Creative Writing

Now open inside Discovery Cube Orange County, The Sweet Spot is the newest creation from Bean Sprouts, the family-friendly café brand already known for sneaking veggies into giggle-worthy lunches. This time, they’re flipping the script on sugar. The Sweet Spot serves up swirly soft serve, dessert “pizzas,” and hands-on treat design stations—but with all-natural, clean ingredients. Translation: your kids still get their sugar high, but without the chemical cocktail that usually comes with it.

If your summer plans include “more sunsets, less screen time,” 2ND & PCH has you covered—and it won’t cost you a dime (unless you wander into one of the boutiques, in which case, we can’t help you).

The marina-front shopping center is rolling out a full slate of free events this summer—live music, movie nights, and kids’ programming that’s charmingly chaotic in all the best ways. It’s a whole vibe, and one that feels more like a warm-weather block party than your typical mall event calendar.

If your kid’s current obsession is a tie between tiaras and total mayhem, the Santa Monica Playhouse has your next weekend plan. The beloved musical comedy Alice and the Wonderful Tea Party is back for a summer run, and it’s not your typical storytime fare.

Playing Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and Sundays at 12:30 p.m. from July 13 through September 28, this reimagined Wonderland adventure invites a grown-up Alice back through the looking glass for—you guessed it—a surprise tea party that goes delightfully off the rails.

If you’ve ever tried to convince a toddler to sit on the potty without turning it into a full-blown Broadway production, CoComelon might already be part of your parenting toolkit. And now, the screen-time superstar is stepping off the tablet and into the real world—specifically, into Griffith Park—for a one-day potty training bash that promises singalongs, stickers, and possibly the most Instagrammable bathroom you’ll ever visit.

Many events are planned for celebrating Juneteenth this year, in and around Los Angeles as well as virtually from all over!

Just when you thought summer in Santa Monica couldn’t get any more delightfully unhinged, along comes the 13th Annual Cardboard Yacht Regatta at the Annenberg Community Beach House—a gloriously soggy showdown where duct tape dreams are built, raced, and often spectacularly sunk.

Yes, this is real. No, the boats are not waterproof. And that’s kind of the point.

If your ideal summer night includes a killer sunset, a burger you don’t have to flip yourself, and the soulful sounds of a band you’ll probably end up following on Instagram—Terranea’s Summer Sound Series just might be your weekend calling.

Los Angeles parents, prepare yourselves. The California Science Center has officially re-unleashed Dogs! A Science Tail, the wildly popular, deeply sniffable exhibition all about the science behind your pup’s strange-but-endearing behavior. If you missed it the first time around in 2019—or if your kids now have opinions, vocab, and their own pet theories about why dogs spin in circles before lying down—this is your second chance.

This summer, your daily walk down Santa Monica Boulevard might include 100 life-sized elephants—and no, it’s not a metaphor for gridlock or the state of American politics.

Starting July 1, Beverly Hills becomes the final stop in The Great Elephant Migration, a continent-spanning public art installation and conservation campaign that’s equal parts sculpture, storytelling, and soulful spectacle. And while the elephants may be made of lantana vines and handcrafted by Indigenous artisans from India’s Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, make no mistake: their presence in LA is anything but still.

If your idea of a perfect Southern California summer includes live music, a sea breeze, and maybe a glass of wine in hand while surrounded by great art and chill vibes—well, Laguna Beach has you covered.

The Festival of Arts’ much-loved summer concert series is back and ready to turn up the volume from July 2 through August 29, 2025. Set against the dreamy backdrop of the Festival’s open-air grounds, this season promises a playlist packed with soul, funk, jazz, country, and tributes that’ll have you toe-tapping in your beach sandals before you know it.

If your idea of a perfect L.A. summer evening includes sweeping views, snacks, and soul-shaking live music—ideally with your kids dancing nearby while you sip something cold—you’ll want to mark your calendar. “Off the 405,” the Getty Center’s free outdoor concert series, is back with a five-show lineup that feels more curated than commercial, and refreshingly grounded in what makes L.A.’s creative scene hum.

Pack your sunscreen, grab your best dancing sneakers, and maybe plan for a post-bedtime snack run, because KCRW Summer Nights are officially in full swing—and the 2025 lineup is looking like a love letter to LA’s music, art, and cultural scenes. From Union Station to Kidspace Museum to the Wende Museum’s courtyard, these all-ages, totally free outdoor parties bring the vibes and the variety.

