Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in greater los angeles, CA

Weekend Roundup 8/8

August 06, 2009

Weekend Roundup

Traveling with the kids is such a chore, but remember that you are creating memories for them.  It's what you signed up for when you had kids, so you might as well accept that a vacation with them is not actually a vacation for you.  I learned that lesson again when my family went camping last weekend at Pismo Beach.  Read our story here.

For the next few weekends we'll be in Connecticut.  "Summering in Connecticut" as I like to say, even though it's only for most of August.  We'll enjoy the hot sticky weather there, and then come back to Los Angeles to cool off.  It's a dry heat. 

While we're away I will continue to highlight activities and ideas for you and your preschoolers.  Here are a few gems for this weekend:

TONIGHT - Thursday August 6
Summer Twilight Thursdays continue at Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge.  An Afro-Brazilian group sings, you recline on a blanket with a picnic dinner, the kids scamper about, chasing butterflies.  It's a pretty picture.

SATURDAY - August 8
Consider taking advantage of Katie's Cooking School's parent's night out.  Drop off at 6:30 - your kids make a yummy treat and get to play, then you pick them up at 10:30.  Everybody wins.

FRIDAY - SUNDAY

Free concerts continue in the evening at Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena

Check out this awesome list of water play areas around town, courtesy of LA Kidstuff

County Fairs:

We drove by the Ventura County Fair last weekend and if we weren't so exhausted we absolutely would have stopped.  It looked like a blast!

Amusement Park Survival Tips

July 28, 2009

'Tis the season in Southern California for visiting the wealthy of amusement parks in our driving distance.   From Disney to Legoland, SeaWorld to Magic Mountain, the choices abound.  One thing is common for every park, though, and that is the need for stamina and preparation (or lots of cash) for having a good time.  You are outside running around for an entire day or more.  You'll need some staying power.

I just took my family to Legoland, CA for a day, and here are some tips I will keep in mind for the next time
we go to an amusement park:
 
1.  Bring healthy snacks.  Sure there are choices at the park but those snacks add up, and lunch and/or dinner will definitely be expensive.  Plus, you know what your kids like, and most amusement parks will let you bring your own food, especially if your children have dietary restrictions.

2.  Bring a change of clothes for each kid and for the adults, too, if the kids have to be chased or fished out of the water.
Legoland has a splash park in its Pirate Shores area, and the soakage that occurred took me quite by surprise!  

3.  Make the kids use the bathroom when you are near a bathroom, even if they say they don't have to go.  You don't want to have a four year old decide he has to go NOW when you have just waited in an hour long line and are next on the ride!

4.  Establish behavioral guidelines.  In our family, we use time-outs as consequences for misbehavior.  For the
four year old, we established "Legoland jail" - which meant that if he got ten points, he'd get a colossal time-out.  
He only made it to seven points over the long day, which is really good for him.  (The 2 year old had tantrums all day.
Oh well, you can't have it all.)  

5.  Find out ahead of time if your child is big enough for the ride you are approaching.  Great disappointment would
have been avoided if I knew that, although he was big enough, the 2 year old was not OLD enough to ride the little pony
ride.  By the time we realized it, he had seen enough to know that he really wanted to ride!  Poor guy.  Next year.

Fireworks Shows That Are Awesome

June 30, 2009

June 30

Dodgers Game vs. Colorado Rockies
After the game on June 30th at 7:10 p.m.
pro:  you also get a baseball game  con:  the parking situation will drive you nuts

July 2 - 4

Hollywood Bowl
2301 North Highland Ave
7:30 p.m.
323.850.2000

pro:  music to go with your fireworks  con:  see above about parking

July 4

Calabasas High School
22855 W. Mulholland Hwy.
9:00 p.m.

pro:  not as insanely packed as some other shows

The 4th of July Celebration at Hansen Dam is in its 15th year and is a free fun- filled family oriented event which includes food, music, games, rides, prizes and other entertainment, which culminates with one of the most dramatic fireworks displays in the area. 11770 Foothill Blvd. Lake View Terrace, CA. 91342

Marina del Rey - Barges off Beaches and Harbor
near Admiralty and Fiji Way
9:15 p.m. - 9:45 p.m.

