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

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!

A Serendipitous Find: Sonja's Scrapbooking Spot

by Susan Choi

April 06, 2009

My daughters and I were invited to a birthday party at the Howard Hughes center in Westchester. Unfortunately, my daughters were scared of the movie (Monsters vs. Aliens) so we had to hang around the Promenade until the movie was over (couldn't miss out on the cake!). We walked around and found Sonja's Scrapbooking Spot. It was very inviting from the outside so we decided to walk in. My daughters were instantly attracted to the beautiful paper and arts 'n' craft motif. We decided to come back after the party was over.

As long as a class is not scheduled, people can walk in and create scrapbooking pages. Sonja has some supplies on hand to assist such as paper trimmers, adhesives, and craft scissors. But the best thing is that you can go in with your kids (as long as they aren't running around like whirling dervishes spilling paint and pulling out paper) and check something off your to-do list! I bought little albums for my three and five-year old daughters to fill with plain white paper. They drew little pictures, used the craft scissors to make interesting patterns, and kept busy enough to allow me to create a few scrapbooking pages. I like that I can get inspired by all the wonderful embellishments the store has in stock and pull supplies as I go. I only buy what I need and it is all reasonably priced. I also like that I don't need to invest in my own supplies.

Sonja is very talented and has a lot of her own creations on display to help you take your own scrapbooking skills to the next level. Or if you are like me, non-creative and operating on limited brain functioning, you can copy her stuff and pretend to be a scrapbooking queen!

Looking for something to do with your kids during spring break? Consider coming here and grabbing lunch at many of the kid friendly restaurants at the Howard Hughes Center. You can catch a movie (Monsters vs. Aliens in 3D--my girls were the only ones out of 20 preschoolers who walked out from fright) and do some scrapbooking!

 Read more...

Weekend Warrior: Spring Equinox and Special Discount for Savvy Readers at Three Cheeky Monkeys

by Susan Choi

March 19, 2009

The weekend is here and Spring is in the air! There are a couple events in LA that are celebrating the advent of Spring. Even though it is still a little chilly, go out and enjoy the fresh air!

Super Spring Show at the Crystal Springs Picnic Area at Griffith Park in LA. On Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm, go to Griffith Park for a family friendly art show and festival. There will be arts and crafts, African dance performances, and a children's film festival. This event is free and sponsored by the 2012 Art Collective.

Spring Art Thing at the Santa Monica Pier on Saturday from 6 am to 6 pm. Artists, young and old, will be at the pier, creating new works of art to celebrate the beginning of spring. So let your children bring their art smocks and easels to paint among the masses, or enjoy watching artists working live.

Preschool story time at the Palms-Rancho Park Library on Saturday from 10:30 am to 11 am. Stories will be read to promote early literacy. There is a great playground right next to the library too!

Make a kite! Every Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm, Lakeshore Learning Stores sponsor free craft activities. This Saturday, in honor of Spring, your children can make a kite.

Kids in the Courtyard series at Fowler Museum at UCLA . Make a hammered foil picture frame inspired by Senegalese artist Moussa Tine on Sunday from 1 pm to 4 pm.

Like a lot of West LA moms, I spend too much time at Westside Pavilion with music classes, Gymboree, Barnes and Noble's, etc. I recently rediscovered Three Cheeky Monkeys toy store since the birth of my son. The toy selection here is different from Target or other discount stores, but also very reasonably priced. Three Cheeky Monkeys is moving to the North side of the mall still on the second floor, on the Nordstrom's side with an expanded reading section and more toys to purchase as well as play with onsite. In celebration of the expansion, Three Cheeky Monkeys is offering a 10% discount to Savvy readers over the weekend (from 3/20 to 3/22). Just let them know you are a Savvy reader and they will honor the 10% discount.

Happy shopping and happy Spring!

Weekend Warrior: Dan Zanes

by Susan Choi

March 12, 2009

He's finally here!  Wohoo! Dan Zanes is back and ready to rock our socks off! Get ready to enjoy an amazing concert experience with the 2007 Grammy winner for best children's music album. If you can't get to the concert, there are other options for the weekend as well.

Dan Zanes will be performing at 11 am and 2 pm on Saturday, and 11 am on Sunday at UCLA Royce Hall. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and younger.

World City at the Music Center features world-renowned artists in free concerts at the W.M. Keck Foundation Children's Amphitheatre at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Adjacent to the performance hall, family workshops are available both before and after the performances. The performance is outdoors so please be prepared for the weather (if it rains, performance will be moved indoors)! This Saturday, the program features The Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre and Eletfa Hungarian Folk Ensemble. Performances are at 11 am and 12:30 pm. Be sure to arrive early to get your free tickets before the show starts. Seating is limited.

