Learn about the benefits of practicing art as a family and some creative activities for parents and kids for fun, summer self-care. The art process allows the family to strengthen their bond through creativity and to appreciate each other’s different perspectives. It also empowers the family’s creative thinking and stimulates...
The OC Zoo has a new resident in its big cat exhibit In spring of last year, the OC Zoo in Orange unveiled its brand-new Large Mammal Exhibit, with two young, orphaned mountain lion sisters, a young, injured male mountain lion and an adult jaguar. The OC Zoo recently welcomed...
Wild Rivers is pumping with activity, rides and water. This water theme park made a return to Orange County last year after an 11-year hiatus. The new waterpark, which is already open for its 2023 season, sits on 22 acres of Irvine Great Park land (the original park was approximately...
Photo Courtesy of Disneyland Disneyland and Legoland have made some improvements — for children of all abilities. New and Improved Mickey’s Toontown Mickey’s Toontown has reopened at Disneyland and while the land has been updated extensively in design, there’s one big focus underlying many of the changes: inclusivity. “We got...
(Photo Courtesy of Astra Lumina) A Stellar Immersive Experience at South Coast Botanic Garden in Palos Verdes Sponsored Content At the South Coast Botanic Garden in Palos Verdes, just a short drive from Orange County, Astra Lumina is presenting an enchanted night walk that will delight children and adults of...
(Photo Courtesy of Soka Performing Arts Center) Soka Performing Arts Center starts the year off with a children’s classic: puppets. Soka Performing Arts Center is starting the year off with puppets. Not just any puppets, either. The historic Bob Baker Marionettes lands on the Aliso Viejo stage on Sunday, Jan....
(Photo Courtesy of Ralph/Discovery Cube OC) Discovery Cube Orange County creates its first-ever STEM musical in time for the holiday season. It’s the night before the big science fair, and 17-year-old high school student Lumina is working feverishly in her makeshift Santa Ana garage lab amid storage bins and holiday...
Holidays at Disneyland Stay local this holiday vacation season. From theme parks to boat parades, the holiday fun for families doesn’t stop. Here are some of our favorites to keep your calendar full. The fake snow is falling at scheduled times each day. The palm trees are all sparkly and...
Cute Kid Cover winner Reign A. Morris and her brother, Ryan, having a pumpkin-filled time at Discovery Cube OC. (Photo Courtesy of Ralph Palumbo) Discovery Cube OC’s latest exhibit, Pumpkin Palooza features bumper cars, dancing, and of course, pumpkins. Right now it’s all about pumpkins at Discovery Cube Orange County. ...
(Photo Courtesy of Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort) Whether it involves fireworks or not, there’s plenty to do this July 4th holiday across OC. WITH FIREWORKS June 30 Huntington Beach Annual 4th of July Celebration www.hb4thofjuly.org Huntington Beach devotes five days celebrating the Fourth of July. June 30 has a Block...
(Photo Courtesy of Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort) Local theme parks make this summer their own with attractions both new and old enticing families ready for some fun. Amusement parks are built for bright, hot summer days. But summer nights at a park can light up, sparkle and rock-and-roll too. After two...
(Photo Courtesy of Irvine Ranch Conservancy) How you and your kids can take outdoor adventures through OC’s wild, open spaces. With so much wild, open space in Orange County, residents have access to one of the most biologically diverse landscapes in the world, so why not experience it with your...
(Photo Courtesy of Canva) Egg-cited for spring? Here are 20 spring and Easter-themed events across OC sure to keep your schedule packed. 1 – Buena Park Spring Eggstravaganza & Pancake Breakfast www.buenapark.com (Photo Courtesy of Buena Park) The city of Buena Park brings its Spring Eggstravaganza to Boisseranc Park on...
(Photo Courtesy of Discovery Cube) Discovery Cube OC offers science, fun and bubbles this spring for all ages and abilities. Discovery Cube Orange County’s staff is always ready to help meet the needs of all abilities. One year, during Bubblefest, a family with a child with special needs needed a...
Camping at home as a family. It’s time to go camping. Time to get out of the house, sleep under the stars, get a change of scenery and have a family adventure — with all the comforts of home. No poison oak, no need for non-perishable foods and even better,...
Fender American Acoustasonic Guitars On display at the 2020 National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show was Fender’s hybrid acoustic-electric guitar called the Acoustasonic. They come in two body styles, the single-cut Fender American Acoustasonic Telecaster, and double-cut Stratocaster — both offering a complete arsenal of convincing acoustic and electric...
Storymakery in Laguna Hills teaches children a passion for writing by giving them the tools to create stories. Camps and after-school programs can teach important academic and life skills while creating a memorable, enjoyable experience. Faith Vidal was only 6 when she started attending the Storymakery writing camp. And she...
Take some time during summer break for fun projects the whole family will remember. Do any teachers still assign that September cliché, the essay on “What I did during summer vacation”? Whether or not they do, it’s worth thinking about what your children would write or say in response to...
Dinner time is important—but there are other ways to create special family moments with the kids. There are times when listening to the experts can drive parents a little crazy with all the responsibilities and impossibilities of doing everything just right. Do you talk enough to your baby while breastfeeding...
