Sarah Auerswald

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.

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!

For kids, lessons help them feel more comfortable trying something new, and they can help parents feel more confident about spending the time and money to pursue a new sport or hobby. Read on to find the best ski lessons and snowboard lessons in Los Angeles (and SoCal).

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.

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 quick trip …

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.

If you're traveling to the mountains for a vacation or to enjoy some snow play near Los Angeles, you're probably looking for an amazing place to stay. We bet you're hoping for a comfortable cabin, a cozy chalet, or a delightful lodge for you and your family, so we've made a list of some amazing choices for you

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

Thanksgiving is coming up and so is a week off from school in Los Angeles! Whether you're working that week or just need time to prep the turkey and all the trimmings, Thanksgiving Camp options are important.

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. 

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.

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.

Kinecta Federal Credit Union is launching its 15th annual backpack drive to support underserved students in grades 3-12 here in Southern California as the 2024-25 school year approaches.

Kinecta's annual backpack drive initiative seeks to alleviate this burden by providing essential school supplies to students in need, and we're sharing information about this drive as a community service.

We spoke to Latrice McGlothin, Executive Director of Kinecta’s Community Foundation, about the impact of this annual backpack drive.

“The goal of the backpack drive is to help ensure that all students start the school year prepared and confident. It’s a way to help level the playing field,” Ms. McGlothin said.

Anytime is the perfect time to use your Crockpot to make mealtime easier!

Summer Camp planning season is here in Los Angeles, and parents are looking at all of their options. Day Camp? Sleepaway? Tech? Sports? So many types of camps to choose from; you're sure to find the one where your kids will be happiest.

The MomsLA Summer Camp Guide provides a list of hundreds of camps, and we wanted to let you know which ones are offering special discounts for MomsLA readers.

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!

The Sandbourne Santa Monica is a newly-renovated and re-imagined hotel that welcomes families for a luxury stay near the beach. While also ideal for a romantic getaway or date night, the hotel is very family-friendly. The hotel sits one block from the beach in Santa Monica, just a quick walk from the famous Santa Monica Pier, which is one of the best places for families to play, and there’s secure beach access with your room key.

BrightLife Kids helps families get the support they need – at no cost!

Created by Brightline and paid for 100% by the State of California, BrightLife Kids is a CalHOPE program offering behavioral mental health coaching to ALL kids ages 0-12 who live in California.

Families can select the coach that fits their needs, and video sessions are 1:1 and private. Bilingual coaches are available. Plus there are free digital resources families can access anytime, like articles and videos.

Not sure where to get started with hiring a nanny or babysitter? Our friends at Sittercity have provided us with a guide to finding the support you need.

Use code MOMSLA25 for 25% off the Sittercity Monthly Premium Subscription plan.

You may have a picture in your head of what a nanny is, but in actuality, the job of a nanny can look wildly different from family to family. Nanny is a broad term that simply means: in-home child care support on a regular basis. That’s it.

What’s great about that, is parents like you can tailor your search to find the right person with the right schedule for your family. If you’ve never hired a nanny before, here’s how.

The Jamaica Bay Inn in Marina del Rey is a terrific hotel for families, whether you’re locals looking for a Staycation getaway, if your family is visiting SoCal, or even if you’re looking for a romantic getaway for just you and your partner.

The location near the water is ideal for not only enjoying the view but for the chance to try out water sports like kayaking and stand up paddleboarding, or just hanging out and enjoying the beach.

Recently renovated, the Jamaica Bay Inn Marina del Rey, Tapestry Collection by Hilton has several types of rooms to choose from, from double queen, king, and suites that are popular with families.

You'll feel like you're getting away even if you don't travel far.

This is a sponsored post and contains affiliate links. Have you ever found yourself allowing screen time for your kids so you can have a 20-minute break? Sometimes, it feels like the easiest solution is to hit that power button and let the screen take over. But then, just as you start to relax, mom …

If you're anything like us, you know that food is the heart and soul of any great celebration, even when it comes to a kids’ birthday party! But sometimes we take the easy way out and grab a pizza and a sheet cake and call it a day, which can be less than stellar, can we agree?

We want to help you take it up a whole lot of notches, so we asked Chef Meg Walker of Made by Meg Catering to give us some of her tips for creating an amazing party that both the kids and adults will enjoy, based on her years of catering experience - and her experience as a Mom!

