Pasadena / San Marino

Ultimate Halloween Event List: 35+ Best Celebrations in LA for Free or Spooky Fun

Submitted by Roberta B on Tue, 10/08/2019 - 3:10pm

Why are most of the Halloween events below free? We spend on the Halloween costume (and a second one if we buy too early), and the pumpkin (and a second one if we buy too early), and the Halloween candy (and oh do we pay if we buy too early)—has anyone else reached their limit with spending money on this mother-of-all kids' holidays? We've sniffed out a whole bunch of free spooky fun, plus a few of the key Halloween activities that might be worth paying a little extra for. The following 35+ events are the Halloween parties not to miss—the scream of the crop!

Free Admission Days at 20+ Museums in Los Angeles and Orange County

Submitted by Audrey M on Fri, 10/04/2019 - 3:16pm

What's better than a day at a museum? A FREE day at a museum! If you have a large family, museum tickets can add up fast—which gets particularly frustrating if you then need to beat a hasty retreat to avoid a meltdown. SoCal has some great museums that have free general admission every day of the year, including The Getty, California Science Center, and The Broad. As for the rest of them (once kids are old enough to have to pay), many LA and OC museums have monthly or even weekly free days or evenings, and we have collected a list for easy reference. Go ahead, bring the extended family, meet friends, or check out a place you have never been before—all for just the price of parking or Metro tickets. And if there's a meltdown? At least it's free.

Things To Do in LA this Weekend: Boo at the Zoo, Children's Book Fest, Mark in the Park

Submitted by Toby B on Thu, 10/03/2019 - 1:01am

It's beginning to look a lot like pumpkins, everywhere I go. And so it begins! The Harvest. The Corn Mazes. The Patches. We are on a crazed, giddy run to the end of the month.

But don't get spooked! Yes, there are scary things afoot. Yes, you can choose the dark and shadowy path. But you can also choose to welcome the season with laughs (and science!). You can fear the night or you can get in on the fun. Halloween is what you make it, and LA makes it easy to choose family-friendly. Or not.

Public service announcement for purists who wait to celebrate Halloween until, well, Halloween: There's still lots to do! This weekend sees festivals Greek and Southeast Asian, Manhattan Beachian and Encinoish. You can buy a ticket to the 20s, catch a plane, train, or (very small) automobile. The streets of Los Angeles are open wide, and you can make your mark in Grand Park. So go out there and scare up some fun.

Keep reading for our favorite treats for this weekend, no trick!

Free in October: 25 Totally Free Things To Do with Kids in Los Angeles this Month

Submitted by Brian Steele on Tue, 10/01/2019 - 1:41pm

October sees the arrival of spooky season here in Los Angeles, which means you're already committed to spending on costumes and candy. If you don't have a lot of spare cash to spend beyond the trick-or-teating, no problem; there's still plenty of free fun to be had by the whole family. From Halloween happenings to sweater weather shenanigans, you can hit the town without hitting the bank. Here are just a few of the free events happening this month—look for more free fun on our ultimate Halloween event list.

Kidspace: An Insider's Guide to LA's Beloved Children's Museum

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Sun, 09/08/2019 - 7:49pm

Kidspace is now entering its fourth decade in Pasadena and it's easy to see why this children's museum has such staying power. There is something for everyone at Kidspace, from animal lovers to budding scientists to those looking to get their wiggles out. There is an area for babies and toddlers and plenty of activities to entertain bigger kids (the museum is designed specifically for children ages 10 and under). In fact, there are more than 40 hands-on exhibits within the 3.5 acres of indoor and outdoor property. My own family has had a membership for five years now. So what keeps us coming back again and again? Read on to find out—plus tips on how to maximize your visit.

10 Best Children's Museums near LA and Orange County

Submitted by Jackie Jones on Mon, 08/26/2019 - 1:58am

A museum in Los Angeles where kids are encouraged to touch all of the exhibits, climb on the furniture, and ask as many questions as they want (not in an inside voice either): Fellow parents, this is the beauty of a children's museum, and in the greater Los Angeles area, we are blessed with several of them. Now don't get me wrong—LA has plenty of local museums to excite and inspire visitors of all ages. But the 10 museums below are specifically designed to entertain and enrich the lucky kiddos of Southern California.

Free (or Super Cheap) Archery Classes for LA & OC Kids Who Love Bows and Arrows

Submitted by Roberta B on Wed, 07/10/2019 - 6:07am

A fair number of kids who see Brave or The Hunger Games end up curious about archery, and a fair number of their parents end up scratching their heads and saying, "Where do we do that??" Gymnastics, swimming—that's easy. But where to bring a would-be archer to string a bow and shoot some arrows? Less obvious, perhaps, but not as hard as you might think. And the even better news? It's usually free!

Free in July: 30+ Free Things To Do with Kids in Los Angeles this Month

Submitted by Brian Steele on Sun, 06/30/2019 - 2:36pm

Summer break has a funny way of reminding you how many hours there really are in the day. Without school, kids can turn into restless little monsters, desperate for a little entertainment. If only you could keep the whole family busy for free! Well, it's actually not hard in Los Angeles, a city with a never ending supply of frugal fun. July isn't just for fireworks. We've got music! We've got movies! We've even got slime! Here is a healthy sample of the events happening this July that won’t cost you a thing.

16 Parent and Me Swim Classes for Water Babies and Toddlers in LA & the OC

Submitted by Martha Hall on Tue, 06/25/2019 - 8:22am

Kids dig water, and the younger we start them in it, the earlier they build the skills needed to swim confidently and safely. Mommy and Me – or Daddy and Me – classes are a fun and bonding introduction to a lifelong love of swimming. We know some great private swim classes for LA kids, but the group lessons below are all about getting in the pool alongside your baby or toddler. Dive into our extensive list of area Mommy or Daddy and Me classes.

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.