Set aside the conversation hearts (except when doing science experiments) and show your kiddos how much they mean by filling the day with oh-so-sweet Valentine’s Day games and activities. From playing musical hearts to making suncatchers to concocting potions, the following ideas are fun ways to share the L-O-V-E. Be sure to check out our favorite DIY Valentine’s Day cards, jokes, and Valentine’s Day gifts kids can make.
There’s nothing quite like a classic game of ring toss, and this pink version is perfect for Valentine’s Day festivities. Start collecting your bottles now, and order some heart-shaped bracelets to use as rings.
3. Heart Counting Game
Deirdre Smith
It’s craps meets math with a clever counting game from the Kids Activities Blog. Roll the dice then add the same number of beans to the heart. The first overflowing heart is the winner! Play again and again—it’s a lovely (and educational) way to celebrate the holiday.
Want to walk all over hearts? It’s acceptable—and encouraged—during a session of musical hearts. Each heart has an entertaining activity written on the bottom. When the music stops, the kids start! Creative mom Amy incorporates reading and acting into each prompt and shares her awesome list of activities on her site, Teach Mama.
Tiny conversation hearts are big on charm but short on taste. Kids can use these little love messages to start a different type of conversation. First, fill recycled plastic bottles with various forms of liquid. Drop in candy hearts and observe what happens next! Check out Fun-A-Day for the lowdown.
Want to put the kiddo’s knowledge to the test? See if they know their ABCs by heart with a colorful set of letters. Find out where Jamie of Hands On As We Grow grabbed her game set, or try your hand at making your very own.
7. Heart Hopscotch
Toddler Approved
It’s hopscotch, Valentine’s style. Use cardstock (what else?) in red, pink, and white, add numbers or letters, grab something heavy(ish) to throw, and start hopping! You’ll be crushing on how much your kids are learning, from letter or number skills to physical coordination. Get more details on this simple Valentine's Day game by visiting Toddler Approved.
The clever clues and hand-written love notes in this simple but brilliant treasure hunt we found too sweet not to share. Cut out large hearts for hints and attach treats to each for added sweetness! The treasures at the end can be anything from simple toys to gift cards. Get great tips for making clues by visiting Thriving Home.
Costco’s exit greeters will even draw a happy face on your receipt if you’ve got kids in tow
Here’s something you’ve probably wondered at least once or twice: why does Costco check receipts? You just spent the last four hours shopping for bulk for all your bulk good needs and now that your cart is full and you’ve paid your due, the smiling exit greeter gives your receipt the once over. What’s the deal?
So it might seem like the Costco exit greeter and receipt checker is trying to catch you shoplifting. But that really isn’t so. Imagine trying to “sneak” a case of ramen noodles out. Not so easy, right?
Instead, the exit greeter’s job is to actually save you money. They’re not looking at the receipt to make sure the gallon of ketchup filling your cart is actually listed on your receipt. Instead, they’re looking for duplicate charges, promotions the cashier may not have caught, or other similar errors. They’re also looking for products that you purchased but may not have received by way of a mis-scanned item or items held at checkout. In fact, Costco has been providing this service since they opened their first store in Seattle in 1983.
A recent Reddit thread illustrates this point completely. After one Reddit user asked, “How much is caught at the exit receipt check?” another responded, “I sometimes get the $100 for $80 gift cards and they always ask if I remembered those, since you have to go to the lock-up to pick up the gift cards after you pay.”
Before you give the exit greeter that sideways, “Hey, what are you really searching for?” look, remember—they’re here to help.
The brightly hued ceramic skulls are a perfect addition to any Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) décor. Rather than cause frights, the sugar skulls are intended to express the happy memories of loved ones that have passed on. This year’s eye-catching collection does just that.
The skulls are available in purple, orange, white, black, blue, and yellow colors. In years past, there have been both mini ($4.99) and grande ($9.99) sizes to shop, but so far in 2022, we’ve only seen the small versions at local stores.
