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Get ready for some serious family fun at one of the new pop-up outdoor roller-skating rinks this summer! You can experience that pop-up roller-stake rinks in three different locations in Los Angeles, and if you keep reading, we will tell you exactly where they are and what you should expect. POP SK8 is now open at Westfield Valencia located at 24201 W. Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA through May 27, 2019. POP SK8 will then move to the Westfield Woodland Hills located at 6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA from Saturday, June 1st through Sunday, June 30th. And last but not the least, they will move to Westfield Culver City located at 6000 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, CA from Saturday, July 6 through Sunday, August 4. Advertisement POP SK8's Musical Squares, Freeze Skate & Pizza Box Relay Race are just a few games to break the ice & test your skills! The POP SK8 experience will be themed-musical selections for each day of the week. For example, if you like the 80's music, Thursdays are the days to go, or if you prefer hit music from the '90s, Y2K, and today, you should go on Saturdays. Hours of operation are 2 pm to 10 pm Monday through Thursday, 2 pm to midnight on Fridays, 12 pm to midnight on Saturdays, and 12 pm to 10 pm on Sundays. All-day individual admission are $15 per person, or $28 per couple (skate rental included). Group packages are also available. Here is your chance not only to spend some fun time with your kids, you also get to feel like a kid yourself! For more information, please visit POP SK8's official website. You may also enjoy: 6 Best Bike Paths for LA Families!

Here is a list of all the Theme Parks in California that are bringing the cheer and joy of the holidays to town! Seeing Santa is a given at the parks this year, and with lots to do and lots to see, the 2019 holidays will be the one that you will talk about for years to come! Knott’s Berry Farm: Knott’s Merry Farm returns with Snoopy Ice show, old-fashioned holiday themed merriment and Christmas Crafts Village. Disneyland: There’s a cool parade, lots of interesting holiday cookies to buy, and "It’s a Small World" returns with special lights and a Christmas themed ride. Universal Studios Hollywood: While Grinchmas returns to Whoo-ville, there’s a more prominent offering as you enter The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Celebrate Christmas. Legoland California: The signature Legoland brick tree is the beginning of a fun-filled kids holiday with meet & greets, shows, special holiday foods and more. SeaWorld San Diego: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is one of the highlights to a warm and festive holiday that brings back Clyde & Seamore’s Christmas special. Six Flags Magic Mountain: Holiday in the Park includes 29 nights of holiday lights and entertainment. California’s Great America: WinterFest includes one of the tallest Christmas trees in the Bay Area adorned with thousands of twinkling lights accompanied by giant toy soldiers.

Your favorite series "Thomas and Friends" is now available on Netflix and YouTube! This animated children's series follows the adventures of Thomas, a cheerful blue tank engine who lives on the island of Sodor with his friends. The series launched in 1984 and aired on pubcaster PBS until 2017 when Nickelodeon signed a wide-ranging deal to become Thomas & Friends‘ network home. Nick Jr. carried Seasons 21. 22 and 23 of Thomas & Friends, along with specials. And now Season 23, which had aired on Nick Jr. last year, are available on Netflix, with the new Season 24 launching later this year. You can also watch Thomas and his friends’ adventures as he explores the Island of Sodor on YouTube for free, and bring them to life on your phone or tablet with fun and exciting games. There are several different apps available for download on App Store, Google Play, or through Amazon Appstore. Also check JustWatch App for Thomas and Friends, and similar series. Another exciting news is you can find bunch of fun activities like coloring pages and puzzles for your child to enjoy on Thomas & Friends' Website, and they are all free.

There is a high possibility that all LAUSD schools be closed as of next week, and if they do, it is predicted that schools will remain close for at least two to three weeks. There are no words out there yet as to when and how long the schools will be closed, but schools are preparing for the closure. In case of school closure, this is what you might expect: 1. Most schools are preparing packages for students to take home for home studying for at least three weeks. 2. If your school provides chromebooks to the students during the academic year, you maybe able to request to take the chromebooks home during the closure so that kids can continue to do their work and to communicate with their teacher(s). 3. The teachers will be still communicating with the students through email and are there to answer questions. 4. Your kids will bring home their books and all study materials during the closure to continue studying at home. 5. You may ask your school library to borrow books for reading at home during closure. 6. The staff will most probably be available through email to assist you with questions. 7. If the teachers have websites, they will post weekly curriculum on their websites, or you may receive emails from teachers with the curriculum. 8. Your kids still need to do homework during the closure and submit their homework to their teacher(s) online. 9. The California Department of Education has received a waiver from the federal government allowing it to continue to provide meals at non-school sites during school closures. The waiver allows families to take the meals home rather than eating them in a group setting. 10. The Los Angeles Times has reported Wednesday night that LAUSD is also considering teaching by television on KCET. Please check with your school for their own specific planning in case of closure. Information in this Article is not official and are for informational purposes only. For additional assistance to help your kids stay on track, there are many online resources: Khan Academy Khan Academy is an educational nonprofit program, which allows you to sign up for free, and make a profile for each of your kids base on their age and grade. There are different subjects that they can learn, and so many different lessons based on each kid's grade. Library Card Use your Library Card, and get Free ECourses & Instructional Videos. Take a wide range of highly interactive online educational courses. The Ecourses have been mostly designed for learners over 13 years of age. You can also get free research databases & images, free tutoring & homework help, and much more. To learn about all the free educational resources you can get with your library card, click here. Make Me Genius Another educational website that is free for kids is Make Me Genius, with lots of educational videos, cool facts, science tests, and quizzes for grades K through 7th. K5 Learning At K5 Learning's website, you can find lots of free worksheets, ebooks, math, and spelling lessons, and if you want to access more educational materials, you can try it for free for 14 days. K5 Learning is for kids in grades K through 5th. SightWordGames Find Sight Words, Reading, Writing, Spelling, Vocabulary, and Math Practices on SightWordGames.com for free. The practices are designed for kids in grades K through 7th. National Geographic Kids National Geographic Kids is another good source for teaching kids about nature and animals. You can find lots of cool educational videos, educational games, science experiments, geography facts, and much more. On National Geographic Education Resource Library, you can find numerous educational materials based on your kid's grade from Pre-K to 12th grade. PBS Kids PBS Kids offers lots of educational games and videos for the little ones, and they are all free. Cool Math Cool Math is an awesome source to teach kids addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, decimals, money and more. TIME for Kids TIME for Kids is loaded with interesting photos, videos, and articles about politics, the environment, entertainment, sports, health, and more, which is designed for kids in grades K through 6th grade. Fun Brain At Fun Brain, the kids can learn math, read books for free, and find so many fun learning games, and more. Fun Brain is designed for preschoolers through 8th graders. Exploratorium Exploratorium is a very cool website for learning science, and science experiments. It's a vast collection of online experiences that feed your kid's curiosity. The information in this article are not official and for informational purposes only. Please check with your own school for official information.

