Hollywood

Water Feature: 15 Water Playgrounds and Parks with Splash Pads in LA

Submitted by Roberta B on Sun, 04/22/2018 - 2:16am

Remember those great summer afternoons running through a sprinkler with the neighborhood kids? Over in New England and Nebraska that’s probably still happening, but in parched SoCal we really can't be turning on the hose to while away a lazy afternoon. Instead, packs of puddle-loving Angeleno kids splash through the heat at parks with free and fabulous water features, like the ones below. So if a pool or a water park sounds like too much work today, cool those kids down at a splash pad!

10 Best Next-Level Soft Serve Ice Cream Spots in Los Angeles

Submitted by Colette Herbstman on Wed, 04/11/2018 - 5:00am

No matter if you’re 5 or 85, everybody loves ice cream—especially soft-serve. Los Angeles has a new crop of soft-serve shops combining the familiar with some exciting, new flavors and textures, not to mention some very snazzy looks. We decided to take a soft-serve tour of Los Angeles to compare old classics to what's new and trendy. Check out what a long way soft serve has come since we were kids.

32 Indoor Play Spaces: for Rainy Days or Other Odd Weather in LA & OC

Submitted by Roberta B on Tue, 04/03/2018 - 1:07pm

It never rains in LA—except when it does. It's common knowledge that the roads around here become insane when water falls from the sky, but it's special mom knowledge that the living rooms become insane, too. And speaking of insane, ever try planning a birthday party outdoors in January? Sure, you might have one of those gorgeous days Manhattan moms covet, or you might end up calling 25 kids and rescheduling. Either way—rainy day or birthday—you need to know where the indoor playgrounds are in LA and Orange County.

Free in April: 22 Fun Things To Do that Don't Cost a Thing

Submitted by Brian Steele on Mon, 04/02/2018 - 4:23am

The wallet’s looking light and the kids are acting needy, which means it's time to hit up one of the many free events this city has to offer this month. Whether you're craving some free ice cream, a little fishing, or a star lit night sky, there is family fun to be had without breaking the bank.

Indie Toy Stores: LA's Best Spots To Shop for Toys

Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on Sat, 03/31/2018 - 12:29pm

Toys. Kids love ‘em; parents wish they would put them away. But in this the age of electronics, we can all agree that a good old-fashioned manipulative beats a device with a screen any day. With even big toy store chains like FAO Schwartz and Toys 'R' Us closing shop, it's time for us to rally and support the local toy stores we love if we want them to be here next year—particularly the ones where you find an unusual gift just when you need it.

27 Fun Things in Hollywood that Kids Love To Do

Submitted by Martha Hall on Fri, 03/23/2018 - 12:03pm

We say, "Hooray for Hollywood!" because it offers more than just glitz and glam, celebrity hangouts, expensive T-shirt shops, and infamous nightclubs. Believe it or not, Hollywood is also a go-to destination with kids in tow—from hiking to the Hollywood sign to watching Wonder Woman get her Walk of Fame star. Feeling skeptical? Have a look at our 27 favorite things to do in and around Tinsel Town. And if you've got out-of-town guests looking for Hollywood movie sightseeing, we've got that covered, too.

(Thinking bigger than just Hollywood? Check out out list of 101 Things To Do in LA with Kids!)

Hello Kitty Goes to Hollywood, in Her Own Studio Store

Submitted by Arianna Menon on Tue, 03/20/2018 - 3:14pm

Harry Potter isn't the only reason to head to Universal Studios Hollywood these days. A trip to the theme park in the Hollywood Hills also gives Hello Kitty fans a chance to indulge their cravings, as the iconic pop culture feline is the big star of the brand new Universal Studios' Animation Studio Store.

7 Awesome Summer Day Camps and Programs for Los Angeles Tots Through Teens

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Sun, 03/11/2018 - 9:00pm

If you would give just about anything to dodge the dreaded "what are we doing today?" question from bored kiddos this summer, you've come to the right place. And lucky for you, the Los Angeles area offers so many different day camp options that there's sure to be a program that'll keep your tots and teens blissfully occupied until school starts back up again.

There are performing arts camps for LA's youngest aspiring actors, where kids can make their own music videos or create an original comedy show. There are swim programs for water lovers, and coding classes for future female engineers. You'll even find STEAM camps jam-packed with hands-on projects and experiments, and more traditional camp options offering water play, crafts, sports, and field trips.

Easter Bunny Photo Ops and Events: Where To Find the Bunny in LA & OC

Submitted by Roberta B on Sat, 03/10/2018 - 5:28am

Hippity hoppity, hippity hoppity: your kids might not want to sit still, but at least the Easter Bunny will! There are plenty of spots to line up the perfect Easter photo in LA and Orange County in the weeks leading up to Easter Sunday. We've lined up a whole Bunny Trail to hop down, ranging from mall photo ops to outdoor egg hunts and spring festivals. Have fun catching up to Peter Cottontail in one of the following Southland locations...

Kid-friendly St. Patrick's Day Celebrations: Parades, Parties, and Leprechauns in LA

Submitted by Roberta B on Fri, 03/09/2018 - 3:06am

Here comes Saint Patrick's Day; time to brush up the Irish brogue for the one time per year (unless you're really Irish) that you use it. The holiday falls on a Saturday this year, which makes for a weekend of celebrating with parades, festivals, and corned beef. So top o' the marnin' to ye; Erin Go Bragh; that shade of green looks bonny on you, and let's go find that pot o' gold!