Kylie Williams

Kylie Williams is a mom of four who loves exploring Los Angeles with her kids and reporting back about the exciting events, attractions, and hidden gems she discovers. When she's not schlepping the kids around the city, she's probably at the gym, reading a book, or putting together snack bags for one of the kids' sports teams. If you know of a place she should check out, drop a line at Kylie@MommyPoppins.com.

Latest posts by Kylie

Perfect Spots for Your LA Baby's First Birthday

Submitted by Kylie Williams on Sun, 08/03/2025 - 10:13am

Make baby's 1st birthday a special one at these LA spots. Photo by Kiwi Huang, via Flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Celebrate baby's first birthday at these baby-friendly spots in Los Angeles.

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.

For gift ideas for baby, shop at these hip baby stores in Los Angeles or splurge on going to Disneyland with baby. For more birthday inspo, check out our Birthday Party Ideas Guide for Los Angeles Kids.

Don’t Go to Disneyland Without Reading This First: Parent Tips That Actually Work

Submitted by Kylie Williams on Fri, 07/11/2025 - 4:21am

Spend the day with Mickey and Minnie. Photo courtesy of the Disneyland Resort

Disneyland is the Happiest Place on Earth, but it can also be one of the most crowded, most confusing, and most chaotic. As a self-proclaimed "Disney kid" I've been to the Mouse House more times than I can count. I've gone in giant groups, with only one other person, with my troupe of four kiddos, with teenagers, with strollers, with Lightning Lane passes, with no plan, with a very detailed plan, you name it, I've done it. Which is why I'm thrilled to share some of my favorite Disneyland hacks with you.

Whether you are a new parent taking your baby for the first time, a Disney adult eager to share the magic with your kiddos, or a first time visitor (don't forget to grab a pin!), this article will sprinkle your next Disneyland day with an extra-dose of pixie dust.

While most of these tips are for Disneyland, you can also see Disney California Adventure like local with these tips. You can also check out these tips for bringing a baby to Disneyland. Plus, discover other fun things to do in Anaheim with kids, and browse our Southern California Theme and Water Park Guide.

The Best Playgrounds in Los Angeles: They’re Even Worth Crossing the 405

Submitted by Kylie Williams on Fri, 07/04/2025 - 1:56pm

Vincent Lugo Park, also called Dinosaur or Monster Park, was nominated to the California Register of Historic Places. Photo courtesy of the City of San Gabriel

Playgrounds in Los Angeles provide endless entertainment for kids of all ages. Remember the days of busted swings and boring slides? Well, kids growing up in LA will never have those memories; the best playgrounds in Los Angeles (which are open again, hallelujah) are bastions of play and creativity for kids of all ages and abilities.

These LA playgrounds feature rocket ships and pirate ships, fire trucks and trains, sea creatures, and more. There are climbing structures, sand pits, thrilling ziplines, and playgrounds that honor the original inhabitants of the land. While the neighborhood playground is great for every day use, sometimes cooped-up kids need something new. And these playgrounds have the ultimate accolade: they're worth crossing the 405!

For more playground inspiration, check our guide to LA's top parks and playgrounds, or our list of the best beach playgrounds in Los Angeles and Orange County.

Nashville with Kids: 62 Best Things To Do in Nashville, TN

Submitted by Kylie Williams on Sat, 06/28/2025 - 10:37am

Is Nashville the cereal capital of the US? You decide at Wanna Spoon. Photo by the author

Nashville, Tennessee—also known as Music City—is a mix of southern charm and modern hipness. Plus, there are so many things to do in Nashville with kids—outdoor adventures, interesting museums, distinct country sounds, and more. I travel to visit my brother and his family in Nashville at least once a year, and I have fallen in love with the magic of the city.

Here are 62 things to do in Nashville, TN with kids, including kid-friendly Nashville restaurants and the best Nashville hotels for families.

For even more great places to stay in Nashville in our list of the best Nashville hotels and resorts for families. And, as always, visit our Family Travel Guide for more family vacation inspiration.

