Two contests invite high school writers to imagine the future—and win cash prizes and publication
Calling L.A. County Teen Writers: Enter Free Sci-fi Writing Contest by Feb. 13
From ball pits to infinity rooms, this playful immersive exhibit invites kids and parents to escape into a colorful world of bubbles in downtown L.A.
Inside Bubble Planet: DTLA’s Immersive Bubble Experience for Families
From cozy favorites to creative play, these NAPPA Award-winning picks make Valentine’s Day meaningful for kids.
Valentine’s Day Gifts Kids Will Actually Love
How everyday conversations can help children understand culture, belonging and empathy from an early age.
Everyone Has a Story: Raising Culturally Curious Kids’
From lion dances and parades to family festivals and cultural performances, here’s where to celebrate the Year of the Horse in L.A.
Best Lunar New Year Celebrations Across Los Angeles
How a new neighborhood gym is helping one father prioritize wellness, connection and consistency in South Los Angeles.
A South L.A. Dad on Fitness Access, Family and Staying Active
Bring a taste of romance home with this indulgent dessert recipe from Shutters on the Beach’s signature restaurant.
A Valentine Chocolate Panna Cotta from Shutters on the Beach
The acclaimed storytelling stage show shares raw, uplifting stories of motherhood at Sparr Heights Community Center this winter.
Expressing Motherhood Brings Powerful Parenting Stories to Glendale
Families can donate non-perishable food items at The Shay through Jan. 16 to help address food insecurity across Los Angeles’ Westside.
Culver City Food Drive at The Shay Supports Westside Families
The Santa Clarita shopping center collected 125 coats through a seasonal drive benefiting local families experiencing homelessness.
Valencia Town Center Coat Drive Supports Santa Clarita Families in Need
From jazz-filled supper clubs to walkable neighborhoods and vineyard escapes, these L.A. date nights are perfect for parents craving connection.
Love in L.A.: Parent-Approved Date Nights Worth the Babysitter
Local professional organizers share realistic tips to help families declutter, reset routines and create a home that actually works.
Your 2026 Home Refresh: Simple Systems for a Calmer Family Space
From alkaline water to weighted vests, local experts break down which wellness trends are worth your time and which are just hype.
Health Fads vs Facts: What Actually Works in the New Year
From Korean day spas to desert hot springs and icy plunges, these restorative water experiences help Angelenos reset and recharge.
Healing Waters Around Los Angeles: Hot Springs, Spas and Cold Plunges
A multigenerational trip reconnects one family with its roots through nature, food and quiet moments on Vancouver Island.
Returning to Vancouver Island Through Family and Memory
An editor reflects on attention, presence and the quiet joys that invite families to slow down and truly experience the new year.
Savoring the Small Moments That Shape Our Days
Skyline Pitch opens atop The Americana at Brand, offering rooftop soccer fields, training areas and community events for all ages.
New Rooftop Soccer Experience Brings Family Fun to Glendale
The newly opened Sylmar location from Child Care Resource Center offers child care assistance, early learning programs and parent support services.
New Sylmar Family Resource Center Expands Child Care Support for Parents
The Parent Institute for Quality Education is training parents to advocate for equitable schools and stronger family voices across Los Angeles and Orange counties.
Parents Step Into Leadership Through PIQE’s Ambassador Program
The Los Angeles nonprofit is recruiting writers of all genres to mentor teen girls and gender-expansive youth through creative writing and confidence building.
Volunteer Writers Wanted to Mentor Teen Storytellers Through WriteGirl
A licensed therapist explores postpartum depression, birth trauma and why maternal mental health support is critical for families and communities.
Postpartum Depression and Maternal Mental Health: Why It Matters Now
How a neighborhood connection and a family recipe led to the creation of Pecan Amor, a small-batch pecan business made with love.
Pecan Amor: A Local Flavor Story Rooted in Community
The FOX 11 meteorologist reflects on growing up in Los Angeles, finding her calling in weather and raising her son while building a purpose-driven career.
Where She Belongs: Star Harvey on Weather, Motherhood and Coming Home
From parades and concerts to volunteer projects and family events, here are meaningful ways to honor Martin Luther King Jr. with kids across Los Angeles.
Things to Do MLK Day Weekend in Los Angeles
Spanish and Mandarin immersion programs in TK through sixth grade help students become bilingual, biliterate and globally prepared.
Inside Rowland Unified School District Dual Language Immersion Programs
A closer look at a Los Angeles school using small seminars, advanced coursework and mentorship to challenge gifted and highly curious students.
How Qualia: The School for Deeper Learning Supports Gifted and Curious Learners
Start the new year with thoughtful picture books that help kids navigate big feelings like boredom, shyness, anger and forgiveness through relatable stories and imagination.
January Book Corner: New Children’s Books for the New Year
Practical routines, SEL strategies and age-specific activities that help elementary, middle and high school students transition back to class with confidence.
A Smooth Return: How to Use Winter Break to Help Kids Reset for School
From hospital discharge to home care, here’s what L.A. parents should know about IBCLCs, insurance coverage, mentorship gaps, and how to choose qualified breastfeeding support.
How Los Angeles Families Can Find Trustworthy Breastfeeding and Lactation Support
Escape the holiday rush with a serene stay at Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa — ocean views, igloo dining, hydrafacials, cozy suites, and quiet moments by the sea.
A Winter Wellness Getaway in Dana Point: Rest, Spa, and Coastal Calm
Skip the airport and head to Carlsbad for festive lights, Santa visits, resort events, LEGO holiday magic, and coastal escapes just 90 miles from Los Angeles.
Carlsbad Holiday Getaway: Family-Friendly Winter Break Fun Near L.A.
