Canoga Park / West Hills

Día de los Muertos: What Other City Has This Many Day of the Dead Celebrations?

Submitted by Roberta B on Sun, 10/20/2019 - 3:22pm

Hauntingly close to Halloween, El Día de los Muertos – the Day of the Dead – is a magical holiday that's also a living history lesson, demonstrating the tendency of conquerors to absorb indigenous customs into their own. Christian Europeans arrived in Mexico already fans of All Hallows Eve (modern-day Halloween), only to stumble upon an ancient tradition celebrated by the Aztecs on November 2, with a spookily similar theme. Day of the Dead is a time when the door between worlds is meant to open so that celebrants can honor departed loved ones and hopefully lure them back for a visit.

Bowling Alleys with Free and Cheap Bowling for Kids All Over LA

Submitted by KristinB on Fri, 07/19/2019 - 2:22pm

News flash: bowling is a really great sport for kids! My son went to a bowling alley birthday party recently that sparked an obsession with the game and opened all of our eyes to what a great family sport this is. The ingrained turn-taking structure, team camaraderie, and relaxed competitiveness offer kiddos a dose of sportsmanship at a fun pace. Accommodations like gutter bumpers and starting ramps guarantee success for even the youngest bowlers. Seriously, bowling is like the unsung hero of children's athletics. And it must have been this idea that fueled the creation of Kids Bowl Free, a fantastic nationwide program designed to give youth a constructive way to beat the heat. Read on to find out how your kids can bowl free every day this summer.

Free in April: 24 Fun Things To Do that Don't Cost a Thing

Submitted by Brian Steele on Fri, 03/29/2019 - 2:23pm

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 a full belly, a little fishing , or a star lit night sky, there is family fun to be had without breaking the bank.

Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in LA, from Downtown to the Valleys to the Beach

Submitted by Roberta B on Wed, 10/31/2018 - 1:02pm

One thing Angelenos love doing during the winter months is pretending that it’s winter, and the most fun way we do it is by turning parking lots and other open spaces into outdoor skating rinks for the holidays. Whether your family is trying skating for the first time, or you've got budding athletes looking for a change of scenery from indoor skating lessons, nothing says Southern California quite like the sight of kids and families in tank tops and mittens gliding merrily in the sunshine.

6 Restaurants Ideal for Throwing a Kids' Birthday Party in LA & OC

Submitted by Li Starr on Mon, 10/01/2018 - 10:32pm

Planning a birthday party for your kid can be tough, no matter how easy-going your little one might be. Beyond balloons and party favors, there's the question of where to have the shindig (unless you have a large home you're willing to clean extensively before and after). The location has to be family-friendly, fun—and has to serve food your kids (and a lot of other kids) will eat. A restaurant is a good pick, but which one will let you bring in a horde of hungry, bouncy kids? We've found six that serve up lunch and a side order of playtime so you can relax (or, more likely take lots of photos) while the kids run off all that great food you didn't prepare.

Unicorn Food: 10 Surprising Treats from Poop to Pizza

Submitted by Li Starr on Sun, 09/09/2018 - 7:58pm

If you have little kids (or even big ones), you've undoubtedly been hit with the unicorn trend. Whether it's selfiies with rainbow sprinkles or a different sort of birthday treat, kids' appetite for rainbow-colored, glitter-filled edibles shows no sign of fading. Here are 10 places in LA where you can enjoy some unexpected silly, sparkly, edible treats in every color of the rainbow.

Free Play at Giggles 'n' Hugs!

Submitted by Tameeka Robinson on Sun, 08/05/2018 - 9:15pm

Mommy Poppins and Giggles 'n' Hugs are teaming up again! On Tuesday, August 21st, it's time for a Mommy Poppins Playdate at Giggles 'n' Hugs. We invite you to enjoy free admission at either Giggles 'n' Hugs location (Topanga Canyon or Glendale), from 6pm-8pm.

Never been to Giggles 'n' Hugs? It's a great spot, whether you're looking to plan the perfect no-stress birthday party, enjoy a healthy family meal, or just chill out for an afternoon in the action-packed, 2000-square-foot playspace. The best part is it's as enjoyable for adults as it is for kids, because while little ones play, grown-ups can enjoy a coffee, glass of wine, or locally-sourced, organic meal.

Space is limited, so you must register in advance.

A Mother's Day Gift for You: Free Play at Giggles 'n' Hugs!

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sun, 04/22/2018 - 11:32am

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Mommy Poppins and Giggles 'n' Hugs are teaming up to offer a little gift for you in honor of Mother’s Day. On Monday, May 7th, it’s Mommy Poppins Day at Giggles 'n' Hugs. We invite you to enjoy free admission at either Giggles 'n' Hugs location (Topanga Canyon or Glendale), plus a special Mother’s Day treat for you: choose a cupcake, cookie, coffee or, go on, a mimosa. You deserve it!

Michelangelo at the Mall: the Sistine Chapel Is in the Valley this Month

Submitted by Rachel Spalding on Mon, 12/18/2017 - 3:37pm

One of Rome's greatest draws is close to home this month, particularly if you live in the Valley. The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, one of the Vatican’s great wonders and Michelangelo's most famous work, can be enjoyed up close—in between shopping at The Gap and skating on the pop-up ice rink. While tourists who have saved all their lives for this moment are shepherded through the Vatican in a mob for a brief glimpse of the famous Creation of Adam, Angelenos can take a gander at a leisurely pace, feasting their eyes on a traveling exhibit that's as close as the mall.

Memorial Day Parades Around LA and the OC

Submitted by Roberta B on Tue, 05/23/2017 - 5:06am

One thing about Los Angeles - it's not a one-parade town. If festivals are too stationary for you, if you need a parade to drum up an appetite for that Memorial Day BBQ, then you've got it made in the shade (as long as you've found a shady spot for your chair) in Los Angeles and Orange County on Monday. The good news for the parade abstainers is that none of the parades on this holiday marches down a major thoroughfare (unless the 405 gets shut down - in which case Topanga is going to hear plenty of honking that isn't for peace). For parade fans, the patriotic fanfare never sounded so good.