Toby B

Toby is our uber-busy events editor for Mommy Poppins LA. Feel free to email Toby about events for our LA area calendar.

Latest posts by Toby

School Calendars 2021-2022: Start & End Dates for Los Angeles County Schools

Submitted by Toby B on Tue, 06/29/2021 - 9:35am

Check out the academic calendars for the Los Angeles 2021-22 school year.

School is out for summer, so one thing is on everyone's mind: when do we go back to school?

This year, perhaps more than ever, parents and kids alike are eagerly anticipating the return to a normal school year—with kids in school and at their desks. Below are the current school calendar plans for most of the major districts in the LA area. But be sure to check in with your school before the start of the year as dates may be subject to change. Also, each school district may have different rules for mask wearing, testing requirements, and online learning options.

The linked calendars also give you dates for winter and spring breaks, in case you're ready to start planning some family vacations. And if you're wondering about what other school options are available to you, our school guide can help.

25 Cool Things To Do in LA this Weekend with Kids: First Fireworks, Railway's Last Run

Submitted by Toby B on Wed, 06/23/2021 - 9:40am

First fireworks of the season: The Chino Fireworks Spectacular. Photo courtesy of the City of Chino

Y'all might not have noticed, but it is now officially and truly summer in these parts, and the events this weekend reflect it. There's a rooftop block party, camping and fishing in local parks, and a music and art fest featuring Las Cafeteras. And those are just a few of our favorite things to do in LA this weekend! We are minutes away from the 4th of July weekend, which—spoiler alert—is going to have fireworks aplenty this year. In fact, some are even taking place early, like this weekend.

And while favorites, like the Hollywood Bowl and the Cabrillo Aquarium, are back, we're also saying goodbye to a beloved local railway. There's still time for one last ride into the sunset, so grab your tickets and climb aboard.

It's time for beaches, summer camps, hot summer blockbusters, blooming lilac fields, and all manner of fun in the sun—just check out our Summer Fun Guide for all the best summer activities in LA. Meanwhile, keep reading for our hottest picks for this weekend in LA...

Things To Do in Los Angeles this Weekend with Kids: Earth Day, Oscars, Getty Villa Reopens

Submitted by Toby B on Wed, 04/21/2021 - 9:23am

Let's go fly a kite! Photo courtesy of Ascot Hills Park

We here at Mommy Poppins are all about mothers, and this week we’re celebrating the biggest mother of them all: Mother Earth. While Momma E has appreciated the improved air quality from us all staying home for the last year, she is happy to welcome us back for in-person, with-people events. Top options for in-person Earth-Daying include the newly reopened Heal the Bay Aquarium and the kite-flying celebration in Ascot Hills Park.

If you're not ready for the up close and personal, virtual options still abound, and not just for Earth Day. This week we have virtual celebrations of Cherry Blossoms, the continuations of the LA Times Festival of Books, and a birthday bash for the Bard. And let us not forget the Oscars, which I will watch this year from home, in order to reduce my carbon footprint and because I wasn't invited.

You know where I have been invited? The Mommy Poppins LA Online Camp Fair, and you're invited, too. Our virtual expo starts on April 26 and offers a one-stop-shop for virtual tours and face-to-face sessions with the best camps in town. And it's totally free!

You are invited to keep reading for a motherload of activities you can do with your family this week...

Activities To Get You Out of the House This Weekend: Passover, Egg Hunts, Art of the Brick

Submitted by Toby B on Wed, 03/24/2021 - 9:00am

Art of the Brick is back, Lego fans! Photo courtesy of California Science Center

Like a butterfly at the Natural History Museum, LA is emerging from its stasis. Something new is reopening almost every day. (Seriously, keep checking our calendar, as there are a slew of openings in April, and we're tracking them all.) As each world-class museum, theme park, and zoo opens, we can rediscover them—without pesky tourists. Also, we're heading into the spring holidays: Passover is this weekend and Easter is hopping into town right behind it, bringing plenty of egg hunts and bunny brunches.

Not ready to venture out just yet? WonderCon goes virtual, serving up all of the geek cred with none of the crowds. Same with this year's PaleyFest LA. Or pull up a front row (couch) seat for a new series based on the Mighty Ducks, a fiery flick from the Octonauts, or a mighty showdown between the king of the monsters and the king of the beasts.