While we wouldn’t call ourselves botanists, we have spied a variety of succulent plants to choose from. Echeverias, Haworthia, aloe, Tiger plants, and several other options will bring a little life (after death) into your space.
Karly Wood
The best part about succulents? Even the blackest of thumbs can keep them alive with just a little water and sunlight. They will likely survive long past Día de los Muertos, which means you can either transplant them into a year-round container or your backyard, or just keep them in the candy-colored sugar skull all year long.
The next time you’re headed out to Trader Joe’s to stock up on fall products to welcome the season or just to pick up the perfect gift, grab a few skulls before they’re gone!
Easter egg hunts are back! And so are other kid-friendly Easter activities and event that will put an extra bounce in your Easter weekend. Let’s just say your kids will be egg-cited to try their hands at LEGO bunny building and bunny hutch decorating after they’ve found all the eggs around town. Here’s where to celebrate Easter in Seattle.
Seattle-Area Easter Egg Hunts
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Get ready! Seattle Parks and Recreation is hosting Easter egg hunts at local community centers in 2022. Always an easy option, these free outdoor romps are great for kids. You bring the basket, they "hide" hundreds of eggs for kids to find. Most of the hunts are geared toward kids ages 3-11, but there are a couple of options for teens and a sweet tot egg hunt for kids ages 1-3 at Green Lake this year. Our advice? Get there with plenty of time to spare. These events start on time and eggs are gathered faster than you can say "hop to it." Here's where you'll find all the action in 2022:
Hide & Peep Egg Hunt Play hide & peep with your little eggs at this egg hunt that lets kids search throughout the mall for hidden treat. Check in at our Easter Bunny set, located next to Nordstrom Rack for your free wrist band and bag. Then, walk around the mall to find the 12 retailers with large Easter Egg decals in their windows to collect your eggs. Tickets are recommended but not required. Sat., Apr. 9. Ages 3-11. Free. Auburn. Event details.
Farm Egg Hunt Friends and supporters of Muddy Pug Farm & Sanctuary are welcome for a morning of fun, family games, egg hunts and the opportunity to meet the wonderful farm sanctuary residents. Every dollar of ticket sales will go directly to the care of the rescued cows, sheep, goats, ducks and bunnies that call The Muddy Pug home. Tickets are required for this event. Sat., Apr. 9. All ages. $15-$75. Maple Valley. Event details.
Spring Egg-stravaganza Celebrate spring at this egg-themed workshop at Kelsey creek farm. Kids and their grown-up will collect eggs from the chicken coops and compare the eggs that chickens and ducks lay. After they've learned a little, kids can pet a bunny and enjoy a rabbit-themed story time before heading out on an egg hunt. Sun., Apr. 10, Ages 4-8. $25/Resident; $30/Non-resident. Bellevue. Event details.
Bunny Hop Egg Hunt Bring a basket and celebrate spring as Snoqualmie's annual egg hunt returns. Kids can plan on a festive spring morning of candy-filled egg hunting at this event. Just be sure to arrive on time (or a better yet, early), as the eggs go fast. Or choose to check out why Downtown Is Hopping for a slower paced egg hunt that includes pictures with the Easter bunny. Sat., Apr. 16. Ages 1-2. Free. Snoqualmie. Event details.
Beer Garden Easter Egg Hunt Ounces Taproom's popular Beer Garden Egg Hunt for kids under 10 is back for 2022. Please arrive by 3 p.m. for your kids to participate. Stable food donation for the West Seattle Food Bank is encouraged. Sat., Apr. 16, Ages 10 & under. Free. West Seattle. Event details.
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Visit the Bunny Patch Bring the kids to Thomasson Farm to visit their annual Bunny Patch. With your ticket, kids can enjoy playground activities like tractor train rides and laser tag, an on-going Easter egg hunt and pictures with the Easter Bunny himself. As any good farm visit should, this one also includes visiting with farm animals and walking the fairy tail trail. Tickets required. Apr. 8-10 & 15 and 16. All ages. $10-$12. Enumclaw. Event details.
