Things for families to do outdoors in and around L.A.
Outdoor Fun
A Neighborhood Guide to L.A.’s Amazing Architecture
Need a study/work break? Let’s take the classroom into the city and explore our very own architectural treasures. A jaunt to Watts Towers can provide a lesson in engineering, art, local history and just plain wonder. The towers are closed during the pandemic, but a great deal is viewable from the street and merits a […]
29 Distance-Learning Field Trips in L.A.
Whether you vied for one of those few parent chaperone spots on your kids’ school field trips or actively sought to dodge them, we are all in this together (again). Only now, we must take the reins of field trip coordination like cruise ship directors channeling Julie McCoy from the 1970s sitcom “The Love Boat.” […]
Our Guide to Halloween Fun in L.A.
These are scary times, but that doesn’t mean your family can’t have some safe and spooky fun. Here are our picks for the best Halloween happenings in the Southland this year. All in-person events follow public health guidelines, requiring face masks and social distancing. Drive-through events require participants to remain in their vehicles. Pick a […]
Our End-of-Summer L.A. Field Trips
A friend of mine calls them “field trips,” as a nod to the 12 years I spent as an elementary school teacher. She’s referring to the day-long outings my son and I engage in during breaks from school. Because there really is no shortage of things to do in Los Angeles with kids – of all […]
Your Kids Can Learn to Swim at the Rose Bowl This Summer
With so much canceled this summer, your kids can still enjoy some cool fun with lessons at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center in Pasadena. With a mission to make sure that every person is water safe, the RBAC has implemented new policies and procedures – and is operating at a limited capacity – in order […]
L.A. Parks and Splash Pads are Ready for Summer Fun
The official start of the 2020 summer season is here at L.A. County parks, and the county is celebrating July as “Parks Make Life Better” month to highlight splash pads, swim beaches and recreation trails sure to draw families this year. Working with the Department of Public Health, the county has developed COVID-19 health procedures […]
Kids can Earn Junior Wildlife Ranger Badges at Home
Junior Wildlife Ranger, an environmental education nonprofit working to get kids ages 7 and up outside and learning about their local ecosystems and public lands, is offering a free Neighborhood Badge Program designed to give children safe, engaging outdoor experiences this summer. Kids first need to sign up to become a Junior Wildlife Ranger and start their […]
How Families Can Safely Make Outdoor Play a Priority this Summer
As these first weeks of summer unfold, the American Academy of Pediatrics reminds parents of the benefits for young children of outdoor play. “Getting outside to play is good for children’s health on so many levels,” says AAP President Sally Goza, MD, FAAP. “Children play harder outdoors, and so getting them outside can help with […]
Bring Those Cool Summer Vibes Home
“School’s out for summer!” Yes, Alice Cooper! Could there be a better feeling than the last day of school? One of the things I savor about my kids’ childhood is the gift of experiencing summer vacation and summer fun again, but – as we are reminded over and over – the end of the school […]
It’s a Great Time to Garden
Spring has sprung and we’re all at home, which makes it the perfect time to start your own home garden – in your yard or in containers. “We have a really great climate for growing vegetables in Southern California,” says Brie Wakeland, a master gardener and garden educator at The Garden School Foundation. The organization […]
Bring the Outdoors Home, No Matter What Space You’ve Got!
We know time outdoors is good for kids’ wellbeing. It increases physical activity, reduces kids’ anxiety and improves sleep. Outdoor settings are also both stimulating and calming at the same time – perfect for learning. At times like these, we want our kids to reap the physical, mental, emotional and educational benefits of time outside […]
#SupportingFamilies: Nature Activities to Do at Home
Nature activities need not require a trip far from home. There are plenty of fun ways to connect kids to the natural world in your backyard.