Swimming is one of the most important sports and a necessity for kids to learn! But You don't have to have a swimming pool, or take your kids to expensive private swimming lessons to teach them how to swim. The City of Los Angeles Aquatics Division offers kids affordable and safe aquatic activities at their public pools. The Aquatics Division operates more than 39 seasonal swimming pools, and you sure will be able to find one near you. The City is offering five swim sessions this summer! Online registration for Session #1 at the public pools opens on June 12th at 1:00 pm, or in person at your local pool on June 15th at 9:00 am. All sessions consist of ten 25 minute lessons over two weeks. To ensure you sign up for the right level, you need to visit your local pool to complete an assessment. Lessons begin June 17, 2019. Your kids must be given a Swim Assessment on or prior to their first day of lessons in order to confirm their eligibility in the class. Persons with disabilities are also welcome to participate in the classes. Accommodations will be provided upon request. For Citywide Aquatics, contact (323) 906-7953, or email: Citywide.Aquatics@lacity.org. You may also enjoy: The Best Splash Pads In Los Angeles for Kids & Families!

Enchanted Forest of Light returns to Descanso Garden this year starting November 17, 2019 through January 7, 2020. Enchanted Forest of Light is an interactive, nighttime experience featuring a one-mile walk through unique lighting experiences in some of the most beloved areas of Descanso Gardens. You can walk at your own pace and get memorized along the way as you watch the garden come to life with beautiful light installations. Expect to spend one to one and a half hours at Enchanted. We highly recommend taking your fancy camera to take amazing pictures of all that is around you. It is best not to use the flashlight when you take pictures. Due to safety concerns, tripods are not allowed at Enchanted: Forest of Light, but Monopods and selfie sticks are permitted. The walk concludes with a spectacular light display in Descanso’s iconic Japanese Garden, where you can stop for hot cocoa or beverages. You may also make a reservation to have dinner at Maple Restaurant inside Descanso Gardens. To see the menu at Maple Restaurant, click here. Maple offers a nice kids' menu which includes enchanted burger, ravioli, pizza, hot dog, and chicken tenders for $12 each. Kids' dinner comes with a choice of fries or salad. Enchanted Forest of Light will have a preview party on November 16, 2019. Tickets will include food, drink, entertainment and entry, and are $150 per person. Enchanted Forest of Light runs daily from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm from November 17, 2019 through January 7, 2020. The Enchanted Garden is closed on November 22 (Thanksgiving), December 24 (Christmas Eve), and December 25 (Christmas Day). Each person in your party must have a ticket to enter Enchanted, including children under 2 (Children under 2 are free, but still require tickets). Tickets are $30 per person, but if you become a member of Descanso Gardens, you can get $5 discount. Descanso Gardens is located at 1418 Descanso Drive in the City of La Cañada, which is approximately 45 minutes drive from Los Angeles, and the drive is totally worth it. For more information about Enchanted Forest of Light, visit Descanso's Garden's website. You may also enjoy:

At Fun With Kids in LA, our mission is to inspire parents every day to do fun things with their kids. We share the best of LA with our awesome followers, and as a thank you for being so awesome, we surprise you with gifts that will inspire you to make memories with your families. We’re excited to partner up with Kirk Douglas Theatre to give away four (4) tickets to "FRIENDS! The Musical Parody"! About the Show: FRIENDS! The Musical Parody is the comedic musical that lovingly pokes fun at TV’s Friends, celebrating the adventures of your favorite group of 20-something friends as they navigate the pitfalls of work, life, and love in 1990s Manhattan. It’s a typical day at New York’s only coffee shop, Central Perk, until an unexpected runaway bride enters the picture and kicks the whole gang out of second gear! The new musical recreates our favorite moments from all 10 years of Friends through an uncensored, fast-paced, music filled romp. "FRIENDS! The Musical Parody" will start on July 16, 2019 and run through August 4, 2019. The performance length is approximately two hours with intermission. The show is recommended for age 13 and older due to adult humor and language. To Enter: See our GIVEAWAY page for details to ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN. You must enter between July 9th through July 15th for a chance to win. For more information about the show, please visit FRIENDS The Musical Parody's official website. Enjoy 20% off tickets using this link. #giveaway

At Fun With Kids in LA, our mission is to inspire you every day to do fun things with your kids. We share the best of LA with our awesome followers, and as a thank you for being so awesome, we surprise you with gifts that will inspire you to make beautiful memories with your family. This month, we are excited to partner up with Underwood Family Farms to giveaway 4 passes to Annual Fall Harvest Festival at the farm plus 25 Activity Tickets and a Pumpkin! The 22nd Family Farm Harvest Festival at Underwood Family Farms starts on September 28th and runs through October 31st. Weekend Festivals include tractor-drawn wagon ride, corn maze, corn stalk labyrinth, Pig Races, Animal Show, Pumpkin House, Pumpkin playhouse, live music and entertainment, access to Pick-Your-Own fields and Pumpkin Patch, Animal Center including Bee Barn, hay pyramids, Fun Hill, Kid's Corral, Farmer Craig's Chicken Show, Combine Slide and more! For information on all activities, please visit the Farm's website! Friends of the Farm Weekend is on Saturday, September 28 & Sunday, September 29. It will be filled with demonstrations including Fire Trucks, Ambulances, members of the Bomb Squad with their bomb robot, Swat members with SWAT tank type vehicle, Search and Rescue Snow Cat, K-9 Demonstrations, Disaster Action, Response Team display (DART), Police Car, Police Motorcycle, Search and Rescue Displays, a Dozer plus much much more! The 2nd weekend of the Festival, October 5 & October 6, will be Farm Country Weekend! It'll be down home fun on the farm complete