Roberta Brown

Editor-in-Chief

Years spent at Nickelodeon prepared Roberta to launch Mommy Poppins' Los Angeles branch in 2011, eventually becoming Mommy Poppins Editor-in-Chief in 2013. Previously she served as LA Editor for GoCityKids, National Editor for ParentsConnect, and Editor for NickMom—all of which works out well for her son, who has grown up serving as Chief Guinea Pig for all things fun in LA and beyond.

Latest posts by Roberta

Toys for Tots, Spark of Love, and More Places to Donate Toys in Los Angeles for the Holidays

Submitted by Roberta B on Thu, 12/01/2022 - 10:39am

The Spark of Love Toy Drive is an LA tradition. Photo courtesy of County of Los Angeles Fire Department

Toys for Tots and Spark of Love are two great places to donate toys in Los Angeles. Here are our favorite ways to make the holidays merry and bright for a whole bunch of LA kids.

Christmas is a tough time to be in need; donating toys during the holiday season can truly change the lives of kids in need and showing our children how the community rallies to help our own is a lovely illustration of what the holidays are truly about. Volunteering with our kids is a great holiday tradition when we can manage it, but even when we can't, there is joy in passing along some of last year's unused gifts before finding out what Santa delivers this season. Or when we shop for Christmas or Hanukkah, maybe we could add just one extra item for a child in need. It's a great way to teach our kids about the true joys of the season: giving!

Below are some great places to bring both kinds of toy donations—new and even gently used—to spread around some of that holiday joy. For more ways to celebrate this holiday season, check out our Guide to Christmas Activities and Holiday Events for Los Angeles Families.

Haunted Houses, Horror Nights, and Scary Farms for Los Angeles Teens Who Like a Good Scare

Submitted by Roberta B on Sun, 10/09/2022 - 11:29am

The entrance to Midnight Falls at the world-famous Los Angeles Haunted Hayride. Photo courtesy of the Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group

Did someone say Haunted House? What goes on at theme parks in Los Angeles for Halloween is nothing like the wholesome thrill of a Tigger-clad child ringing doorbells for candy. It may seem like Los Angeles celebrates a night that's all about children with an awful lot of entertainment that is clearly not for children, but these frightful haunts, houses, and hayrides keep the Halloween fun going for older kids and teens. How to know which haunts are best for which ages? We've braved a few of them to share our reviews of just how scary is scary.

Looking for something not quite so scary, and a good deal cheaper? Check out the coolest free haunted houses and Halloween decorations in Los Angeles. And for perfectly tame Halloween activities for younger kids, we rounded up the best not-so-scary Halloween events for Los Angeles preschoolers. You'll find all this spooky fun, and more, in our Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for Los Angeles Kids.

Mosquitos in Los Angeles: LA County Vector Can Save You from Bug Bites, For FREE

Submitted by Roberta B on Fri, 09/16/2022 - 7:56pm

In case you haven't heard, this is one heck of a mosquito year. You may have thought it was just at your house, but it turns out that the whole of Los Angeles County is suffering from an excess of mosquitos—which means a whole lot of little legs suffering an excess of mosquito bites! And with illnesses like West Nile and Zika virus in the mix, it's more than just an annoyance. The good news is that Los Angeles County has a service that can help solve the problem—and it's totally FREE! We had a visit from the county mosquito vector this week, and I was so excited I had to share.

Along Came a Spider Pavilion: Big Spiders Are Back at the Natural History Museum

Submitted by Roberta B on Thu, 09/15/2022 - 10:02am

Spiders are the stars at the Natural History Museum.

The spiders are back! It's time to say buh-bye to the beautiful butterflies of the Butterfly Pavilion to make room for their slightly spookier friends. Every fall, the Spider Pavilion takes over the space on the Natural History Museum’s South Lawn and turns it into the seasonal home to more free-range, eight-legged tenants than anyone in his right mind could want. The Spider Pavilion is an arachnophobe’s worst nightmare and an eight-year-old boy’s version of heaven.

The Spider Pavilion is the perfect fall outing, if you're looking to branch out beyond the typical pumpkin patch or corn maze. For even more spooky, creepy, crawlie fun, visit our Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for Los Angeles Kids.

Top 10 Tennis Classes in NYC for Kids: Indoor and Outdoor Tennis Lessons and Programs

Submitted by Roberta B on Thu, 09/08/2022 - 10:39am

Advantage Tennis offers kid-friendly tennis classes at a variety of locations citywide. Photo courtesy of Advantage Tennis

From tots to teens, New York City is home to kids' tennis classes for a wide range of ages and abilities. From outdoor tennis courts to some intriguing indoor options, you can find many options for tennis lessons in NYC, plus youth tennis leagues running year-round. And come August, make sure to catch the FREE Arthur Ashe Kids' Day on the US Open courts!

Find more tennis classes and tennis programs in NYC for kids in our directory of classes and listings. Bookmark our New York City Classes for Kids Guide for more kids’ activities and classes in NYC for kids of all ages and interests.

Disneyland for Halloween: Oogie Boogie Bash, Trick-or-Treating, and More Magic at Halloween Time

Submitted by Roberta B on Sun, 09/04/2022 - 11:30am

It's a tough call which kids love more, Disneyland or Halloween—so giving them Halloween and Disneyland together is the ultimate parenting slam dunk. With anything Disney, of course, getting the most out of the experience takes some planning ahead. What's right for your family? Halloween Time in Disneyland, the super-popular Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure, or a combination of the two? Since the Oogie Boogie nighttime extravaganza sells out months in advance, if you're reading this in September your decision is partially made up—though it's never too early to start a plan for next year!

Read on to find out everything that is special about a trip to Disneyland Resort at Halloween time, and all the ways that Halloween makes the happiest place on Earth even happier.

Everglades Airboat Tours: Take a Boat Ride To See the Alligators in the Florida Everglades

Submitted by Roberta B on Sun, 08/07/2022 - 3:00pm

Photo courtesy of Everglades Alligator Farm

Florida's Everglades are world famous—mostly for alligators, but there is more to this enormous wildlife area than big toothy reptiles. Everglades National Park's swamps and mangroves cover 1.5 million acres of South Florida, with the broader Everglades region extending many miles beyond that. A full vacation exploring the waterways of the Everglades is a tropical treat, but there are also easy options for day trips from Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Armed with the right info, an airboat ride through the Everglades to greet a few alligators can be an easy and exciting afternoon outing.

Butterfly World in Coconut Creek: Why Kids Love this South Florida Bug Zoo

Submitted by Roberta B on Fri, 07/08/2022 - 2:23pm

Of the many glorious ways there are to enjoy nature in South Florida, Butterfly World is one of our family's favorites. We might not always agree on going to the beach or taking a hike, but from grandparents to toddlers we all love spending an afternoon in a cloud of butterflies at this relaxing and beautiful spot in Tradewinds Park.

Looking for more ideas for things to do in South Florida? Check out our picks for things to do this weekend!