MommyPoppins.com
MAKE YOUR DAY
Get Listed Log In Sign Up My Profile Sign out Contact
Anywhere
  • Anywhere
  • New York City
  • Atlanta
  • Boston
  • Chicago
  • Houston
  • Miami South Florida
  • Philadelphia
  • Washington DC
  • Orlando
  • Los Angeles
  • San Francisco Bay Area
  • Connecticut
  • Long Island
  • New Jersey
  • Westchester
Get Listed Log In Sign Up My Profile Sign out Contact

HOME - Anywhere

Activity Calendar

Providers

Calendar  
  • Activity Search

  • Virtual

  • Submit an Activity

Things To Do  
  • Crafts for Kids

  • Recipes

  • Science for Kids

  • At Home Activities

  • Online & Virtual

Camps & Classes  
  • Camp Guide

  • Virtual Camps

  • Virtual Classes

Parties & Holidays  
  • Virtual Parties

  • Party Ideas

Family Travel  
  • Family Vacations

  • Resorts & Hotels

  • Theme & Water Parks

  • New England Travel

  • Cape Cod, Nantuket & The Vineyard

  • Jersey Shore Guide

  • Poconos Vacation Guide

Contact

Sign up for our free newsletters.

Jacqueline Stansbury

Jacqueline Stansbury's picture A native Angeleno, Jackie enjoys revisiting her childhood as a mom and writer for Mommy Poppins. She did a lot of cool stuff as a kid and has newfound respect for her own mom who made that happen without the internet! Today in Los Angeles, some things are gone, some have changed and some, like the grunion, remain exactly the same. In her former life, Jackie was a development executive on the Fox Studios lot where she rounded up writer/director lists and covered screenplays. Mommy Poppins is much more fun. Jackie's kids, Benjamin and Juliet, agree.

Latest posts by Jacqueline

Weekday Picks: Christmas Tree Lights, Holiday Shopping, Snoopy on Ice November 30 - December 4

Jacqueline Stansbury's picture Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on Mon, 11/30/2015 - 8:00am

There is nothing I enjoy so much as a brilliant display of holiday lights. That said, there were quite a few lighting ceremonies on our calendar in November, yet you didn’t hear about them from me. As far as I’m concerned, the acquisition and lighting of Christmas trees belong firmly in the month of December. Anything before that is just a sneaky way to push the holiday shopping agenda. Well, here we are in December, and I’m happy to report that there are still plenty of chances to celebrate the next four weeks of shopping with a lighting ceremony, whether you head west to Santa Monica , east to Downtown LA, or south towards Hermosa or Long Beach.

It is likely that you are well on your way with the toy shopping, but don’t forget that Tuesday and Wednesday are free LEGO days: a perfect stocking stuffer or spoonful of sugar on sock night. For more grown up gift ideas, Montana Avenue’s annual holiday walk in Santa Monica is this week.

Pershing Square outdoor ice rink welcomes Snoopy and friends for a mini preview of Knott’s Merry Farm’s Merry Christmas Snoopy this week. Those Peanuts never get old, especially when they have a new movie. 'Tis the season for many celebrations; there is much more to do on our Daily Events Calendar and in our Holiday Guide.

Read more.

Weekday Picks: Farmers Market Toy Drive, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, November 23-27

Jacqueline Stansbury's picture Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on Mon, 11/23/2015 - 5:45am

With Thanksgiving just a few days away, it's a time for sharing with others, and for picking up the last minute items you need for dinner; why not do both by saying "meet me at Third and Fairfax" for the annual Salvation Army Kettle Kickoff at the Farmers Market? Each year, the bright red donation kettles take their places at our nation's storefronts. This drive for donations begins at The Farmers Market with a festive holiday event that includes a tree lighting ceremony, sing-alongs with the Claremont Carolers, and tributes to civic and community leaders. The U.S. Marine Corps collects for Toys for Tots, too.