Whether you’re an old-school KCRW fan or just someone who enjoys grooving under twinkly lights with friends and strangers alike, this summer’s calendar has something for you—and the kids, too. And did we mention it’s free?

If you’ve ever cruised down Whittier Boulevard with the windows down and the music up, or tapped your foot to an oldie that somehow always hits just right, you’ve already felt it—the Eastside Sound. Now, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes is bringing it to the foreground with A Great Day in East L.A.: Celebrando the Eastside Sound, a new year-long exhibition opening June 28 that’s as much about music as it is about memory, movement, and cultural legacy.

And yes, there’s a free concert to go with it. Because of course there is. This is East L.A., after all.

If your family’s been craving a summer afternoon that feels like a colorful hug from the whole city, Pride on the Promenade might just be your June highlight. Downtown Santa Monica is rolling out the rainbow carpet again this year for an all-ages celebration on Saturday, June 21, from 2 to 7 p.m.—and it’s not just glitter and good vibes (though there will be plenty of both).

This year, the event is part of an expanded Entertainment Zone, meaning grown-ups can responsibly sip a drink while strolling the Promenade’s festivities—a nice bonus for anyone juggling rainbow crafts and sunscreen reapplications.

If your kid’s imagination is currently operating at full speed—and your weekend patience is… not—Topanga Canyon might have your Sunday morning solution. Family Fundays are back at Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, offering a weekly dose of interactive storytelling that’s equal parts whimsical, witty, and wonderfully weird.

Held on the outdoor mainstage at 10:30 a.m. every Sunday, these one-hour shows are geared toward kids under 8 but clever enough to keep older siblings and parents entertained too. It’s the kind of programming that ditches the plastic princesses and leans into folklore, classic fables, and a little Shakespearean flair—with enough audience participation to make everyone feel like they’re part of the story.

If you’ve never seen a concert tucked into a canyon with the breeze in your hair, tacos in hand, and someone next to you dancing like no one’s watching—welcome to The Ford. The LA Phil just dropped the full 2025 season lineup for the 1,200-seat amphitheater in the Hollywood Hills, and it’s a vibe-heavy buffet of music, film, family, and cultural magic that honestly makes FOMO a real threat.

Running July 18 through Halloween, this year’s lineup brings back beloved traditions (Studio Ghibli under the stars? Yes please), bold new collaborations (Betty Who with the LA Phil orchestra), and community-driven stories that feel both personal and powerful.

If you’ve ever dreamed of biking down Central Avenue with zero honking cars in your path, surrounded instead by music, families, and the occasional roller-skater in a tutu—your dream becomes reality on Sunday, June 22.

CicLAvia is back with its 61st open streets event, and this time it’s taking over a stretch of South LA that doesn’t always get the glossy guidebook treatment: Historic South Central, Florence, Firestone, and Watts. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 6.4 miles of city streets will go car-free, transforming into a lively, walkable, rollable “pop-up park” for all ages and abilities.

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.

If your only exposure to sea stars has been underfoot at a tidepool or stuck to the glass at a touch tank, prepare to have your mind (gently) blown. The Aquarium of the Pacific is throwing a season-long spotlight on these underwater icons with Stars of the Sea, a new exhibition that opened May 24, and running all the way through next spring.

This isn’t your average kids-touching-a-starfish moment (though yes, you can absolutely do that too). It’s a sprawling tribute to the surprisingly weird, sometimes venomous, and ecologically vital creatures that keep our coastal ecosystems in balance—and it comes with just enough science and spectacle to impress both the marine biology nerd in your family and your toddler who just likes things with a lot of arms.

For two days in June, Griffith Park won’t just be home to joggers, picnickers, and the occasional coyote sighting—it’ll become a vibrant hub for some of the country’s most innovative Native American artists. The Autry Museum’s 34th Annual American Indian Arts Festival lands June 7–8, and it’s not your average art fair.

This year’s theme could easily be “ancient future.” Yes, there will be stunning jewelry, beadwork, and basketry. But there will also be an Indigenous-themed Star Wars droid. A linoleum print workshop led by a Tongva artist. Live hoop dancing, powwow performances, spoken word, and kid-friendly storytelling zones. And the best part? It all happens under one ticket price, which includes full museum admission.

