Jackie Jones

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley doesn't seem like your typical destination for the under 10 crowd. After all, there's no bouncy house on campus, no playground, and no ball pit. And some of the material contained within this museum dedicated to our 40th president is pretty serious and likely to go over your little one's head. So why do my 4-year-old and 7-year-old love coming here so much? It turns out, there are plenty of hands-on activities for kids at the Reagan Library, as well as exhibits to pique a child's curiosity. Plus the grounds at the 100-acre museum are expansive and beautiful, and the Reagan Library is a great place to visit when the grandparents are in town. Here are 10 things my family especially enjoys at this SoCal institution.

Children's museums are a thing of beauty. Los Angeles has plenty of local museums to excite and inspire visitors of all ages, but a museum 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) is the holy grail of indoor activities. Here are the best children's museums in Los Angeles specifically designed to entertain and enrich the lucky kiddos of Southern California.

It was a sad day for Angelenos when the Bob Baker Marionette Theater recently closed its doors after 55 years in its Downtown LA location. But the show must go on, and the puppet troupe has now found a new home in Highland Park that is even better than the original. The theater is planning an official grand opening in November, but this summer you can catch a show during Bob Baker's 'preview season.' Here is why now is a great time to experience this local treasure—and what's new and different at the new venue.