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

Best Birthday Bashes

by Susan Choi

April 15, 2009

My family moved into a house before the birth of my third baby. Before then we were living in a narrow townhouse. Even though we enjoyed having friends over and hosting playdates, our space was not very conducive to large gatherings. Plus with no backyard, it was impossible to have more than a couple families over at a time. When we moved into house, my husband and I were thrilled at the thought of having birthday parties at the house. Finally, we could save money and not have to rent facilities and buy catered food! But we have discovered that DIY birthday parties are a lot of work! We may go back to outsourcing birthday parties again. As we ponder our party choices for our younger daughter's birthday that is coming up, here are my favorite venues for a kid's birthday party. The best part, you don't have to clean your house! Two hours, in and out, you're done!

Build a Bear Workshop (Westside Pavilion)--I remember the first time I walked into this store, I was intimidated by the prices. I was pleased to discover that it was cheaper than I thought it was going to be, and there are a few options from which to choose. We hosted a small party for my oldest daughter and then walked over to the food court for pizza. It was easy, the kids had a wonderful time, and it is undoubtly, the best favor our guests could take home!

Under the Sea Indoor Playground (Several locations)--We have attended a few birthday parties here and every time we go, my daughters have a blast. I am most familiar with the Mar Vista location, and the staff there is very helpful. They limit your food choices considerably which is my only beef. But otherwise, Under the Sea will even prepare the favors for you, so they make it really easy.

Treehouse Social Club (Robertson Blvd)--If you haven't been as affected by the economy and want to have this beautiful facility all to yourself and your friends for two hours, consider a party here. You can have everything from a DJ and a character (Spiderman anyone?), to spa services for the adults and kids...and gourmet cupcakes to boot.

Veteran's Park (Culver City)--While any local park is usually great for birthday parties, I like Veteran's Park a lot for the following reasons: the picnic tables are just off the playground so the kids are always in sight, you can reserve the picnic tables in advance (even if you are not a resident of Culver City), and there is pergola over the picnic table area so it provides some shade on hot summer days.  Read more...

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!

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!
 Read more...

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!

Weekend Warrior: Valentine's Day Edition

by Susan Choi

February 13, 2009

There are a lot of events happening this weekend as it is both Valentine's Day weekend and President's Day weekend.  Since most of us will have the kids home with us on Monday, try to enjoy Saturday with your spouse, significant other, BFF, or anyone else that you love truly, madly, deeply.

My kids are already fans of Abba so Baby Loves Disco is the perfect venue for us.  Try to not sing when Dancing Queen comes on, I dare you.  Hips shaking on Saturday, 2/14 from 11am to 2pm at Cinespace, 6356 Hollywood Blvd, LA.

Do you Tivo Avatar for your child (cough, it's really for you)?  Well, the Family Festival at the Japanese American National Museum might just be the event to take your "child" to this Saturday.  The theme this Saturday is Be Animated and will be focusing on anime and comic book art.  You can create your own flipbook, fold origami, and see prints from Afro Samuri.  11am to 4pm at 100 N. Central Avenue, LA.

On Sunday, the Harlem Globetrotters are back in LA at the Staples Center.  As I type their name, I can hear the whistling theme in my head.  The show starts at 1pm and tickets start at $15 through ticketmaster.com.

Also on Sunday, the American Girl Place at the Grove is celebrating Bitty Bear's birthday.  Your kids can sign a big birthday card and decorate a tiara.  Visit the store from 11am to 1pm for the free craft activity.  Tiara=my girls=we're so there.

Happy Valentine's everyone!








 Read more...

Your Child May be the Next Hannah Montana--Free music class for Savvy readers!

by Susan Choi

January 19, 2009

The other day, my older daughter said to me, "this is how I am going to dance when I have my own show." She then proceeded to show me her entire routine, complete with a bear walk, hopping on one foot, and of course, a pirouette. I am not sure where she gets the idea that kids can get their own TV shows since we don't watch Hannah Montana or The Jonas Brothers . But here in LA, she  Read more...

Peace though the Eyes of a Child

by Susan Choi

January 15, 2009

On Sunday from 2-4pm, the Zimmer Children's Museum is hosting a family program called "Peace through the Eyes of Children." Children can help make the annual Martin Luther King Jr. mural for the museum. I love the idea of a diverse group of children from around the LA area coming together and painting this massive piece of art to symbolize the world of which Martin Luther  Read more...

Party (at home, away from the rain) like it's 2009! - 5 Board Games Sure to Please Preschoolers

by Nina Moon

January 02, 2009

Like Susan, my husband and I are Korean American and we spent the new year seeped in Korean tradition - bowing to our family elders (and taking video of our three-year-old doing likewise), watching old men play baduk (or "go") and eating copious amounts of ddukguk . Susan and I hope your new years day was filled with happiness and that this year brings your family only joy, peace and prosperity.  Read more...

