Sign up for our free newsletters.
FOLLOW US FOR ACTIVITY PICKS, DEALS, AND GIVEAWAYS
Best Outdoor Water Parks in Los Angeles for Family Fun
Submitted by Audrey M on
Water parks provide a wet and wild aquatic adventure on a sweltering Southern California day. Sure, our SoCal beaches are the best, and swimming in a lake is loads of fun, but you won't have to lug any gear across hot sand that stretches forever when going to a water park!
Water parks have wave pools, family raft rides, lazy rivers, and mini slides for little ones, and thrilling slides for teens. Some of our favorite water parks near Los Angeles are smaller parks just for kids (like Buccaneer's Cove), and others are popular theme park extensions (like the Legoland Water Park or the water park at Sesame Place San Diego). There are so many ways to soak in all the fun.
Start your little ones in the water early with baby and toddler swimming lessons, and test out the waters at free splash pads and water playgrounds in Los Angeles. Plus, dive into more adventures on land and in water in our SoCal Theme and Water Parks Guide.
Mother’s Day Weekend 2024 in Los Angeles: Brunches, Baseball, and More Fun Things To Do
Submitted by Toby B on
Looking for the best things to do in Los Angeles this Mother's Day weekend? Here are some events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.
Mommas, it's time to celebrate! Your day is here, and we pull out all the stops. Take mom to see serial performers and musicians at MOMentum Place at the Theatricum, catch rides and food trucks the Pan American Fiesta in Lakewood, or chow and play your way through Monterey Park Play Days. Then relax on a blanket for mom-themed movies under the stars, with Mamma Mia at Cinespia or Freaky Friday at Street Food Cinema.
Stumped on how to treat mom like a goddess this weekend? Start with one of the Best Mother's Day Brunches in Los Angeles. Then give her a Mother's Day Gift Moms Actually Want. Choose something from the list below. Presto: The perfect Mother's Day!
Heal The Bay: An Insider's Guide to Santa Monica's Aquarium
Submitted by Kylie Williams on
Heal the Bay Aquarium, nestled within the Santa Monica Pier, stands as a beacon of marine conservation and education. The aquarium offers visitors a captivating journey through its exhibits, showcasing diverse sea creatures and habitats.
From colorful tide pools teeming with sea stars and anemones to shark touch tanks, and interactive displays highlighting the importance of ocean conservation, Heal the Bay Aquarium provides an immersive and educational experience for visitors of all ages.
Discover all there is to do at the Santa Monica Pier with kids and find more fun things to do with kids in Santa Monica beyond the pier. For more animal encounters, browse our Zoos and Gardens for Los Angeles Kids Guide. For more aquarium fun, check out this guide to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.
Free Outdoor Movies in Los Angeles this Summer for Kids
Submitted by Toby B on
Free outdoor movies in Los Angeles offer a unique and enjoyable way to experience cinema under the stars. From iconic parks to scenic shorelines, these screenings bring communities together for evenings of entertainment and camaraderie.
Open-air venues provide a relaxed cinematic experience for movie buffs. With food trucks, blankets, and family in tow, attendees can revel in the magic of free outdoor movies in Los Angeles, creating memorable summer moments under the night sky.
For more summer essentials, discover the best Los Angeles beaches for kids, visit the top splash pads in Los Angeles, and bask in summer traditions with our Ultimate Los Angeles Summer Vacation Guide.
Best Free and Fun Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids May 2024
Submitted by Toby B on
There is no shortage of things to do in Los Angeles in May. From Mother's Day to Memorial Day, we've got the best events happening all month—and May the 4th be with you!
You've won the blue ribbon, your ship has come in, and mamas, it's your day this month. Fresh out the gate, it's the annual return of the LA County Fair. In a galaxy not so far away at the Academy Museum, a May the 4th Celebration takes place. LA Fleet Week docks into LA as the Port of Los Angeles hosts active military ships over Memorial Day weekend.
Swimming Lakes Near Los Angeles You Need to Discover
Submitted by Brian Steele on
Los Angeles kids grow up swimming at some of the country's most iconic beaches, not to mention an array of flat-out awesome public swimming pools. But wait—there's more! Did you know that there are some wonderful swimming lakes near Los Angeles? And if you're willing to drive a little farther, lake options get even more plentiful. Whether you want to take a dip in a secluded swimming hole or join the masses at a lavish lake resort, here are some of the best spots to take a swim out in nature.
For more places to go swimming in Los Angeles, check out our Guide To Pools and Splash Pads in Los Angeles. Or keep it natural at one of these Surf-Free Beaches Where Toddlers Can Swim!
37 Things To Do on Mother's Day 2024 in Los Angeles
Submitted by Meghan Rose on
Mother's Day is Sunday, May 12, 2024. Mom deserves something special, and what is more special than a fantastic, memory-making experience? This list is full of fun outings that the whole family will enjoy, but they're especially focused on the woman of the hour.
Start with brunch, of course, whether at a spectacular spot serving one of the best Mother's Day brunches in Los Angeles or one of these easy Mother's Day recipes that kids can make. Then, bellies full and happy, move on to one—or more—of these Mother's Day ideas in Los Angeles that will delight and surprise the mothers in your life.
Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Mommy Poppins!
School Calendars 2024-2025: Start & End Dates for Los Angeles County Schools
Submitted by Toby B on
It's not too soon to start thinking about next year! School calendars for the largest school districts in Los Angeles County for the 2024-2025 school year are below, and you'll want to bookmark the page now for reference—especially when planning family vacations and booking summer camps. Follow the links for each district below for details on school holidays and semester breaks and to stay up-to-date on any last-minute changes from your local district.
There are no major changes from previous years. LAUSD is once again sticking with its 3-week winter break despite a false start at shortening it last year.
