Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on
The first retail store in the American Dream mega-mall has officially opened its doors, and it's a sweet deal for candy lovers. IT'SUGAR, the first department store in the country devoted to candy, offers an insane assortment of sweet concoctions from old standbys like Pez and M&Ms to unique international bites. (Matcha-flavored Kit-Kat, anyone?)
Submitted by Roberta B on
Christmas just doesn't feel like Christmas until you've seen some really good holiday lights. And of the many extraordinary home light displays that Los Angeles neighborhoods can boast, Candy Cane Lane is probably the most famous. That fame may come from its catchy name, or it may just be down to sheer longevity: this year Candy Cane Lane celebrates 70 years of lighting up the season and hosting neighbors from every other LA neighborhood in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Opening night is always a big event, followed by two glorious weeks of nightly sparkles. But is it really so much more special than that house on your street that overdoes the icicle lights? I'm prepared to go out on a limb and say yes.
Note that Candy Cane Lane plans to remain dark in 2020 due to COVID safety concerns.
Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on
A brand-new interactive play experience has come to Atlantic Highlands, and kids of all ages are going ape over it. Jungle Jim & Jane puts a new spin on indoor playgrounds with unique equipment and high-tech games that let kids go wild and have fun in a safe, clean space.
This day trip–worthy play space, geared toward ages 0-8, opened in October. I visited recently with my three kids, and we were all impressed.
Submitted by Roberta B on
It's a little overwhelming, isn't it? I collect fabulous things to do with kids for a living, and this time of year has me teetering on a precipice between ecstasy and panic attack—because there is just SO MUCH TO DO! There are so many incredible, awe-inspiring, photo-op demanding, once-a-year holiday experiences on my list that my kid is starting to hide from me. There's a limit to how much fun a person can take.
So I'm taking a breath and making a top 10 list. Believe me, there is plenty more to do; our Ultimate Free Holiday List is a great place to start, and our event calendar an obvious place to continue. You'll run out of energy before we run out of suggestions, I assure you. But if you're looking for a Top 10 List before your family has you committed, here's what you came for.
Submitted by Audrey M on
This is LA, so of course there are summer acting camps! And since there are different types of acting - stage acting (classical and modern), film acting, comedic acting, improv - there are also different types of acting camp. Acting camps are not just for children who want to study theater, though; they also increase public speaking skills and build self-confidence. If your child is new to the world of drama, a camp that covers many different topics can offer a solid foundation and allow your child to discovers strengths and interests. Other camps offer focused concentration on Shakespeare or acting for film, for example.
Though many of these camps offer some instruction in singing and dancing, be sure to see our Musical Theatre Camp Round-Up for those kids who enjoy Broadway-style performance. And for your other kid - the non-dramatic one - we have a bunch of other summer camps to suggest, too!
Note that summer camp information for the 2020 season is changing daily. Please click the links to the individual camps below to see which ones are offering programs this year.
Submitted by Christine Mooney on
Waterskiing Santas, holiday lights, and seasonal markets, oh my! It's almost Christmas, which means it's almost Christmas break.
What are DC-area families to do when all the gifts are opened and kids are chomping at the bit to get out of the house? From FREE fun to great winter activities, Mommy Poppins DC has you covered. Read on for our top picks for what to do during this holiday school break.
Check in with our events calendar, too, for more ideas.
Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on
Our list of top family travel destinations is here! We love our hometown cities at Mommy Poppins, but we’re also explorers, a trait many of us hope to pass along to our kids. How better to pique their interest by ferrying them on trips across the country and even across borders?
Last year, we traveled to big-time resorts, such as Atlantis in the Bahamas and a brand-new indoor water park resort in the New York Catskills, and to quirky artsy towns like Asheville, North Carolina and Venice Beach, California. We explored waterfalls and geysers in Iceland, played tourist with the kids in London, and dived into culture and maple crepes in Quebec City. Of course, it wasn’t all walking tours or hotel pools. Relaxing on the beach in Aruba topped our list, as did a trip to California’s rugged Big Sur coast.
Read on for travel inspiration for your family with our final “best family travel” list of this decade.
Submitted by Jackie Jones on
Skyslide is fast becoming an LA rite of passage. We are a family of thrill seekers, so for my daughter's fifth birthday we decided to try the ultimate LA thrill—Oue Skyspace and Skyslide in Downtown Los Angeles. California's tallest open-air observation deck and its all-glass slide sit atop the US Bank tower. The view alone is priceless, but the slide takes it to a whole new level. My kids are already asking to go back. Here is what you can expect:
