When it’s too hot to visit LA’s best parks and playgrounds and you’ve had your fill of splash pads and LA’s kid-friendly museums, head to one of these indoor playgrounds for toddlers and big kids. The toys and equipment are spick-and-span, the indoor playspaces are open and airy and the decor has an earthy, organic vibe you’ll love. Of course, if you are in need of place to work while the kids are home, some of these playspaces will work as your go-to working spot thanks to free WIFI, cafes that serve strong coffee and food to boot.
Best Indoor Playground in Culver City: Wild Child Gym
Wild Child Gym, mixes chill Hawaiian vibes with California cool that results in a fun, interactive, eco-friendly kids play place complete with a "grassy" hill that feels more like a natural play space than a busy metropolitan city storefront.
Daily classes are available for "Droolers" (newborn-5 months) all the way up to "Advanced Skill and Development" (5-7 year-olds), along with free play options, birthday parties, camps for kids, and workshops for kids and for the whole family. But what we really love are their extended hours—perfect for working parents or those tricky school holidays.
Good to Know: Looking for something outdoors? Host your own class in your own backyard with their mobile classes called In the Wild (Child) or meet up at their PLAYform location—Culver City's Platform. Spaces are limited—please book at least two hours in advance.
Best Indoor Playground in Silverlake: Imaginology Kids
Whether you are looking for an after school drop-off option, a weekend class or even a camp during school breaks, Imaginology Kids is the place to go for STEAM-based activities that will keep little ones engaged, creative and curious about life, science and how things work. Expect a lot of collaboration, exploring, multi-sensory play in the 3600 square foot space that will have everyone in the family, from TK to 5th grade—wanting to come back for more.
Best Indoor Playground in La Crescenta-Montrose: Outside the Box
When you are looking for a little more than an indoor jungle gym, check out Outside the Box where they combine the love of play with learning—picture arts and crafts that help develop fine motors skills, and music and movement to help develop communication. For kids who like to get messy, check out their heavy sensory classes that could include body painting, jello jams, and more.
2550 Foothill Blvd. La Crescenta-Montrose Online: otblc.com
The unique twist with Pamper & Play is that they understand that kids need to play, but parents need some pampering too. So you get a break while the kids (ages 18 months and up) can enjoy some supervised play (parents or caregivers have to stay on the premises).
Good to Know: Appointments can be booked online. Same day appointments need to be made at least 2 hours in advance.
This colorful kids play area showcases an enchanting mural and life-size tree that transports tots to a magical landscape usually found in fairy tales. Artwork is filled with positive images families will appreciate, and music exclusively scored for Snooknuk sets the perfect tone for a happy day of fun. Many parents bring kiddos in just for a simple afternoon of play or play dates, while others come for classes but still love the convenience of having a play area to entertain siblings while they wait. This space also offers loads of classes and plenty of snacks. While most of the activities are ideal for the 6 and under crew there are some classes available for older kids, up to 12 years old.
Good to Know: You’re on Larchmont Blvd., which means you have approximately six coffee options, a retail shop for kids, a resale shop for tots, a vegan and raw food spot, a vegan and GF bakery plus bookstore and two toy stores all in walking distance. Welcome to parenting paradise.
506 N. Larchmont Blvd. Los Angeles Online: snooknuk.com
Best Indoor Playground in Mar Vista: Under the Sea
Under the Sea Indoor Playground
This large, indoor play space has something for everyone—from a special corner for babies to slides, bouncers, and a climbing structure for bigger kids. Great for families with kids of varying ages—the one-room advantage allows mom or dad the ability to chill out on the side while keeping their eye on their brood at the same time.
Tube crawls, web crawls, barrel rolls, and giant slides are just a few features of Jump ‘n Jammin’s multilevel play structure. This is a spot that is as much fun for the 3-year-old as for the 13-year-old (and Mom and Dad, too). And the best part? They don’t automatically close all weekend for parties and have other locations in Mission Viejo and West Covina.
Best Indoor Playground in La Cañada Flintridge: Kidz Planet Indoor Playground
Kidz Planet Indoor Playground is a popular spot for kids' parties, this bright and modern venue wins points for its clean environment and friendly staff. Plus, the school bus bounce house will instantly win over kids. The climbing structures here are smaller but should be just the right size for kids under 3.
