Libraries
Libraries host summer book clubs, read-alouds, and other events all summer long:
Beverly Hills Library (Summer Kick Off Party 5:30 p.m. on June 23rd, activities on Tuesdays at 3:45 starting July 9th)
L.A. Public Libraries (Robertson Library has fun activities Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m. and other locations will have similar offerings.)
Beverly Hills Library (Summer Kick Off Party 5:30 p.m. on June 23rd, activities on Tuesdays at 3:45 starting July 9th)
L.A. Public Libraries (Robertson Library has fun activities Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m. and other locations will have similar offerings.)
Music and theater
The Hollywood Bowl:
On some mornings, rehearsals at the Bowl are open to the public. Call 323.850.2000 for the latest information. The kids' program is popular and you only need to make a group of 10 to qualify for the group discount.
(Hollywood Bowl photo from Wikipedia commons)
Shakespeare by the Sea will have appearances all over L.A. suitable for older kids, teens and adults. Locations include Roxbury Park and Playa Vista. The plays scheduled for this summer are All's Well That Ends Well and King John.
Thursday nights all summer long, there's a free concert in the Beverly Canon Gardens (between the Montage Hotel and Bouchon, 1/2 block north of Wilshire).
Music at LACMA: Sundays Live free classical music
Check out this free summer concert calendar courtesy of Travelin' Local.
On some mornings, rehearsals at the Bowl are open to the public. Call 323.850.2000 for the latest information. The kids' program is popular and you only need to make a group of 10 to qualify for the group discount.
(Hollywood Bowl photo from Wikipedia commons)
Shakespeare by the Sea will have appearances all over L.A. suitable for older kids, teens and adults. Locations include Roxbury Park and Playa Vista. The plays scheduled for this summer are All's Well That Ends Well and King John.
Thursday nights all summer long, there's a free concert in the Beverly Canon Gardens (between the Montage Hotel and Bouchon, 1/2 block north of Wilshire).
Music at LACMA: Sundays Live free classical music
Check out this free summer concert calendar courtesy of Travelin' Local.
Bowling
Kids Bowl Free program:
Kids will get two free games daily. Shoe rentals are not free, so buying cheap bowling shoes might be worthwhile if you plan to go often. The site has a list of SoCal participating lanes to choose from.
AMF Summer Unplugged:
This program has the same perks as the other free bowling deal, but the locations are different.
Kids will get two free games daily. Shoe rentals are not free, so buying cheap bowling shoes might be worthwhile if you plan to go often. The site has a list of SoCal participating lanes to choose from.
AMF Summer Unplugged:
This program has the same perks as the other free bowling deal, but the locations are different.
Swimming/water play
Signing your kids up for lessons is always a great idea.
Here are some, with links:
Splash pads and public pools are also fabulous ways to stay cool all summer long. Here are a few options:
Annenberg Community Beach House
Splashpad Play Area
415 Pacific Coast Highway
Santa Monica, 90402; (310) 458-4904
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – Sunset
Cost: FREE for the splash pad outside; Public pool is open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and costs $10 for adults; $4 kids aged 1 and up
North Hollywood Recreation Center
North Hollywood Pool
5301 Tujunga Ave. (and Magnolia)
North Hollywood, 91601; (818) 755-7654
Hours: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. (M-F); 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. (S-S)
Cost: $2.50 Adults; FREE for kids under 7 (kids under 7 must be accompanied by adults, who must wear swimsuits while watching the kids) The Fee also covers pool use.
Stoner Park Pool Splash Pad
1835 Stoner Ave.
Los Angeles, 90025; (310) 575-8286
Hours: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (M-F); 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. (S-S)
Cost: FREE for 17 years and under; $2.50 for adults
Pool 0-4 ft of water
Swim Stadium Splash Pad (Water Play*)
3980 South Menlo Avenue
Los Angeles, 90037; (213) 763-0129 (5)
Hours: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Cost: Adults $2.50; FREE for kids 17 and under
*A pool with 1 foot of water has play structures and water sprays.
Virginia Park Splash Pad
2200 Virginia Ave.
Santa Monica, 90404; (310) 458-8688
Hours: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Rancho Tapo Community Park
3700 Avenida Simi.
Open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. FREE! Visit www.rsrpd.org/rec/aquatics/swimtimes.html or call 805.584.4400. Hours are 11am to 5pm, 7 days a week.