Rose Bowl Americafest
Noon - 9:30 p.m.
"Americafest presented by XBOX 360"

CBS Studio Center
4024 Radford Ave., Studio City, CA 91604
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Dennis P. Zine Fireworks Extravaganza
Don Sweeney & The SRO Big Band
This seventeen-piece ensemble of the some of the most sought-after musicians in the industry, will play an array of patriotic tunes, Big Band Era favorites and pop classics.

Event begins at 6 PM with a 26 minute fireworks show starting at 9:05 PM, set to live music.

Additional Uses For Your Preschooler

June 09, 2009

1.  Personal trainer:  I have enlisted my child to count to 30 for each stretch I have to hold.  I got a new exercise mat (given to me to test by the lovely folks at G2) and I have committed to doing the stretches once a day for at least a week to see how good it makes me feel.  My kids like hopping on me while I do floor stretches, so giving them the task of counting distracts them.  Kyle, the 4 year old, is relentless, and will not let me stop before 30.

2.  GPS:  Okay, he doesn't come with directional satellite, but he does enjoy repeating the directions that the GPS unit barks out when you are supposed to make a turn.  His self-appointed role as direction repeater keeps him occupied on long car trips.  "Dad, in two-tenths of a mile, turn left, okay?"  Bonus!

3.  Personal shopper:  When you take him to the store, your preschooler can help you find items on your list (in close proximity).  Again, it gives him something to do and you get assistance to get your shopping done faster.

4.  Life coach:  Nothing like the incessant "Mom!  Come look at this!  Mom!  Mom!  Mom!  Etc!" to get you the heck out of that desk chair and into life.  When I catch myself saying "As soon as I'm done with this post, honey," I know I'm on blogger overload and it would be good for all of us for me to take a break.

5.  Housekeeper:  For some reason, my boys love sweeping.  They don't do a very good job, but while they take joy in this task, I encourage them to sweep away!  Be careful with this idea - they might start spilling things just so they can sweep!  Read more...

Family Game Night

March 16, 2009

In today's guest post, toy expert Jim Silver discusses features that
parents should look for when choosing games for their preschoolers.
Jim is a widely recognized and often-resourced authority on the toy
and licensing industries, having worked within the publishing and toy
industries for more than 20 years.  He's also editor-in-chief for
www.TimeToPlayMag.com, a great website parents can go to for toy,
gaming and entertainment information.   Read below to learn 5 things
parents should look for in a preschool game, then check out Jim's list
of top preschool games for 2009.

Five things to look for in a Preschool Game
By Jim Silver, editor in chief, TimetoPlayMag.com

1. Easy to play right out of the box.
Instructions should be very simple and easy, so that you can open the
box and play right away. Set up should be minimal, which also means
clean up should be too. Young children don't have the patience for
long instructions, and parents don't want a lot of mess.

2. Appropriate levels of reading, color matching, sequencing and
memory for the age group.
Playing the game should be fun...not frustrating. The great thing is
that your children will let you know when they're ready for more
advanced games. The child who loves Candy Land for months may suddenly
realize he's too old for it, for instance.

3. Correct balance of chance and strategy.
For younger children, the balance should be more chance than strategy.
They're learning counting, memory, and matching among other skills. As
they get older, strategy-thinking a few moves ahead-can be introduced.
Kids also respond well to games that have a clear winner, even if it's
not them. Children like the defined beginning and ending of a game
with a clear objective.

4. 15 minutes or less.
The younger the child, the quicker a game needs to be completed before
a child gets bored or loses focus. For a three-year-old, a game should
be completed in less than 15 minutes. As a child gets a little older,
20 minutes is the magic number. Many game companies are now putting
game playing times on their packages; look for these to help gauge
what's right for your child.

5. Motor skills.
Many games greatly enhance motor skills through the need of hand-eye
coordination. Many young children don't have enough opportunities to
develop these skills, and games are a great occasion for younger kids
to develop them through play.

