Submitted by Meghan Rose on
Woo hoo! After 11 long months, playgrounds in Chicago have finally been given the go-ahead to reopen. Chicago Park District announced Tuesday that after closing in March of 2020, the city’s lakefront, playgrounds, and indoor aquatics centers are cleared to reopen. Which playgrounds? And when? Read on for all the details.
Submitted by Meghan Rose on
It was a bummer to watch as many favorite in-person activities had to move to a virtual format this year. Watching the Dodgers on TV was not nearly as fun as being in Dodger Stadium. Visiting favorite local museums online didn’t have the same thrill, no matter how fantastic the virtual programming. (Though getting to tour some of the greatest museums of the world without leaving the house was pretty cool).
But this move from IRL to virtual is very exciting: NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has created a new virtual and fully interactive tour. Now anyone, anywhere in the world, can get a peek inside the Pasadena laboratory—even seeing some of the places visitors aren’t allowed in-person. Get the scoop on the new JPL tour, how to take it, and exactly why this move online is so exciting.
Submitted by Meghan Rose on
Poor parks, they're always getting ignored in favor of playgrounds. While there are amazing playgrounds in LA, sometimes you just want a vast field of green where kids can run forever, roll down a hill, or have the space to learn to hit or kick a ball. For those of us who don’t have an expanse of rolling green in the backyard (raises hand), these parks are places where you can bring kids to play without the organized activity of a hike or bike ride— and avoid the crowds that flock to high-touch playgrounds.
So bring balls, frisbees, and kites—or just a blanket, snacks, and books—and head out into nature to rest, recharge, and play. From hidden gems to well-known spots, here are our favorite parks in town.
Submitted by Meghan Rose on
This has all the earmarks of a big Hollywood hit. Super secret location? No one knows where it will be yet, just somewhere in Downtown LA. Headlined by a huge (and temperamental) star? Doesn’t get much bigger than Vincent Van Gogh. Hard to get tickets? It sold out in Paris and Toronto, and it has been the hardest ticket to come by in Chicago and San Francisco, prompting months-long extensions. The Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit comes to LA this May and pre-sale tickets are available now. Here’s everything we know about this hot new art pop-up, and why we can’t wait to Gogh.
Submitted by Meghan Rose on
Some people swear by their favorite Instant Pot recipes. Or their Grandma’s Crock Pot recipes. Me, I love sheet pan dinners. Not only do they require minimal prep (basically, put on your favorite podcast and spend a few minutes chopping), these easy weeknight dinners take no (or minimal) effort once they're in the oven. And the best part? Line your baking tray well, and there is zero cleanup. Let me say that again: Zero. Cleanup.
Find more yummy (and quick) things to make with or for kids in our Easy Recipes Guide.
Submitted by Meghan Rose on
Beach walks and beach playgrounds are fun year round, and on the stray warm winter weekend families can even hit the surf at a favorite beach. But there’s one beach activity that’s even better in the winter—tidepooling. On rocky beaches, where little pools of water stay in the rocks when the tide goes out, kids can uncover whole underwater worlds. Crabs, mussels, starfish, snails, sea urchins, minnows, and more can be found by little explorers. Tidepooling in LA is best in the winter because the tides are the lowest, and the beaches the least crowded.
Put those rainboots to good use, grab a pail (and your camera, because kids look extra cute peering into puddles), and see what lives under the sea.
Submitted by Meghan Rose on
Jokes are the best. Knock knock jokes, silly jokes, pretty much any joke will make a kid roar. Even the bad ones. Especially the bad ones! But parents run out of jokes to tell kids (even dad jokes) well before kids get sick of hearing them. You know who never runs out of jokes, wordplay, silly answers, and entertaining games? Alexa.
The next time you need a minute to yourself, teach the kids a few things from this list of funny things to ask Alexa, the Amazon virtual assistant that plays on smart speakers. Go ahead and crack open a book you’ve been dying to read or sneak away to watch an episode of Bridgerton. Because Alexa time can equal me time.
Submitted by Meghan Rose on
Most people think of surfing or paddle boarding as summer activities, but for lucky Angelenos these outdoor adventures are year-round possibilities. While hiking and playground visits are great ways to get active outside, sometimes kids want a little more excitement. Plus, long boats and boards are natural social distancing enforcers! So we rounded up the best places in and around Los Angeles where the whole family can rent SUP boards, surf boards, and kayaks—or even take part in more unique water sports (water biking anyone?).
First timers can take lessons, while old hands can simply rent the boats and gear. Ocean breezes in your face, sea lions barking from the rocks; any time is the perfect time to don a wetsuit and hit the waves for some water sport fun in LA.