LA's Best Kept Secret: FREE Hollywood Bowl Rehearsals

Submitted by Kylie Williams on Fri, 06/20/2025 - 12:02pm

Free rehearsals at the Bowl is music to our ears!

The Bowl is one of the most iconic places in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, tickets to the Hollywood Bowl, like everything else, have only gotten pricier. If you're planning to see one of the greats, you need to have some money in the bank. But, if you merely want to be at the Bowl, bask in the beauty, and enjoy some lovely classical music from the LA Philharmonic... you don't have to pay anything. Yes, you read that right.

But I'm going to let you in on one of LA's best-kept secrets: you can attend a rehearsal at the Hollywood Bowl for free. And because it's a rehearsal, it's not late at night, making it perfect for kids. Read on to find out how to take advantage of this under-wraps opportunity!

For more hidden gems in Hollywood, discover things to do in Hollywood with kids, and learn about the best spots to see the Hollywood sign.

Where to See 4th of July Fireworks in Los Angeles in 2025

Submitted by Kylie Williams on Fri, 06/13/2025 - 7:45am

Celebrate 4th of July aboard the historic Queen Mary in Long Beach. Photo courtesy of Victori Solutions

Enjoy the tradition of the 4th of July fireworks in Los Angeles this holiday with friends and family throughout the city.

"Oh, say, can you see" the 4th of July fireworks in Los Angeles? Whether you party late into the night at Grand Park, lug camping chairs to a local mall parking lot, or turn up the sound machines and hope the baby stays asleep, it helps to know exactly where to find all the 4th of July fireworks in Los Angeles. Grab a blanket and picnic and head to one of these spectacular 4th of July fireworks shows in Los Angeles near you.

If you plan to celebrate the 4th of July at home, dive into desserts, Independence Day crafts, and more from our list of the Best At-Home Fourth of July Activities for Kids. Plus, discover seasonal fun with free things to do in Los Angeles this summer, free outdoor movies, free outdoor concerts, and even more in our Ultimate Los Angeles Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

Please note, several local Independence Day events have been canceled or postponed, among them the annual celebration in Gloria Molina Grand Park.

LA's Epic Summer Bucket List: 44 Things to Do in Los Angeles This Summer

Submitted by Kylie Williams on Fri, 06/06/2025 - 2:11am

Splash and play at summer camp, Kidspace style. Kidspace Campout photo by Jamie Pham

There are endless things to do in Los Angeles in the summertime. Even though, it feels like summer all year round! Right now, people are wishing they could surf the LA coastline, enjoy the walk of stars, or hike in the Hollywood Hills. As a local, every summer can be a postcard-perfect, sunshine-fulled vacation.

It might be hard to know where to start because of the overwhelming amount of things to do in LA during summer vacation. That's why we've created an excellent bucket list for you. Refer to this ultimate summer bucket list for Los Angeles whenever the kids run downstairs to ask "What are we going to do today?" Now, you have plenty of great answers. Happy summer from our team at Mommy Poppins!

Looking for more fun ideas for "school's-out season"? Check out our LA Beach Guide, our Los Angeles Summer Fun Guide, and our Theme Parks and Water Parks Guide for LA Kids for endless summer fun!

Best Splash Pads, Splash Parks, and Water Playgrounds in Los Angeles

Submitted by Kylie Williams on Sun, 05/18/2025 - 8:40am

One of the coolest spots in town is by the beach, a beach playground, and a pool. Photo courtesy of the Annenberg Community Beach House, Facebook

Free and fabulous splash pads in Los Angeles can be found at many parks and playgrounds across the city— and some of them are open year-round. Entire playgrounds (plus a few swimming pools and wading pools) are dedicated to ways to keep it cool, with plenty of fountains, geysers, pumps, and water sprayers. Kids adore these Los Angeles splash parks and "spraygrounds:, and parents love that they're a great way to beat the heat without a drive to a favorite beach (not to mention, the car won't get all sandy!).

Looking for more summer fun? Check out our list of the best swimming lakes in Los Angeles, our ultimate playgrounds guide, and our Ultimate Mommy Poppins summer guide!

Kylie Williams

Latest posts by Kylie

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