Easter Egg Hunt & Bunny Photos Not only will your kids get to ooh and ahh over the recently arrived baby chicks at The Grange, but they'll also get to hunt for Easter eggs. You bring the basket and your fastest bunny shoes; they'll set out eggs and give kids the chance to take photos with the Easter Bunny, too. Please register for this event in advance. Sat., Apr. 16. All ages. Free. Issaquah. Event details.
Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt Families will be glad to hear this in-person event is returning for 2022. It will include an egg hunt, Easter bunny photo booth, balloon twisters, fun activities, games and more. Please remember to bring a canned food donation for The Mill Creek Community Food Bank and a basket or bag for collecting eggs. Sat., Apr. 16. All ages. Free. Mill Creek. Event details.
Egg Scramble Ready for a fun twist on the traditional Egg Hunt? Try this one that includes crafts, a face painter, balloon artists, goodie bags Easter Bunny and an egg hunt. Puget Sound Fire will also be on site, supporting the event with goodies and fire engine tours. Sat., Apr. 16. All ages. Free. SeaTac. Event details.
Egg Hunt at Kent Station Bring your bunnies to Kent Station for two different egg hunts. Kids up to age six can hop in line on the grassy area in front of Coldstone before they get to hunt for 6 eggs (we want to make sure there's enough for everyone). Kids ages 6-12 have a mystery to solve. They’ll get an egg and then follow clues around Kent station to earn a prize. Sat., Apr. 16. All ages. Free. Kent. Event details.
Bunnies & Sundaes Nutty Squirrel Gelato is where you'll find this kid-approved Easter event that combines cuddly little bunnies and uniquely crafted Easter sundaes. Each ticket holder will get 10 minutes to hang with the bunnies and a double-scoop gelato sundae with robin's egg candies, marshmallow Peeps and cookie crumbles. This event will be followed by a community Easter egg hunt. Sun., Apr. 17. All ages. $12. Magnolia. Event details.
Other Totally Hoppin’ Easter Activities
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Steam Train Eggspress Bring the family and celebrate spring and the Easter season with an excursion through the Chehalis River Valley. Candy-filled eggs will be hidden by the Easter Bunny while you enjoy your ride. Then, once you reach your destination, kids can get out and start the hunt. They'll be broken up by age groups so everyone can find at least a few eggs. Bring your own basket, please. Tickets required. Apr. 9 & 16. $17/person; Free for kids 2 & under. All ages. Chehalis. Event details.
Meet the Easter Bunny The Easter Bunny is back at Bellevue Square. Hop on over to take a stroll through the flower patch to meet the Easter Bunny. Then smile pretty, it’s time to have your photo taken with him. After the kids visit, they’ll receive a free coloring tote with surprises inside, while supplies last. April 8-16. $35. All ages. Bellevue. Event details.
Easter Bunny Photos Hop on down to Southcenter Mall to have your little bunnies get their picture taken with the Easter Bunny. You'll find the Bunny and a new set outside Macy's on the main floor. Reservations are encouraged and walk-up appointments are available as space permits. There is a sensory friendly photo session scheduled for April 3, from 9:30-11 a.m. Apr. 1-16. All ages. Tukwila. Event details.
Auburn's Peter Cotton Trail Grab your peeps and hop around Auburn's parks and trails in search of the elusive bunny, who'll be hidden in various locations around Auburn. Find ten bunnies, have a chance to win awesome prizes and have a blast doing it. This will be a hippity-hoppity, fun and safe event for people of all ages and ability levels. Apr. 16-18. All ages. Free. Auburn. Event details.