with country and bluegrass music and a live-remote visit from favorite local station KHAY. And the Antique Tractor Weekend is on October 12 & 13 (10am-4pm) with antique tractors and even a tractor parade by none other than Ventura County's Topa Topa Flywheelers! October 19 & 20 is Western Weekend! From 11am - 3pm, there will be stunt ropers, a covered wagon, music, magic and much more! At 3:00, the cowboys ride off, but the Festival continues until 6:00pm with music, games, rides, races and tons of family fun. The last weekend of the Festival is Saturday, October 26 & Sunday, October 27 "All About Pumpkins" which will be filled with with live entertainment from 10:30-5:45! They'll have pumpkin demonstrations & feature displays of pumpkins, squash, and gourds as well as new and different ways to decorate them, and favorite bands, The Catterwailers & Rocky Neck Bluegrass! On the weekends, there will be many food vendors serving up the Lion's Club hot dogs, hamburgers, roasted corn on the cob, pie, Spencer/Makenzie's Mexican food, shave ice, kettle corn, cookies and many more homemade goodies to make your mouth water. You can choose any date between September 28th through October 31st to use your tickets. Click here to enter for a chance to win. You must be 18 years of age to enter. Giveaway ends on September 21st at 12:00 am. We announce the winner by email. For more information about the 22nd Annual Fall Harvest Festival at Underwood Family Farms, visit their official website.

Ready for fireworks? Here are the July 4th events happening in and around LA. Celebrate Independence Day 2017 with fireworks shows, parades and patriotic concerts. 4th of July Block Party July 4, 2017 from 2pm-9:30pm Grand Park - The Music Center 200 North Grand Ave Los Angeles, CA This 4th of July Block Party takes place between Temple and Second Streets in downtown Los Angeles. Each year, it launches one of the city’s most dazzling rooftop fireworks displays for all to enjoy after an evening filled with live music and cheer. At this block party, everyone is a neighbor and welcome to come out to the downtown area to take part in the festivities. Attendees can enjoy music of all genres on three different stages and sample some of the best distinctly American foods from local restaurants and food trucks. Free admission. No alcohol or outside beverages allowed (free water filling station for empty, non-glass bottles) and no chairs. Check website for parking and transportation options, other rules and park map. Fireworks starts at 9:00pm. Parking: $10 under the park or at the Music Center, Bike Valet at 1st and Hill. Metro: Red Line to Pershing Square Station (Civic Center/Grand Park station will be partially closed). Metro users are encouraged to load their TAP card with round trip fare in advance, either online or on their way into the station, in order to bypass the TAP vending machine lines later in the evening. 4th of July Community Festival & Firework Show July 4, 2017 from 12pm-10pm Exposition Park 700 Exposition Park Dr., Los Angeles, CA Fourth of July Community Festival and Fireworks Show at Exposition Park features games, food, music, and rides from noon-10 p.m. International fireworks starts at 9 p.m. LA Freedom Festival July 4, 2017 from 5:30pm-10:30pm Santa Monica Blvd between Avenue of Starts & Century Park East Iranian-American comedian Max Amini is master of ceremonies for the unveiling of the Freedom Sculpture, by artist Cecil Balmond, at a street party that includes music by international singers Ebi and Arash plus international food and fireworks. The L.A Freedom Festival will be a celebration of diversity and unity in Los Angeles, featuring amazing multi-ethnic foods, diverse musical acts, a range of celebrity speakers and much more. The festival is anticipated to be attended by thousands of Angelenos from a wide variety of cultures, lifestyles, and backgrounds. Dodgers 4th of July Spectacular Dodgers vs Arizona Diamondbacks July 4, 2017 from 6:10pm 1000 Vin Scully Ave., Los Angeles, CA The Dodgers will have a night of fireworks on July 4 after their game with the Diamondbacks. Game begins at 6:10 p.m. Fireworks starts after the game around 8:45pm. Purchase ticket through this link to receive a Dodgers’ Fourth of July T-Shirt, or check Goldstar for discount tickets. $35 and up. Marina Del Rey Celebration July 4, 2017 at 9pm 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292 Spend the day in the Marina with a picnic in the park, enjoy a waterfront dinner with firework views, or hop aboard an observation cruise for a front-row seat to the show. Traditional fireworks extravaganza over the main channel programmed to patriotic music broadcast over FM radio KXLU, 88.9 and relayed over loudspeakers in Chase Park. Chase Park is one block west of Admiralty Way. The firework will also be viewable from Fisherman's Village and Marina Beach. This is a free event. Paid parking in County lots. The Culver City 4th of July celebration July 4, 2017 at 4pm West LA College 9000 Overland Ave, Culver City, CA 90230 The Culver City 4th of July celebration includes live music, food trucks, family-friendly midway games and a fireworks display at West LA College. Gates open at 4 pm. $5 per person, children under 6 are free. Parking: $10. Check the website for carpool deal if you can fit 6 or more in your vehicle. Three day 4th of July Celebration at the Hollywood Bowl July 2 through July 4, 2017 at 7:30pm Hollywood Bowl 2301 N Highland Ave,, Hollywood, CA 90068 For 2017, Pentatonix will be headlining the three-day Independence Day celebration with fireworks each night at the landmark Hollywood Bowl. Tickets from $7-$266 + fee. Get more info at Hollywood Bowl Visitors Guide. 