Meghan Rose

A mom of twins, Meghan and her family live in Los Angeles and love to explore the city, as well as the world at large together. As national editor, please send her ALL your correction requests and pitches on national parenting subjects and travel at meghan@mommypoppins.com.

Latest posts by Meghan

50 Mother's Day Gifts Moms Actually Want

Submitted by Meghan Rose on Mon, 05/08/2023 - 12:35pm

Moms want alone time, quiet, and the chance to relax. Photo by Mommy Poppins

Moms deserve the world, so shouldn't they get the Mother's Day gifts they really want? No scented candles, please. No scented bath soaps. (What is it with scented gifts, anyway?) And—say it with us—no robes.

So, what do moms really want for Mother's Day? We asked, and our readers answered—loud and clear. Yes, we all want a tasty Mother's Day brunch and homemade Mother's day cards. But as for Mother's Day gifts? Hold the flowers, please.

Here’s what moms really want for Mother’s Day 2024. May this list of 50 Mother's Day gift ideas provide some much-needed inspiration!

50 Amazing Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids this Spring

Submitted by Meghan Rose on Fri, 03/31/2023 - 10:30am

The Flower Fields at Carlsbad are filled with gorgeous blooms. Photo by Chris Jimenez/Flickr/CC-BY-2.0

Spring is in the Los Angeles air, which means wildflowers bloom, waterfalls gush, and after a long winter at home, it's finally time to start venturing out again to take advantage of all the wonderful springtime things to do in Los Angeles. Spring is the best time to explore LA—the weather is gorgeous, but it's before desert destinations get too hot and beaches get too crowded. Without further ado, here is our roundup of 50 great spring activities in Los Angeles for the whole family. These picks range from outdoor adventures to museums—plus a few suggestions for ticketed activities and even some spring day trips and getaways.

Don't forget, you can find more seasonal happenings in our Los Angeles Spring Fun Guide or our always-bursting Event Calendar, where we add new events every day.

Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood is Now Open

Submitted by Meghan Rose on Fri, 02/17/2023 - 11:34am

Let's-a-go! Step through the Warp Pipe, and you're in Super Nintendo World!

Super Nintendo World is now open at Universal Studios Hollywood! My family—including my video game-obsessed teen son and video game-averse teen daughter—got a sneak peek, and I'm here to give you all the details. Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge is the first ride to open, along with the Toadstool Cafe, 1-UP Factory retail store, and an immersive play area. What's it like? Is it worth the hype?

Read on to get the scoop on all things Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach at the newly expanded land at Universal Studios Hollywood. And get all the latest happenings at local theme parks in our SoCal Theme and Water Parks Guide.

3 Days in Los Angeles with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom

Submitted by Meghan Rose on Fri, 01/27/2023 - 10:23am

This 3 day itinerary will make you fall in love with LA. Photo by Roberto Nickson, via Pexels

So, you’re visiting Los Angeles with kids, and you’ve only got three days. No problem—I have the perfect itinerary for you! Now, most would say that’s not enough time to explore this bustling, bursting metropolis. But I’ve been all over this city, and tried pretty much single thing to do in LA with kids, and I’m telling you—by the time you finish the three-day tour below, you’ll know this city, and love it, like a native Angeleno.

This itinerary will give you a taste of why I love it here: the hidden gems, the incredible history, the iconic sites & sights, and even the best bathrooms in town. Plus, you’ll get a taste of the tastes of LA, and the vibrant food scene that is the most exciting in the country. So buckle up (yes, you’ll need a car) and get ready to go back in time to the La Brea Tar Pits, stroll down Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, and play on the beach. Here we go!

If you’ve got more than three days, you might want to check out our list of the top attractions in Los Angeles and our bucket list of the 100 best things to do in Los Angeles with kids before they grow up.

10 Best Babymoon Destinations for Expectant Parents

Submitted by Meghan Rose on Sat, 01/14/2023 - 12:11pm

Stroll a beach, take some naps, and enjoy your time together before the baby arrives. That's the ideal babymoon!

