Roberta Brown

Editor-in-Chief

Years spent at Nickelodeon prepared Roberta to launch Mommy Poppins' Los Angeles branch in 2011, eventually becoming Mommy Poppins Editor-in-Chief in 2013. Previously she served as LA Editor for GoCityKids, National Editor for ParentsConnect, and Editor for NickMom—all of which works out well for her son, who has grown up serving as Chief Guinea Pig for all things fun in LA and beyond.

Latest posts by Roberta

Memorial Day Parades Around LA and the OC

Submitted by Roberta B on Tue, 05/23/2017 - 5:06am

One thing about Los Angeles - it's not a one-parade town. If festivals are too stationary for you, if you need a parade to drum up an appetite for that Memorial Day BBQ, then you've got it made in the shade (as long as you've found a shady spot for your chair) in Los Angeles and Orange County on Monday. The good news for the parade abstainers is that none of the parades on this holiday marches down a major thoroughfare (unless the 405 gets shut down - in which case Topanga is going to hear plenty of honking that isn't for peace). For parade fans, the patriotic fanfare never sounded so good.

Earth Day with LA Kids: Green Festivals, Events, and Fun for Families

Submitted by Roberta B on Mon, 04/17/2017 - 2:02pm

You say it's your Earth Day; well it's my Earth Day, too, yeah! And yes, we're gonna have a good time. Earth Day is one of those holidays that just screams kids. And when we say scream, we mean outdoor voices. Oh sure, Halloween has its ghosts and goblins; Christmas has its presents, and Easter has its chocolate bunnies (melting in the SoCal sun if not found quickly). But Earth Day is a holiday when families of all backgrounds can come together to appreciate our planet and keep our outdoors great for generations to come. And since loving the environment is something Californians take particular pride in, it's not surprising that we're spoiled for choice for celebrating Earth Day around LA.

Museum of Ice Cream and Its Sprinkle Pool of Treats Hit Los Angeles

Submitted by Roberta B on Thu, 03/30/2017 - 5:27pm

UPDATE: The Museum of Ice Cream is currently closed and looking for a new location in DTLA.

Evidently we all must have screamed, because that Museum of Ice Cream pop-up phenomenon that our NYC friends were taunting us with last summer is arriving for an LA run this spring. Organizers call it a "whimsical urban ice cream playground." The New York Times says it "evokes the Willy Wonka flair." And word on the street is you can wade barefoot through rainbow sprinkles. 'Nuff said? Tickets go on sale April 3 and are likely to sell fast, so read on for the scoop.

A Playground in a Movie Theater? For Real? For SoCal!

Submitted by Roberta B on Wed, 03/15/2017 - 5:46pm

Cinépolis, the Latin American movie theater chain, debuts one of its most family-friendly features in Southern California this weekend—but when we say feature, we're not talking movies. The cinema giant has had big success with its innovative movie theater playgrounds for antsy kids south of the border, and two of its US locations are poised to let local kids give it a try. Thinking of seeing Beauty and the Beast this weekend? Why not see it where little ones can romp if the action feels slow, scary, or otherwise less appealing than a giant slide?

Death Valley in Spring: What's up with the Superbloom?

Submitted by Roberta B on Wed, 03/15/2017 - 3:27am

For the second spring in a row, the word Superbloom is being bandied about with a hashtag. Years of drought followed by the winter we'd all been waiting for have combined to create the biggest wildflower phenomenon in recent memory. SoCal families do not need to venture far to find fabulous wildflower hikes this month. Some pretty impressive waterfall hikes are in easy range as well. But what if you want to venture far? What if you've always been curious about that not-so-hospitable chunk of desert along the California Nevada state line that is Death Valley?

This national park is actually one of my favorites, and I have extolled the joys of visiting Death Valley with kids before. It is an exceptional, dramatic place; other deserts seem lackluster dust bowls by comparison. The vistas and variety would be hard to exaggerate. By all means, go to Death Valley. But if you're going for the Suberbloom, there are a few things you ought to know.

Presidential Activities for Presidents Day in LA

Submitted by Roberta B on Wed, 02/15/2017 - 3:25pm

Unlike other holidays, Presidents Day is not a day replete with family rituals; if your family does have a tradition, it's more likely to be hunting for the snow chains before heading off skiing than anything presidential. If you are staying in town for the three-day weekend, though, why not find an activity that makes sense out of Presidents Day? After all, you're more likely to raise a president yourself if you keep your eye on the ball! Check out these five special Presidents Day activities for LA's little POTUS-in-training; and maybe someday your kiddo will add a third presidential museum to the LA landscape.

American Girl Doll Meets First American Boy Doll—And You Can Be There

Submitted by Roberta B on Wed, 02/15/2017 - 10:30am

There hasn't been this much chatter about a boy doll since Barbie met Ken. This week—tomorrow to be exact—the country's most must-have line of dolls for the girl who has everything introduces its first ever Y chromosome character: Logan Everett.

Escape Room Fun for LA Kids: Great for Parties or Cabin Fever

Submitted by Roberta B on Tue, 02/14/2017 - 5:55am

A new trend in group entertainment has hit LA, and it may be one you haven't wrapped your mind around yet: escape rooms. Certain assumptions would seem obvious from the moniker (you need to escape, right? From a room?), but in fact most of my friends seem to know very little about them. Personally, I was curious. And beyond my personal curiosity, I was even more interested to know whether an escape room might be an adventure to be shared with bigger kids who enjoy a little challenge and mystery. Well, it turns out that yes, yes it is a totally and utterly cool thing to do with kids. So get ready for the thrill of locking your kids in a room, and then watching them try to get out. For an hour.