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Now (Finally) Open: An Awesome New Playground in West Hollywood
Submitted by Ana Belibasis on
If your child is anything like mine, they get bored with visiting your same old beloved neighborhood playground week in and week out. So, I was excited to hear that after years of closure, West Hollywood Playground at West Hollywood Park had finally reopened. I had heard raves about it in years past, but it's been closed practically my daughter's whole life. Let me cut to the chase: it was worth the wait, and I have a new favorite playground! Better than that, my daughter has a new favorite playground; in fact, she had so much fun at the rock climbing and music-making stations that she insisted we go back the very next day. Read on to discover why this inclusive, all-ages playground is our new favorite, and why I think you'll love it, too.
If you're looking for a new playground to add to your repertoire, we've made lists of the best playgrounds in Los Angeles and also amazing playgrounds specifically designed for toddlers in our Favorite Parks and Playgrounds of Los Angeles Guide.
Halloween Trains near Los Angeles: Trainspookulars and Pumpkin Express Trains
Submitted by Matt Matasci on
Halloween trains are an excursion the whole family can agree on: While teens and tweens might love the terror of Halloween haunted hayrides and mazes, and younger kids need something a little kinder and gentler, a Halloween train is something that kids of all ages can hop aboard and enjoy. From the El Dorado Train to Orange County's Irvine Park Railroad, there are plenty of opportunities to ride the rails in spooky fashion this Halloween season. Read on for our scoop on the best Halloween trains in Los Angeles.
And if you're looking for more Halloween events in Los Angeles, including a monster list of free Halloween activities, check out our Los Angeles Halloween Events and Activities Guide.
Tyra Banks' ModelLand Gives Kids a Taste of the Supermodel Life—and Ice Cream
Submitted by Amanda Schutt on
With ModelLand, Tyra Banks has stepped off the runway and brought her fiercest modeling secrets to Santa Monica. When news first broke that ModelLand was coming, we speculated. Rumors suggested this would be anything from a new amusement park to a simple ice cream shop. Well, it opened in September and now we know: It's a little bit of each, giving the Instagram generation lessons on striking a pose, finding your light, and experiencing the supermodel VIP treatment.
ModelLand is a multi-sensory experience where those with tickets (and a cell phone with a camera) are escorted through elaborately staged rooms, all with unique lighting and props. Selfie opportunities abound, and glammed-up staff will teach you how to find your best angels and accentuate your most fabulous self! Is it for kids? How's the ice cream? Read on for the inside scoop on ModelLand.
While you're in Santa Monica, be sure to explore more kid-friendly fun from our list of 30 Awesome Things To Do in Santa Monica with Kids, like visiting the Santa Monica Pier.
Mosquitos in Los Angeles: LA County Vector Can Save You from Bug Bites, For FREE
Submitted by Roberta B on
In case you haven't heard, this is one heck of a mosquito year. You may have thought it was just at your house, but it turns out that the whole of Los Angeles County is suffering from an excess of mosquitos—which means a whole lot of little legs suffering an excess of mosquito bites! And with illnesses like West Nile and Zika virus in the mix, it's more than just an annoyance. The good news is that Los Angeles County has a service that can help solve the problem—and it's totally FREE! We had a visit from the county mosquito vector this week, and I was so excited I had to share.
Along Came a Spider Pavilion: Big Spiders Are Back at the Natural History Museum
Submitted by Roberta B on
The spiders are back! It's time to say buh-bye to the beautiful butterflies of the Butterfly Pavilion to make room for their slightly spookier friends. Every fall, the Spider Pavilion takes over the space on the Natural History Museum’s South Lawn and turns it into the seasonal home to more free-range, eight-legged tenants than anyone in his right mind could want. The Spider Pavilion is an arachnophobe’s worst nightmare and an eight-year-old boy’s version of heaven.
The Spider Pavilion is the perfect fall outing, if you're looking to branch out beyond the typical pumpkin patch or corn maze. For even more spooky, creepy, crawlie fun, visit our Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for Los Angeles Kids.
Disneyland for Halloween: Oogie Boogie Bash, Trick-or-Treating, and More Magic at Halloween Time
Submitted by Roberta B on
It's a tough call which kids love more, Disneyland or Halloween—so giving them Halloween and Disneyland together is the ultimate parenting slam dunk. With anything Disney, of course, getting the most out of the experience takes some planning ahead. What's right for your family? Halloween Time in Disneyland, the super-popular Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure, or a combination of the two? Since the Oogie Boogie nighttime extravaganza sells out months in advance, if you're reading this in September your decision is partially made up—though it's never too early to start a plan for next year!
Read on to find out everything that is special about a trip to Disneyland Resort at Halloween time, and all the ways that Halloween makes the happiest place on Earth even happier.
Free in September: Moon Festival, KidFest, and More Free Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids
Submitted by Brian Steele on
Just because school is in session doesn't mean that there aren't plenty of fun (and free) things to do in Los Angeles with kids this month. Save your money for those Halloween costumes, bags of Halloween candy, and a giant inflatable skeleton for your yard, because we have all sorts of ways to enjoy the city in September without dipping into your rainy day fund. Celebrate the harvest moon at a local festival, watch the Malibu 2XU triathlon, dance around at a free outdoor kids club, check out a museum you've never been to on a free admission day, or catch an outdoor movie or concert before the weather turns cold. With our guide, it's easy to make this a free and easy September to remember.
Plus, we are always adding free events to our Los Angeles event calendar as they pop up, and we keep all our roundups of free outings for families in our Guide to Free Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids.
Halloween Tickets on Sale Now in Los Angeles: Hurry, Some are Selling Out Already!
Submitted by Meghan Rose on
Honestly, the kids just started school, and I haven't made our plans yet (note to self: do that today) for a quick getaway or day trip for Labor Day weekend. I am not ready for Halloween! But, with pumpkin spice lattes at coffee shops, Pumpkin Spice Oreos in the stores, and my kids already planning Halloween costumes, I think it's time to start planning. Especially since Disneyland has already announced that Oogie Boogie is fully sold out for 2022... So, I took a look at which beloved Los Angeles Halloween events and attractions are already on sale—almost all of them—so we can all snag some tickets before everything sells out.
From fun for the whole family at Haunt O' Ween to the big kid scares at Haunted Hayride, here are the best Halloween events you just might want to get tickets for today. Keep tabs on all the Halloween fun as it is announced in our Los Angeles Halloween Fun and Activities Guide.