4th of July Late Night BBQ at the Aquarium of the Pacific July 4, 2017 at 5pm Aquarium of the Pacific 100 Aquarium Way,, Long Beach, CA 90802 Celebrate Independence Day with the red, white, and blue fish at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Families will be able to witness the ambiance of the Aquarium at night and get a fish-eye view of the Queen Mary fireworks display. Wave the flag, watch the fireworks, and enjoy some freshly grilled BBQ with the Aquarium of the Pacific. You’ll also be able to journey inside the Aquarium to see wonders of the sea until 10 p.m. Reserve tickets online for the cookout ($64 adults, $28 kids), which will feature classic summer treats like coal slaw and hot dogs, in addition to fancier fare, including brisket and s'mores bars. A kid-friendly menu is also available. The aquarium is open all day, but discounted admission ($14.95) starts at 5pm. Pacific Palisades Fourth of July Parade July 4, 2017 at 1:50pm Palisades Charter High School 15777 Bowdoin Street., Pacific Palisades, CA As the sun sets, the town will be dancing, singing and waving the American flag at Palisades Charter High School. Family-friendly activities and music from local musicians are available in the parking lot adjoining the concert/fireworks viewing area. Parade opens with skydivers at 1:50 p.m. (via de la Paz to Sunset Boulevard, east on Sunset to Drummond Street). Food trucks start serving at 4 pm. Covered grandstand parade seating ($10- 50, purchase on the website). Fireworks start at 9 p.m. Bring blanket or low-back chairs. Parking is extremely limited so reserve as early as possible. Knott's Berry Farm 4th of July Celebration July 1, 2017 through Jul 4, 2017 at 9:30pm Knott's Berry Farm 8039 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park, CA 90620 Knott’s Berry Farm celebrates the holiday with fireworks displayed across the western skies of Knott's Berry Farm at 9:30 pm. Prices vary. July 4th Fireworks and Extravaganza in Woodland Hills July 4, 2017 from 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm Warner Ranch Park 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd Woodland Hills, CA 91367 Celebrate Independence Day in Woodland Hills during July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza. Hosted by Valley Cultural Center, this fun event takes place at Warner Ranch Park. This is known as one of the spectacular fireworks displays in Southern California, with a 15-minute long spectacular display following a free concert. 15-plus local restaurants will be on hand to sell their wares, as well as arts and crafts vendors and local businesses purveying their goods. This event is free, but there’s also a VIP option for $10, which reserves you a seat. For $25, you can get a reserved seat and a parking pass. You can buy tickets via this link. 4th of July at The Queen Mary July 4, 2017 from 2pm-10pm The Queen Mary 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802 It’s an “All-American” summer aboard the Queen Mary! Experience July 4th as special live entertainment, family games, arts & crafts, special historic tours and a patriotic theatrical movie in the Queen Mary Theater, and so much more fill the decks of the legendary ship. It’s a true red, white and blue celebration like no other. To top off the night the Queen Mary will present its signature fireworks spectacular filled with patriotic music while you enjoy a summer evening under the beautiful Southern California night sky with the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. If that wasn’t enough there will be a special performance by the hit 80’s artist The Pointer Sisters. The event sells out each year, so get your tickets early to secure your spot in this “All-American” celebration! Prices are $44.00 per adult (ages 12+) if tickets are purchased prior to July 4th. On July 4th at the door the price is $49 per adult (ages 12+) Prices are $24.00 per child (ages 4-11) if tickets are purchased prior to July 4th. On July 4th at the door the price is $29 per adult (ages 4-11) Coca-Cola 4th of July Fest at Six Flag Magic Mountain July 1, 2017 through July 4, 2017 from 10:30 am - 9:30pm Six Flags Magic Mountain 26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy Valencia, CA 91355 The July 4th weekend festivities at Magic Mountain include a nightly fireworks show. Celebrate with a musical salute featuring bands in the Park throughout the day capped off each evening with a dazzling star-spangled nighttime show set to patriotic music. The best place to view is from the Full Throttle Plaza. Approximate show time is 9:30pm nightly. Exclusive Ride Time on at least four separate rides one hour before the park opens on July 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th! Bring in any can of Coca-Cola® product with you along with your admission ticket or season pass to Six Flags Magic Mountain on those four days for early entry. #weekendfun #LosAngeles #Outdoor #FamilyEvent

One of the major concerns for parents is to keep the kids active and engaged after school. If you are on a tight budget, you should know that there are so many after school programs that are inexpensive or cheap and are mostly offered at your own kids' school. Take a look at our list to find out the best match for your kids. Beyond the Bell Type: Academic Levels: Elementary+ Location: Los Angeles Contact: (213) 249-7900 The mission of the Beyond the Bell is to ensure that all children and youth in LAUSD have access to high quality, safe, and supervised academic, enrichment, and recreation programs that inspire learning and achievement beyond the regular school day (before and after school and Saturdays). Parents should request an application directly from your schools' after school provider. ​ Star Nova Type: Academic, STEAM, Arts, Sports Levels: Elementary+ Location: LAUSD Contact: Nova@starinc.org STAR Education offers a wide breadth of exciting and original STAR NOVA enrichment classes in the areas of Academics, STEAM Education (science, technology, engineering, art and math), Language, Performing Arts, Sports & P.E., Recreation, Visual and Media Arts and so much more! STAR NOVA enrichment classes take place once or twice a week, allowing for a university quality class with a more individualized approach tailored to the specific needs and interests of each student. STAR collaborates with artists in residence, universities, and professionals in each field to create stimulating classes that give each student invigorating insight into the real world. ​ Star Galexy Type: Academic, Homework lab, Sports ​Levels: Elementary+ Location: LAUSD Contact: registration@starinc.org STAR Galaxy offers a balance of academic support, enrichment classes, fitness and recreation programs as well as special events on campus, community events and activities. It’s a recipe for a balanced childhood and a preparation for future success! STAR Galaxy offers a daily dose of scheduled classes, August through June, from the end of the school day until 6 pm. Students rotate through group tutoring, a homework lab, sports/fitness/recreation, and enrichment classes. ARC Type: Academic Levels: Elementary to High School Location: Los Angeles Contact: (310) 671-4400 ARC is an award-winning, nationally recognized after school and experiential education provider. ACR bridges the opportunity gap by creating transformational learning opportunities that empower youth to realize their full potential, serving 19 high schools, 16 middle schools, 2 K-8 schools, and 15 elementary schools in the Los Angeles area.