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LEGO Easter Bunny Workshop Join Play-Well TEKnologies for a LEGO Easter Bunny workshop. Kids will have the opportunity to engineer and build their own hopping Easter Bunny, then use their creativity and imagination to deliver Easter eggs and other goodies, all with the guidance of egg-cellent Play-Well instructors. Registration is required. Sat., Apr. 9. $40. Ages. 5-10. Mill Creek. Event details.
Bunny Hutch Decorating Class We love this baking class that puts an Easter spin on gingerbread houses when kids make and decorating a sweet retreat for the Easter Bunny. Made of cookies, this bunny hutch will make the perfect centerpiece to your Easter celebration. Kids will also make a treat in class to enjoy. Registration required. Sun., Apr. 10. $75. Ages. 4-7. Seattle & Kirkland. Event details.
Easter Parade The 40th Annual Snohomish Easter Parade and Bonnet Contest is back. Celebrate the return of this beloved community event when you line the streets of Historic Downtown Snohomish to see the floats, bands and bunny-clad groups pass by. Sat., Apr. 16. Free. All ages. Snohomish. Event details.
Autism Spectrum Disorder became a constant companion in our life one April day a few years back. I think back to that day and realize how naive I was and how unprepared for the journey I was. I wish I could go back to myself on that day with my tear-filled eyes and fill myself in on a little of what I’ve learned so far.
1. It is going to be OKAY.
It will be okay…whatever your version of okay looks like. It may be filled with therapies and mountains to climb and hard at times or it may be smoother with fewer interventions needed. However it looks, you will adapt and you will learn and you will grow. And you will be okay.
We’ve managed to find our stride and what works for us. And is it how I originally pictured life? No. But it is okay and we’re doing alright.
2. Self, please know that your child has not changed.
The world might look and feel a little different right now and that is okay, but your baby is still your baby. Both of my boys are on the spectrum and both of my boys are still the same happy, loving, and adventurous boys they were before a doctor ever uttered the diagnosis that felt like it changed everything. It really took me a minute or two to get that through my head, but it was a valuable lesson to grasp.
3. My child has autism, but it does not define him.
Autism is a part of my boys. It is simply one facet that makes up their whole. It doesn’t define them. They have autism. Autism does not have them. They are smart because they are smart. They are funny because they are funny. They are kind, loving, and stars in my universe because they are them and not because of or in spite of any diagnosis.
4. If you have met one person on the spectrum, you have truly only met one person on the spectrum.
Yes, there are some shared characteristics. Yes, there are common ways in which autism manifests itself in people. But, just like you or me or the person next door, all people on the spectrum are unique too. My two boys are very different and their autism looks very different as well. They are unique. Just because your cousin’s neighbor’s sister’s friend has a child with autism doesn’t mean you know my child or what they need.
5. Subject Matter Expert: My Kids
Just because I am a mother with two boys on the spectrum doesn’t mean I am a subject matter expert on autism. Shoot, I am far from it. What I am an expert on is my boys. I know what works for them. We’ve worked hard to make progress and to find the right diet of therapies. I know what makes my boys laugh or cry and I know when a situation is too much for them. Generally, I can see a meltdown coming from a mile away.
Autism looks different in both of my boys. What works for one doesn’t necessarily work for the other. We’re figuring it all out as we go. But you know what, we’re all going to be okay.
“Don’t give up! I believe in you all. A person’s a person, no matter how small!” — Dr. Seuss
Marisa McLeod lives in Waterville, Ohio, with her husband and four kids. She's a Golden Girls, Disney, and organizational junkie. She can usually be found sipping coffee (or wine), watching reality television, or Pinterest-dreaming her next adventure. You can follow along with her on her blog How Many Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, Facebook, or on Instagram.
You don’t need an extreme home makeover, or even the help of a design pro to give your home an easy upgrade. From fresh flowers to perfectly placed candles to an expert stack of books, we bring you six ideas that you can execute today, probably with things you already have in your home.
