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L.A. Parent’s Mask Contest Opens
When life gives you masks, make them creative. Most of us have come to accept that face coverings will be around for a while as we continue to do our part in protecting ourselves and others and reducing the number of coronavirus cases. Our team at L.A. Parent sends a hearty thank-you to all of […]
Get the Lowdown on Virtual Camps at Our Fair!
School is almost out and we’re all wondering what summer will look like – especially summer camp. Virtual camps are popping up everywhere, but are they going to be fun and engaging? Can Zoom bring all the joys of friendship bracelets, tug of war and singing the morning welcome song? Join us at 11 a.m. […]
Easter and Passover Are Still On – Virtually
That old church joke – “Some people only go to church on Easter and Christmas”– will take on new meaning this year as we all, churchgoers or not, stay home this Easter Sunday, April 12, quarantined in our homes to protect others and keep COVID-19 at bay. Those who commemorate Passover (April 8-16) will also […]
Cooking and Egg Coloring Fun for Easter
With us all spending Easter safer at home, we reached out to our friend Catherine McCord of Weelicious for some fun recipes to make with the kids – and a way to color eggs naturally! Give these fun pancakes and muffins a try, and get ready for your egg hunt. And click here for more […]
Our Favorite Family Movies on Hulu Now
If you have access to Hulu, you have access to a number of family movies. Please note that the availability of titles changes frequently. Monsters Vs. Aliens: This 2009 computer-animated DreamWorks release is an homage to ‘50s science fiction flicks that parents will enjoy and has goofy, gross-out humor that is fun for kids. The […]
Our Favorite Family Movies on IMDB Now
IMDB TV offers its movies up for free. Not surprisingly, the available titles are the biggest, most recently released films, but there is a solid lineup of family movies. I found the film library difficult to search through, and had more success typing movie titles into the general IMDB search engine and going from there. […]
Our Favorite Family Movies on Fandango Now
You knew you could buy cinema tickets via Fandango, but did you know you could also watch movies there? Stocked with recent blockbusters as well as lesser-known films, Fandango Now operates like a video store for the digital era. There is no membership fee, you just pay for the rental. Kubo And the Two Strings: […]
Our Favorite Family Movies on Amazon Prime Now
Amazon Prime has a massive library of TV shows and movies along with channels (such as HBO, CBS All Access, PBS Kids and Noggin). It also offers a variety of viewing options. You can rent, buy, or – if you have Amazon Prime – watch for free. The service just made around 40 of its […]
Our Favorite Family Movies on Netflix Now
Netflix is the top dog among subscription video streaming services. Titles often go in and out of circulation, but, as of the end of March, these family movies all seem to be viewable. Space Jam: The one and only movie starring Bugs Bunny and Michael Jordan just keeps jamming along. A sequel starring LeBron James […]
Our 5 Fave Los Angeles Weekend Freebies (March 14-15)
Editor’s note: Due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19, several events have been cancelled. As far as we can tell, these two are still going forward, but do confirm before you head out on any weekend adventures.
Summer Fun at L.A. Museums
You’ve been to the beach and the zoo, done play dates in the park and ventured to an amusement park or two. With July and August still ahead, what’s left to do? Museums provide a great destination – particularly on unbearably scorching days – with fun activities and cultural enrichment for all. Many offer special […]
Night
Perhaps this was my destiny. I was walking in circles anyway. After all, there was no reason to return to my grandmother’s house, the house on 25th and Maple. The house with the blood-red flowers and the weeds on the brick walkway. The house that moaned in winter winds and never allowed smoke to leave […]
Mia Cech Shines Brightly in ‘The Darkest Minds’
For Miya Cech’s first feature film, “The Darkest Minds,” she landed an unusual role: She plays Zu, a girl who can control electricity with her mind but doesn’t really talk. “That was kind of hard for me, because I talk a lot,” says Cech, 11. “You have to do everything with your face, and it’s […]
‘Making It’ Show Expands Artist’s Territory
As an artist and sports enthusiast, Billy Kheel enjoyed flexing some creative muscle while taping NBC TV’s “Making It,” a competition crafts series that premiered July 31 and will feature six episodes. Each episode consists of two projects – a fast, timed round and a longer, themed challenge. Kheel is one of eight contestants from […]
7 Great Spots to Get Hot Chocolate
The temperature never drops below freezing in L.A., but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy winter treats. These places all offer a great cup of hot chocolate that’s sure to warm you up.