Insider Tip: A private two-hour party here starts at $850, less than many other LA spots.
Peekaboo Playland: Who says your kids can’t play and learn? Peekaboo Playland offers progressive, artistic indoor play spaces for your kids’ creative energy to flourish and grow. There's the requisite slides, bouncy house and even a small ball pit, along with plenty of set-ups for imaginary play. One of our favorite things is the separate baby space upstairs, where crawlers can explore without worrying about rowdy big kids.
PlayLab Family Playspace: This spot provides a well-organized and cheerful indoor playground for kids earns high marks from parents thanks to super-clean toys and equipment and a friendly staff. The climbing structure is small, so making it ideal for tots just learning to walk. There are also cozy sofas and reading nooks throughout the space, giving you a chance to chill and bond with your little one.
Best Indoor Playground in Simi Valley: Kids World Family Fun Center
Even big kids who think they’re too cool for indoor play spaces will beg to spend the day at Kids World. This entertainment spot located near Thousand Oaks offers virtual games, climbing tubes, slides, foam ball launchers, zip lines, basketball court, an American Gladiator-style arena, a video game floor with motion-activated games, and an old-school arcade. But it’s not just for big kids, there’s also a Toddler Corner designed for children newborn–3 years old for the little ones to learn and play in their own gated space.
Insider Tip: Ahem, with beer (did we not mention that the café serves beer?) and video games, it satisfies everyone and is why we say it’s worth the drive for a rainy day excursion.
Best Indoor Playground in LA with Multiple Locations: We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym
We love this unique gym, We Rock the Spectrum, which caters to children with autism and special needs creating a safe and warm environment where they can play and strengthen their muscles and skills. While kids can just have fun, you’ll know that everything here actually serves a positive purpose: swings promote balance, the zip line is for stress release and joint and body relaxation, the trampoline builds core strength and play structures, sensory-based toys and arts & crafts areas all work on motor, social and eye-hand skills. It’s for kids at every spot of the spectrum, and kids of all ages and abilities will have a ball. Rates and hours vary by location. Some spots also offer drop-off care.
Insider Tip: The whole place is cleaned top to bottom daily with only green products, so the planet will stay as healthy as our kids.
Locations: Agoura Hills, Tarzana, Redondo Beach, Studio City, Santa Monica and Long Beach Online: werockthespectrumkidsgym.com
The days are getting shorter; you’re dreaming about the chilly temps of fall, and best of all, it’s nearly time to celebrate the best that autumn brings. We’ve brushed off our list of the best fall festivals in the country, and this year you’ll find everything from the Leavenworth Oktoberfest to the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival—basically, the ultimate list of festivals you should visit at least once with the kids.
**Editor’s note: COVID safety precautions vary from event to event. Please check the websites for updated information.
Balloon pilots from all over the county fly in to be a part of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. As the largest ballooning event in the world, it features over 500 hot air balloons. Adding to the fun will be special balloon glows, a special shape rodeo, laser light shows, chainsaw carvings, fireworks, a car show and plenty of musical entertainment.
The Maryland Renaissance Festival - Crownsville, MD
Maryland Renaissance Festival
Revel Grove is your “passport to merriment” say the folks at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. Here you’ll experience events and shows that you won’t see anywhere else: jousting competitions, jugglers, artisans performing works of Shakesphere in just 20 minutes, mimes, dancers and more. Feast on such delights as Macaroni and Cheese on a Stick, Beef Fingers with White Peppered Gravy and Steak on a Stake. If you want to get in on the act, costume rentals are available.
Dates: Aug. 28 - Oct. 24th, 2021 (weekends and Labor Day Monday)
Come to Stone Mountain Park at night to experience special not-so-spooky glow-in-the-dark fun. “Play by Day” enjoying the regular attractions and special fall entertainment. Stick around after dark to “Glow by Night” by taking a journey through classic storybook tales that come to life in 10 themed areas featuring 40 scenes with glowing lights, massive carved pumpkins, bubbles, fog and more. New in 2021 is the party parade!
The famous Pumpkin Village (featuring 90,000 pumpkins, squash and gourds) is in a new location this year, just beyond the Johnsson color garden! You'll find larger-than-life insect topiaries, bugged-out pumpkin houses and a maze that'll thrill the youngest of visitors.