This is a classic, for a good reason. A vase full of flowers is sure to brighten up any space, and the dining room table is always a winner. But not all arrangements are created equal. For a dining table where people will want to look at one another, low and wide arrangements work best. A safe rule is to cut down bouquets from their original length. It will keep your blooms fresher, plus low arrangements are more modern than the "long-stemmed roses" of days past.
Rearrange the Furniture & Decor
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If your space is feeling a little stale, consider rearranging your furniture, swapping area rugs or moving some of the home decor you already own. You'll be amazing at what a difference it makes.
Dirty tub? Grime disappears in the dark! Whether it's bath time or you are expecting dinner guests any moment, flip off the lights and fill the bathroom with enough candles that no one will ever need to reach for the switch. The combo of candles, glossy tile and mirrors will turn this humble room into a glittering little getaway in no time. Bonus: scented candles will fill the small space with sweet smells.
Even the most well-designed house can suffer from a cluttered coffee table. But a quick and easy clean up can make your living room party ready in minutes. First, get rid of all of the "real life" stuff like remotes, tattered magazines and drinking glasses. Once you have a clean slate, handpick three to five of your prettiest hardcover books (take a peek under the dust jackets to see if anything special is hidden underneath), and make a stack. Add a pretty bowl filled with olives, a selection of your best coasters, and you are guest-ready.
Show Off Your Produce in the Kitchen
Jen Siska
The most eye-popping colors and design comes from nature, and we are betting your fridge or pantry is filled to the brim with pretty stuff. Same as the coffee table makeover, clean the counters of all clutter, then set out a few pretty bowls. Lemons, eggplants, apples, pears, avocados—all make for the perfect decoration when displayed thoughtfully. But remember, these styling props are for eating, so never deny a hungry visitor to spare your lovely setup!
Duvets are pricey, and picking one to commit to can lead most to a mellow neutral. But to easily spice things up in the bedroom, collect a few tapestries or oversized patterned blankets. Hang them over sofa arms, on the backs of chairs or spread them out over the bed for a quick and dramatic change. If you're feeling crafty, hang on from the ceiling above the bed or on the wall for a temporary headboard.
Use a Patterned Wicker Basket Instead of a Plastic Laundry Basket
Swapping out a typical plastic laundry basket for an eye-catching patterned wicker basket is an easy way to give your laundry room (and wherever else you fold the clothes) a quick upgrade.
Do you heart Starbucks? Even though you may have just put down your Christmas cup, it’s already time to pick up something from Starbucks’ new Valentine’s Day collection.
The coffee giant released its Valentine’s Day 2022 lineup, and it is so, so cute. You can now get holiday-themed cups in Starbucks stores. And the collection is so adorable, you’ll be toting it all year ’round.
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So what do this year’s Valentine’s cups look like? A whole lot of cute and a whole lot of Paris love. It’s the city of love, right?
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Along with this cold beverage tumbler, some Starbucks stores also have a heart-covered pink mug, a clear cup with confetti hearts in the handle and other select designs. Check out your local Starbucks for tumblers and mugs available in your area.
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation.
Sweeten up your Valentine’s Day by ordering fresh roses on Amazon Prime for pronto delivery. Whether you’re looking to make a statement with a bodacious bouquet or a single stem, Amazon has once again found a way to make our lives simpler.
Snowstorm? Pandemic? Toddlers? Not this year. Thanks to Amazon Prime’s rose delivery, absolutely nothing should stand between you and the floral expression of love you crave (or that you crave to give, but that you’ve possibly forgotten to order weeks in advance).
There’s no way around the fact that your kids have probably spent more time in front of screens for the last several months. The good news is, there are plenty of ways for them to learn and have fun without tech, too. When it comes to fulfilling those daily reading minutes, why not mix it up with a few magazines for kids? Filled with everything from picture hunts to kid-friendly journalism, we’re happy to report that there’s a publication for nearly every age and stage.
