Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in Los Angeles for Kids and Families

Ice skate and ride the Ferris wheel at Irvine Spectrum Center. Photo by Allen Ling

Outdoor ice skating rinks in sunny Los Angeles? Oh, I happen to know about a few! One thing Angelenos love doing during the winter months is pretending that it’s winter, and the most fun way to do it is by turning parking lots and other open spaces into outdoor ice skating rinks for the holidays. 

Whether your family is trying ice skating for the first time or you've got budding figure skaters and hockey players looking for a change of scenery, nothing says Southern California quite like the sight of kids and families in tank tops and mittens figure skating in the sunshine. From Downtown Los Angeles to the beaches of Santa Monica, keep reading below for where to find the best cool-yet-sunny ice skating rinks in Los Angeles and Orange County. 

For more holiday fun, from Polar Express train rides to nutcracker performances in LA, check out our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Los Angeles Families

50 Thanksgiving Crafts, Games, and Activities for Kids and Families

Make an easy and adorable pine cone turkey. Photo courtesy of  the website Live Craft Eat

While the turkey is in the oven, you can set up a few of these easy Thanksgiving crafts for kids, including some place cards that will keep squabbling siblings from sitting too close. We've also got Thanksgiving games for everyone to play together, and Thanksgiving cookies that will tide kids over until the feast is ready. Because while Thanksgiving is all about spending time with family, sometimes you need to channel that togetherness time to keep everyone happy!

From traditional Thanksgiving crafts for kids like handprint turkeys to a Great Yam Race for the whole fam, stuff a little fun into your family dinner this year with these Thanksgiving crafts and games.

For more Thanksgiving fun from Thanksgiving jokes for kids to when and how to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, check out our Thanksgiving Activities Guide for Families.

Cocomelon Party Time Brings Catchy Tunes to Los Angeles

Cocomelon is coming to Los Angeles! Photo by Tom Pandi

Cocomelon Party Time is coming to Los Angeles! Young kids can't get enough of Cocomelon, and now they'll have even more reason to celebrate. Babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and parents will soon be able to dance and sing with JJ, Cody, and the rest of the Cocomelon gang in real-time. 

This kid-centric experience will bring cherished nursery rhymes to life in Los Angeles. Cocomelon Party Time will delight young kids who can’t get enough of the popular television show. Keep reading below for what to expect at Cocomelon Party Time, from interactive activities, dance parties, and meet and greets. 

For more interactive experiences from favorite characters and shows coming to Los Angeles, enter into the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss and step inside Bluey’s house at CAMP

New Long Island Parks and Playgrounds You Probably Haven't Visited Yet But Should

Sayville's new Marina Park playground offers gorgeous views and tons of romping space. Photo courtesy of the Town of Islip.

When it comes to Long Island parks and playgrounds, the landscape is ever-changing. A handful of local Long Island parks have recently opened or undergone renovations making them worthy of visiting or re-visiting. Families can do much more than just play at these Long Island parks, too! There are animals to meet, paths to traverse, picnicking spots to enjoy, and more perks at these new and newly renovated Long Island parks. From upgrades to overhauls, we've dug up the details on these latest outdoor play spaces Long Island families will love.

For all our favorite playgrounds and parks on Long Island, be sure to check out our Guide to Long Island Parks and Playgrounds, which includes our picks for everything from the best playgrounds for Long Island kids to our top Long Island parks for a leaf-peeping hike this fall and more.

A Guide to Peppa Pig Theme Park: Little Piggies Love this Legoland Attraction

Splash and play all day long at the Peppa Pig Theme Park!

Peppa Pig Theme Park Florida is a dream come true for young fans and their families, offering a chance to step into the world of Peppa and her pals. With its gentle rides, interactive experiences, and the opportunity to meet the characters, Peppa Pig Theme Park is a must Orlando attraction for families with little ones. And to top it off, it is located just a short walk away from Legoland Florida Resort!

Central Florida is known for its world-class theme parks, from the magic of Walt Disney World to the thrilling rides of Universal Orlando. And now, young kids and their parents are guaranteed oinks and giggles at Peppa Pig Theme Park.

A New Kalahari Resort and Indoor Water Park is Coming to Northern Virginia

The new Kalahari Resort will be home to Virginia's largest indoor water park.

Water park lovers, rejoice! A new Kalahari Resort with a massive indoor water park is coming to Northern Virginia in 2026. The resort is set to open in Woodford, Virginia in Spotsylvania County, about an hour's drive from Washington, DC. It joins Kalahari's four other locations in the Poconos; Wisconsin Dells; Round Rock, Texas; and Sandusky, Ohio.

Find out everything we know about the new Kalahari Resort and water park below. Then check out our Guide to Family-Friendly Resorts & Hotels and our Washington, DC Theme Parks & Water Parks Guide to find more great places to stay and make a splash with kids.

Museum of Ice Cream Chicago: Unlimited Ice Cream for All

Get sugared up at Museum of Ice Cream Chicago. Photo by Maureen Wilkey

UNLIMITED ICE CREAM. For us, and I'm assuming for most families, that's the biggest attraction at the Museum of Ice Cream Chicago. Here, you can eat your way through an imaginative world of sweetness, along with one weird savory treat, and take plenty of selfies along the way. So purchase a ticket to the Museum of Ice Cream Chicago, and arrive with an empty stomach.

Not feeling ice cream today? Check out our Museum Guide for Kids and Families in Chicago.

A Bluey Experience is Arriving at CAMP in Westfield Century City

Bluey's house is coming to LA! Step inside for dance parties and lot's of fun playtime.  Photo courtesy of CAMP

Beloved Bluey is coming to Los Angeles with a whole new immersive adventure for kids. Walking through the magic door at CAMP always leads to an afternoon of unforgettable amusement, and knowing what that exclusive experience is creates half the fun in itself. The secret’s out, though, about what CAMP’s newest experience behind that magic door will be, and it’s Bluey’s house! 

Kiddos can play and interact — for real life — inside Bluey’s house. Keep reading below for what to expect inside the house of Bluey, from games, dancing, and even meet and greets. 

Bluey at CAMP means the already entertaining Westfield Century City Mall is about to get even more exciting for kids. See why Westfield Century City is the best mall for LA Kids, and check out all you need to know about the newly opened American Girl Store, also in Westfield Century City. 

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