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

The 2022 Hollywood Bowl Schedule: The Best Family-Friendly Concerts This Summer

Submitted by Toby B on Thu, 04/28/2022 - 10:42am

If you've never seen fireworks at the Bowl, can you call yourself an Angeleno? Photo courtesy of the Hollywood Bowl.

The Hollywood Bowl isn't just one of the best concert venues in America—for many LA families a visit to the Hollywood Bowl means summer has arrived. It means picnics, cozy blankets, binoculars, fireworks, sing-a-longs, music, movies, stars on the stage, and stars in the sky.

This summer all your favorites are here: fireworks with a duo of comedy legends on the 4th of July, the annual Sound of Music sing-a-long, and live-to-screen concert performances of favorite movies. In 2022 the Hollywood Bowl schedule includes two evenings featuring the incomparable Diana Ross and closes out with 80's megaband Duran Duran. So peruse our list of the family-friendly shows that we can't wait for and get ready for a very musical summer.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Los Angeles: St. Patrick's Day Parades, Festivals, and Food

Submitted by Toby B on Fri, 03/04/2022 - 10:44am

Little leprechauns love ukuleles! Photo courtesy of the County Ventura St. Patrick's Day Parade

Here comes St. Patrick's Day in Los Angeles; time to brush up the Irish brogue for the one time per year (unless you're actually Irish) that you use it. The holiday is March 17, but there are several weekend opportunities to celebrate with St. Patrick's Day parades, festivals, and corned beef. So top o' the marnin' to ye; Erin Go Bragh; that shade of green looks bonny on you, and let's go find that pot o' gold!

Be sure to check our calendar of events and activities in Los Angeles as St. Patrick's Day approaches because we're adding new events daily. And for some St. Patrick's Day fun at home, check out these Funny Leprechaun Tricks and Traps for St. Patrick's Day.

9 Montessori Preschools for Long Island Kids

Submitted by Toby B on Sat, 02/19/2022 - 10:06am

Stimulate your child's learning at West Hills Montessori. Photo courtesy of the school

The days are long, but the years are short. Before you know it, it’s time for your little one to spread his or her wings and head off to preschool.

There are many preschool options on Long Island, and choices can be overwhelming. But if you’ve decided a Montessori preschool is a good fit for your child, we’ve put together a list of options to get you started on a search.

For the uninitiated, Montessori is an educational philosophy developed more than a century ago that encourages kids to be independent and learn at their own pace. Typically students are grouped by ability rather than age, classrooms are outfitted with specific learning materials, and specially trained teachers act as observers and facilitators.

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...