Northern Orange County Disneyland It’s an attraction that requires little introduction in Orange County—or any other part of the world, for that matter. Disneyland is a place where families can embark on a magical adventure in a parallel universe filled with life-sized mice and smiling princesses. The park’s many attractions...
Our annual Readers’ Choice awards has returned for another year of taking you through the best and most unique parts of Orange County. As we’ve done before, we’ve also thrown in some Editors’ Choices to give you a sense of the greatness we see in the county. Sit back and...
Peek Clothing Empowering messages, internationally-inspired trends and unique graphics are among the finds kids can make at this Fashion Island shop. Peek carries Bohemian-inspired dresses, rompers and playful shorts for girls. The boutique clothing store is also stocked with laced eyelet dresses, embroidered trench coats and knit, multi-color cardigans. Accessories...
Whether it’s girls’ night out or family bonding time, these OC cooking and baking classes will make you feel like a domestic goddess with fun, food, and laughter. Sweet Crumb Bakery Every little girl dreams of owning a pet unicorn, and while they can’t be bought, they can be made....
Pack a family picnic and head out to one of these outdoor summer concerts Brea’s Summer Concerts in the Park Add a little excitement to your hump day slump at Brea’s City Hall Park, where summer concerts will be held each Wednesday. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring a blanket and...
A few of OC’s most unique — and active — programs for children of all abilities. The Segerstrom Center The Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa offers many programs and services geared towards children and adults with special needs. The Segerstrom Hall, which presents everything from Broadway shows...
Getting set for school isn’t all about pencils and backpacks, especially for our youngest learners. In fact, the best way to prepare for preschool is through play. Patti Clark participates in the most incredible adventures with her three-year-old niece. Together, they build and tour zoos, camp out, and perform ballets....
The littlest students can provide the biggest opportunities for learning. After all, the first three years of a child’s life are a time of tremendous brain growth. Studies show that a significant part of brain development occurs during this time. Infants, babies and toddlers spend those crucial first years learning...
Education is no longer confined to the walls of a classroom. A stretched-thin public school system — coupled with an increasingly competitive economy — have families turning to tutoring services for an academic boost. Indeed, tutoring is becoming big business. The global private tutoring industry is expected to reach more...
Once again, Parenting OC readers voiced their opinions on the best of the Best of OC. This year’s winners in over 100 Reader’s Choice and Editor’s Choice categories brought in 23,781 carefully considered nods to the hard work of Orange County businesses. Hold onto this guide throughout the year to...
Downtown Disney in Anaheim [Editor’s note: As a parent of a picky eater, I can sympathize with the plight of those fighting the good fight when it comes to mealtime. So we planned an entire page dedicated to making food extra enticing.] You might have passed by this Downtown Disney...
Home-schooling rocks for these OC families While many of us are checking supply lists, picking out new shoes and clipping the tags off this year’s backpack, many OC parents have chosen a different educational route for their kids. Here are a few we’ve met and why out of the box...
Bravo TV's "Flipping Out" star, Jeff Lewis and partner Gage Edward have taken on their most ambitious, and challenging, project to date -- Fatherhood. Meet Monroe, the beautiful little girl who has stolen the hearts of her dads and soon, America. We chat with Jeff about how life has changed...
Teen Superstars and the Moms Who Raised Them Few things invigorate a parent more than watching their child score a winning goal or nail a test they studied hard for. Imagine then, the excitement of helping a child reach celebrity-level success. Meet three OC 15-year-old super-talents, and the moms who...
Summer is short, but the experiences made and friendships forged during the school break can be everlasting. Children with special needs can get in on the fun, too, thanks to a wealth of programs serving them throughout Orange County. They’ll have a chance to ride the waves, dance the months...
Celebrating Women’s History Month in OC In the field of women’s history, Orange County is a goldmine. It is home to the fastest woman on record, a former First Lady, world-famous actresses and singers, Olympic medalists and more. And so, with March’s National Women’s History Month before us, parents needn’t...
Learning about science used to involve dusty textbooks, the dissection of frogs and chalkboard benzene ring renderings. Judging by the experiments OC kids are up to at extracurricular school clubs and educational camps, science has become considerably cooler. These days, kids are learning about physics through bungee-diving Barbies, engineering through...
Free Family Fun We might not have snowballs or roaring fireplaces in Orange County, but there are a sleigh-load of family-friendly activities sure to help you survive the holiday break. OC is rich with light shows, carols, the telling of classic Christmas tales, crafts, multicultural celebrations and more. If that...
When Orange County’s first Montessori school opened its doors in 1962, it left some Herculean footsteps for others to follow. For starters, Heritage Montessori School has a personal connection to Dr. Maria Montessori: Its matriarch, Qudsia Ruston, was her only godchild. Ruston was a second-generation Montessori practitioner whose mother worked...