This post brought to you by sister site Being Savvy Silicon Valley.

Christmas Day Our Way

by Kim Tracy Prince

December 25, 2008

When I was growing up, Christmas Day went like this: -wake up, really excited about opening presents, but also nursing sugar hangover from sweets-filled Christmas Eve party -open presents, then be hurried off to get dressed -visit first set of grandparents -visit second set of grandparents -return home exhausted and cranky And I'm sure it didn't even go that well for my  Read more...

Election Day Perks

by Kim Tracy Prince

November 03, 2008

That "I voted" sticker can go a long way tomorrow with all of the election day perks that local businesses are offering. Eat, drink, and shop for free or with a discount all day or even all week! Bring the kids for treats and togs. - Naked Baby Boutique in Studio City: Bring your ???I voted??? sticker to our store and receive 20% off any regular priced items and an  Read more...

When It's Urgent But Not An Emergency

by Kim Tracy Prince

October 06, 2008

Our kids have a great pediatrician's office just a short drive away, without traffic. With traffic it's a different story - there's no freeway involved, but to get there we must take major surface streets near the 101/405 junction, and everyone knows that area is a traffic snarl best avoided if possible. During office hours, if one of our kids is sick or injured, driving them there in  Read more...

Family Movie Night

by Kim Tracy Prince

September 29, 2008

A lot of preschoolers have two speeds: off (sleeping) and warp speed ahead. Mine is no exception. Add to that a little brother who has similar settings (but he has a third: Tasmanian Devil) and we are one weary family at the end of the week. Our newest way to wind down while enjoying each other's company is Family Movie Night. We do it on Friday or Saturday as the schedule  Read more...

L.A. County Fair: Ferris wheels, pigs, Barbie, oh my! Ticket giveaway!

by Kim Tracy Prince

September 05, 2008

It's that time again, everybody. Time for the Los Angeles County Fair! I haven't been to The Fair since before I had children. Now that my kids are bit older, I can't wait to go. The opportunities for fun and learning seem endless. Petting zoos, exotic foods, carnival rides, environmental exhibits, competitions, and popular characters are only the beginning of what The Fair has to offer. The  Read more...

Creating Memories: Where To See Fireworks On Independence Day

by Kim Tracy Prince

July 03, 2008

I grew up in a beach town on the East Coast, where the 4 th of July fireworks show was easily reached on foot, and it was safe to walk home at night. My kids don't have that luxury, living an hour's drive away from the nearest beach. Luckily, everyone loves a great fireworks show, so there are many opportunities to see one closer to home (and therefore closer to bedtime) for your  Read more...

The Things They Draw Come True: Cool Picks For Father's Day

by Kim Tracy Prince

June 10, 2008

One of my husband's favorite activities to do with our children is drawing outside with sidewalk chalk. We live in a typical Valley ranch house with a sidewalk in the backyard and a cinder block wall. LOTS of surface area to decorate. He's teaching our 3-year-old how to spell, and our 1-year-old how to...well, how to NOT eat chalk. So imagine my chuckle of satisfaction when I discovered that  Read more...

Seize the Day: Top 99 Things To Do in Los Angeles Before Your Kids Grow Up

by Kim Tracy Prince

May 29, 2008

They keep wanting to be fed, so they keep growing, despite your wish that they stay babies forever. And while the hours between naptime and bedtime seem to draaaag...the months pass so quickly you find yourself saying "how did he get to be five years old already?" Don't waste the chance to see city through your children's eyes while they're still children. Be a tourist in your own town. I'll  Read more...

Coming Up Roses

by Kim Tracy Prince

January 02, 2008

Well hello there and happy new year to you. Did you enjoy the Rose Parade from the comfort of your living room, like we did? Or did you (gasp) miss it altogether? Well, this weekend you can get up close and personal with the amazing floats of the Rose Parade at a viewing event all day Saturday . Little kids will be delighted that they don't have to wait for the floats to pass by them - they  Read more...