The Best Magazines for All Kids
ChopChop
If you are a foodie family, ChopChop should definitely be arriving in your mailbox. Aimed at kids ages 2-12, each issue is filled with recipes that range from healthy snacks to meals like soups, how-to tutorials (think how to cook and drain pasta), educational features, puzzles, and even games.
You know the magazine you used to read at the doctor’s office or that your grandma subscribed to in your honor, year after year. There’s a reason why Highlights is one of the best magazine subscriptions and has been for 75 years. Filled with fun articles, games, crafts, and recipes, you can choose from Hello (up to age 1), High Five (2-6), Highlights (6-12), and High Five Bilingüe Magazine, their Spanish and English magazine (2-5).
Another classic publication for kids, Ranger Rick offers three versions: Ranger Rick Cub (0-4), Ranger Rick JR. (4-7) and Ranger Rick (7-12). Focusing on nature, it’s the perfect way for kids to learn about the outdoors.
It’s everything you love about National Geographic, curated for your kiddo. Choose from the Little Kid version (3-6) or the Kid version (6 & up). Filled with incredible photography and information about animals and the world we live in, it’s the perfect way to travel without leaving the house.
Independently published Kazoo Magazine is for girls ages 5-12. It celebrates their specialness: strength, smarts, confidence, and being true to themselves. It’s a quarterly publication filled with stories about art, nature, citizenship, critical thinking, and more. There’s also plenty of fun stuff like mazes, secret codes, and dot-to-dots for the youngest subscribers.
From Cricket Media, this award-winning publication is geared toward curious kids ages 9-14. Focusing on science, technology, and the arts, Muse is filled with engaging articles on things like the Mariana Trench, current events, Q&As from kids, puzzles using shapes, and much more. Plus, each issue is completely free of advertisements!
Curated especially for 8-14-year-old curious kids, the goal behind this weekly publication is to help kids make sense of the world, provide them with tools to help them think for themselves and instill a love of reading. Content includes global news, science, sports, books, entertainment, and more. Subscribe now, and get six weeks for free!
If you’ve got a sports-obsessed kid at home, Sports Illustrated Kids is the perfect fit. Each issue is filled with photography, educational sports news, and of course, there's the annual SportsKid issue. There are also tips and information from top trainers, athletes, and coaches.
Smore Magazine is a great publication that will introduce your kid to different careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. They'll also have a blast with all of the puzzles, games, and crafts!
Few neighborhoods in Los Angeles have seen as much change as DTLA has. A decade ago, it was a ghost town after sunset—office workers would clear out at 5 p.m., leaving the streets empty. Through revitalization efforts, it’s become the more than just a place of commerce, it’s become the hub of culture for our city, museums, boutiques and the hottest new restaurants and bars all call DTLA home. When it comes to kid-friendly activities, one might think Downtown is a virtual desert but having raised my own little Mowgli in the concrete jungle for the past five years, I can attest there are adventures aplenty. In fact, some of the most uniquely LA experiences are sandwiched between the 110, 101 and 10 freeways. Here are 10 of our favorite kid-friendly things to do in Downtown LA.
Best Things to Do in DTLA: Vista Hermosa Natural Park
Carter Jung
This hidden gem of a park tucked on the other side of the 110 freeway, known as the western gateway to Downtown Los Angeles, offers some of the best views of the city. And one bench in particular is easily the most picturesque in the city. In addition to stunning vistas, the 10.5-acre well-sculpted park is home to small manmade stream, picnic benches, and hidden nooks and crannies. A play area consisting of giant, crawl-able turtle and snake sculptures is a hit with kids and a circular dirt path is perfect for running with a jogging stroller.
Best Things to Do in DTLA: Walt Disney Concert Hall
Sydney has their Opera House, Paris has the Eiffel Tower, and we in Los Angeles, have the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Designed by the legendary Frank Gehry, the sweeping stainless-steel structure with dramatic curves inspired by the sails of a clipper ship is an architectural icon. For kids ages 5 to 11, the Toyota Symphonies for Youth concert series hosts music-themed workshops followed by a session with the LA Phil orchestra (canceled this season due to COVID). Currently available are free self-guided audio tours of the concert hall. When telling your kids about this destination, uttering the first two words are going to take some managing of expectations. As impressive as the facilities are, an amusement park this is not (we learned this the hard way).