Ring in the New Year with Craft Ideas

by Susan Choi

December 31, 2008

For most New Year�??s eves, my family has been very low-key. Being Korean, New Year�??s Day is a bigger celebration with my whole extended family getting together to eat rice cake soup, play games, and enjoy each other�??s company. Plus, my husband and I figure that it is impossible to get a babysitter for this night anyhow, so we don�??t mind just staying home with the  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...

Support an LA landmark this Christmas season - Bob Baker's Nutcracker

by Nina Moon

December 19, 2008

Susan is right - you can't miss a performance of the Nutcracker during the holidays . Christmas just isn't Christmas without it. But what to do for the ballet-adverse? Or those who can't get enough of the Nutcracker? Bob Baker's Marionette Theater's production of the Nutcracker is just the thing. Not only does the reliable landmark of an Angeleno offer an interactive show with a fresh twist on  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...

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...

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 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...

It Takes Two - 5 activities that are more fun with a pal

by Nina Moon

September 23, 2008

Sometimes planning a playdate seems like more effort than it's worth. After all, it's hard enough to watch your own kid, let alone their friend too. But preschoolers are at that magical age where they're just learning to play with and not just alongside other children, and it's worth it to give them time with other children even outside of preschool. Here are a few better-with-two fun  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...

5 perfect preschool playdates

by Nina Moon

September 09, 2008

Preschool may make it a tad bit easier to set up playdates (no more desperately hoping that another lonely parent will send a friendly smile your way), but there always remains that question - where to go? Here are five perfect places for your kids to play and for grown-ups to bond. Play - I love that Play is set up to facilitate both playdates and one-on-one bonding between parent and child.  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...

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...

Aquariums in Los Angeles -- Here Fishy, Fishy, Fishy

by Nina Moon

August 19, 2008

For so long practically everything that moved underwater was a fish to our son. Whale? Fish. Shark? Fish. Dolphin? Fish. Sea otter? Fish. Now, finally, he's starting to differentiate to the point that if we happen to leave off the puffer in pufferfish we are promptly corrected: No, NO! Puffahfish! Puffahfish! It's probably the perfect time to visit an aquarium, no? Nice that we happen to live  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...

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...

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...

Weekend Warriors

by Nina Moon

July 11, 2008

It's been a long week, hasn't it? I'm really feeling the whole TJIF sentiment today. Even better, this weekend my family will be heading down to my parents' home in the South Bay (free babysitting! Woohoo!). In that vein, we'll start the edition of Weekend Warriors in Redondo Beach, right smack in the heart of the South Bay. On Saturday, why not drive down Redondo Beach? You can spend the day  Read more...

Three Days In and Around Los Angeles -- Mid-Wilshire

by Nina Moon

July 09, 2008

Even though I don't live in the area, I spend about half my time in the Mid-Wilshire area. Comprising everything from Museum Row to Larchmont Village to the Farmer's Market and the trendy shops on 3rd Street to Koreatown, Mid-Wilshire is where I tend to fall back on whether I'm looking for a fun, enriching place to take my son or I want a great pair of shoes or some really excellent eats. And  Read more...

Let's Date: The Treehouse Social Club

by Nina Moon

June 23, 2008

As indoor play spaces go, The Treehouse Social Club on Robertson Boulevard has a leg up on the competition. They don't have a lot of toys per se (they do have a few, but if that's what you're looking for, go elsewhere). Neither do they have piles of primary colored foam blocks or children's gym equipment. Instead, the main room is dominated by a fantastic treehouse (complete with a tree, of  Read more...

5 Seriously Cool Extra-curricular Preschool Classes

by Nina Moon

June 17, 2008

Gymboree, My Gym, Music Together they're all great, right? But haven't we all been there, done that, so to speak? Instead why not try out one of these five absolutely fabulous, off-the-beaten-track classes this summer? Do you wonder if maybe you're raising a future circus act? Well, maybe you are! For those of us whose little ones are literally jumping off the walls, Kinetic Theory Circus Arts  Read more...

Eat N' Play at Giggles N' Hugs

by Nina Moon

June 12, 2008

The first time my moms group and I tried to have lunch together with our kids, we chose a charming and very grown-up restaurant on Montana Avenue. Not surprisingly (at least in retrospect), we spent nearly the entire time trying to feed, entertain and manage our little ones. Instead of a modified ladies-who-lunch experience, we were left feeling guilty and apologetic for the noise and mess we  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...

5 Things To Do in Los Angeles on a Rainy Day

by Nina Moon

May 27, 2008

I know I'm not the only one that often finds myself wringing my hands on the rare rainy day around here. In Los Angeles, even rainy-day stand-bys like the mall are park-like ventures complete with farmer's markets (think: the Grove). So what is there to do in LA on a rainy day? Turns out, plenty. 1. California Science Center With special exhibits geared towards children under 7, the California  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...

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...

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...