So get ready to turn your next party into a culinary adventure they'll never forget!

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!

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour was totally redesigned in 2021 and is not to be missed.

Religious schools, also known as parochial schools or faith-based schools, are a choice for many families in Los Angeles. There are many schools with a religious affiliation in Los Angeles, including those associated with the Catholic Church, Episcopal Church, and other Christian Faiths, in addition to Jewish Schools.

As a parent in Los Angeles, you have endless options for kids' activities. If you're looking for a way to nurture your child's physical and mental development, martial arts is a fantastic choice. But where do you find the right class? In this blog post, we'll explore some of the best martial arts studios the city has to offer, helping you make an informed decision.

Plus we've got a great list of the types of martial arts classes kids can take! Enjoy!

One thing that makes a hotel ultra-fabulous is its pool. Whether you're planning a staycation or using a Day Pass, this list is gold.

Updated for 2024 Whether you’ve got a house full of car enthusiasts or history buffs, or if you’re just looking for something fun – and free – to do with the kids, check out the Nethercutt Museum and Collection. The Nethercutt Museum and Collection15151 Bledsoe Street, Sylmar, CA 91342 About the Nethercutt Museum and Collection …

Michaels has just announced the best way to have a birthday party for the crafty kids in your life: Michaels Birthday Parties. It's a great idea for how to host a unique party for your kids ages 4-12.

You can leave all the party planning to Michaels and choose from 7 fun themes. To celebrate the launch, Michaels is offering a limited-time theme featuring Dreamworks’ beloved Gabby’s Dollhouse with themed cat crafts, including foam masks, pom-pom kitties, and a pop-up cat card.

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.

My husband's old recipe for Meatballs called for breadcrumbs, and he used to make his own, using a slightly stale loaf of bread that he would dry out and pulverize. When he wanted to make this new version, without any gluten in it, he first tried using gluten-free bread as a substitute, but he wasn’t happy with the results. The secret? Read on to find out!

Find out why Amplify is voted one of the best sleep away camps for girls in the country year after year !!!  Experience the best in sleep away and day camps with Amplify - an award-winning and American Camp Association Accredited music and arts program! Nestled in the breathtaking Topa Topa Mountains of Ojai, CA, …

Choosing an after school activity with your child can feel a bit daunting. You might feel obligated to sign them up for the same activities as their peers (perhaps a little motivated by FOMO?). You may want to encourage them to excel at a sport or art form that you excelled at (or wish you did) when you were younger.

You wonder how much to push or encourage them to participate in something they may or may not want to do or when to pull back and admit defeat. It’s a tricky line parents have to walk and one of our biggest challenges.

Maybe your son or daughter wants to be the next Taylor Swift, or you’ve heard that music makes your child smarter. If you’re looking for music lessons for kids in Los Angeles, these LA-based instructors and schools just might be in perfect tune with your child’s needs.

Another year around the sun in a blink of an eye and it’s suddenly time to throw another birthday party. With endless possibilities and trends evolving constantly, planning the perfect birthday bash can feel intimidating. Whether you're aiming for an intimate gathering or a grand extravaganza we have some super fun and out of the box ideas to help you plan an unforgettable experience for your little one.

Some kids do better in a single-sex school environment, and in Los Angeles, there are many private schools that offer single-gender options. Most of these are high schools, but a few offer same-sex school options in elementary and middle school as well. Whether you choose a coed, all-girls, or all-boys private school, we have an …

Welcome! You'll find all the links we mention in our IG posts below. Looking for more? Stick around and check out the site for all kinds of ideas for fun!

Welcoming a new life into the world is a momentous occasion, filled with excitement and anticipation. As an expectant mother, you embark on a remarkable journey of transformation, both physically and emotionally.

Amidst the joy and wonder, finding comfortable and stylish clothing that adapts to your changing body becomes an essential part of the experience. There’s only so long you can keep wearing yoga pants, after all.

Updated for 2023 All parents need childcare help at some point, whether it’s for date night or daily care during work hours, so we’ve got lists of all kinds of help, including the newest idea to hit LA: Flexible Childcare and preschool options. Nannies are often hired to help with full time care for infants …

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Back-to-school season is around the corner and families are gearing up for the annual task of organizing new fall school schedules, extracurricular activities and weekend planning. If you’re like most moms & dads, a bench of trusted babysitters is crucial to maintaining your schedule and sanity, individually …