Pasadena is home to one of the world's most famous outdoor markets—a destination both tempting and daunting to bargain hungry parents. But guess what: a Sunday morning at the Rose Bowl Flea Market doesn’t have to mean dragging bored, sweaty, whining kids around rows and rows of breakables. A treasure-hunting expedition can be fun for the whole family! Picking through this renowned Pasadena flea is my absolute favorite thing to do, and, while I sometimes go solo so I can focus on finding great vintage decor and clothes, my toddlers and husband enjoy coming along, too. It just takes a little bit of refocusing to make this LA must-do locale a family-friendly day out.

Have a train-obsessed kiddo? If riding back and forth on the Metro line isn't enough for your little engine, it's time to explore the train options in Griffith Park—the crown jewel of which is the park’s train-filled Travel Town Museum. The museum itself is free, and rides on the miniature trains costs less than $3 per person, making it a perfect place to visit with toddlers, or host a birthday party full of tank engine fans.

Sometimes the hardest thing about parenting can be getting out of the house. Especially in the early years, that Mommy or Daddy and Me class might be the only outing you manage all day—even all week. It had better be good. If you're in search of a better reward for your packing and planning than another verse of The Wheels on the Bus, try bringing your SoCal babe to one of these oh-so-LA activities! From sensory conditioning to social justice, cellular rejuvenation to baby drum circle, you might just find your funky tribe amongst these diverse offerings.

Need a new place to play? There's a whole lot of green space to explore north of Downtown and east of Los Feliz. If your days involve entertaining a toddler or preschooler in the Northeast Los Angeles region, specifically Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Mt. Washington, or even reaching up toward Glendale and Pasadena, you'll want to check out our list of the best local parks and playgrounds. Because moms cannot live by Griffith Park alone...