Gina Ragland
Gina Ragland is a writer, editor, and mom of two boys. She’s obsessed with books, travel, and keeping her family’s calendar packed with fun. Her favorite adventures are exploring national parks, the coast, and the mountains. Gina and her family call Northern California home.
Latest posts by Gina
The recent wildfires tearing through Los Angeles have brought chaos, heartbreak, and destruction to our beloved city. Pacific Palisades and Altadena, both stunningly vibrant LA communities, have been wiped out. Families have lost their homes, children no longer have local schools to attend, and historical buildings have been reduced to rubble. This is not how we envisioned starting a new year.
Amid the confusion and wreckage, we must look for the heroes. First Responders are working tirelessly to battle blazes and get Angelenos to safety. Firefighters are putting their lives on the line to save others and contain fires in poor air quality conditions.
Read on for the best ways to support these unsung heroes and where to contribute to organizations that are diligently helping displaced families.
So little traffic, so much you can do on Christmas Day!
Lite-Brite: Worlds of Wonder will illuminate the way to nostalgia with an immersive experience at Santa Monica Place. Parents can relive joyful memories of a classic childhood toy, while kids can get introduced to the colorful Lite-Brite world.
The Lite-Brite experience will captivate with hypnotic color and technology. Step into a futuristic iteration of the simplistic toy beloved for generations. It should be no surprise that thousands of colorful lights will be part of the experience.
For more new interactive experiences in Los Angeles, dig into slime at Sloomoo Institute and visit Dino Valley at Legoland to relive prehistoric times.
Zion National Park in southern Utah is a geological gem. The iconic red sandstone canyon cliffs are majestic, and the unique water features amid its desert landscape make this national park a true wonder to explore.
When navigating national parks, it's best to have a plan and know what to expect, especially when kids are along for the adventure and the inevitable long car rides that lead to the expedition. With Junior Ranger programs specifically for children and ample family-friendly hiking trails, Zion National Park is a fantastic choice for kids of all ages.
For more national park adventures, discover Yosemite National Park with kids, explore things not to miss in Joshua Tree National Park, and get inspired with additional outdoor adventure ideas in our National Parks Family Travel Guide.
Exploring Northridge with kids might not be at the top of your Los Angeles bucket list like Santa Monica, Hollywood, or Malibu is. However, this family-friendly suburb in the San Fernando Valley provides an array of activities suitable for kids of all ages.
CSUN is a big focus in Northridge and acts as the hub of the community. Whether it's outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply spending quality time together, Northridge offers plenty of opportunities for families to have a great time.
For more family-friendly adventures in the San Fernando Valley, spend the day at Lake Balboa, head to Discovery Cube for science activities, and discover all there is to do in Sherman Oaks with kids. Find more things to do in LA with our Los Angeles Visitors' Guide for Families.
Snow tubing near San Francisco and the Bay Area really does exist. Sure, to get to the snow, it's going to require a trek to Lake Tahoe, the Sierras, or Yosemite, but there might be more places than you think of where you can have a memorable snow day in Northern California.
From gentle hills to disco tubing, big air jumps, and snow tubing in a national park, magical snowy adventures await kids of all ages throughout Northern California. Snow tubing near San Francisco will provide unforgettable family experiences and the promise of a true winter wonderland. Keep reading below for the best places to go snow tubing near San Francisco and the Bay Area.
When going snow tubing near San Francisco, you'll likely pass through California's capital city, so don't miss out on these things to do with kids in Sacramento. Beyond snow tubing, check out things to do with kids in Lake Tahoe, and get inspired for more family adventures with our Weekend Getaway and Day Trips from San Francisco Guide.
It's time to celebrate kid-friendly openings that were the cream of the crop in Los Angeles in 2023 – yes, it's the annual "best of" season! Mommy Poppins is thrilled to shine a spotlight on the most exciting new attractions and kid-friendly openings that graced LA this past year. These are the latest gems that might have slipped under your radar.
From new theme park lands to immersive experiences featuring beloved characters like The Cat in the Hat and Bluey, Los Angeles added fantastic options for family fun in 2023. Keep reading below for our exclusive rundown of the best 2023 kid-friendly openings that stepped into the limelight in Los Angeles this year.
As we eagerly await the new attractions and kid-friendly openings 2024 has in store for Angelenos, catch a glimpse of the events already on our radar for next year by perusing our Calendar of Events in Los Angeles.
Seeing California redwood trees should be on every family's travel bucket list. These towering trees, many dating back thousands of years, are truly awe-inspiring. There are many places throughout Northern California where families can seek a serene escape into the heart of nature while viewing these colossal redwoods.
Ancient old-growth redwoods can be found in national parks such as Redwood National Park and Muir Woods, as well as in several other state and regional parks. Most of them have a small vehicle fee to enter, but some are free. All of them provide family-friendly hiking trails and breathtaking views, and some have extra activities for kids like playgrounds and museums.
Here are our favorite places to see redwood trees in California. For more outdoor adventures in the Golden State, from exploring Lake Tahoe to road tripping through the Sierra Nevada, check out our California Family Travel Guide.
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