons of toddler-friendly times. Savvy source West LA has advice on what to do with your kiddies during sunny days , rainy days , weekend days , and special days . Interested in art ? music ? books ? No problem. We've got it covered. Want  Read more...

5 Gifts that Keeps on Giving

by Susan Choi

December 16, 2008

What do you give to the family that has everything? How can you support local museums and other non-profit family attractions (and get a tax-deduction in the process)? Give the gift of membership this holiday season! Here are some of my favorite museums, where it pays to be a card-carrying member: 1) Natural History Museum --We come here at least a few times a year. My girls love butterfly  Read more...

A Christmas (Tree) to Remember

by Susan Choi

December 15, 2008

Ah...winter in LA. I love the crisp air, the bundled up bodies, and noses red from the chilly sixty degree weather... My children always point out the contrast between what we read in our Christmas themed books and the reality that is the Westside. " Is it going to snow on Christmas?" " Can we go outside and build a snowman?" Though they generally do not mind that we bypass all  Read more...

Halloween Events for Preschoolers in Los Angeles

by Nina Moon

October 21, 2008

When you're a kid, one day of Halloween is simply not enough. And we here at The Savvy Source are trying to help you sort through the deluge of pre-Halloween festivities. So maybe you've already shopped for a costume and you've got your Halloween craft thing going on, but here are some fab parties coming up in Los Angeles between now and Halloween. Scribble Press - Just drop in the  Read more...

Pumpkin Activities for Preschoolers

by Nina Moon

October 17, 2008

This is the first year my son is old enough to actually, sort of "get" Halloween. Or at least the pumpkin-loving, candy-eating, door-to-door-knocking, costume-wearing part of Halloween. His first Halloween I dressed him up as a bumble bee and let him waddle around my friend's neighborhood. Last year, I was too pregnant with my now infant to even make an effort. But this year we're going all out,  Read more...

Flashback - 5 favorite posts from September

by Nina Moon

September 30, 2008

My husband has been working long hours all this month so I've basically been flying solo around here for a month. Needless to say, I welcome October with open, grateful arms. Still, September wasn't a total wash. In case you missed it, here are five of the best posts from September. 1. Bistro de l'Hermitage - friendly French food for four-year-olds - Because excessive alliteration aside, it  Read more...

Noah's Ark at the Skirball Cultural Center

by Nina Moon

September 15, 2008

Noah's Ark at the Skirball Cultural Museum, nestled just off the 405 freeway north of the Getty Museum, is a whimsical, imaginative, non-stop fun destination for young children. Maybe because I'm so desperate for a children's museum here in Los Angeles (because the old one has moved far, far away - or at least too far to visit before naptime) the entire two hours I was there I couldn't stop  Read more...

Noah's Ark at the Skirball Cultural Center - Teaser

by Nina Moon

September 11, 2008

I finally made it out to the raved-about Noah's Ark exhibit at the Skirball Center today. I've been procrastinating, probably because I'm bad at doing anything that involves advance tickets (you must order tickets in advance, which can be done online ). After today, however, I'm hitting myself over the head - how could I have waited so long? My son loved every minute of our two-hour visit. We  Read more...

Library Card Sign-Up Month - The most crucial back-to-school item of all

by Nina Moon

September 08, 2008

In addition to marking the traditional start of school, September is Library Card Sign-Up Month. So whether you're new to Los Angeles or you've lived here for years but just haven't made it out to your local branch yet, now is the time to get yourself a library card (or key card!). Your preschooler can also get his very own library card (you just know how much they'll love that ), but know that  Read more...

Art and culture for the cost of parking

by Nina Moon

September 04, 2008

One of the best things about living in a big city like Los Angeles is the sheer amount of options you have when it comes to museums. You can take a stroll through a world-class sculpture garden, immerse yourself in ancient Egypt or spend a morning on playing with the animals in Noah's Ark. And if you plan it right, you can do it all for free. Okay, you'll probably have to pay something for  Read more...