So if Monday is for giving and Thursday is for gratitude, Friday must be for getting, right? Not necessarily. The Los Angeles County Arboretum has an “Escape from Black Friday” nature camp, and there is much to do on our calendar that does not involve shopping. Personally, in anticipation of El Niño relieving us from the drought, I’m going to be Singin’ in the Rain, but if you are looking for a kiddie movie, The Good Dinosaur opens at the El Capitan this week. If you have tickets to the 7pm show on Wednesday you can also enjoy a free anniversary screening of Toy Story beforehand. The accompanying show celebrates 20 years of Pixar Animation.

Read more.

Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks: Orange County's Own Grand Canyon

Jacqueline Stansbury's picture Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on Fri, 11/20/2015 - 12:18pm

As the saying goes, one thing they can’t make more of is land. It is sometimes hard to believe that Los Angeles was initially populated by people who wanted to grow things; they came for the oranges, stayed for the weather, and soon our rural western outpost became a city. Los Angeles is no longer the big suburb it was when I was growing up. I miss that old city but am perpetually grateful for all of the open land that we still have. Huge amounts of acreage have been donated or conserved. This means that on any given day our children can be surrounded by nature on public land that belongs to them and to us. We can leave the city behind to go picnicking, hiking or camping. We have beaches, deserts, the Santa Monica Mountains, and in Orange County, the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks: 37,000 acres of permanently protected wilderness designated as national natural landmarks by the State of California and U.S. Department of Interior.

Read more.

Weekday Picks: Holiday Lights, the Great Outdoors, A Love Letter to Paris, November 16-20

Jacqueline Stansbury's picture Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on Mon, 11/16/2015 - 6:37am

In the mood for a movie? The Peanut Movie is getting parents and kids in the holiday spirit; Disney Screen at the Century in Huntington Beach is screening four Pixar movies for the price of one admission; and the beloved Little Mermaid is back at El Capitan. But if you've been trying to find the words to answer your kids' questions about what's happened in Paris, you might try hunkering down for a movie at home one day this week to share a beautiful portrait of Paris as it was and will be again, in the classic film The Red Balloon. This brief film (available at many libraries and Amazon) is about a boy, the balloon that becomes his friend, the bullies that torment him, and the boy’s liberation from cruelty when all of the balloons in Paris join forces to raise him up above the city.

Heading back outdoors, this week brings free days at Descanso and the Arboretum, a Chaparral themed evening in Temescal Gateway Park, curbside stargazing in Burbank and Sylmar, and holiday celebrations in Glendale, Burbank, and Manhattan Beach. For parents of very little ones, the Family Room in San Marino offers two classes for parents struggling with the topic of food: Baby Led Weaning: The Mush Stops Here and Stress-free Toddler Feeding. Sometimes it is nice to get a little help before they find out about fro-yo, ice cream, and pizza.

Though not always easy, there is nothing quite like a childhood in the city. Los Angeles has much to offer and Mommy Poppins has lots of ideas for things to do on our Daily Events Calendar.

Read more.

Weekday Picks: Veterans’ Day, California Impressionists, the Stars at Night November 9-13

Jacqueline Stansbury's picture Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on Mon, 11/09/2015 - 2:00am

Those of us with school aged children need not be blindsided by the slightly inconvenient day off on Wednesday; if you work some place that doesn’t close for Veterans' Day and need child care, why not sign them up for beach camp? Remarkably, it is still warm enough to do that. When I’m not working, I tend to look at these days off as a gift of time with my kids. Find something cool to do! Southern California was home to two of our presidents, and regardless of how you feel about Richard Nixon or Ronald Reagan, their libraries are rich with history. The Reagan Library has Air Force One and panels from the Berlin Wall. In Yorba Linda, it is possible to see the humble home where Richard Nixon began his life. Both libraries have special events planned for this day honoring those who have served. (Note that the Nixon library is open, but the galleries are under renovation.) Not feeling presidential? There is loads going on this week that's not remotely political.

Read more.

Weekday Picks: Blast Off! Space in 3D, ICE Is Back, Free LEGO, November 2-6

Jacqueline Stansbury's picture Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on Mon, 11/02/2015 - 3:10am

It may not feel very wintery, and by the way, where the heck is El Niño? Nevertheless, ‘tis the season for ice skating on the beach. Santa Ana winds be damned; ICE in Santa Monica returns this week. Celebrate the opening with Olympic pairs champion Randy Gardner and the California Gold Synchronized Skating Team. This annual event is one of my family’s favorite ways to launch the holidays. The music is fun, and the skating is free.

