Sarah Auerswald

As the air grows crisper and the nights longer, a wave of festive excitement sweeps through Southern California. ‘Tis the season when the Los Angeles transforms into a winter wonderland, and the famed shopping malls and fabulous hotels and resorts across the region come alive with the magic of Christmas and holiday cheer.

Updated for 2025 So you’re heading to a snow-capped mountain for some snow play near Los Angeles, and you’re wondering –  What gear do I need for my kids so they stay warm and have fun? We’ve got your list of basic must-haves and nice-to-haves for kids to play in the snow for just a …

Christmas dinner can be fun and fancy, and let’s face it — it can be a lot of work, too. So why not give yourself a gift this year and get takeout? We’re not talking about fast food. Many terrific restaurants in Los Angeles are offering their signature meals to go.

The Rose Bowl parade and football game are annual Southern California New Year’s Day traditions, and they have been for the past 100+ years. It all happens in Pasadena, thanks to the efforts of the Tournament of Roses, and if you’ve never been, but have always wanted to go, here’s all you need to know.

It’s gifting season and that means it’s time for us to showcase some of our favorite gift ideas for Los Angeles kids and their families. We always like to include Experience Gifts as well as ones you can unwrap!

Here in SoCal, where palm trees sway against a backdrop of endless sunshine, the arrival of the holiday season casts a magical transformation over the landscape. As the days grow shorter and the air becomes cooler, communities throughout the region come together to celebrate one of the most cherished traditions of all: lighting up the night with the splendor of Christmas trees.

Nothing kicks off the holiday season better than watching as the Christmas trees are lighted!

The Nutcracker ballet is a time-honored holiday tradition and here in SoCal there are dozens of performances to see this year!

Here in Southern California, we can celebrate the holidays at the beach and the mountains (even on the same day), but if you’re looking for something near the shore, we suggest a boat parade! Families can enjoy several annual Christmas Boat Parades and Holiday Boat Parades that are scheduled throughout the month of December.

Southern California is home to the top theme parks in the world and we’re lucky to be able to visit all year long. But there is nothing like the Holidays.

Celebrate the Holidays and enjoy all the magic these SoCal Theme Parks have to offer at this festive time of year. The decorations are always amazing, and of course, there are plenty of treats!

When the holiday season rolls around, these parks transform into enchanting wonderlands filled with festive lights, decorations, and memorable experiences.

Celebrating the holidays at a theme park in Southern California is a fantastic way for families to create lasting memories and embrace the spirit of the season.

Hey, want to head to the Mall? Fight traffic, hunt for parking, and wait in long lines at the stores? Neither did we. So this year MomsLA wanted to support some local businesses that are making amazing, unique gifts right here in Los Angeles.

If we are going to eat a giant meal, we might as well make ourselves feel better about it by getting some exercise in on the same day, so somebody thought up this wonderful idea of the Turkey Trot.

This is a sponsored post; part of an advertising campaign. Bringing home a new baby is one of life’s most beautiful, and let’s be honest, overwhelming experiences. Between sleepless nights, endless feedings, and trying to remember the last time you drank your coffee while it was still hot, those early weeks can feel like a …

Los Angeles Public Schools take three weeks off during the Holidays, leaving working parents in need of camps for their kids. Here’s a list of 14 Winter Camps in Los Angeles to choose from. 

As SoCal parents navigate choosing a school for their kids, they need to know dates for Open Houses, Tours, and all the basic info for applying. We want to bring you the info in a comprehensive way. This is your guide to all the important dates for Private School Open Houses, Tour Dates, and more! …

This October, families visiting San Diego can save up to $1,000 by taking advantage of Kids Free San Diego deals across the region.  You’ll find over 100 family-friendly deals in October, including free admission for children 12 and younger at attractions, free kids’ meals, and hotel perks across San Diego.?  Now in its 14th year, “Kids …

Trick or Treat safely at one of these super fun Trunk or Treat Events around SoCal!

If you’re the kind of parent who ends up bribing your kids with snacks just to make it through a full football game, SoFi Stadium just seriously upped your arsenal. As the Rams and Chargers gear up to kick off the 2025 NFL season, SoFi is rolling out a refreshed roster of food and drink …

What if you could offer treats to kids who have food allergies on Halloween? Learn more about the Teal Pumpkin Project!

Southern California isn’t exactly known for its frosted holiday vibes, but this year, we’re getting a dose of seriously sparkly cheer. Enchant Christmas—the over-the-top, light-strewn winter spectacle that’s been dazzling families from Dallas to D.C.—is finally making its Los Angeles debut. Starting November 21, Santa Anita Park will transform into a 10-acre holiday playground, complete with twinkling lights, ice trails, festive food, and a Christmas maze so big they’re calling it “The World’s Largest.”

Brace yourself: the holidays are about to get a little more…acrobatic.

This winter, Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland is hauling its glittery, gravity-defying holiday spectacle through over 80 cities across the U.S. and Canada—including right here in Los Angeles on December 17, 2025.

Los Angeles school calendars 2022-23 by school district, for the biggest ones in Los Angeles County. And if your child is in another district, we’ve got links to all 80 LA County School districts here.