Willkommen! You won't want to miss one of the largest Oktoberfests in the country and this year, it celebrates 42 years of fun. Held at River West Festival Park, this event brings together international German bands, Bavarian delicacies, authentic arts and crafts as well as games and competitions for the entire family. Don't miss the Dachshund Dash and the Costume Parade!
The Salmon Days Festival is 52 years in the making, and this year's theme is "Keep on Swimming." This annual event is a celebration of the return of salmon to their “birth-waters” as well as Issaquah’s history, culture and diversity. Each year the festival attracts over 200 artists and craftsmen, live music and entertainment, sporting events and even a section of virtual events.
Since 1903, the Circleville Pumpkin Show has seen people come from miles around to see the largest pumpkins on display (In 2014, a 1,964-pound pumpkin was here. It's tough to beat that one!). You'll also find the largest pumpkin pie, various parades featuring over 40 floats and over 50 bands, live entertainment, the chance to partake in the pumpkin toss and enjoy many pumpkin spice-flavored treats.
The Annual North Carolina Pecan Harvest Festival features the Pecan Run, the Columbus Cooks pecan cooking competition (with a focus on young cooks), the festival parade, live entertainment, the Tri Beach Cruisers car show, a lot of craft vendors, an art show, an antique tractor show, of course, pecans galore!
If you’ve never seen anyone sit inside a giant pumpkin and then race it across a lake dressed in costume, then you obviously haven’t been to the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta. This free, one-day festival is jam-packed with fun, including the weigh-off of the giant pumpkins and other monster-sized vegetables; performances by magicians, clowns and musical acts; a costume contest; a pumpkin pie eating contest; pumpkin bowling and pumpkin golf; food trucks and the giant pumpkin race.
The 27th annual Appleupmpkin Festival is held in conjunction with Kapnick Orchards Apple Festival, so you get two festivals in one! Not only will you find midway rides, carnival games, bounce houses and craft stations, you’ll also be treated to a tractor show, a straw maze, helicopter and monster truck rides, an entire scarecrow-making tent and more. There’s also an antique street fair and flea market, and an arts and crafts show if you want to get a little shopping in.
Olvera Street is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Los Angeles and for good reason. From the legendary Mexican marketplace to the historic buildings, it's a wonderful place to immerse yourself in another culture. Every year they have a Dios de los Muertos celebration that starts with a traditional procession that includes Aztec dancers and a parade of "Living Muertos," where people dress up like skeletons and don colorful costumes. There's also a chance to have your face painted up to look like a Calavera!
The festivities at this famous fall event will look a little different in 2021, but there is still fun to be had. The traditional Oktoberfest celebration won't happen, but there will be a huge focus on local businesses and artisans, creating more of a Harvest Fest vibe. There will be over 100 vendors over the three weekends, you'll still be able to eat all your favorite Oktoberfest foods and of course, the Kinderplatz kiddie area will still be open!
Following a flock of sheep may sound like something out of a nursery rhyme, but did you know it’s also one of the most beloved fall festivals in the United States? Celebrate the history of sheep ranchers in Idaho at this five-day event filled with non-stop fun: multicultural performers, storytelling, cooking classes, sheepdog trials, folklife fair, weaving demos and over 50 local artisans selling crafts and art. The spotlight event (of course) is the Big Sheep Parade, where you and your family will view the spectacle of over 1,500 sheep wandering down Main Street in Ketchum.
Good to know: The Parade Picnic at Irving’s Hill is a great spot to enjoy local fare and watch the sheep make their annual trek.
Stillwater Harvest Festival and Pumpkin Weigh-Off - Stillwater, MN
iStock
This bucolic little town on the shore of the St. Croix River not only gets a ton of gorgeous fall color this time of year, but it also hosts one of the best fall festivals around. Kids can come in costume and join in the Costume Parade which takes the children trick-or-treating to all the local downtown businesses. There's a chili cook-off and microbrew tasting, craft and food vendors and a ton of pumpkin-themed activities. Cheer on local businesses as they compete in the Pumpkin Pull (imagine being hooked up like an ox to haul giant pumpkins) and the Pumpkin Regatta—a race up the St. Croix in giant hollowed-out pumpkins for boats.
