Susan Leslie

Latest posts by Susan Leslie

20 Things To Do in Los Angeles with Tweens and Teens That They'll Actually Enjoy

Submitted by Susan Leslie on Fri, 01/14/2022 - 10:30am

Almost every teen I've met loves VR. Photo courtesy of dreamscapeimmersive.com

That darling toddler that couldn't spend enough time with you somehow morphed into an often sulky or sullen tween or teen who suddenly thinks you're fairly lame. Now, when you suggest a fun family activity, you're more likely to be met with an eye roll than a hug. Well, we happen to have a list of outings that will definitely get your teenager off the couch. We have an entire Mommy Poppins guide just for teens and tweens, but if you're looking for one handy list, here are 20 activity ideas that will make your tween or teen smile for a minute. If you mention there might be Instagram photo opportunities, they may even smile for two or three minutes.

Scout Badge Activities: 10 Fun Ways To Earn Badges around Los Angeles

Submitted by Susan Leslie on Fri, 02/07/2020 - 10:32pm

Time to buy some Badge Magic, because your scout's vest is about to get a whole lot more crowded. Whether you're a troop leader guiding the pack, or just a parent in charge of the next activity, these adventures (many of which are free or cheap) are great choices for inspiring a troop of boy or girl scouts. Don't mistake these for merely "fun patch" activities; these badges earned at locations throughout Los Angeles may even spark ideas for a future Gold Award or Eagle Scout project. And in the process, you may get to check another item off our LA Kids Bucket List.

100 Things To Do in California with Kids Before They Leave The Nest

Submitted by Susan Leslie on Sat, 10/12/2019 - 1:00pm

Face to face with the giraffes at the Santa Barbara Zoo. Photo courtesy of Visit Santa Barbara

Whether your kids are leaving the nest in one year or in ten years, there are at least 100 things to do in California worthy of any family's bucket list. From San Diego to Crescent City and every town in between, there are amusement parks, great hikes, drives to the mountains, adventure activities, and so much more!

Did you know that California has 58 counties? Okay, maybe your bucket list doesn't need to cover all 58, but we have awesome family excursions covering over 30 counties across California's 163,696 square miles. How many have your kids experienced?

25 Things To Do in Pacific Palisades with Kids

Submitted by Susan Leslie on Tue, 04/16/2019 - 4:42am

Fun at The Getty Villa. Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging

A short drive from Santa Monica or Malibu and worth the drive from anywhere else in LA, the Pacific Palisades sits nestled atop a cliff line from the beach to 26th Street (Allenford). While the neighborhood is certainly celebrity-dense and the real estate is one of the most pricey in the city, families are drawn to the Palisades for its small town feeling, its kid-friendly neighborhoods, and the fantastic schools. Whether you live in the Palisades or not, here are 25 bucket list items you may want to start crossing off your list in this city by the sea.

7 Single Parent Hacks for Entertaining Kids (and Staying Sane) Every Day of the Week

Submitted by Susan Leslie on Mon, 03/18/2019 - 1:00pm

March 21st is National Single Parent Day. Yes, that's a thing. It even has a hashtag #NationalSingleParentDay. Yipeee, let's celebrate you! The holiday was created in 1984 to "honor the sacrifices and diligent work of single parents across our country" with the hopes that it would become just as popular as Mother's Day or Father's Day. Okay, that's pretty cool. Except, you know, when you're single... there's no one to actually go out and get you roses or candy or take you to dinner or even draw you a bath...on National Single Parent Day, on Mother's Day, on Father's Day, or any other day... because, you're SINGLE. But you deserve to be celebrated—if not with roses then at least with a few helpful hacks to get through the week.

10 Free Classes Kids Can Take at Stores and Businesses around LA

Submitted by Susan Leslie on Tue, 03/12/2019 - 11:03am

"I never run out of enriching activities for my kid," said no one EVER! Well, there are lots of classes in LA, some of which could send your bank account into cardiac arrest, but we have 10 classes your kid can do for FREE at local stores in your community. Okay, we say free; stores offer classes for free because, well, they think you just might consider a stroll down the aisles before you leave, and they're hoping a few items make their way into your basket. Stores are counting on your kid to scream, "I gotta have that!" before you leave. If you can manage to get the kids into the "free" activity and out again before the cash register rings, though, these free events are for you. (Oh, and you are a super parent!)