Cookie Time: Six Great Spots to Buy Your Holiday Treats
If sweet treats are among your holiday traditions but baking is not, you might be looking for a spot to snap up some festive cookies for your family or special gathering. I’m happy to report that there are many, many options in Southern California, but let’s keep things simple. Here are six bakeries that are […]
Stratford School Expands with Fourth SoCal Campus
Stratford School touts itself as, “an unparalleled education where tradition meets 21st century learning.” Its unique and nurturing school environment motivates students through high expectations in a collaborative and fun learning environment. Opening its first SoCal location a year ago, the school continues its expansion. Its fourth Southern California campus will be located at 2000 […]
Best Places to See Fall Colors in L.A.
These fun spots to check out fall foliage in the L.A. offer a great way to spend the afternoon with the family. Enjoy the cooler air and sip some cider as you experience all the season has to offer.
Best Cafés For After-School Snacks
Help your kids unwind after a long day at school at one of these cute spots perfect for an after-school treat. Some offer play areas or indoor playgrounds.
Best Places for Apple Picking
Skip the grocery store and see what these fun U-Pick farms have to offer. Little ones will love exploring these fun farms and filling their bags to the brim with apples they picked themselves.
Why We Believe in Love
We have two theories about love: 1) We’ve watched enough TV to convince us that people like Ross and Rachel or Lorelai and Luke should always end up together; 2) we have grown up in a house where love was a constant. Now, we know it is cliché to believe that one person is made […]
Super Splash Spots for Summer Fun
Looking for the perfect destination to get the kids out of the house for the day? Pack your swimsuits and sunscreen and check out these local water-play parks, pools and beach houses that offer the ideal afternoon getaway.
Our Favorite Ice Cream Shops
If you’re like me, your sweet tooth tend to be stronger in the summer. These fun and innovative L.A. area ice cream shops offer unique and creative ice cream combinations that are sure to satisfy. Cool off this summer with the family and check out one of these fun shops!
Making Play Hands-On with Monster Trucks Movie’s Special FX Coordinator Jim Schwalm
Monster trucks jump over highway railings in playrooms all too often, but seeing it on the big screen is a spectacle that piques a child’s imagination. This and more mechanical feats can be seen in Paramount Pictures’ “Monster Trucks” movie, which just released on BluRay and DVD this month. We recently sat down with Jim […]
Protected: The Archer School for Girls
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AAP’s New Sleep Recommendations Say Rooming-In is Best
Infants should sleep in the same bedroom as their parents – but on a separate surface, such as a crib or bassinet, and never on a couch, armchair or soft surface – to decrease the risks of sleep-related deaths, according to a new policy statement released by the American Academy of Pediatrics Oct. 24. “SIDS […]
Your Summer Camp Search – Solved
If you’re looking for help in comparing summer camps, check out the new Summer Camp Guide at LAParent.com. You’ll find it at the top of the homepage, in the “What’s Hot” menu. The guide has links to our articles about choosing a summer camp, traditional camps and camps for kids with disabilities, and it’s also […]
How To Add Your Parent Support Group To Our Calendar
We are always happy to learn about a new support group for parents of children with special needs. These groups provide community connections and tremendous support for families facing challenges including autism, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, blindness, deafness and other special needs. It is easy, and free, to add your support group to our online […]
What You’ll Learn At School Open House
While searching for private schools for their son Kevin (now in college), Tony and Kristy Adler of Bel Air eagerly attended several open houses at L.A. schools with him. They quickly learned the do’s and don’ts of open-house protocol. “We were doomed at one school from the beginning when I grabbed our son’s name badge. […]
Halloween Makeup Tips From SyFy
Last Halloween, McKenzie Westmore’s 9-year-old son, Maddox Volpone, wanted to be a zombie. Fortunately, she had resources – and creativity. “It started out just as a zombie,” says the L.A. mom, who hosts Face Off, an extreme makeup competition show on the SyFy Channel. “But then I said, ‘You could have a career choice.’” Maddox […]
Things to do in L.A.: Family Friendly Beaches
Heal the Bay conducts annual water quality reports for beaches in Southern California. It’s important, if you’re planning on taking a family trip to the beach that you are aware of the water’s cleanliness and conditions. Mother’s Beach in Marina del Rey Because of its sheltered spot, Mother’s Beach in Marina del Rey is the […]
10 Quick Healthy Tips for Busy Moms
It may be difficult for moms to set aside time for themselves. They are often more focused on their children’s health, and the thought of sticking to New Year’s Resolutions may add to stress rather than alleviate it. However, eating well and exercising benefits moms and everyone in the family. As a physician practicing at […]
Great Skate Spots In Southern California
Los Angeles may have more sand and sunshine than snow, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want our wintertime fun. One splendid way to feel the chill of winter is to stop by one of the temporary ice rinks that pop up this time of year. ICE at Santa Monica, 2-10 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., 2 p.m.-midnight […]
Back To School For Healthy Habits
At Sunrise Elementary School in Boyle Heights, teachers were noticing their students having fried food and a Coke for breakfast, and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and another Coke for lunch. They knew a change had to be made. This inspired bariatric surgeon Gregg Kai Nishi, M.D., and his partners at the Khalili Center for Bariatric Care […]
Go Green!