What we love about these crafts is that they’re easy enough to make with even the youngest kids, and even if you’re not that crafty yourself. The best craft bloggers on the Internet shared these ideas with us, and we’re sharing them with you.

Homemade Halloween costumes are the best! It’s so much fun thinking up what to make and seeing how happy it makes your little ones to have a costume that isn’t like anyone else’s. Plus, they’re often cheaper than the ones you can buy in the store.

For every dusty Western movie you’ve seen with a stoic white cowboy riding off into the sunset, there’s a lesser-known truth: one in four actual cowboys in the American West was Black. And starting June 14, Black Cowboys: An American Story at The Autry Museum sets the record straight—with boots, bull riders, and a whole lot of history.

Running through January 4, 2026, the exhibition isn’t just about filling in the gaps—it’s about rewriting the narrative. Visitors will meet the cowboys (and cowgirls) who tamed wild horses, worked ranches, wore the badge, and yes, even headlined rodeos long before the mainstream caught on. It’s a powerful reminder that the Black West wasn’t a side plot—it was central to the story all along.

Escape the hustle and bustle of LA this weekend and picture this: after a short, scenic drive from Los Angeles, the charming town of Buellton awaits, nestled in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley.

The welcoming town of Buellton is a perfect launching pad for creating family memories. Buellton offers a haven where quality time and unique discoveries go hand-in-hand. It’s close enough for a spontaneous weekend adventure, yet distant enough to truly feel like you’ve left the everyday behind.

Read on to hear about all the fun things we found for the whole family!

Blueberries are a delicious fruit, filled with antioxidants, and you can find them growing locally at many farms in Southern California. And the cool thing is, you can pick your own blueberries at most of these farms!

California grows multiple millions of pounds of blueberries every year and exports them all around the world, not to mention all over the state!

Seeing a movie at a Drive-in is a terrific Summer experience, and in Los Angeles, it’s actually something you can do year-round. Southern California has several great drive-in theaters within an hour or two of Los Angeles, so check out our list below.

Here in Southern California, there are quite a few theater chains that offer a series of fun, family-friendly movies at bargain prices. Some even have special ticket prices that include popcorn and treats!

Splash pads are a fantastic alternative to a traditional swimming pool for families with kids of all ages. Beat the heat and have a ball!

Kidspace was designed for kids ages 1-10, and is a place families could easily spend all day.

This is a sponsored post in partnership with The Reading Foundation. Los Angeles families now have a powerful new resource to support literacy and learning. The Reading Foundation (TRF), a leader in evidence-based reading education, has established its U.S. headquarters in Westwood, Los Angeles. With a track record of proven success, TRF is now accepting …

If you’re looking for a fun date night idea, especially if you’re a hockey fan (or dating one), I recommend attending a Los Angeles Kings game at Crypto.com Arena. Bonus: booking your tickets through Hellotickets.com offers a seamless and user-friendly process to secure your spot in the stands.

Why Choose Hellotickets?

Hellotickets.com provides a straightforward platform to browse and purchase tickets for upcoming Kings games, or other live sports experiences in Los Angeles. Whether you’re interested in regular-season matchups or the high-stakes intensity of the playoffs, their website offers a range of options to fit your schedule and budget.

Who’s ready to head out to the ball game and watch the Los Angeles Angels play? When you get to Anaheim and you’re ready to eat we now know all the things you can order at Angel Stadium. MomsLA got a sneak peek at the food lineup at Angel Stadium. And we are here to …

We love our Los Angeles Dodgers around here and wish them the best this season! We think seeing a baseball game at Dodger Stadium is a super fun thing to do as a family. We wanted to make sure you knew these Awesome Things About Dodger Stadium as you cheer on the boys in blue!

Easter is a terrific chance to get out for brunch with the kids in tow! Many restaurants offer special activities, like meeting the Easter Bunny, or coloring eggs, and all of them have created wonderful Spring menus for you to enjoy.

Looking for Easter celebrations, like Easter Egg Hunts or Spring Festivals, or even Eggstravaganzas? Check out our list of all the Awesome Easter Events in Los Angeles!

Guess what, LEGO fans? LEGOLAND California just announced something super cool for little kids! The world’s first LEGO® DUPLO® themed hotel rooms at LEGOLAND® Hotel. These special hotel rooms are all about DUPLO blocks, and they’re brand new! If you’re thinking about a Spring Break vacation in SoCal with the toddlers, we think you’re going to LOVE these …

Cherry-picking is one way to have a great family adventure, and there are cherry farms in Leona Valley, an easy drive from Los Angeles, that allow you to pick your own fruit.

Finally, the perfect Museum for movie-lovers has opened in Los Angeles!

We’ve got a great big list of farms to take kids where you can pick your own fruits and vegetables. You can find U-Pick Farms in LA County, Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and even San Diego County.

My family went through a Modern Family binge phase. Although my husband and I had watched the series in real-time as it aired over the years, our kids were not old enough at the time.

LAUSD, our public school district in Los Angeles, the 2nd largest one in the US, has a recipe for Coffee Cake that is legendary, it’s so delicious. It’s from 1954, and has been served in Los Angeles schools ever since that day.

You’ll find great free things to do, educational spots that are cool and unusual, and touristy destinations that the entire family is sure to appreciate. Here is our list of 100 awesome things to do in LA with kids.