If it's at-home enrichment you want, Poppins@Home has amazing new content, like a transportation-themed virtual Spring Recess Camp, a virtual hip hop dance class, and bilingual music from 123 Andres.

Did I mention free donuts? Our cups runneth over. (With coffee, which is also free.)

Here Are the Things You Want To Do this Weekend in LA: Purim, Pokemon, and Irvine Railroad

Submitted by Toby B on Wed, 02/24/2021 - 9:00am

Ride the rails with throwback anniversary prices. Photo courtesy of Irvine Park Railroad

For a city still on lockdown, we sure have a heck of a lot of fun things to do. This weekend you can drive through Magic Mountain for a car-tastic experience, you can dive under the sea with your favorite angular sea sponge, and you can climb aboard for Irvine Railroad's annual fest.

It's time once again to pay tribute to LA icon Bob Baker as his puppets take over Union Station and from there the entire city. Tom & Jerry are taking over NYC in their new feature film, which you can see at your house or at a drive-in. There are celebrations for African American History month, camellias and cute kids, and the music of Pokemon (with Post Malone!). And break out the hamantaschen, because Purim is celebrated with both virtual and in-person events.

There are more fresh and fun ways to engage your kids with Poppins@Home: It's a wonderful world of wizards with Snapology, Brick Art & Design teaches kids how to create museum-worthy masterpieces, and littles can learn their ABC's and the laws of science with Science Through the Alphabet.

Keep reading for even more fun and festive things to do...

Free Virtual Events in February: Valentine's Day, Lunar New Year, Mardi Gras, New Movies, & More Online Fun

Submitted by Toby B on Mon, 02/01/2021 - 8:00am

For a small month, February sure packs a punch! Jam-packed into 28 little days, we get Groundhog Day, Valentine's Day, Lunar New Year, Presidents Day, and Mardi Gras, not to mention African American History Month and the Super Bowl. Oh, and thanks to a little Perseverance, we're landing on Mars!

'Til movie theaters fully reopen, major film premieres are being held at your house. Premiering digitally this month are a new release from Studio Ghibli, a big screen adaptation of Flora & Ulysses, and a cartoon/live action hybrid Tom & Jerry.

Our Poppins@Home platform continues to be the go-to for fun and fabulous enrichment activities for kids, with classes to keep your baby in tune and give your soccer-crazed kids happy feet.

Mask up, log on, and keep reading for non-stop virtual fun in February.

Things To Do in LA this Weekend with Kids: Dance Drive-In, Hide and Seek Garden, and a New Studio Ghibli Film

Submitted by Toby B on Wed, 01/27/2021 - 8:57am

Sometimes you just want to take flight! Image from Dusk courtesy of Dance Camera West

Things are looking up: Our statistics are improving and California's stay-at-home restrictions are being relaxed. Pretty soon we can look forward to an expanded repertoire of engaging and enriching recreational activities. And in the meantime: we can go to Disneyland! (For vaccinations, if we meet the current Tier 1 criteria.) And horse trails and gardens and farms! (For some fresh air and change of scenery, no matter who we might be.)

The changes aren't happening overnight, so we encourage keeping a close eye on our site. We'll do our best to keep you informed as favorite venues once again roll out the welcome mat. 'Til then, we have no shortage of online amusements. This week we can log on to celebrate chocolate, Marion Davies, and human abilities. Ohana means family, and you'll want to gather yours for the premieres of Finding Ohana on Netflix and Studio Ghibli's Earwig and the Witch on HBO Max.

Poppins@Home continues to bridge the enrichment gap, with fun and funky virtual classes for kids of all ages. Real science brings magic to life in the Magical Potions class at the Science of Wizarding School. Step by step instructions help kids draw iconic cartoon characters, with a different character featured each class. And happy feet make for happy kids, so sign them up for HappyFeet soccer.

Keep reading for more inspirational picks for the coming week.

School Calendars 2020-2021: Start & End Dates for Los Angeles County Schools & Reopening Updates

Submitted by Toby B on Sat, 01/02/2021 - 8:06am

Academic Calendars and News for the Los Angeles 2020-21 School Year

School schedules run our lives. That’s never been more true than it is this year when parents have been called upon to be tutors, teachers, and tech support during school hours.

LA County schools have been fully cleared by the county to reopen. Read on to find out exactly what this means for families across the Southland.

And if what you read makes you wonder about what other school options are available to you, maybe our school guide can help.