Calling all environmental enthusiasts! Grades of Green is now collecting applications for its 2014-2015 Youth Corps Student Leadership Program. The environmental education nonprofit encourages kids to go green by selecting a group of students to create and implement a yearlong Green Project in their school community. The team receives regular guidance and leadership training from […]
One Note Can Go A Long Way
Wesley Wells, 9, of Mar Vista, does something that not all 9-year-olds do: he plays the violin. Wesley also did something that even fewer 9-year-olds do: he met famous violinist Joshua Bell. After seeing a YouTube video of Wesley playing violin, he was offered tickets to Bell’s July 8 concert at the Hollywood Bowl and […]
Girls in Sports
I played sports as a kid, as did most of you, I’m sure, and I have great memories from the experience. I played an assortment of sports, was on different teams (some won, others not so much) and learned much about how to work with others from being on a different team every year. There’s […]
Taking the Blues Out of Jeans
By Christina Elston Stephanie Alves started sewing at age 10, and grew up with a brother with developmental disabilities. The clothing available made it truly challenging for him to dress himself. This was in the 1970s, when there wasn’t even Velcro on tennis shoes. “When I was a teenager, my mom said, ‘Why don’t you […]
Step Back From the Bustle In Larchmont Village
Families find quaint shops and good food in this cozy part of town. by Erin Mahoney Harris Larchmont Boulevard, which runs between Melrose Avenue and 3rd Street, has long stood in as “Main Street USA” for the surrounding communities of Hancock Park and Windsor Square. Independently owned shops and restaurants still outnumber major chains, and […]
Shopping, Culture and Fun In Century City and Westwood
Whether you’re in the mood for shopping, culture or good food, this slice of L.A.’s West side has you covered. by Erin Mahoney Harris Tucked among the towering buildings of Century City, the Westfield shopping center was designed with family fun in mind, while the cultural institutions of nearby UCLA provide a high-minded counterbalance to […]
Sea Life, Ships and Shopping in San Pedro
See marine life, taste delicious seafood, shop for hand-crafted goods and see a bit of battleship history. by Erin Mahoney Harris The harbor city of San Pedro is loaded with hidden treasures. An excellent aquarium, whale watching excursions, a permanent craft fair, a historic battleship and more neat discoveries are in store for families willing […]
Historic Fun and Theme Park Thrills In Santa Clarita Valley
Take a family field trip to these popular family communities for history, ranch fun, and a great ride or two. by Erin Mahoney Harris Just a half-hour’s drive north of Los Angeles, Santa Clarita has in recent years become a popular place for young families to settle down, and with good reason. Boasting beautiful natural […]
Head North For Family Fun in Montrose
Quiet Montrose, west of La Cañada-Flintridge, offers family shopping, tasty treats for kids, great bookstores, and places to connect with nature. by Erin Mahoney Harris The quiet community of Montrose is nestled near the intersection of the 210 and 2 freeways, just west of La Cañada-Flintridge. It’s farther north than some Angelenos are used to […]
Find a Big Boy and Small Trains Around Toluca Lake
Take a family field trip to the SFV neighborhood to find classic diner food, sophisticated sweets, gelato, playgrounds and trains. by Erin Mahoney Harris Toluca Lake is nestled between Studio City, North Hollywood and Burbank, offering convenient access to the nearby television and movie studios while maintaining a relatively quiet vibe. Distinctive restaurants and shops, […]
Exploring Manhattan Beach
Find seaside relaxation, upscale shopping, and plenty of family fun in this South Bay town. by Erin Mahoney Harris The well-heeled South Bay community of Manhattan Beach combines the laid-back vibe of a seaside town with the upscale dining and shopping of Beverly Hills. Every summer, its beautiful sandy beaches host the Manhattan Beach Open […]
The Embrace Kindness Mission: A Brainstorm Leads to Kinder Kids
An initiative at Laurel Hall School in North Hollywood was spearheaded by parents hoping to replace negative behavior with positive. by Ellen Byron Car magnets bearing the simple message, “Be Kind,” have sparked a lot of curiosity in the San Fernando Valley. They’re the latest brainchild of the Embrace Kindness Mission, a unique program created […]
Soccer Player and Dad Marcelo Sarvas Stays On the Ball
The L.A. Galaxy midfielder loves the game, but loves family time just as much. by Ron Epstein Marcelo Sarvas is a gifted midfielder for the L.A. Galaxy. Born in Brazil, he played professional soccer in Sweden, Poland and Costa Rica before joining the Galaxy in 2012. He’s played with and against some of the best […]