Puppets are the theme at the Autry National Center this Saturday. Bold Caballeros y Noble Bandidas puppet show which highlights events of the Mexican revolution will be performed at 12:45 pm. Then make your own puppet from 1 pm to 2:30 pm.

Baby Loves Disco is back and this month they are celebrating grandparents! Grandparent's admission is only $5. So bring your favorite pop-pop and nana to boogie with you. On Saturday, from 11 am to 2 pm at the Cinespace in Hollywood. $15 in advance, $18 at door.

Every culture celebrates New Year in a different way. To experience it Middle Eastern style (aka Norooz), visit the Craft and Folk Art Museum on Saturday from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. Reservations are required.

Gustafer Yellowgold will be performing at McCabe's on Sunday at 11 am. Gusta who? Gustafer is a friendly creature who came to the earth from the sun and has made friends who some of the oddest earthy creatures. Story-songs and moving illustrations make the shows unique and fun.

Have a great weekend and congrats to our Dan Zanes giveaway winners!  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...

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...

5 Places to Spark Your Preschooler's Imagination

by Nina Moon

October 14, 2008

If summer means ample opportunities to explore the world outside, the coming of fall - yes, even in Los Angeles - ushers in a cornucopia, if you will, of the arts and crafts. What it's too cold to play outside, what better than to experiment with paint and clay or curl up in a comfy corner and read a beautifully illusrated picture book? Or even write one? Here are five Los Angeles locations that  Read more...

The Children's Nature Institute - Tykes on Trails and Family Nature Walks

by Nina Moon

October 01, 2008

Ever want to take your little one hiking but don't know where to start? I know I don't. Good thing The Children's Nature Institute's " Tykes on Trails " program can help us out. Once a week for a month, The Children's Nature Institute takes 2-4 year olds and their parents on a nature walk/workshop. Parents and children can bond in a peaceful, natural setting while a guide facilitates  Read more...

The Getty Museum - A Preschooler's Guide Part 1

by Nina Moon

September 24, 2008

You exit the 405 at Getty Center Drive and make your way to the parking entrance where you fork over $10(!!!!) for parking. You enter the underground parking lot and pass several large school buses and your heart sinks as you anticipate large hordes of elementary school students ready to trample on your tiny preschooler. But you continue on (since you already paid the ten bucks, there's no  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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Mozart, Moby or Miles -- Pershing Square Kids

by Nina Moon

July 16, 2008

One of the best parts of writing for Being Savvy Los Angeles has been discovering the sheer multitude of things to do in this city. For instance, did you know that Los Angeles has an outdoor ice skating rink? In downtown, no less? Pershing Square, a square block of public space in the heart of downtown, transforms into an outdoor skating rink every winter. Obviously that's not the most useful  Read more...

Weekend Warriors: Father's Day edition

by Nina Moon

June 13, 2008

When our weekends aren't already filled with kids' birthday parties or visits to the grandparents' house, my husband and I quite often look at each other dumbly, wondering what in the world we're going to do to fill the time. Half the time we just end up puttering around the house or maybe spending a few hours at the park. Sound familiar? Well, hopefully we'll be able to overcome our seemingly  Read more...

Budding Art Critic -- Boone Children's Gallery at the LACMA

by Nina Moon

June 02, 2008

LACMA is enormous, overwhelming even. Where do you start with a preschooler? Why, Boone Children's Gallery of course! There really isn't much not to love here. The gallery is really more like a gigantic warehouse separated into different art and activity stations by towering shelving units displaying children's artwork. The room's theme, construct, carries throughout each station children can  Read more...

Princess for a Day -- So you want to be the Greatest Mom on Earth?

by Nina Moon

May 19, 2008

Sometimes, girls just wanna have fun. I don't have a daughter (yet!), but I did have The Greatest Mom on Earth who made sure to plan special mother-daughter days where I was basically pampered silly. And although there are tons of places to have fun on a much more modest scale, why not splurge a little? After all, Los Angeles is such a great place to be pampered. Start your day at the Grove  Read more...

The Littlest Picasso - Lakeshore Learning Store

by Nina Moon

May 14, 2008

There are countless stores around Los Angeles to buy top-quality professional art supplies (for top dollar, of course). There also countless toy stores with an aisle or so devoted to paints and play-doh and Crayola crayons. But I've found no better place to buy kids' arts and craft supplies and educational toys of all kinds, than Lakeshore Learning Store . Located on Venice Boulevard near the  Read more...