7 Best SoCal Gardens for Kids
Southern California is a year-round outdoor kind of place, but spring is still a great excuse to visit our beautiful local gardens. Here are seven of the best L.A. gardens for kids. South Coast Botanic Garden This Rancho Palos Verdes oasis covers 87 lush acres with more than 2,500 different species of plants, plus rabbits, […]
Relax into Musical ‘MindTravel’
Murray Hidary is on a mission to help you release the worries and daily stresses that get tangled up in your head and trickle down to tense your neck and shoulders. A pianist, composer, visual artist and tech pioneer, Hidary’s antidote is his piano, a musical organ he hopes will help your brain, that overworked […]
Youth Cycling Association: Paving a Road to Cycling for All
Royce Felten is an endurance cyclist. That makes sense for so many reasons. At age 14, he has already battled and beaten Hodgkins lymphoma. He has also faced the many challenges that go along with being a person with autism. So, what’s a 100-mile bike ride? “I just like being on the bike for long […]
Let the Birthday Parties Begin
My son Hank, who is in transitional kindergarten now, likes to ride his scooter to his new school. With our toddler, Leo, in tow, my wife, Kate, and I rush to keep up. On a recent morning, hot coffee spurted out of our mugs and onto our wrists as we raced after the 5-year-old. Hank […]
What’s New on Catalina Island
Catalina Island is consistently named one of the favorite nearby island getaways for families— and for good reason. With a rich history and laid-back vibe, Catalina is a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Always evolving to entertain visitors, Catalina is celebrating its 125th anniversary with new and improved restaurants, hotels, trailheads, museums […]
L.A. by Foot: Exploring Walkable Neighborhoods
My boys are at the age now where we can take neighborhood walks without strollers. Hank, who’s 4, either runs at full velocity down the sidewalk or saunters at varying speeds, zigzagging this way and that as he checks out every flowery bush or squirrel-infested tree we pass. “Hey, Henry, try one speed and in […]
Leo del desierto: Toddlers in the Desert
Some kids don’t mind the heat. But mine, when the sun beats down just right on their porcelain little foreheads (we’re the descendants of peoples that dealt mainly with dark Brittonic clouds that nay bent to the sun’s relenting power), melt into cranky, lifeless puddles. This is what keeps us on the Westside. So why […]
The Great Ice-scape, or How I Learned to Let My Kids Love the Snow
My boys loathe the cold. My boys loathe the heat, too, but since it’s January and about as chilly as it’s going to get here in L.A., I’ll focus on the cold. Hank, who’s 4, has always been more curious about the weather than willing to be out in it. “Tell me more about these […]
The Parks Project Eases a New Big Sister’s Transition
In March of 2014, just after my son was born, my daughter Eka and I started traveling to as many parks around the San Gabriel Valley as we could. Eka was 4 at the time and very attached to my wife. Our almost-daily trips began as a way to distract her from no longer being […]
Birthdays That are So L.A.
Kick your child’s star power up a notch on their special day the L.A. way, with a one-of-a-kind celebration served up with a touch of the delicious, the wild and a side of the fantastic. Why not knock a few things off the bucket list while they’re young, and let the adults come along for […]
Net Generation Brings Tennis to Kids Across L.A.