​ L.A.C.E.R. Type: Academic, Art, Sports Levels: Middle School to High School Location: Los Angeles Contact: (323) 957-6481 The award-winning L.A.C.E.R. After-school Programs provide middle and high school students in Los Angeles with free arts, athletics, and academic activities after school. By allowing young people the opportunity to expand their learning, improve their skills and develop new ones in a safe, supportive setting, L.A.C.E.R. fosters scholastic achievement, self-confidence, and good citizenship. Classes and supplies are free to all students, with a nutritional snack served daily. The program operates five days a week from immediately after school until 6:00 pm. To enhance learning, weekend and evening field trips to cultural and sporting events are scheduled throughout the school year. Check the website to see if your child’s school is on the participating schools list. CREST Type: Academic, Sports Levels: Elementary Location: Santa Monica Contact: (310) 458-8540 The CREST programs are available to students attending SMMUSD schools. It is an easy way for parents to add more fun to their child's day with before, after, and out-of-school activities that appeal to a broad range of interests. The highly-trained, professional staff work with children year-round, right at their school site! Check the website to see if your school is one of the participant. ​ Los Angeles Public Libraries Type: Academic ​​​Levels: Elementary+ Location: Los Angeles Contact: Click here Most Public Libraries offer variety of free after-school programs and activities. Kids and teens can explore, create and experiment, and have fun at the same time. Variety of free STEAM-related programs and workshops are offered which will inspire and motivate kids and teens with fun, hands-on learning activities. Contact your nearest public library to learn more! ​ THINK Together Type: Academic ​​​Levels: K-8th Grade Location: Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County Contact: Click here THINK Togehter's Afterschool Expended Learning Programs provide meaningful academic and enrichment activities to K-8 students. THINK Together Afterschool programs keep kids safe, provide them with homework support and dynamic learning time, while helping working families. THINK Together's curriculum is focused on English Language Arts, Math, STEM, Youth Development, and Arts & Enrichment. THINK Together programs are available in schools and at sites in the Bay Area, Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, and San Diego County. Contact THINK Together to find out if this program is available at your school. ​ LA's BEST Type: Academic ​​​Levels: Elementary Location: Los Angeles County Contact: (213) 978-0801 At LA’s BEST, children go straight into the program after the last bell rings, without ever leaving school grounds. From Sun Valley to San Pedro, El Sereno to Venice, students at 193 elementary schools across LAUSD are greeted after their last class of the day with a nutritious snack, help with their homework, and exciting things to do and learn. Click on the link above to see if your school is a participant. ​ LA County Parks & Recreation Centers Type: Sports, Homework Club ​​​Levels: Elementary+ Location: Los Angeles County Contact: Click here Various LA County Parks and Recreation Centers offer after-school programs, and a fun place to meet new friends, receive healthy snacks and receive helpful homework assistance. The After School Programs are managed by trained recreation staff and ensure participants a balanced curriculum of fun and educational activities. Click here for locations. ​ Boys & Girls Clubs of America Type: Sports, Art, Homework Club, Technology ​​​Levels: Elementary+ Location: Los Angeles County Contact: info@BGCA.org For a minimal annual membership, kids can take part in the club’s sports, arts, homework help, and computer lab, and even eat a free snack while they’re doing it at Boys and Girls Club. Many local clubs offer daily transport from the public school to the club for an extra annual fee. Find your nearest location near you here. ​ YMCA Type: Sports, STEM, Art ​​​Levels: Kindergarten through Middle School Location: Various locations Contact: 1-800-872-9622 There are nearly 10,000 local kids’ programs across the country at YMCA. The YMCA is helping all children reach their full potential by supporting their unique youth development journeys. At more than 1,000 YMCA sites nationwide, youth are engaged in year-round activities that nurture their curiosity, inspire creativity and teach them how to succeed. ​ 826LA Type: Academic, Homework Club ​​​Levels: Elementary through High School Locations: Echo Park & Mar Vista Contacts: (213) 413-3388 & (310) 915-0200 826LA provides a variety of free programming for students ages 6–18, designed to challenge and enchant while strengthening writing skills. During the school year, 826LA offers tutoring Monday through Thursday, for students ages 6–11; and in the evening, Tuesday and Thursday, for students ages 11-18. Students gather into our writing labs at both 826LA in Mar Vista and 826LA in Echo Park to complete their homework, read, and respond to writing prompts based on a monthly theme. Daily writing prompts are posted for students when they complete their homework and reading. ​ After-School-All-Stars Type: Academic, Homework Club ​​​Levels: Kindergarden through High School Locations: Los Angeles County and Lucerne Valley Contact: (323) 957-4426 Email: info@la-allstars.org Founded in 2002 by Arnold Schwarzenegger, ASAS-LA serves over 14,000 students annually and average 6,000 students a day at 48 schools throughout the Los Angeles County and Lucerne Valley, offering a broad enrichment curriculum and homework help. After-School All-Stars' mission is to educate, enlighten, and inspire young people by providing exciting and dynamic opportunities for their success, while cultivating students’ self-esteem, leadership and respect for one another to help build healthier communities. Contact ASAS-LA to find out if this program is offered at your school.