Santa Clarita Aquatics Center
20850 Centre Pointe Parkway
For current seasonal information such as hours, pool schedules, swim lessons, pricing, guidelines, water sports, as well as locker rentals visit the City's Seasons page.
The Santa Clarita Aquatic Center offers three pools, including a 50 meter competition pool with a competition timing system, a 25 meter dive pool, and an activity pool complete with water play equipment and a 160 foot water slide! Learn more about the City's Aquatics programs or please call (661) 250-3700 for more information.
Here are some, with links:
- Beverlywood Swim School (very expensive, but more pool time available for practice)
- Beverly Hills Aquatics at Beverly Hills H.S.
- the L.A. city pool on Motor (a relatively cheap option)
- Waterworks at JEM on Little S. Monica
- Lenny K Swim School at the Westside JCC
Splash pads and public pools are also fabulous ways to stay cool all summer long. Here are a few options:
Annenberg Community Beach House
Splashpad Play Area
415 Pacific Coast Highway
Santa Monica, 90402; (310) 458-4904
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – Sunset
Cost: FREE for the splash pad outside; Public pool is open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and costs $10 for adults; $4 kids aged 1 and up
North Hollywood Recreation Center
North Hollywood Pool
5301 Tujunga Ave. (and Magnolia)
North Hollywood, 91601; (818) 755-7654
Hours: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. (M-F); 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. (S-S)
Cost: $2.50 Adults; FREE for kids under 7 (kids under 7 must be accompanied by adults, who must wear swimsuits while watching the kids) The Fee also covers pool use.
Stoner Park Pool Splash Pad
1835 Stoner Ave.
Los Angeles, 90025; (310) 575-8286
Hours: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (M-F); 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. (S-S)
Cost: FREE for 17 years and under; $2.50 for adults
Pool 0-4 ft of water
Swim Stadium Splash Pad (Water Play*)
3980 South Menlo Avenue
Los Angeles, 90037; (213) 763-0129 (5)
Hours: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Cost: Adults $2.50; FREE for kids 17 and under
*A pool with 1 foot of water has play structures and water sprays.
Virginia Park Splash Pad
2200 Virginia Ave.
Santa Monica, 90404; (310) 458-8688
Hours: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Rancho Tapo Community Park
3700 Avenida Simi.
Open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. FREE! Visit www.rsrpd.org/rec/aquatics/swimtimes.html or call 805.584.4400. Hours are 11am to 5pm, 7 days a week.
Santa Clarita Aquatics Center
20850 Centre Pointe Parkway
For current seasonal information such as hours, pool schedules, swim lessons, pricing, guidelines, water sports, as well as locker rentals visit the City's Seasons page.
The Santa Clarita Aquatic Center offers three pools, including a 50 meter competition pool with a competition timing system, a 25 meter dive pool, and an activity pool complete with water play equipment and a 160 foot water slide! Learn more about the City's Aquatics programs or please call (661) 250-3700 for more information.
Skating
You can often get group rates for ice skating or roller skating. Both are excellent exercise and lots of fun. For ice skating, try Culver Ice Arena or the Toyota Ice Center.
Also, if you're willing to go out to Northridge, there's free roller skating for kids available at the Skateland at
18140 Parthenia St. (Phone: 818-885-7655). For more details about free summertime skating for kids and other locations nationwide, see: http://kidsskatefree.com/.
Also, if you're willing to go out to Northridge, there's free roller skating for kids available at the Skateland at
18140 Parthenia St. (Phone: 818-885-7655). For more details about free summertime skating for kids and other locations nationwide, see: http://kidsskatefree.com/.
Farmer's Markets & Farms
In sunny SoCal--source of a large percentage of the nations fruits and vegetables--there's a farmer's market somewhere on every day of the week. Many have kids' activities. To learn more, try this nifty interactive tool or this list of local certified farmer's markets.
Want to visit the farm itself? Try one of these:
Want to visit the farm itself? Try one of these:
- Underwood Family Farms (2 locations--see picture)
- Tanaka Farm in OC
- McGrath Family Farm in Camarillo
- Villa del Sol cherry orchard in Leona Valley
Jumping
Kids love to jump? Try Sky High Sports in Camarillo or Woodland Hills for hours of jumping fun. Better than a moon bounce and lots of exercise out of the hot summer sun, although a relatively expensive activity.