Speaking of launching, Journey to Space opens at the California Science Center this week. Spin out of your orbit in an immersive exploration of the final frontier. Tuesday is LEGO day, with free mini models at participating stores and a brick building play date in Chinatown.

A new month usually means lots of free days so be sure to check our Daily Events Calendar for other things to do.

Read more.

Weekday Picks: Countdown to Halloween and Day of the Dead, October 26-30

Jacqueline Stansbury's picture Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on Mon, 10/26/2015 - 1:22am

This is it folks, just five more business days before All Hallows Eve. Here in Los Angeles, there is absolutely no reason why Halloween should be a one day event revolving around the acquisition and consumption of candy. While I confess my own house is on its second bag of candy corn, we have also managed to squeeze in several thematic excursions: Dark Harbor at the Queen Mary is a must do for older kids who like to be terrified; it starts haunted and gets scarier from there. Spooky, atmospheric, and worth the monumental wait is the Ghost Train in Griffith Park; arrive before dark or just as it's closing to avoid the most epic lines. Rise of the Jack O’ Lanterns is dark enough to be mildly spooky but still appeals to young ones (hold out for discounted tickets on Goldstar or elsewhere). And Bob Baker’s Marionettes always offer an enjoyable way to celebrate the holiday; Mr. Baker is no longer with us, but his Halloween Spooktacular continues.

Free Halloween activities this week include The Hollow Trees at Kids Club on the Green in Glendale, cartoonist Dave Boatman showing Studio City kids some spooky Halloween cartooning, and a Hotel Transylvania family picnic on the Promenade at Santa Monica's Cinema on the Street. Don't forget to pass by Boney Island in Sherman Oaks, too.

Read more.

This Week’s Picks: Evening Hikes, Movies, and Halloween Haunts, Plus a Consignment Sale, October 19-23

Jacqueline Stansbury's picture Submitted by Jacqueline Stansbury on Mon, 10/19/2015 - 3:00am

In case you were wondering, yes, we are capable of talking about things other than Halloween. Take El Niño, for instance. El Niño may not be here yet, but once that soggy rascal does arrive, there won’t be much opportunity for heading outdoors; best to enjoy Griffith Park Observatory’s Sunset Walk and Talk one more time before the deluge arrives. We can talk about teens, too: Santa Monica high schoolers may want to check out the library's Teen Advisory Council, a leadership program advocating for the library that meets this Monday and throughout the year. As anyone with kids starting to think about college knows, leadership and community service are vital components of the application process. Or we could mention the LA Kids gigantic consignment sale in Woodland Hills, where 650 families have contributed 100,000 new and barely used items; if you're working on a Halloween costume, this may be a place to pick up a few items. 

Oops - there we go again talking about Halloween. Well, let the hauntings begin, or rather continue! There’s a maze in Malibu, and Sherman Oaks has Boney Island. And as part of the El Capitan’s Halloween trilogy, Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas screens. It’s a favorite family tradition in my house to watch this movie, which somehow manages to work our two favorite holidays into one stop action animation masterpiece that includes a tremendous score by Danny Elfman.

Read more.

Pages

  • « first
  • ‹ previous
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • …
  • next ›
  • last »

Sign up for our free
newsletters.
New York City
Atlanta
Boston
Chicago
Houston
Miami South Florida
Philadelphia
Washington DC
Orlando
Los Angeles
San Francisco Bay Area
Connecticut
Long Island
New Jersey
Westchester
MommyPoppins.com
Mommy Poppins is a family activity website that helps people find things to do with kids.
QUICK LINKS
Activities
Providers
Family Travel
CONTACT
Newsletter Subscribe
Contact
About
SITEMAP
Submit an Activity
List Your Business
Advertise with Us
© 2025 MommyPoppins. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Terms of Use.
mp-prod4-v4.32.99