Los Angeles

Fireworks! 50 Different 4th of July Displays in Los Angeles & Orange County

Submitted by Toby B on Mon, 06/17/2019 - 3:53am

It's almost the 4th of July—who's ready for some rockets' red glare? LA and Orange County's many communities compete for sky space on July 4th, launching fireworks willy-nilly at the stroke of 9pm. From the mountains, to the valleys, to the ocean, Angelenos have plenty of directions to look on Independence Day. Whether your plan is to book a fireworks cruise, to lay a blanket in a park, or to close all the windows and try not to wake the baby, it helps to know where those firecrackers are being aimed. Below is a list of locations lighting up the night sky on the Fourth of July (plus several on July 3, and even a couple in late June!). We'll keep adding more right up to the day!

59 Things To Do with Orange County Kids Before They Grow Up

Submitted by Li Starr on Sun, 06/16/2019 - 7:11pm

Orange County may sometimes be considered second fiddle compared to Los Angeles for fun eats, kid-friendly parks, family outings, and outdoor adventures; but the OC has plenty of all of these—with the benefits of better air and less traffic (sorry, Angelenos!). If your kids are growing up the OC way, here are some key places to take them for the ultimate childhood experience behind the Orange curtain.

50 Things to Do in Baltimore with Kids: Where to Eat, Play, and Stay in Charm City

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 06/15/2019 - 12:43pm

Baltimore is an incredibly kid-friendly city. The walkable Baltimore Inner Harbor offers the impressive National Aquarium, family-friendly restaurants, museums and science centers, and more fun things to do.

Sports fans will find the pro-leagues Baltimore Ravens and Baltimore Orioles to cheer on, and if you have a transportation lover, the city is heaven with train museums and boats galore. It’s proximity to Washington, DC, doesn’t hurt either. It’s easy to visit both cities in one trip, taking advantage of all the free admission opportunities in the nation’s capital.

Here's our list of 50 fun things to do with kids in Baltimore, Maryland, from attractions to festivals, restaurants and even a few hotel suggestions for when you're ready to crash. Check out our other City Guides for more family travel ideas.

Shane's Inspiration Re-Opens: What's New at LA's Most Famous Playground

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Fri, 06/14/2019 - 3:00pm

Shane's Inspiration in Griffith Park, LA's original all-access playground, has always been a favorite in our family, and this summer my kids are even more excited to visit this local gem than ever before. The reason? Shane's Inspiration recently reopened with all new playground structures and sensory elements, and the new stuff is awesome!

11 Crazy Awesome Pool Floats for Kids and Babies on Amazon and Target

Submitted by Sally Chaffin Brooks on Thu, 06/13/2019 - 10:42am

Long gone are the days of the boring rectangular pool float that popped almost as soon as you finally filled it with air. Today's kids can hit the pool with a fabulous float in almost any design they can imagine, from the Millennium Falcon to a giant slice of pizza to on-trend unicorn floats. The best part? Parents can order these pool toys all online at either Target.com or Amazon. Check out our list of 11 crazy awesome pool floats for babies, kids, and teens in summer 2019.

Find more ways to cool down this summer in our Beaches, Lakes, and Pools Guides.

Father's Day Weekend for LA Kids: Pasadena Chalk, Bowl Opening, Rodeo Drive

Submitted by Toby B on Thu, 06/13/2019 - 12:57am

Settle down, padre; we get it. It’s Father's Day. This weekend it’s all about you. Dad’s choice from sunup to sundown: make way for baseball (with or without a game), BBQ and buffets, heroes on the half shell, and Indiana Jones. Or, if you prefer, kittens and unicorns. As long as you’re happy, we’re happy. Yep, whatever it takes, no expense spared...

Psst: Moms and kids! Did you know there's a ton of cool stuff going on this weekend that you can take Dad to for free? Luxury cars on Rodeo Drive, no-cost concerts, movies by moonlight, festivals, and celebrations. You can even make him a variety of from-the-heart gifts. All without dipping into the trust fund. There are also things you can do that cost money, if you're into that. (And we have a feeling some of it Dad will be very into!)

Whichever way you go, it's sure to be the bestest weekend ever, if you get to spend it together. Hey, look! Next week it's officially summer!

Keep reading for the father of all weekends...

Build-A-Bear Has a New Pay-Your-Age Contest, without the Lines

Submitted by Li Starr on Tue, 06/11/2019 - 6:29pm

Making a puffy, fuzzy DIY toy at Build-A-Bear is a great experience, especially for a birthday gift, but those bears are far from free. So it was no surprise last year that the company's big Pay-Your-Age Day (5 years old, get any toy for $5) resulted in lines not only out of the stores but out of the buildings—and lots of angry parents when lines were shut down. The good news? Build-A-Bear is doing the popular event again, but doing it differently this year.

27 Festivals and Fairs: Must-Do Fun for Summer in LA and Orange County

Submitted by Roberta B on Tue, 06/11/2019 - 3:48pm

What's summer without a good festival? And what's LA without at least 25 of them? We've pulled together more than 25 of the best summer festivals in Los Angeles and Orange County, from June through September. Whether it's celebrating community or something more specific—like salsa or lobster!—fairs and festivals are an essential part of a Southern California summer. Here's our guide to help your family make summer plans to bond over fried food, carnival rides, art, boats, and lots of outdoor music.

10 Great Private Swimming Classes and Swim Schools for LA Kids

Submitted by Roberta B on Mon, 06/10/2019 - 1:47pm

Finding goup swim classes at a local YMCA or community pool is usually easy and inexpensive; but since quality on these classes can vary widely (even within a single facility), we’re here to tell you where Angelenos who are serious about getting the job done keep their kids afloat—and it doesn't have to cost a mint. Private and semi-private lessons don't necessarily require a private pool, and they do get kids on the fast track to independent swimming. Several popular swim instructors and schools make use of public pools or swing deals with private pool owners to make private instruction accessible to everyone. Check out these great options...

Mostly Free Outdoor Summer Concerts for LA Families

Submitted by Toby B on Mon, 06/10/2019 - 12:45am

They say music soothes the savage beast, but it's also pretty good at entertaining the easily bored child. Free (or almost free) outdoor concert series fill Los Angeles and Orange County parks and open spaces all summer long, so odds are you won't have to travel far to find an under-the-stars event. Throw down a blanket, spread out the snacks, uncork the wine, and watch the kids boogie the evening away as you sway to breezy melodies.

This year offers many returning favorites, plus a few changes: The Downtown Stage concerts in Pershing Square are still free, but now they are limited to 21 and older (excuse for a Moms Night out perhaps?); Santa Monica's Twlight on the Pier series doesn't kick in until near the end of the summer this year, but the Tiny Porch series anticipates returning to Peter Strauss Ranch in spite of damage from last fall's Woolsey Fires.

Once again Arcadia Summer Concerts and Summer Movies are joining for a combined event, and of course there are plenty of standalone free outdoor movie series all summer as well.

Click through for complete details, including dates and bands. And check back often, because we continue adding and updating concerts throughout the season!