Each October, San Diego invites families to explore this beautiful city while kids can enjoy 100+ hotels, restaurants, attractions and more for Free the entire month. During the month of October, your little ones will be treated like kings and queens in San Diego. They get to enjoy free attractions, eat meals on the house, and enjoy tons of free perks throughout the city of San Diego. Free Activities for kids include the following attractions and much more: SeaWorld San Diego Get a free child ticket (ages 3-9) to SeaWorld San Diego with each full-paid adult ticket and save up to $84.99. Aquatica San Diego Get a free child ticket (ages 3-9) to Aquatica San Diego with each full-paid adult ticket and save up to $42.99. Dolphin Interaction at SeaWorld Kids (ages 10-12) get a free Dolphin Interaction program reservation with each paid adult reservation. Legoland California Receive a free child hopper ticket with the purchase of a full-price adult hopper ticket to Legoland California with your choice of Sea Life Aquarium or Legoland Water Park. San Diego Zoo Kids under 11 years go to San Diego Zoo for free per 1 paid adult ticket (up to 10 kids). San Diego Zoo Safari Park Kids under 11 years go to San Diego Zoo Safari Park for free per 1 adult ticket (up to 10 kids). Kids Cruise on Hornblower Cruises Kids cruise free on any 1 or 2 hour daily Harbor Cruise in San Diego. Valid with purchase of 1 adult ticket. Birch Aquarium at Scripps Children 12 and under receive free entry to Birch Aquarium at Scripps with the full price paid admission of at least one accompanying adult. Valid for 2 children per paid adult. SEAL Amphibious Tour Kids can enjoy a free SEAL Amphibious Tour per one paid adult. Flagship Cruises & Events Enjoy 3 free children tickets per one paid adult on all 1 and 2 hour San Diego Harbor Tours. The Hopper Kids 12 and under ride free during the month of October. Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise Kids under 12 years can enjoy free Whale Watching and Dolpine Cruise per 1 adult ticket. Museums 2 kids, under the age of 12, can visit over 40 museums for free with every adult ticket purchase. Old Town Trolley Tours Kids can enjoy the old town trolley tours for free per one paid adult. Numerous Hotels offer "Kids Eat Free" the entire month of October while you stay at their hotel. For a list of the hotels that feature kids eat free, click here. Various Restaurants in San Diego also offer free meal with a paid adult. For more information about venues that participate in the "Kids Go Free October", visit SanDiego.org.

The holidays are not complete without visiting at least one of the amazing California Theme Parks, but we know how expensive it can get during the holidays. So if you don't want to break the bank, and still want to have a fantastic time with your kiddos, keep reading for great ways to save big on your tickets to the most popular California Theme Parks during the holiday season this year. 1. Get Away Today. Save on your vacation packages, and tickets to different theme parks such as Disneyland, Legoland, and Universal Studio Hollywood when you buy through Get Away Today. 2. Legoland Cyber Monday. Save on your tickets to LEGOLAND California if you book your tickets online. SoCal residents can buy tickets as low as $59.99 (Limited Time Offer) 3. Southern California CityPASS. Save $5 per person at SeaWorld San Diego, Disneyland Park and Disneyland California Adventure, and LEGOLAND when you buy a CityPASS. 4. See California. Get your tickets through See California and save anywhere between $20 to $50 on each ticket to different Theme Parks. 5. Value Days. Purchase 1-Day Value Tickets if you are visiting Disneyland and save up to $38 for each ticket. 1-Day Value Tickets are valid for admission to one theme park on any value season dates. 6. Buy A Day Get the 2nd Day Free. Universal Studio Hollywood is offering Buy A Day, Get the 2nd Day Free if you purchase your tickets online now through December 19, 2019. 7. Costco. Purchase Discounted Tickets for SeaWorld Gold Annual Pass Ticket, or San Diego e-cards to save money on your tickets. 8. American Express. If you have an American Express card that earns Membership Rewards points, you can redeem those points for Theme Parks tickets, depending on the type of rewards you earn. 9. Undercover Tourist. Find Discounted Tickets to various California Theme Parks at Undercover Tourist's website. 10. AAA. Take advantage of Disney vacation packages through AAA. 11. aResTravel. Purchase your Six Flags Magic Mountain Tickets through aResTravel's website and save up to $25 on each adult tickets. Or bundle and save on Knott's Berry Farm & Six Flags Magic Mountain Tickets and save up to $67.00. 12. Buy A Day Ticket. Pick the date you'll visit Six Flags Magic Mountain, and save up to 40% when you buy tickets online at least one day before your trip, or buy Season Passes and save up to 65%.

