Pasadena / San Marino

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.

LA's Best Swimming Pools with Play Areas Worth a Drive this Summer

Submitted by Kathie Bozanich on Mon, 06/03/2019 - 9:30pm

Sure, there are miles of great beaches in SoCal, but sometimes you need a break from the sand, and you want water that's a little less, well, wavy. It can be worth going a little farther to find a swimming pool that’s open to the public for recreational swimming and offers something special: Think slides, water play features, extended shallow areas for the little ones to splash in, or a beautiful, peaceful setting. Here’s our list of cool destination swimming pools worth a drive in LA and OC. Most range in price from $1 to $12 per person, and several of these pools offer discounted season passes (check websites for details).

Free in June: 27 Things To Do that Don't Cost a Thing

Submitted by Brian Steele on Tue, 05/28/2019 - 1:47am

For kids, nothing beats summer break. For us parents, of course, it can be a lot of pressure. How do you keep the calendar full without paying for camp every day? Start with our list of free stuff to do in June; there's a litany of fun ideas on a budget; from pirate festivals and surfing to kite festivals and fireworks, there's no excuse for June Gloom!

Perfect Spots for Your LA Baby's First Birthday

Submitted by Lindsay Halladay on Mon, 05/06/2019 - 2:16pm

Congratulations! You made it through baby’s first year, and now it’s time to celebrate. If you’re like me and totally not into hosting your child’s first birthday party at home (read: cleaning, shopping, cooking, decorating, hosting...cleaning again), don't worry. The weather in LA is so beautiful that outdoor birthdays are possible nearly any time of year. If that's not your speed, the Southland boasts plenty of awesome indoor options as well. Here are 12 great spots of both varieties—from pricey to free with one surprise at the end—to smash a cake and tire out the kiddos so everyone can go home and take a well-deserved nap.

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

Submitted by Roberta B on Fri, 05/03/2019 - 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.

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

Submitted by Brian Steele on Tue, 04/30/2019 - 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.

21 Mother's Day Brunch Restaurants To Book in Los Angeles and Orange County

Submitted by Roberta B on Sat, 04/27/2019 - 1:08am

Mother's Day, and the brunching is easy—and when we say easy, we mean the culinary version of a chick flick. This is not a day for the Denny's Lumberjack Slam (not that there's anything wrong with that); Mother's Day brunch begs sprigs of rosemary, ocean views, and maybe a harp plucked with a rose. Or, if that's not your thing, Fillmore & Western Railway is happy to Throw Mama on the Train. The key is Mom's Choice—all day!

Read on for some of our favorite restaurants that offer a pretty darn fabulous Mother's Day brunch.