The Valleys

10 Stroller-friendly Hiking Trails for LA Parents To Hike with Toddlers

Submitted by Martha Hall on Fri, 05/18/2018 - 8:23pm

If a stroll to the neighborhood park is not enough to stretch your limbs, pack that stroller and head for a trail—preferably one that accommodates said stroller. Backpacking moms can enjoy our suggestions for traditional kid-friendly hikes; back-aching moms should read on to see ten suggestions for LA hikes with room for strollers to stride. We're sure there's one to please! (And for more suggestions, check out our family hiking guide!)

Water Parks Where LA and SoCal Kids Can Get Their Water Slide Fix

Submitted by Audrey M on Sun, 05/13/2018 - 3:10pm

Nothing is more fun on a too-hot day than some water play—just ask the kids. And if you want to give them a big surprise, take them to a water theme park. There are several water parks in Southern California, with large scale splash parks to please every kid from toddler to teen. Of course, if you're looking for something smaller, closer, or more low-key, you can always check out our list of water play features at city parks; but if you're looking to make a big splash, check out one of the SoCal parks below.

12 Very British Experiences in LA for Kids with Royal Fever

Submitted by Rachel Spalding on Fri, 05/11/2018 - 5:35pm

Whether we're getting excited about a royal wedding or just in the mood for a crumpet, it's always jolly good fun to let our inner Anglophiles run wild. After all, the British royal family is poised to include a gal from Los Angeles. Once Prince Harry and Megan Markle are officially hitched, that makes us all members of the extended royal family, so let's have some fun checking out kid-friendly ways to explore English culture (and cuisine) while staying planted right here in town.

SoCal's Renaissance Pleasure Faire Offers Kids a Day Trip through Time

Submitted by Roberta B on Thu, 05/10/2018 - 2:27pm

Hear ye, hear ye! There's more to Ye Olde Renaissance Faire than turkey legs, men in tights, and replacing all thy "yous" with thees and thous. So if you—or thou—art wondering whether or not it's worth venturing 45 minutes inland in search of a park full of people pretending wholeheartedly that Queen Elizabeth I is still on the throne, the answer is an unmitigated, "Huzzah!"

Mother's Day Weekend Fun for LA Kids: Fire Service Day, Rocket Launch, and Gibbons

Submitted by Toby B on Thu, 05/10/2018 - 3:00am

It's Mother's Day, and Momma wants something good. Something unique. Maybe something handmade. Most likely something handmade.

For the record, Momma is well-rounded. She likes apes, and she likes dinosaurs. She likes gardens. She likes cars big; she likes cars small. She likes firemen and Julie Andrews. She likes birds; she likes planes; she likes Superman.

Momma likes getting in free and being treated like royalty. She likes rockets in flight and stars on ice. (Also good: stars in the sky.)

But mostly she likes spending time with her kids. You get one weekend to call your own, Mommas: make it count!

Keep reading for our best suggestions for a Mother of a weekend!

10 Special Libraries in LA & OC Worth a Drive Beyond Your Branch

Submitted by Audrey M on Mon, 05/07/2018 - 12:24am

Local libraries are a key part of the parenting experience, and most of us are aware of the goings-on at our nearest branch—from toddler storytimes, to homework help, to family movie nights. Some savvy parents are even on top of the many extra perks that come with a library card. But what about venturing beyond the local branch? With so many libraries in the greater Los Angeles area, some are really exceptional and merit a visit even if they're not your local. The 10 SoCal libraries below all boast something extra that makes them worth a drive.

Mommy Freebies! Free Stuff for Los Angeles Moms on Mother's Day

Submitted by Roberta B on Fri, 05/04/2018 - 3:40pm

Hopefully someone is making brunch reservations for you this Mother's Day—but what to do with the rest of the day? Well, there's nothing like feeling appreciated, and what says, "We appreciate you, Mom!" better than free admission (or a free meal, free champagne, or free joust)? Check out these places around town where the free carpet is rolled out just for mamas on Mother's Day.

25 Things To Do with Kids in Burbank

Submitted by Roberta B on Thu, 05/03/2018 - 4:39pm

You've probably done several of the fun things to do listed on our list of 100+ things to do with Los Angeles kids, but maybe today you want to stay close to beautiful downtown Burbank. Some days, even Hollywood, Pasadena, and Santa Monica are too far away, so we've rounded up Burbank-based activities that make it easy to have a great day close to home.

Free in May: 20 Things To Do that Don't Cost a Thing

Submitted by Brian Steele on Tue, 05/01/2018 - 12:10pm

Summer is just around the corner, and so are the camp fees, vacation expenses, and hefty ice cream budgets that come with it. So why not be responsible for once and make May your month to get frugal?Whether you’re looking to celebrate Cinco de Mayo free of charge, or just check out a movie without breaking the bank, here are a few free things to do this month with the whole family.

We have included a few great outdoor festivals with free admission; if you need to avoid shelling out for cotton candy and a carousel ride, just scroll on to the next fun thing!

May GoList: Best Things To Do with LA and OC Kids This Month

Submitted by Roberta B on Sun, 04/29/2018 - 3:56am

The weekends of May are packed with activity; there's Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, and that one weekend without a holiday. There are parades, festivals, shows, and people eating bugs. With so much going on, it's easy to miss something. To help you keep track, here's a list of the biggest, most once-a-year-ish events happening this month. We'll keep adding to our Event Calendar daily, and it's a good idea to make sure our weekly recommendations arrive in your inbox, but we figured you'd appreciate some advance notice on these May favorites.