Boo at the L.A. Zoo returns this October to the Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens for another year full of spooktacular fun, entertainment and activities – including live shows, special animal feedings, and themed photo ops. Activities include: Spooky Stroll – Enter, if you dare, and discover Halloween games, a mini pumpkin patch, frightfully Boo-tiful photo ops, and more. Visit the Endangered Animal Graveyard to honor dearly departed species and learn how you can help save at-risk wildlife today. Mystery Maze – Find your way through this cool hay-bale labyrinth and try to avoid “dead” ends! Boo Bird Show – Witness fascinating behaviors of some of nature’s most mysterious and misunderstood flying fauna – owls and vultures – at a special Halloween edition of the popular World of Birds Show at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. every day but Tuesday. Animals & Boo – Get up close to creepy critters – so close, in fact, you may even get to touch them at 10: 45, 11:45 a.m., with an additional show at 12:45 p.m. on weekend days. The LAIR – Come face-to-face with rare snakes, poisonous frogs, and venomous lizards. No decorations required for this goose bump-inducing excursion! Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wild, Weird, and Wonderful Tour – Explore the Zoo to find wacky, creepy, or funny facts about some of your favorite animals and those that might be new to you. Swazzle’s Monster Menagerie Puppet Show – Help a lonely mad scientist create the ultimate trick-or-treating buddy by combining animal “superpowers.” Performances in Adventure Theater at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. “Spooktacular Science” Show – Discover bubbling potions, a hovercraft-powered ghost, and more fun surprises in a mad scientist’s bustling lab. Performances in Adventure Theater at 3 p.m. Green-Screen Photo Booth – Get a snap of yourself among some of the most Halloween-y critters. Creature Craft – Bring a toilet paper roll from home to create your own cute-and-creepy bat. Fearsome Feedings & Creature Treats – Watch as the animal residents enjoy seasonal treats all their own. "Boo at the L.A. Zoo" is free with paid admission and runs weekends-only in October. Dates: Oct 5 and 6, 12 and 13, 19 and 20, 26 and 27.  Halloween activities, shows and animal feedings take place on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On the last two weekends in October, additional trick-or-treat candy stations will be added throughout the grounds. Trick-or-Treating Dates: October 19 and 20 and October 26 and 27.  Costumes are encouraged. Families will find treat stations throughout the Zoo, with candy, treats and bags courtesy of 99 Cents Only Stores. "Boo at the L.A. Zoo" trick-or-treating is also free with paid Zoo admission. Admission to the Los Angeles Zoo is $22 for general admission (ages 13 to 61), $19 for seniors (ages 62+), and $17 for children (ages 2 to 12). No ticket is required for children under 2. Admission for Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) members is free. On Oct 26 & 27, you can camp out at the Zoo. Back by popular demand, this spine-tingling overnight adventure includes Griffith Park ghost stories, meals, themed activities, and animal fun; plus Sunday daytime admission to the Zoo, so families can enjoy trick-or-treating on October 28. Additional fee and advance registration required. Space is limited. Click here to buy tickets here. Zoo members at the Family Deluxe level and above have the opportunity to experience Boo at the L.A. Zoo before the Zoo opens to the public, with exclusive shows and animal experiences on October 26, 2019 between 8:30 am - 10:00 am. To RSVP for this exclusive morning event or upgrade your support in order to attend, please call 323-644-4770. #LA #Zoo

We are excited to announce that Natural History Museum Los Angeles has reopened to the public as of April 1, 2021, and La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park has reopened as of April 8, 2021 after more than one year of closure. NHM debuts the gallery presentation of two exhibitions when the museum opens its doors: Rise Up L.A.: A Century of Votes for Women and Spiky, Hairy, Shiny: Insects of LA. Rise Up L.A. honors 100 years of passion and progress through narratives about the everyday women who shaped the suffrage movement and the political landscape through voting, grassroots organizing, and by fighting for rights in the workplace, classroom and community. Spiky, Hairy, Shiny: Insects of L.A. presents a selection of insect macrographs pulled from NHMLAC’s groundbreaking Biodiversity Science: City and Nature (BioSCAN) research project. The captivating photographs, captured unconventionally via a Keyence microscope, inspire wonder, and showcase the beauty and diversity of these “minute Angelenos.” You can visit the digital companion site here. Safety To protect you and your families, both Museums have implanted safety protocols such as reduced capacity, advance online timed-ticket reservations, face coverings for everyone on-site, self-monitoring of symptoms, designated pathways to ensure safe distancing in galleries and gardens, more frequent cleanings and self-service sanitizing stations. Upon admission, you will receive touch styluses that may be used to interact more safely with touchscreens throughout the museum. Some experiences that don’t allow for proper distancing will remain closed at each location, including NHM’s Gem Vault, Encounters performances at both museums, and the Observation Pit at La Brea Tar Pits. For a full list of health and safety protocols and to learn more about changes on site, visit https://nhm.org/covid-19-safety-guidelines. Tickets Tickets for members, community partners and the general public go on sale for NHM on Thursday, March 25 and for La Brea Tar Pits on Thursday, April 1. The 2021 Butterfly Pavilion season will be open through September 6, 2021. Tickets for the Butterfly Pavilion will remain free for members and will be $6 for non-members. The Spider Pavilion season will open later in Fall 2021. Virtual Programs NHMLAC will continue engaging audiences through its digital programming and social media channels. Virtual daily school programs cover content from archaeology, marine science, paleontology, and ecosystems. NHMLAC has also created four different virtual field trips: virtual visits to La Brea Tar Pits and NHM, as well as digital oceanic and archaeological experiences. NHM’s First Fridays Connected Series continues online on April 2 with the discussion L.A. at the Intersections: Climate Crisis, plus a performance by Sudan Archives. Hours The hours at both museums will remain 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m the days they are open. Free Museum Days Beginning April 8 at NHM and April 15 at La Brea Tar Pits, admission to NHM and La Brea Tar Pits will be free for Los Angeles County residents between the hours of 3 and 5 p.m. on all days that the Museums are open. Timed tickets must be reserved online and will be available for reservation on a first come/first served basis. For more information about Natural History Museum LA, click here. For more information about LA Brea Tar Pits Museum, click here. You May Also Enjoy The Petersen Automotive Museum Reopens on March 25! LACMA is Reopening With New Exciting Exhibits! A Huge List of Places That are Open in Los Angeles!