The 2018 U.S. Open Tennis Championships, which launched Aug. 27, are a prime time to inspire kids to get in the swing of tennis, a classic sport that can be played nearly anywhere – even at home. Net Generation, a new youth initiative of the United States Tennis Association (USTA), makes it easy for ages […]
Ripe for Satire: A Taste of this Summer’s Farmers Market Scene
On a lazy, unseasonably chilly Sunday morning in L.A. this May, my 3-year-old son exclaimed, “Let’s go to the farmers market!” It was 7 a.m. My wife Kate and I, still half-comatose, were hardly through our first sips of coffee. We looked at each other as Hank continued his demands. Defeated, we shrugged, downed the […]
7 L.A. Playgrounds Perfect for Unstructured Play
Right now, parents across the U.S. are feeling the subtle but ever-present tug of war between structured and unstructured time for their kids. The trend over the last few decades has been toward increasing amounts of scheduled activities for children in the interest of safety and student achievement. And despite a large body of recent […]
Mother Nature vs Materialism with Netiya
One recent morning, my 7-year-old daughter got dressed for school and announced that she was wearing all purple. “Purple shirt, purple pants, purple boots, purple socks, even purple underwear!” she proclaimed proudly. “That’s awesome, Ave!” I said. “Nicely done!” Then she said something that broke my heart a little: “Do you think anyone will make […]
Quick Getaways: Adventure is just 2 Hours Away
Roar & Snore in San Diego If you’ve dreamed of getting snooze-close to elephants, giraffes, gazelles and antelopes but can’t swing a 22-hour flight to Africa, head down to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. The park’s Roar & Snore Safari features some exciting programs, including the Safari Sampler Sleepover and Happy Hoppers Sleepover. […]
Getting ‘Centered’ at L.A.’s Nature Centers
It has been one of those weeks of endless traffic, of arguing over screen time, of too much social media and disheartening news reports. So, on a crisp, clear Sunday, I head to Eaton Canyon Nature Center in Pasadena. It is a rare morning when I am alone, so I decide to scope out this […]
Surprises Behind the Orange Curtain: Good Coffee and Gated Adventure Parks in the OC
This month’s column is an exploration of Bizarro World. I’m talking about that other dimension just south of the Habra-Mirada Line: Orange County. Although the OC is just a 30-minute drive from LAX (traffic permitting), we Angelenos tend to look down on the suburban sprawl just south of us. Perhaps the annual trip to Disneyland […]
The Art of Getting the Kids Outdoors in the Los Angeles Area
Our family is very fortunate in having cousin Hannah, the matriarch of the family, turn 92 recently. Hannah’s four children are now in their 60s and her grandchildren are now having children. Our littlest cousin and her newest great granddaughter, Sloan, was just born a few months ago. One of the mantras that Hannah has […]
Best Kid Friendly Beaches Along the Highway 1 Discovery Route
In our land of endless summer, fall is a great time to hit the beach with the family. Pack up the sunscreen and head to one of these beaches along the North Coast of the CA Highway 1 Discovery Route, (H1DR). Each beach community has something unique to offer. Ragged Point Beach: Ragged Point Beach […]
10 Winter Sports for California Families
Most of us think of our SoCal home as an oasis of beaches, palm trees and sunshine. But there are plenty of winter sports available in the L.A. area – or not too far afield. From the time my three kids were tots, we went sledding in Frasier Park and skiing in Big Bear and […]
Murals in Los Angeles: Taking Art to the Streets with Kids
L.A. is a heavyweight contender in the battle to be the city with the most splendid street art on Earth. Venice, the San Fernando Valley and the Downtown Arts District are teeming with work by some of the world’s most famous muralists, and our area boasts a torrent of Technicolor innovations from local talent. City […]
Wrightwood Ziplining and Our Leap of Love
We didn’t know my son Kaleb was scared of heights until we rode the Ferris wheel at California Adventure. When our pod started climbing and swaying, he threw himself on the floor and hid his head between his father’s knees. No amount of reassuring could get him to look around. When I learned about “Ziplines […]
Get Wild with L.A. Zoo’s Creature Camp Out for Families
“Have you ever wondered what happens at the Zoo when the last guest leaves?” As a mom who’s been there literally scores of times with my family, the answer is, “yes.” And you can now be a guest after the L.A. Zoo officially closes. The Zoo offers an overnight opportunity for families and you don’t need to bring […]
Geocaching With Kids for Outdoor Fun In L.A.
Armed with a modern-day treasure map (of the iPhone variety), my 4-year-old son and I beelined through the park, following the in-app compass to our destination. Ding! “You’re getting close!” the app encouraged. Our hearts were pounding as we arrived where X marked the spot. We frantically flipped over leaves, shuffled rocks and generally sleuthed […]
Out, About and Inclusive In L.A.
