City Hacks

Got Library Fines? A New Program Lets Kids Read Them Away

Submitted by Li Starr on Tue, 08/07/2018 - 1:17pm

Any parent who has fished an overdue library book out from underneath the sofa knows the pain of late fees. When library fines add up, they can even take the allure out of reading, which is the last thing any of us wants. So here's the good news: Los Angeles County Library, Santa Monica Public Library, and even LAPL are changing the game with awesome new programs to make late fees vanish.

RELATED: 10 Free Perks that Come with an LA Public Library Card

Angels Flight: An Only-in-LA Moment To Share with Kids (Sometimes)

Submitted by Mike Anderson on Sun, 07/22/2018 - 10:04pm

Angels Flight is one of the more whimsical novelties of downtown Los Angeles. It's objectively adorable, ubiquitously beloved, and for the life of me I can't quite express why. It’s also a fun addition to a Downtown trip with kids. For a two-dollar round-trip, it is a goofy little local history lesson—and a chance to see and even ride on the world's shortest railway.

Got a Library Card? Now You Can Get into 33 Museums and Gardens for Free

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 07/17/2018 - 7:30am

New York is home to so many great museums, but visiting them all with your family can seriously add up. We're always on the hunt for free times to visit, memberships worth splurging on, and other ways to save on the best family fun in NYC, but if you've got a library card, free museum admission just got a whole lot simpler.

What's New at SoCal Theme Parks This Summer

Submitted by Toby B on Fri, 07/06/2018 - 4:18pm

How is a theme park like your kids? Because just when you think you know everything about them, they up and change on you. And just like with your kid, those changes are (mostly) good. Sure, we may have to say good-bye to a couple of old favorites, but look at all we get in their place. Sit back, buckle up, keep your arms inside the ride at all times, and see what our local theme parks have in store for you this summer.

Do You Know These 10 LA Spots Made Famous in TV and Movies ?

Submitted by Li Starr on Mon, 07/02/2018 - 4:05pm

When you live in the movie-making capital of the world, there can be surprisingly cool things to see around every corner. Looking to entertain bored tweens or visiting relatives—or even compliant, happy-to-go-anywhere little ones? Why not remind them (and yourself) that LA is home to many of the locations they've seen on the big and small screen. All over Los Angeles there are places that look strangely familiar, and it can be fun taking a closer look to figure out why. Check out some of these locations from your favorite movies and television shows.

Secret LA: How To Visit Hollywood's Famous Magic Castle

Submitted by Li Starr on Tue, 06/26/2018 - 2:16pm

You've either seen the imposing Victorian mansion on Franklin Avenue or you've heard about it—Hollywood's Magic Castle, perhaps LA's best insider secret and one of the many places you might want to take your kid in Hollywood. But discovering the Castle is just the beginning. It's invitation-only—so how do you get in?

10 Touristy Things Even Boston Kids Love to Do

Submitted by Lucie T on Fri, 06/15/2018 - 4:25pm

When out-of-towners visit Boston, they have many boxes to check off their must-see list. But children are notoriously reluctant tourists, and may not have the stamina to do every stop on the Freedom Trail or spend hours inside a museum. Here's our carefully curated list of specific, unique-to-Boston activities that even local kids love to do again and again.

30 Things You Have To Do in Santa Monica with Kids

Submitted by Roberta B on Thu, 06/07/2018 - 7:22pm

Whether you're a lucky family living in one of America's most popular tourist destinations, or a lucky tourist who's just arrived in Santa Monica, finding the fun in this gem of a SoCal seaside town isn't hard. When tourists from other countries imagine Los Angeles, what they're really picturing is Santa Monica. When Santa Monicans imagine Los Angeles, they just stay in Santa Monica. Between the miles of beaches, the wonderful and numerous city parks, and the inviting pedestrian zones, you might not need help finding a day's activities in Santa Monica; but if you do, we've got 30 great ideas for you.