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

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!

Weekend Warrior: Last Weekend of March and Special VIP Event at Pottery Barn Kids at the Grove

by Susan Choi

March 26, 2009

It is hard to believe the end of the month is already here. There are a lot of activities this weekend, and it is supposed to be perfect weather, so go out and enjoy!

Japanese American National Museum will be hosting the Spring Rolls into JANM event this Saturday at 11 am! It is an interactive family cooking class of assorted Asian food, including, what else, spring rolls! $25 per parent/child pair for members and $35 per parent/child pair for non-members. Be sure to reserve your spot by calling the museum.

Rhythm Child will be beating their drums at Descanso Gardens this Saturday at 1 pm. If you haven't experienced Rhythm Child yet, what better place than the beautiful venue of Descanso Gardens?

Discover Japanese culture with the family festival at the Getty Center this Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm. There will be interactive art workshops, puppet shows, craft demonstrations, and Taiko drum playing. Admission to the Getty Center and the festival are both free!

Kathleen Zundell will be continuing the Saturday Storytelling Series at Children's Book World this Saturday at 10:30 am. With her puppet pal, Philbert, Kathleen engages children with silly jokes, tales, and poems. Free to the public.

Swazzle Puppets will be performing at the Mark Taper Auditorium this Saturday at 2 pm. A cheerful troupe of imaginative woodland creatures will be telling Forest Fables, which is based on Aesop's fables and classic fairy tales.

Debi Derryberry will be performing Passover Musical Happening at the Jewish Community Library of LA on Sunday from 3 pm to 4 pm. She is the voice of Jimmy Neutron and a kid's favorite for musical performers.

Create your own mini kite during family playhouse time at the Autry National Center on Sunday from 1 pm to 2:30 pm.

Randy Kaplan will be performing at McCabe's in Santa Monica on Sunday at 11 am. Randy Kaplan sings songs that blend folk, alternative, American roots and pop in a wildly unpredictable show. Tickets are $8.

The Skirball Cultural Center is hosting a Family Weekend Workshop . The theme this Sunday at both 10 am and 1 pm is the Garden of Sand, Stone, and Sprigs.  In honor of the Jewish holiday Passover, create and take home your own Zen garden with sand, stones and herbs. Tickets are $15 per parent/child pair for members and $25 per parent/child pair for non-members. Tickets also include admission to Noah's Ark exhibit.

And finally, this Sunday from 8:30 pm to 10 pm, there is a VIP event at the Pottery Barn Kids at the Grove, and Savvy readers are invited! You will be receiving 10% off any purchase (even furniture!) and refreshments will be served.

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!

Up Close and Personal: Tournament of Roses Float Decorating

by Susan Choi

December 29, 2008

The New Yorkers have their Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, and we Angelenos have our Tournament of Roses New Year's Day Parade. The parade has a been around for 120 years, and though most floats are now done by professional float building companies, people from all over volunteer to put the final floral decorations on the floats. Viewing the floats mid-production is open to the public, and a  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...

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...

Ocean View Farms Community Garden --A Tiny Green Thumb in the City

by Nina Moon

August 20, 2008

A friend of mine recently bought a home, modest but spacious enough for her family of five, with a beautiful yard where she has started cultivating roses and a vegetable garden. While I am very happy for her, I admit that I turned a bit green when I saw her yard. We live in a condominium and our balcony, unfortunately, gets no direct sunlight. All I can do is dream about how lovely it would be  Read more...

Trump National Golf Club - A Tot Hiker's Haven

by Nina Moon

August 04, 2008

This past weekend our non-golfing family spent Sunday morning at Trump National Golf Course . No, we weren't signing up our two-year-old for golf lessons. Trump National Golf Course, situation at the edge of a cliff in Rancho Palos Verdes with a fabulous view of the ocean, is criss-crossed with public hiking trails and surrounded by swaths of protected land where plants native to the area grow  Read more...

5 Ways to Get to Know Los Angeles with Your Preschooler

by Nina Moon

June 24, 2008

Los Angeles, unlike most major metropolitan cities, is sprawling. Taking stock of the city as a whole can be daunting, even more so when you have a preschooler in tow. And while so many Angelenos spend most, if not all, of their lives in their respective neighborhoods, that really is a shame. So why not play tourist (albeit a far cooler, in-the-know tourist) this summer and explore the City of  Read more...

Room to Run - 5 Places to Tire Out Your Preschooler

by Nina Moon

May 28, 2008

The hours between 2 and 4 in the afternoon are holy in our home. Mess with them and you have to deal with a burnt-out mommy in all her fury. Routine may be naptime's best bud, but a good run around outdoors never hurts either. Here are the five places I turn to when I need to ensure a good afternoon nap. 1. Palms Recreation Center This neighborhood park has a small playground perfect for young  Read more...