There was a time when “accessible” meant someone with a disability could get in the front door, and maybe up to the second floor – and after that they were on their own. These days, accessibility goes way beyond that, and many L.A. attractions are making it part of their mission. “Accessibility is more than […]
6 Free Workouts for L.A. Families
Whether your goals for 2017 involve a narrower waistline, speedier 5K or just a longer and happier life, they’ll be well served by getting out and getting active with your family. Though the Southland has no shortage of gym memberships and specialty fitness classes, it also offers plenty of free – and fun! – workouts […]
Find Big Family Fun on California Farms
When Erin Mahoney Harris became a mom 10 years ago, she found herself becoming more and more interested in where her family’s food came from. That led to a passion for gardening – a challenge in her urban L.A. environment. She and her growing family moved to Santa Monica, where Harris built up an extensive […]
LA’s Great 8: Exceptional Outdoor Playgrounds
If you have grown tired of your usual haunts of fun ideas for kids and are looking to try more creative, unusual and adventurous playground options, you still have some summer vacation left to go exploring! Here are a few parks that stand out, including a couple of newly opened options to keep things fresh. […]
Freewheeling At the Beach
A day at the beach is a quintessential SoCal summer family outing. And even if your child uses a wheelchair, you can hit the sand. Ashley Lyn Olson was paralyzed in a car accident at age 14, and has become a lifelong access advocate. In 2006, she launched wheelchairtraveling.com to encourage people in wheelchairs to […]
Picnic Perfection: Tips for Healthy, Safe and Delicious Meals On-The-Go
Whether you are headed to the zoo, a park, an amusement park or the beach, day trips provide excellent opportunities to spend time together, create memories and explore the areas surrounding Los Angeles. These tips from our family fun magazine will keep you fed and maximize the fun. Bringing meals and snacks along for the […]
6 Local Gardens For Families to Explore
Spring is upon us, and it’s a great time to get out and remember why we like the sun. It makes good things grow. Big Garden On Campus That’s true even in some of our most urban spaces. At the southeast edge of the sprawling UCLA campus in Westwood, for instance, lies the UCLA Life Sciences […]
Four Great Family Bike Trails
If your family’s spring break is a “staycation” this year, make your time feel like a bona-fide getaway by slowing down the pace and enjoying a bike ride. Many of us have developed an intense spin class or other stationary riding habit in our day-to-day, but forget that biking outside – just for family fun […]
Six Local Farms That Welcome Families
We live in a state that is blessed with a year-round growing season, but spring is undeniably the best time to visit many of California’s small farms. Even here bountiful SoCal, many farms are closed to the public during the winter, and the summer months can be too hot and dusty to make for a […]
Meet L.A.’s Hummingbirds
Los Angeles is crammed with contradiction. We are plagued by some of the world’s ugliest traffic, yet Terry Masear, best-selling author of “Fastest Thing On Wings: Rescuing Hummingbirds in Hollywood,” says we’re also home to more beautiful hummingbirds than any city on Earth. Angelenos’ increased sightings of these flying jewels are due in large part […]
Driving, Dreaming and Daytime Napping in L.A.
How to waste gasoline in style while putting your baby to sleep I’m leaping over speed bumps, cruising the potholed boulevards and aimlessly wandering the canyon roads. I have no destination and am often jammed in a traffic-laden city artery, but I have not an ounce of road rage, lane pain or street defeat. No, […]
There’s More to These Playgrounds Than Meets The Eye
When you look at a playground, you might see swings or a jungle gym, but children with disabilities see a fun place that’s inaccessible, excluding them from opportunities to play. Unless, of course, they are visiting one of Shane’s Inspiration’s universally accessible playgrounds, created to bring together children – with disabilities and without – through […]
Making Nature Visits Easy in the Audubon Center
I often want to spend time outdoors with my son, to let him poke around the leaves, jump, run, climb and get dirty – but without the crowds and without a big production. One of my favorites spots in Los Angeles is the Audubon Center at Debs Park (4700 North Griffin Ave.; 323-221-2255; www.debspark.audubon.org). It […]
Seeing Stars: Where to Take In Views Of the Night Sky
When Angelenos talk about seeing “stars,” they often mean the type on the red carpet. But there’s not an actor or actress alive who can hold a candle to the magnificence of the night sky. The universe might not appear as sparkly and vast here as it does in less-populated areas, but there are still […]