You’ve done Disneyland. You’ve walked Downtown Disney. But have you mini-golfed through Inside Out’s Headquarters or lined up your putt next to Wall-E? Good news, parents: Pixar Putt—possibly the cutest pop-up in Anaheim—is sticking around through August 17, 2025.

Originally slated for a shorter stay, the whimsical 18-hole mini golf course has officially extended its run at the Pixar Place Hotel at Disneyland Resort. Translation? You’ve got all summer to sneak in a round, whether you’re entertaining out-of-town guests, wrangling kids on summer break, or simply looking for an excuse to feel joy in a putt-putt-sized package.

There are summer traditions in L.A., and then there’s the Hollywood Bowl—our hillside mecca for symphonies, singalongs, and surprise fireworks. The LA Phil just dropped the full lineup for its 2025 season, and if you’re the kind of parent who plans your family calendar around music under the stars (or if you just really, really love a good picnic), this one’s for you.

This year’s slate isn’t just stacked—it’s cinematic, celebratory, and slightly surreal in the best way. Where else can you watch Cynthia Erivo play Jesus and listen to Jurassic Park’s T-Rex roar in sync with a full orchestra?

If your ideal summer includes theater with a side of eucalyptus-scented mountain air, pack a picnic and head to Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, where Shakespeare meets SoCal in the best way possible. Launching its 2025 “Season of Resilience,” the Theatricum is serving up two of the Bard’s most beloved comedies—”Much Ado About Nothing” and “A …

kids playing with typewriters

The Getty Villa Museum is making a triumphant return this June, and it’s not just reopening—it’s rising from the ashes, quite literally.

After a five-month closure due to the Palisades Fire, the museum will officially welcome back visitors starting Friday, June 27. But this isn’t just a return to business as usual. The museum, nestled along Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades, is inviting Angelenos to experience a site transformed—not only by flames, but by the tireless efforts of staff, firefighters, and the surrounding community.

Luckily, there are lots of things to do and places to go to celebrate Father’s Day in and around Los Angeles. Check out all 15 and choose the best one for the dad in your life!

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.

https://www.discoverycube.org/orange-county/visit/

Helicopter Simulators, Surf Rescues, and a Whole Lot of Science—Discovery Cube LA’s Rescue Exhibit Puts Kids in the Hot Seat

Move over, museum silence—Discovery Cube Los Angeles is about to get loud, high-energy, and hands-on. Opening May 24, The Rescue Exhibition is coming in with sirens blazing, offering curious kids (and let’s be honest, a few excited parents) the chance to experience what it’s like to be a real-life hero.

This is not your typical button-pushing exhibit. Visitors will climb into a full-size helicopter simulator, navigate rescue missions on a virtual jet ski, spot infrared heat signals, and even fight digital fires. Yes, it’s science. But it’s science with adrenaline.

If your living room has ever been overtaken by cardboard tubes and your kid insists they’re “building a gravity-powered ball launcher,” this one’s for you.

Tube-a-Palooza, the newest limited-time exhibit at Pretend City Children’s Museum, is basically a STEAM dreamscape for curious minds who love to tinker, test, and race things through long winding tunnels. Open May 23 through September 1, it’s a hands-on celebration of all things cylindrical—and yes, that includes plenty of chances to crawl, roll, and launch stuff.

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.

Get out and celebrate! We’ve curated a list of the best Fourth of July celebrations in Los Angeles just for you!

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!

Summer means it’s time to get outside have fun. What better way to celebrate than taking the family to a movie under the stars? Parks, schools, museums and even rooftops are some of the great places to see outdoor movies in Los Angeles.

There are so many reasons to be in Los Angeles in the summer and one of them is the amount of fun events for families. We’ve compiled a list of the best Outdoor Summer Concerts for Families in and around Los Angeles. Most of them are free and all of them are a really fun way to be together as a family and hear great music by DJ and local and national musicians.

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.

Memorial Day is observed on Monday, May 29th, which means a three-day weekend. While it is a day to remember the sacrifices of the men and women who gave their lives in service to their country, Memorial Day Weekend is also thought by many to be the Unofficial Start of Summer!

Summer is the best time to be in Los Angeles. There are so many festivals, shows, concerts and free events that you could do something different every day. We want to help you have the best summer ever so we’ve compiled a list with 100 Days of Things to do with Kids in LA this Summer starting today.

Mommy and Me Classes are a fun way to meet other parents and play with your baby!