Playing in dirt isn’t just loads of fun — it’s healthy, too! There’s no question, playing in the dirt tops the list of fun for young children despite the protests of many well-intended parents. If you’re one of those parents, you can put your fears aside. It turns out dirt...
The ruddy duck is a diving bird. Its plump, cinnamon-colored body bobs on the surface of a pond at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, supposedly catching its breath. Audubon naturalist Jay Miller points out the duck’s baby-blue beak, a beak so bright people have asked him if it was painted...
What parents need to know about the summer films. The Lion King RATED: PG. OPENS: July 19, 2019. VOICE CAST: James Earl Jones, Donald Glover, Beyoncé, Chiwetel Ejiofor. PLOT: Simba is a young cub of a lion pride, who is trying to learn all that he can from his father...
Rainy days as of late have made us search for fun things for the kids to do indoors. The kiddos can stay warm and dry at home while having a blast with these entertainment options. Beaker Creatures Whirling Wave Reactor Toys and books are all fun, but for a truly...
Three mischievous spirits roam the decks, cabins and Engine Room on The Queen Mary. The Queen Mary is home to a long and varied history full of legend and ghostly tales. More than a few stories have been shared of ghostly apparitions and unexplained occurrences. On a recent visit to...
Summer’s over, right? Time to delve into school and extracurriculars. It’s back to the workplace, back to “normal life.” Sure. Sort of. But why should we let our school and work calendars run our lives to the point where we don’t feel there’s room for spontaneity, fun breaks and glimmers...
Walkabout with kangaroos, go under the sea with sharks, hang out with Western characters, Kung Fu with a panda, or pal around with Pixar characters—all at Southern California theme parks this summer. Here are seven summer-exclusive attractions and theme park additions for families to enjoy: 1. Walkabout Australia at the...
Escape to the enchanted garden of mystical fairies with your children by creating one in your own backyard, or visit one together at this obscure gem of a trail in Mission Viejo. What child can resist the book, “The Secret Garden”? It’s always been an enchanting notion: A special, hidden...
Get the most out of this summer for the least amount of cost at these family-friendly places and events. For a couple of heavenly months, there will be no need to rouse the kids for school, no evening arguments about homework. Ensure that summer is a richer time for the...
Oak Canyon offers an easy trail along a year-round stream, a cactus-covered ridge and a wide variety of flowers. It seemed as though the rains were never going to come this past winter, didn’t it? The hills remained brown and wildflowers that usually show up in early January still hadn’t...
Top five family-friendly things to do at SoCal’s largest theme parks this summer from the perspective of a former Disney Imagineer. The kids are home for the summer, what to do? As a former Disney Imagineer, and father of five (now grown) children, I’ve lived designing and visiting theme parks....
A parental guide to film watching as a family. Teen Titans Go! To the Movies Rated not yet rated. Opens July 27. Voice Cast Nicolas Cage, Kristen Bell, Tara Strong, Will Arnett. Plot Wanting to star in their own super hero movie the Teen Titan crew vies for the attention...
We all have grand ideas of all the things we will do differently this year, and that kick off to the new year makes such a convenient place to start. But unfortunately, most of us lose interest or give up on our too-challenging pledges before the groundhog does or does...
Los Cerritos Center’s Santa HQ Friday December 1-Saturday December 24 At this interactive experience, kids not only can meet, and get a photo with, Santa, but they can check out the Elf-Ray Vision and the Naughty-or-Nice ‘O Meter. Santa HQ guests are invited to bring new unwrapped toys or sports...
Nutcracker Luncheon & Sugar Plum Tea Sunday December 3 Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort | 2110 PCH, Huntington Beach 714-962-5440 | www.festivalballet.org Ballet Etudes’ The Nutcracker December 2–3, 9–10 Huntington Beach High School Auditorium | 1905 Main Street, Huntington Beach 855-222-2849 | balletetudes.com/performances Laguna Dance Theatre’s The Nutcracker Thursday December 15–Sunday...
It may seem odd to feature films during the month of Screen Free Week, but the act of going to the movies and passing around a hot bucket of popcorn as a family can be a bonding experience that extends past the closing credits. Use the parenting points below to...
20 Green-Clean Hacks for Spring What if the microwave cleaned itself, or the shower never grew mold, or stains disappeared from clothing in the spring air? Okay, we can’t deliver that, but some of these tricks are so effortless (and with no caustic cleaners!), the kids can roll up their...
During the holiday season, even the closest families can experience friction. If your mother-in-law can’t quit complaining about this year’s contentious election, or Uncle Bob launches into another lifestyle debate, take heart. With advanced planning and a handful of tactful responses at the ready, your holiday celebration can be enjoyable...
Sure, it might be the month celebrating Screen Free Week, but we feel like an afternoon as a family at the movies is a different critter than eyes-glued-to-apps-and-games. Share the popcorn, and a few laughs (or gasps), with the kids with these new family flicks. Finding Dory Opens: June 17....
Can your children survive a week without their favorite TV shows, computer games, and videogames? More importantly, can you? According to the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, children who spend less time with the TV, computer, and videogames do better in school and have more time for creative play and...
If you’re looking to spring forward into a new style with your lovely locks, we have a few ideas. Vera Wang’s Fashion Week hair design, by runway stylist Paul Hanlon for Pai-Shau, was inspired by the collections’ rich textures, long, lean lines and strong hues. We love Vera, but we...