Most people know that moving to LA takes careful planning and, more importantly, some serious savings. But once you’re already there, moving to another neighborhood should be easy enough, right? Well, sure — if you only need to pack your things. However, if you’re looking to move to a different Los Angeles address with children in tow, you may be in for a rude awakening! After all, working out a moving plan is close to impossible when you have little ones running around. Between building up a budget, organizing movers, and packing, even the most patient people can lose it. Luckily, there are ways to entertain youngsters while directing their limitless energy toward productive tasks. 7 Tips to Make Moving in Los Angeles Fun for Kids 1. Make a Memory Book When you’re planning a move, even within city limits, start by taking photographs of your old place. Ideally, this should be done before you start packing so it’s the ideal task for your children. It will let them come to peace with the move while also allowing them to say goodbye to their old house. Of course, the pictures will serve a practical purpose. Namely, they’ll help you figure out how your furniture should fit into the new space. It’ll also let the kids look at the way things used to be if they feel homesick at the new place. In fact, they could go around taking both pictures and videos, for good measure. 2. Include Kids in the Decision-Making Process When a family starts preparing for a move, they often neglect to let kids — particularly the little ones — in on the process. That’s a mistake for several reasons. For one, even if they’re only moving a few blocks away and not even changing schools, kids still feel powerless most of the time. Try to remember what it was like, not knowing what the adults in your life were planning. With that in mind, ask for your kids’ opinions on important matters! Introduce the move as your family’s next big adventure and take their input seriously. If you’re choosing between several neighborhoods that are close to each other, like Mid-City and Pico, what’s the harm in asking for the kids’ preference? Take a stroll through each area to get the general vibe or take the whole family apartment hunting. When you decide on a place, bring your kids over and have them choose a color for the walls in their new rooms. That should keep them involved and excited about the move. 3. De-clutter as a Family Most parents know that kids come with a special kind of mess. Over the years, toys and clothes seem to materialize out of nowhere. So use the move as an opportunity to declutter — and allow your kids to choose items they couldn’t bear to part with. Doing so will restore a feeling of agency. In any case, when you sift through the things and sort them into toss and donate piles, take your kids on the donation trip with you. Showing them how their things will make other kids happy will be a good teaching moment. You can drop off the donation at a women’s shelter like the Los Angeles House of Ruth. Alternatively, take them to another homeless shelter or charity. Children’s hospitals usually require donated toys to be brand new. 4. Have Them Pack Up Their Own Rooms Properties in LA County tend to disappear from the market as quickly as they show up — particularly in family-friendly areas like Pasadena, Glendale, or Sherman Oaks, to name a few. So while you’re refreshing real estate sites, tell your kids to pack some of their things. You’d be surprised by how willing they’ll be to help. Just show them what to do once or twice, and they’ll take over from there. At the very least, they should be able to pack up their own toys. 5. Get Their Stamp of Approval If you’ve already decided to let your kids pack certain items, you might as well let them decorate the boxes too. Simply hand them some stickers, ribbons, and markers when they finish packing. After writing, drawing, and pasting images on the boxes, they’ll be ready for the movers. Moreover, seeing their rooms empty, with their stuff neatly packaged and ceremoniously marked, will let the kids say goodbye to the old space. Of course, if you want to keep this tip practical too, have the kids write (or draw) the contents of each box on the side before they close it. That should give them peace of mind if they’re worried about forgetting things. In fact, you could let every child take a box of important things when you drive over to your new property. That way, they’ll get to enter their home all ready to move in. 6. Have a Last Hurrah in the Old Home When most of your stuff is ready to go, ask your kids how they want to say goodbye to their old home. You could organize a: ● Going away party. However, since you’re moving within city limits, you can still keep seeing everyone. ● Tour of your family’s favorite neighborhood spots. Visit your favorite parks, zoos, and restaurants the day before the move. ● Small family dinner during which each child can share their favorite memories of the house. In addition to allowing the kids to say goodbye to their friends and favorite haunts, these ideas would also represent a symbolic break between their old and new lives. 7. Encourage Your Kids to Explore Their New Environment Upon reaching your destination, you’ll have two options. If your kids want to participate in setting up your new home, let them. They can take their boxes to their rooms and direct you as you arrange their beds and desks. After you set up the bulkier pieces, let them unpack and organize the smaller items on their own. Alternatively, you could let the kids explore the neighborhood while you unpack. If you’re worried about them getting into trouble, have your spouse or a babysitter go with them. They could meet new friends at the local playground or discover new favorite diners. Thankfully, LA has never had a shortage of interesting places to hang out. You May Also Enjoy: Tips for Small Apartment Living with Kids Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post by Oz Moving & Storage.