Play - A place both kids and their parents will love

by Nina Moon

September 01, 2008

Indoor play spaces and I have a complicated relationship. I appreciate the idea of a contained, stimulating area for my son to play in, but it's not worth it to me to pay a lot of money for entry when I could simply take my son to the park for free. And yet, again and again, I shell out to spend a couple of hours at one of these places because maybe, just maybe, this one might be the one. The  Read more...

The Corner Market -- Is Los Angeles a walkable city?

by Nina Moon

August 28, 2008

Click over to Walk Score , a website that rates the walkability of cities and neighborhoods in the US, and you'll find that Los Angeles is the 9th most walkable city in America. When I heard this my first reaction was probably similar to the one you're having right now. Namely, ARE YOU KIDDING ME? But yes, supposedly only 16% of Los Angeles is car-dependent. As in, the vast majority of Angelenos  Read more...

Weekend Warriors

by Nina Moon

August 22, 2008

My son and I are big Elizabeth Mitchell fans her children's folk tunes are just the thing for sunny afternoons, both playful and calming. So I'm absolutely psyched to go see her and her family perform at the Getty Center Central Garden this weekend. Pack a picnic and go see this free family concert on Saturday or Sunday at 4 and 5pm. Starting tonight, check out the Fiesta La Ballona festival  Read more...

Venice Canals - Overlooked but Not Forgotten

by Nina Moon

August 18, 2008

This past weekend my husband and I decided to take the kids to stroll the Venice Canals, an oft overlooked but surprisingly diverting use of a Saturday morning. Originally encompassing 16 miles of canals, the majority of the canals were filled in the late 1920s to make room for increasing car traffic. The remaining canals are lined with multi-million dollar mansions, post-modern glass  Read more...

Weekend Warriors -- Fines, Fire Trucks and Festivals

by Nina Moon

August 15, 2008

All of us, I'm sure, have had an overdue library book here or there. But what about those embarrassingly overdue books? Several months, even years, overdue? It's almost easier to just stop going to the library under the weight of that fine, right? Instead, you take advantage of the Los Angeles Public Library's Fine Free Week , which ends this Sunday. And it's still not too late to take  Read more...

Swim Lesson Essentials -- Learning to Swim in Los Angeles

by Nina Moon

August 12, 2008

Flying over some parts of Los Angeles, you can look over the city and see tiny squares of aqua spread over the landscape. And if you don't happen to have a pool (or a Y membership), there's that nifty Pacific Ocean just waiting for your preschooler to dip his little toe in its vast, blue-grey waters. And even if you don't have a pool, hate the Y or don't like the ocean (!!), chances are at  Read more...

Veteran's Park in Culver City -- Pretend Play at the Park

by Nina Moon

August 11, 2008

For so long my son played obsessively with two things: balls and wheels. End. Of. Story. So when he finally began to venture into the world of pretend play, cooking pasta for me to eat and building tables and chairs out of Legos for his heretofore neglected stuffed animals to eat dinner on, I was so very happy. You see, I am not so good at the endless throwing of balls and pushing of cars. But  Read more...

Weekend Warriors: Olympic Edition

by Nina Moon

August 08, 2008

So I don't know about you all, but this weekend I'm going to try and spend as much time in front of the television as possible. My son's preschool is having an Olympic-themed week starting Monday so I figure a little preparation won't hurt him, right? For those of you who plan on seeing the light of day, there does happen to be some great events going on in Los Angeles this weekend. For  Read more...

Children's Book World -- Why I want to live there

by Nina Moon

August 07, 2008

No, really. I want to live in this bookshop, lie down on the carpet and inhale that musty new book smell in my sleep. Children's Book World , located on Pico Boulevard just a hop, skip and jump away from Westside Pavilion, is unassuming enough. In fact, I passed by it probably 100 times before even noticing it was there. No matter, I've found it now. After parking in the back lot (there's  Read more...

