Kylie Williams

Latest posts by Kylie

Swimming Spots to Host a Pool Party for Your Los Angeles Kid

Submitted by Kylie Williams on Sun, 06/25/2023 - 5:15am

A pool party is the best summer birthday party. Photo courtesy of Rose Bowl Aquatic Center

A pool party is the epitome of a summer birthday party for a kid in Los Angeles.

The sun is out, summer is here, and it's time for (pool) party! If you don't have a pool at home, an HOA pool, or (let's be honest) friends and family with pools, then check out these cool pool party spots all around the city that welcome you, your kids, and your kids' friends to take the birthday party plunge.

For more birthday ideas, here are the perfect spots for a baby's first birthday in Los Angeles, the best places for a teen birthday in Los Angeles, and even more in our Birthday Party Ideas Guide for Los Angeles Kids.

Ventura with Kids: 39 Great Things To Do in Ventura County

Submitted by Kylie Williams on Sun, 06/11/2023 - 12:15pm

There are endless activities at Ventura Harbor Village. Photo by Kylie Williams

There are so many things to do in Ventura with kids; there are family-friendly activities and entertainment as far as the coastline stretches. Ventura has remained refreshingly authentic with a small selection of places to eat, beaches framed by privately owned houses, grassy parks, and tasteful walkways. Pile the kids in the car, and head up the 101 to this happy little spot—you won't regret it.

Looking for more day trips from LA? Keep driving up the coast to check out Santa Barbara, or browse our ultimate beach guide to find plenty of sandy spots for your family.

31 Summer Festivals and Fairs in Los Angeles for Families

Submitted by Kylie Williams on Fri, 05/26/2023 - 1:30am

Kick off summer fun with carnival rides. Photo courtesy of the Fountain Valley Summerfest

Summer festivals mean celebrating community or something more specific—surfing, chalk, or watermelon. Fairs and festivals in Los Angeles are an essential SoCal summer tradition. A good summer festival can bring the whole family together—teens can try new foods or shop at retail booths, kids can enjoy crafts, inflatables, carnival rides, or activities, toddlers can dance to live music, and babies can snugly sit in a stroller, taking in the sights—and all this at an event that parents are genuinely excited about.

Whether a pirate enthusiast, a LEGO master builder, an art aficionado, or maybe you need an excuse to get outside this summer, there's a summer festival for everyone.

For more summer fun, check out our Summer Activities Guide for Los Angeles Kids, which includes the best beaches in LA, favorite water parks in SoCal, and everywhere you can jump in a lake in Los Angeles.

Free in May: 29 Things To Do with Kids in Los Angeles

Submitted by Kylie Williams on Thu, 05/04/2023 - 7:00am

Meet the horses after the (free) polo matches at Will Rogers State Park.

Summer break for kids in Los Angeles is just around the corner, and so are the summer camp fees, family vacation expenses, and a TON of ice cream trips. Before the summer budget blows up, use the month of May to enjoy some of the fabulous free events all over the city. Whether it's free Memorial Day weekend celebrations, budget-friendly excursions, outdoor adventures, or checking out a new museum, here are free family things for kids in Los Angeles to do in May.

Discover all the free activities and events near you in our Free Things To Do with Kids in Los Angeles Guide, which includes a roundup of all the Free Museum Days in Los Angeles, plus a list of 60+ Birthday Freebies for Kids.

Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in Los Angeles

Submitted by Kylie Williams on Fri, 04/28/2023 - 2:15am

Extra special activities at American Girl make for an unforgettable birthday. Photo courtesy of American Girl

Our kids' birthdays deserve special treatment, and luckily, Los Angeles has tons of unique restaurants to help make the celebrations extra special. So many places throughout Los Angeles take a "Happy Birthday" serenade to the next level with delicious desserts, outlandish decor, impressive culinary displays, and incredible settings. Read below for the best restaurants for kids' birthdays in Los Angeles.

For more birthday fun, try the craziest desserts in Los Angeles, enjoy birthday freebies, browse great places for indoor kids' birthday parties, and see even more ways to mark the milestone occasion in our Birthday Party Ideas Guide for LA Kids.

12 Best Summer Camps in Long Beach, California

Submitted by Kylie Williams on Sun, 04/09/2023 - 5:30am

Girls climb high. El Ranchito Day Camp photo courtesy of Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles

From baseball to ballet, summer camps in Long Beach set themselves apart with that cool ocean breeze, accompanying camp snacks, and field trips. Life in Long Beach is always sweet, but summer on the coast is when California truly shines.

School will be out before we know it, and the kids will start asking, "Mom, what am I going to do today?". That's why we love summer camps. Whether you choose a traditional day camp with all the classic activities or a specialty camp that hones in on your kids' favorite sports or hobbies, we're sure there's a camp out there where your child can make lasting memories and have a summer to remember. We've rounded up the best summer camps in Long Beach for kids of all ages. This guide includes camps on the ocean, camps in the mountains, camps at art studios, and camps to dance and sing your heart out.

Interested in more summer camps? We've already done the research for you. Check out science camps, surf camps, and so many more camps in our Summer Camp Guide and Directory.

Free in April: 35 Things To Do with Kids in Los Angeles

Submitted by Kylie Williams on Sun, 04/02/2023 - 9:00am

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo Family Day. Photo courtesy of LA Plaza de Cultura Y Artes

Free in April sounds refreshing, especially after all those overstuffed Easter baskets. Here's the good news—tons of activities and things to do with kids in Los Angeles are free in April, costing less than a carton of eggs. In addition to the kid-friendly free museums that are always available to explore, there are a bunch of free Easter egg hunts at parks and pools all over town, plus loads more free activities, events, family days, festivals, and Earth Day celebrations. Read on to learn 35 ways you can create family memories this month without spending a cent!

Discover all the free activities and events near you in our Free Things To Do with Kids in Los Angeles Guide, which includes all the Free Museum Days in Los Angeles plus a list of 60+ Birthday Freebies for Kids.

Munchkins Indoor Playground is a Bright New Spot for Kids in Los Angeles

Submitted by Kylie Williams on Thu, 03/30/2023 - 1:15pm

Munchkins Indoor Playground is balls of fun!

Munchkins Indoor Playground in North Hollywood is the perfect solution for when you're about to give birth to a baby but also have young kids to entertain—and a special occasion to celebrate. Let me set the tone: It was raining. It was my daughter's second birthday. It was the due date of my fourth baby. Maybe it's crazy to head to a play space when you are worried your water could break, but it was a birthday. And it turned out to be the perfect thing to do.

Read on to find out why Munchkins is a great place to play indoors, no matter why you need a distraction for your kids! And if you're looking for more indoor entertainment, visit the best indoor playgrounds in LA and browse even more ideas in our Indoor Fun and Playspaces Guide for LA Kids.