Los Angeles

Weekend Fun for LA Kids: Wizard of Oz Panto, Beach Wonderland, Disney on Ice

Submitted by Toby B on Thu, 12/13/2018 - 4:17am

We here at Mommy Poppins love all our events equally. The Christmas lights, the boat parades, the holiday-themed train rides. What's not to love? It's just that we love some a little more equally than others.

Like Disney on Ice. The touring ice show is the perfect match of world class athleticism and stunning artistry, paired with the most beloved characters known to childhood. Oh, how we love Disney on Ice.

And the Lythgoe Family Panto productions: Broadway caliber showmanship paired with absolute inability to take anything, least of all itself, seriously. Laughs and awestruck gasps and this year the Wizard of Oz played by, what now, Kermit the Frog?!? Hold me, Kermie, I think I may get the vapors!

Do we love the latest Disney Animation feature, breaking the internet and ruling the box office, currently holding strong as the favorite movie of all time in our household? Or do we love the (don't try to tell me it's not real) Virtual Reality experience that takes us INTO that movie, so that we are running with, talking to, and shooting milkshakes at our favorite characters from the movie because we are IN IT? How do we choose? Why should we? If there's one thing we've learned as mothers, it's that there is more than enough love to go around.

Keep reading for our choices for this weekend, all equally loved, including the ones that are loved more.

There Are Fairies Living in this Orange County Park—And Kids Are on their Trail

Submitted by Dana Zepeda on Tue, 12/11/2018 - 4:21am

There's a small park in Orange County with a big secret: fairies. Loads of them. The Oso Creek Trail in Mission Viejo, aka The Oso Creek Fairy Trail, offers a delightful way for young kids to explore nature and reinforce a belief in magic. The picturesque hiking trail is one of the most popular destinations in south Orange County thanks to countless "fairy sightings" reported by families with small kids.

Because Living a Movie Is Way Cooler than Watching One— Meet Ralph Breaks VR

Submitted by Toby B on Sun, 12/09/2018 - 10:54am

Virtual Reality: it may sound like a phrase describing the half-awake state in which most parenting takes place, but in fact it's something way cooler. VR to our kids is putting on a pair of goggles and going somewhere entirely different, to experience things that aren't remotely happening. And that type of adventure is the trade of a seemingly uneventful little space in Glendale and Anaheim called The VOID, whose newest VR experience lets visitors enter the world of Ralph Breaks the Internet.

25 Fun Things to Do in Miami with Kids (Beyond the Beach)

Submitted by Elaine Paoloni ... on Sat, 12/08/2018 - 2:05pm

When you travel with kids, it's hard to think about vacationing in Florida beyond the mega theme parks in Orlando. Yet, the Sunshine State delivers numerous family-friendly destinations, from Tallahassee to the Keys, as well as one of our favorite cities: Miami.

Miami offers beach-ready weather for most of the year and moderate temps for the rest of it, so it welcomes visitors fleeing northern climes year-round. But there's more than the beach to entertain kids in this South Florida hot spot. You'll find outdoor activities galore, from boating and pools to fun splash pads and parks for strolling. Top-notch museums, animal encounters, and even top sports teams offer families endless options, and don't forget about Miami's proximity to the Everglades.

Read on for our favorite things to do with kids in and around Miami, Florida.

Skiing and Snowboarding with Los Angeles Kids: Ski Trip Day Trips!

Submitted by Martha Hall on Fri, 12/07/2018 - 12:41pm

On a clear day, as you head east in Los Angeles, you see them beckoning: those glorious snow-capped mountains. If we had bionic vision, we could watch skiers sashaying down the hills—the resorts are that close. And whether you're a seasoned snow veteran or new to skiing or snowboarding—or you'd just prefer that someone else teach your kids to ski—you'll be happy to know that skiing can be easy, close, and occasionally even free.

So if you're ready for winter activities beyond skating and sledding, check out this list of area slopes and snow schools. Plan it right, and you could be on the slope two hours after packing the car—because the mountains are even closer than they look.

5th Graders Ski Free & Other Kid Deals at this Southern California Ski Resort

Submitted by Li Starr on Thu, 12/06/2018 - 2:43pm

The idea of teaching kids how to ski sounds great—until you tally up the cost. While it's possible to just let little ones sled or play in the snow for less, there's good news for anyone with a hankering to ski and a fifth-grader at home: The 5th Graders Ski Free Program has returned to the ski resort nearest you—Mountain High in Wrightwood.

Weekend Fun for LA Kids: Boat Parades, Christmas Parades, Last of Hanukkah

Submitted by Toby B on Thu, 12/06/2018 - 12:00am

It's December, and people are taking to the streets. They are marching. They have something to express, and they want to be heard. They're also floating. Or maybe motoring. Whatever they're doing, it's not drifting, because then they would end up on the beach, and you know what that means: stuck in the snow. (Tons of it)

Sure, all the Christmas parades and holiday light walks (which is of course what you knew I was talking about) may seem a tad early, but only if you don't realize we are well into December. Well in. As in this weekend, next weekend, then Holy Mother of Merriment It's Practically Christmas!!! or something like that. And the Boat Parades? That's totally our SoCal spin on 'Tis the Season.

Menorah lighting kinder have the rest of the weekend still to rack up their gifts (and nosh on gelt and latkes). The fun is just beginning!

So get on your toes, join the parade, and get in on this weekend's fun...

Queen Mary Christmas: A New Holiday Tradition To Chill with this Year

Submitted by Roberta B on Tue, 12/04/2018 - 11:35pm

Christmas at the Queen Mary is a great place for a family to chill. That said, if you're looking for Chill with a capital C, the ship's hitherto popular holiday extravaganza, well, that is just so last year. This year, the vintage ocean liner debuts an all-new Christmas event, based entirely on board The Queen Mary. While in previous years the entertainment was spread out on the adjacent tarmac, featured against the backdrop of the photogenic floating monument at the heart of Long Beach, this year all the festive action is located right on the art deco decks of the beloved ship.

25 Christmas Movies to Fill Your Family with Holiday Cheer

Submitted by Ally Noel on Mon, 12/03/2018 - 10:06am

Is your house brimming with the magic of Christmas and the holiday season? When the tree has been trimmed, and all the gifts have been wrapped, it's time to put the kids into those Christmas jammies to snuggle up with the perfect family Christmas movie. Don’t let picking the wrong festive flick turn you into a Grinch.

Unlike the naughty list, this holiday movie list is filled with positive messages, classic tales, and just the right amount of seasonal cheer. So, pop some popcorn and enjoy a family movie night with one of these Christmas classics perfect for kids.

Must-See Holiday Light Shows Worth Paying or Driving for this Christmas

Submitted by Roberta B on Sun, 12/02/2018 - 10:42pm

An after-dinner drive to take in one of LA's classic neighborhood holiday light displays is a treat all families should indulge in. It's an easy, cheap way to get in the Christmas spirit (or just enjoy someone else's). Of course, counting on other people to decorate their lawns is only so reliable. To be sure of a full evening of light and good cheer, sometimes it's worth splurging on a pay-to-play light display. Several local destinations indulge us in our desire to see grand-scale holiday lights, from Zoo Lights to walks in the woods. The bigger the group you can round up, the more festive—but also the more expensive it can get. It helps to know which of LA's big public light shows are worth the ticket price this holiday season.