Having opened in 2015, The Broad is a great addition to the modern art scene in Los Angeles. Inside the honeycombed exterior structure is a collection of contemporary art from the biggest names, including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Barbara Kruger, Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Takashi Murakami, and Keith Haring. For little ones, exhibit highlights include Under the Table by Robert Therrien, a comically oversized dining set that will have parents empathetic of their kid’s height, Jeff Koons’ Tulips, giant polished stainless-steel flowers coated in highlighter hues, and Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrors, mind-bending rooms that are life-sized kaleidoscopes. Best of all, The Broad is completely free. Head to their website to reserve a spot before showing up.
The Grammy Museum celebrates music and the artists who have won the prestigious award from the Recording Academy. The whole family will enjoy the interactive installations that walk through the process of creating music and the multimedia displays telling the stories of famous singers past and present, including artifacts from early sound recordings. If you appreciate fashion, the museum has a collection of some of the most recognizable outfits worn on the red carpet, from Taylor Swift to Lionel Richie.
There are bookstores and then there is The Last Bookstore. Located in a former bank building in the heart of DTLA, The Last Bookstore is touted as the largest new and used bookstore in California, measuring 22,000 square feet. But more than just a vendor of the printed word, it’s a two-store world where books are thoughtfully staged in installations worthy of a gallery. There is a tunnel of novels, books arranged by color of their cover, and crime and mystery novels housed in the bank’s former vault. For your junior reader, there is a kid’s section offering new and used books at a discounted price. For discerning parents, there’s a room with first edition, rare books and collectibles.
Located at the foot of City Hall, Grand Park spans three city blocks, adding a welcomed bit of greenery to DTLA. The park features a custom playground area filled with colorful berms and a 12-foot tube slide that looks like it was plucked from a Dr. Seuss book. A water fountain at the other end of the park features a splash pad your kiddos can wade into. In addition to the fixtures, the park offers a variety of must-go programming throughout the year, ranging from holiday lights, live music and dance lessons.
Best Things to Do in DTLA: Los Angeles Central Library
Carter Jung
The Central Library isn’t your average library. The art deco architecture, gardens, water fountains, sculptures, and murals built in 1926 is a walk down memory lane of early LA with a museum feel. The third largest public library in the US, it’s massive, the children’s book section on the second floor alone is the size of most neighborhood libraries. Beyond loaning books, the Central Library hosts tours, regular events, classes and community services. It’s the perfect place to sign up your child for a library card, stoking a thirst for knowledge and a lifelong love for books.
In the same area as The Grammy Museum, is LA Live—home of the Staples Center, Microsoft Theater and The Novo, the biggest entertainment venues in LA. It’s also home to solid restaurants, Lucky Strike bowling alley, and one of our family’s faves, the Regal theater. The multiplex has one of the nation’s few 4DX theaters boasting motion seats and wind, fog, mist, and scent special effects, all synced to the biggest blockbusters, creating an immersive experience (think Star Tours at Disneyland). During the holiday months, LA Live sets up an ice skating rink with a brightly lit Christmas tree at its center.
800 W Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles Online: lalive.com
The birthplace of Los Angeles, Olvera Street is home to the city’s earliest standing architecture—the Avila Adobe house dates back to 1818 and the main square is from the 1820s—when the area was still part of Mexico. That heritage continues in the bustling Mexican marketplace lined with stalls offering sombreros, ponchos, string puppets, candies and pottery. Tiene hambre? Cielito Lindo at 23 Olvera St. has been frying up crispy taquitos since 1934, and come slathered in their signature green avocado sauce. Afterwards, take the familia to Mr Churro for one of their fried treats. Perfecto.