The best babymoon destinations vary depending on who you are and what you’ll miss most when your Friday night consists of falling asleep on the couch at 8:30pm. If you’ll be sorry you’re not catching the latest show, your perfect babymoon destination might be a trip to a bustling city. If you’re missing those extra hours of shut-eye because you got up at 1am (and 3am and 5am), the best babymoon idea for you is a spa. Here we’ve picked the top 10 spots for a babymoon, from a glamorous trip to London to a favorite tropical beach destination.

Now pack your bags and get a little fun in before your all-consuming (but very happy-making) bundle of joy arrives. Because the next trip you plan will be as a family, and you’ll be using our Guide to Family Travel to find an all-inclusive water park resort or pick the best hotel for families near Disneyland!

Best of 2022 - Los Angeles Kid Edition: Top Openings and Other Awesome Stuff We Loved

Submitted by Meghan Rose on Sun, 12/25/2022 - 11:15am

Say "Roar" at the dino-tastic park in Long Beach. Recreation Park photo by Kylie Williams

It’s that time of the year again: “best of” season! Well, we’re not immune here at Mommy Poppins, and it’s such a delight to highlight fun things to do with kids in Los Angeles that are brand new and you might not have experienced yet. We searched our archives, our memories, your Facebook recommendations, and more to compile this list of the best kid-friendly openings in Los Angeles in 2022. With a new entertainment center (with duckpin bowling, for my fellow former east coasters!), new playspaces, and maybe the best pizza in town (are we fighting?), Los Angeles has more fun things to do with kids than ever before.

Without further ado, here is our list of the best kid-friendly destinations that opened in 2022 in Los Angeles. I wonder what 2023 will bring… For a peek at events already on our January radar, check out our January Calendar of Events in Los Angeles!

20 Great Mommy & Me Classes in San Francisco Bay Area: Baby Classes We Love

Submitted by Meghan Rose on Sun, 09/11/2022 - 11:18am

Kids as young as 18 months can get kicking. Photo courtesy of Soccer Kiddos

Classes for babies (and toddlers) can solve one of the biggest parenting hurdles: getting out of the house! Especially in the early years, a Parent and Baby class might be the only outing you manage all day—even all week. From classes for babies who can barely lift their heads to classes for toddlers who are tottering around, these Mommy & Me classes (and Daddy & Me classes, too!) focus on activities that babies and parents can do together, from swimming to sign language and yoga to folk music. Find your tribe, bond with your babe, and get out of the house to reclaim a little sanity with these amazing baby classes and toddler classes in San Francisco.

Check out our other lists of awesome classes for kids in San Francisco Bay Area, including Cooking Classes for Kids and Swimming Lessons for Babies and Toddlers. And did you know you can now book classes and more activities directly from the Mommy Poppins calendar? Find events with the "book it" button or filter for classes for simple registration in just a few clicks!

Halloween Tickets on Sale Now in Los Angeles: Hurry, Some are Selling Out Already!

Submitted by Meghan Rose on Tue, 08/30/2022 - 10:49am

Head to Haunt O'Ween for a wild walk through pumpkin land. Photo courtesy of the event, via Facebook

Honestly, the kids just started school, and I haven't made our plans yet (note to self: do that today) for a quick getaway or day trip for Labor Day weekend. I am not ready for Halloween! But, with pumpkin spice lattes at coffee shops, Pumpkin Spice Oreos in the stores, and my kids already planning Halloween costumes, I think it's time to start planning. Especially since Disneyland has already announced that Oogie Boogie is fully sold out for 2022... So, I took a look at which beloved Los Angeles Halloween events and attractions are already on sale—almost all of them—so we can all snag some tickets before everything sells out.

From fun for the whole family at Haunt O' Ween to the big kid scares at Haunted Hayride, here are the best Halloween events you just might want to get tickets for today. Keep tabs on all the Halloween fun as it is announced in our Los Angeles Halloween Fun and Activities Guide.

Meghan Rose

Latest posts by Meghan

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