Meghan Rose
A mom of twins, Meghan and her family live in Los Angeles and love to explore the city, as well as the world at large together. As national editor, please send her ALL your correction requests and pitches on national parenting subjects and travel at meghan@mommypoppins.com.
Latest posts by Meghan
Beach walks and beach playgrounds are fun year round, and on the stray warm winter weekend families can even hit the surf at a favorite beach. But there’s one beach activity that’s even better in the winter—tidepooling. On rocky beaches, where little pools of water stay in the rocks when the tide goes out, kids can uncover whole underwater worlds. Crabs, mussels, starfish, snails, sea urchins, minnows, and more can be found by little explorers. Tidepooling in LA is best in the winter because the tides are the lowest, and the beaches the least crowded.
Put those rainboots to good use, grab a pail (and your camera, because kids look extra cute peering into puddles), and see what lives under the sea.
Jokes are the best. Knock knock jokes, silly jokes, pretty much any joke will make a kid roar. Even the bad ones. Especially the bad ones! But parents run out of jokes to tell kids (even dad jokes) well before kids get sick of hearing them. You know who never runs out of jokes, wordplay, silly answers, and entertaining games? Alexa.
The next time you need a minute to yourself, teach the kids a few things from this list of funny things to ask Alexa, the Amazon virtual assistant that plays on smart speakers. Go ahead and crack open a book you’ve been dying to read or sneak away to watch an episode of Bridgerton. Because Alexa time can equal me time.
Most people think of surfing or paddle boarding as summer activities, but for lucky Angelenos these outdoor adventures are year-round possibilities. While hiking and playground visits are great ways to get active outside, sometimes kids want a little more excitement. Plus, long boats and boards are natural social distancing enforcers! So we rounded up the best places in and around Los Angeles where the whole family can rent SUP boards, surf boards, and kayaks—or even take part in more unique water sports (water biking anyone?).
First timers can take lessons, while old hands can simply rent the boats and gear. Ocean breezes in your face, sea lions barking from the rocks; any time is the perfect time to don a wetsuit and hit the waves for some water sport fun in LA.
Last year, parents were able to get away with a Zoom party and promise of “next year.” Well, next year is here, and a birthday party at a favorite indoor space still isn't in the cards. However, there are some amazing places to celebrate birthdays in LA right now—it just takes a little ingenuity. Have a birthday party with immediate family or your safe little pod at one of these spots that are outside, maintain social distance, and/or only allow one small group (or party, if you will) at a time.
Most aren’t traditional birthday parties, but all will make a birthday boy or girl feel special and celebrated. From animal encounters to balloon rides to seeing their names in lights, all that’s missing from these parties is the cake. And don’t forget to plan a virtual celebration that all their friends, family, and classmates can take part in.
One thing this pandemic hasn’t shut down is how darn fast kids grow up. Luckily, LA is (in my humble opinion) the best city in the country for raising kids, with the greatest variety of things for families to do. So even with indoor events and activities on pause, there are plenty of the best, most memorable things to do in Los Angeles with kids that take place outside, and these are all open.
Back when Mommy Poppins first launched, we came up with 100 not-to-be-missed, family-fun outings, and there are 25 of them you can still do today (or this weekend). So check out our list below and get exploring—there is still loads of fun to be had.
Can’t dine in. Can’t eat outside. Everyone is tired of takeout meals that get cold or soggy before you get home. And a whole lot of parents (like me) have run out of ideas for what to make and eat with kids. If any of that sounds familiar, this is the perfect solution: a slew of new and classic drive-ins and carhops in Los Angeles.
Discover these drive-in spots where the food is fresh and hot, there’s often a side of entertainment, and families can eat outside the house. All of these LA carhops have kid-friendly food and desserts, making them fun places to celebrate something special (like a birthday).
Remember the days of busted swings and boring slides? Well, kids growing up in LA will never have those memories; the best playgrounds in Los Angeles (which are open again, hallelujah) are bastions of play and creativity for kids of all ages and abilities. These LA playgrounds feature rocket ships and pirate ships, fire trucks and trains, sea creatures and more. There are climbing structures, sand pits, thrilling ziplines, and playgrounds that honor the original inhabitants of the land. While the neighborhood playground is great for every day, sometimes cooped up kids need something new. And these playgrounds have the ultimate accolade: they're worth crossing the 405!
For more playground inspiration, check our guide to LA's top parks and playgrounds, or our list of the best beach playgrounds in Los Angeles and OC.
What's new at the Santa Barbara Zoo? Families across the city have missed everything about our local zoos with closures this winter (especially Zoo Lights at the LA Zoo). That’s why the news that in the summer of 2021 something new and special is coming to the Santa Barbara Zoo is so very welcome. They’re roaring back, bigger and better than ever before, giving LA kids and families yet another reason to visit the zoo … a trip to the Outback of Australia, with no passport required, just a simple zip up the 101.
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