Music Together at Play

by Nina Moon

August 06, 2008

Ever since my son was able to sit up on his own, my mom has been annoying encouraging me to put him in piano lessons. She even bought him a (admittedly totally adorable) toddler-sized grand piano for Christmas last year. And while I think that piano lessons for two-year-olds may be a tad overzealous, he does love to listen to music, sing, play his little piano and strum our sorely neglected  Read more...

Weekend Warriors -- Beatles Edition

by Nina Moon

August 01, 2008

The other day a little girl showed up to my son's preschool with an ipod shuffle. Whether or not you would allow your preschooler their own personal music player, her playlist was absolutely awesome. In addition to the standard kiddie tunes and some great adult-friendly children's music, she was rockin' out to a bunch of old Beatles' numbers. And it's true, even a two-year-old can appreciate the  Read more...

Water Play When You Don't Have a Yard

by Nina Moon

July 28, 2008

At least a few of my posts here at Being Savvy Los Angeles have had not-so-subtle grumblings about our lack of a yard. Don't get me wrong, we love our neighborhood and our condominium is spacious and I'm very, very thankful for our home. But I can't deny that I have frequent fantasies of my children running around in a yard, which will have a swing set, a sandbox and a vegetable garden where  Read more...

Weekend Warriors - Sandcastle edition

by Nina Moon

July 25, 2008

There's nothing quite so quintessentially summer as building sandcastles at the beach. This Saturday from 10am-2pm, The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro will host a Sizzlin' Summer Sandcastle Day. BYO shovel, bucket and imagination, claim a spot on the sand and build castles, tunnels and moats galore. But what happens when you mix slime and sand? Slime-lovers are in luck this weekend as  Read more...

Kids Going Green - Eden's Green Closet

by Nina Moon

July 23, 2008

From creating a separate recycling bin to eating locally grown foods to (gasp!) using public transportation, everyone seems to be going green nowadays. I'll be honest though, the importance of caring for the environment never really hit home for me until I had children. And even then, one area of waste I never considered was my kid's clothing. Until, that is, I happened upon Eden's Green  Read more...

Weekend Warriors - Disco anyone?

by Nina Moon

July 18, 2008

This is a weekend where you're not going to want to stay at home. With everything from disco for babies to circus performances to those uber-celebrities of the preschool set (I'm talking about Diego and Dora, don't you know) coming to town, you're preschooler is bound to have fun. On Saturday morning at 11, head down to Topanga Canyon's Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum for Creative Playground 's  Read more...

Happy Quatorze Juillet

by Nina Moon

July 14, 2008

Our friends in France are celebrating Bastille Day today. And, as a matter of fact, Angelenos were celebrating it on Sunday in WeHo (sorry I missed it for last weekend's Weekend Warriors ). Still, there are plenty of ways to introduce your child to French culture and language in Los Angeles. Not only is Los Angeles home to two different French preschool-12th private schools, each with multiple  Read more...

5 Best Ways to Enjoy Griffith Park

by Nina Moon

May 26, 2008

Los Angeles isn't exactly known for its wide open spaces. But even though Griffith Park may not be as well known as say, Central Park, it has been Angelenos' backyard for generations. During the recent devastating wildfires, I couldn't peel my eyes off the images of the park in flames. Fortunately, the park is recovering and seems to be as robust as ever. 1. Los Angeles Zoo Set into the  Read more...

5 Things To Do When the Sun's Shining

by Nina Moon

May 13, 2008

This list is nowhere near comprehensive since the sun shines here, well, a lot. LA has been designed with the sun in mind so you'd be hard-pressed to find places that aren't good for sunny day visits. Here are a few of my favorites nonetheless: 1. Redondo Beach and Pier After splashing around in the waves, head up to the pier and eat lunch at Pacific Fish Center where you're giant crabs and  Read more...