With seven Regional Centers across Los Angeles, families can access assessments, early intervention, service coordination, referrals and lifelong support for children with developmental differences.
What Regional Centers Do for Families: Local Support for Children With Developmental Needs in L.A.
From noon-year balloon drops for toddlers to fireworks shows and harbor cruises for teens, here are the best family-friendly New Year’s Eve events across Los Angeles, the Valley, the Westside, and the OC.
Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve Events in Los Angeles: 24 Ways to Ring in 2026 With Kids
From Marvel meet-and-greets to themed lounges and next-level kids clubs, the new Disney Destiny cruise impresses toddlers, tweens, teens, and adults alike — making it one of the best Disney ships for families with a wide age range.
Disney Destiny Cruise Review: Why It’s the Best Ship for Families With Mixed Ages
From neighborhood classics like Candy Cane Lane to immersive walk-through shows like Holiday Road and LA Zoo Lights, here are the best places for families to see Christmas and holiday lights across Los Angeles and Southern California this season.
21 Best Holiday Light Displays in Los Angeles for Families (2025–2026)
A veterinarian explains the conversations, financial planning, home prep, and lifestyle factors families should consider before bringing home a new pet — from puppies and kittens to adult rescues.
Is Your Family Ready for a Pet? How to Know Before Adopting a Dog or Cat
Cozy winter reads, bilingual stories, milestone board books, and sweet picture books — perfect for gifting or snuggling up with your youngest readers this holiday season.
December Book Corner: Best Holiday Books for Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers
Founding Head Lisa Rosenstein receives Yale’s Marvin Maurer Award for her leadership in implementing the RULER social-emotional learning program and advancing emotionally intelligent school culture in Los Angeles.
The Willows Community School Leader Honored for Excellence in Emotional Intelligence Education
From ankle sprains to ACL tears, here’s what parents need to know about winter sports injuries—plus practical prevention tips, treatment guidance and when to see a specialist.
Winter Sports Safety for Kids: How to Prevent Common Injuries This Season
From schools and therapy services to inclusive programs, sensory-friendly events and upcoming community tools — here’s where L.A. families can find trusted support for neurodiverse children.
All-Abilities and Neurodiverse Support in Los Angeles: L.A. Parent’s Resource Guide for Families
L.A. Parent Spotlight
Spotlight: Songwriter Hillary Reynolds on Music, Motherhood & Her Debut Children’s Book
Travel gear, feeding essentials and more
2025 Baby, Toddler & New Mom Gift Guide: Best Gifts of the Year
Cenotes, culture, traditions and the people whose labor keeps the celebration alive
Experiencing Día de los Muertos at Sandos Caracol: A Cultural Journey in Mexico
Celebrity guests and local nonprofits unite to empower L.A. teens through sci-fi storytelling
‘Hopepunk: How We Rise’ Brings Community Together to Support L.A. County Student Writers
L.A. Parent earned six Gold and four Silver honors at the 2025 Parenting Media Association Awards in Chicago, celebrating excellence in storytelling, design and community service for families.
L.A. Parent Wins 10 National Awards at 2025 PMA Design & Editorial Competition
Sponsored Content
Fostering Excellence in Academics and the Arts: Inside the Debbie Allen Middle School
The best presents aren’t things — they’re the memories we make with the people we love
The Gift of Experiences
Meaningful ways to volunteer with your kids this season and beyond
Ways Families Can Give Back Together
Delight in festive treats at Asian cafés, bakeries and dessert shops
Dreamy Desserts in the San Gabriel Valley
Turn fallen leaves into a colorful autumn wreath
DIY Leaf Wreath Craft for Kids: Fun Fall and Thanksgiving Activity
Empathy, attention, shift in perspective, help middle kids flourish
Why Middle Children Deserve the Spotlight: Finding the Magic in the Middle
How to find comfort in traditions, set boundaries and work on your healing
Honoring Grief During the Holidays
Take the kindness pledge
Kindness is Free: Boys & Girls Club’s Anti-Bullying Program Makes an Impact
With locations in Tarzana and Santa Clarita, McRory Pediatric Services blends speech, occupational, physical and behavioral therapies through a holistic, neurodiversity-affirming model that supports every child’s growth.
Inside McRory Pediatric Services: A Family-Centered Approach to Child Development
This month’s roundup features comforting, conversation-starting reads—covering emotions, neurodiversity and AAC—perfect for young readers navigating big topics.
October Book Corner: Picture Books for Big Questions and Big Feelings
L.A. filmmaker Matthew Thompson shares how the loss of his father inspired his debut children’s book, “The Mood Swing,” and offers heartfelt guidance for families navigating grief together.
Spotlight on Matthew Thompson: Filmmaker Turned Children’s Author Tackles Grief with “The Mood Swing”
Get ready for the school year with NAPPA’s curated list of award-winning books, toys, gear and STEM tools — trusted by parents for 35 years to inspire learning and fun.
2025 Back-to-School Guide: Award-Winning Essentials for Kids and Families
From preschool classrooms to trauma recovery programs, Los Angeles organizations are using drumming to build emotional intelligence, connection and confidence for children and adults alike.
Echoes of a Drum: How L.A. Programs Use Rhythm to Heal, Teach and Empower
Sponsored Content
Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles Marks 60 Years of Bilingual Excellence and Growth
From early diagnoses and founding CARE to “unicorn therapy” sessions with Cynder-fella in Simi Valley, Debbie Clark shares how equine connection helps kids and families thrive.
An Autism Family’s Journey with a Unicorn: Debbie Clark & Cynder-fella
Book signing and Q&A