Good to know: Locals know to stick around 'til the end of the fest for the giant pumpkin drop: prize-winning pumpkins are hoisted on a crane and dropped to the sidewalk below. You can scramble in and get your share of giant pumpkin seeds for your own garden!
It's one of the state’s most popular festivals for a good reason: the Angry Orchard 5K, tons of amusement rides, a pie bake-off and pie-eating contest, a petting zoo, road races, a beer garden and pony rides. Literally, something for everyone.
This three-day smorgasbord of food and entertainment will feature over 50 local restaurants and musical acts performing on six stages. It’s kind of a big deal. Here you can sample wines, learn about local beers and watch some great chefs showing off their skills. Admission is free, and you can get a sheet of 10 “taste tickets” for just $5. Be sure to take the kids to the T-Mobile Kids’ Area too to try out the Wacky Slide, swings and to visit Toddler Town.
Over 100 hand-crafted scarecrows show up at the Scarecrow Festival in downtown St. Charles every year, and while some are designed to spook, most are charming for all ages. Visitors have a hand in the awards (vote-as-you-view in five categories), and after voting, there's enough family-friendly entertainment to last an entire weekend. Now in its 36th year, there's more than just scarecrows to admire. There's a family zone, the scarecrow stroll, live music, a professional pumpkin carver and of course, the popular scarecrow in a box.
Pioneer Farms will glow with Jack-o’-lantern grins for a whole month! At Pumpkin Nights, you will venture along a half-mile walking path, where you’ll discover the Forbidden Pumpkin City, a pirate’s cove, and more fantastical lands built using over 3,000 hand-carved real and artificial pumpkins. The celebration continues with entertainment and games in Pumpkin Central, the festival area. There’s also food, beverages, screenings of A Nightmare Before Christmas and other activities for the whole family.
Apples are a fave fall, and southern Pennsylvania has been celebrating since 1962. At this two-weekend event, you’ll find apples cooked up in more ways than you’ll have thought possible: apple cider, applesauce, pies, jellies, pancakes, syrup, candied apples and much more. Work up an appetite at the Kid Country Barn where your tiniest festival fans will enjoy face painting, harvest magic shows, and apple pie-eating contests. There are hayrides, pony rides, Native American dance expos, puppet shows, an antique auto show, over 300 arts and crafts vendors and a ton of family-friendly live music performances.
Good to know: Your money goes to a good cause. All proceeds (after expenses) go back into the community and to other local, state and national charitable organizations.
There are 14,000 acres of commercial pear, apple, cherry and peach orchards in Hood River County, so it’s no surprise the biggest fall festival in the Columbia River Gorge happens here. For three days in October, attendees enjoy a giant pumpkin carving contest, live music, a fruit pie-eating contest, family activities, seasonal produce, food, wine, cider, beer and local arts & crafts from nearly 120 vendors on the scenic Hood River waterfront. Kids will love the activity area, complete with bouncy houses, face painting and other activities.
Looking for the world’s largest cranberry festival? You’ll find it in Warrens, WI—over 120,000 people show up each year. Wander through 850 arts & craft booths and enjoy contests like Guess the Weight of the Largest Pumpkin, Best Scarecrow, Biggest Berry, Marsh Medallion Hunt and more. Tasty eats are everywhere and include unusual offerings like cranberry cream puffs and deep-fried cranberries on a stick. One of the coolest things to do at the festival is to take a tour of the cranberry marshes. You’ll visit two local marshes, walk into a cranberry bed, and learn all about the growing process. Local eats including fresh cranberries, wine and other products can be bought at the end of the tour!
The 48th Annual Harvest Festival in Santa Fe is held at El Rancho de las Golondrinas—a living museum similar to Williamsburg, VA—and there are 200 acres to explore. Wander through over 30 buildings, see ponds and waterways, spot animals, and check out agricultural fields that produce traditional crops like corn, squash and peppers. During the Harvest Festival, visitors encounter “villagers” going about their daily routine: crushing grapes, stringing chilies, making tortillas, weaving cloth. Traditional Southwestern music and dance is also a festival highlight, as well as an artist market with New Mexican crafts, mule-drawn wagon rides, and more. Rated one of the best harvest festivals in the country, families will learn about the rich culture of the Southwest.
The Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival - Half Moon Bay, CA
The self-proclaimed World Pumpkin Capital gives other harvest festivals a run for their money with the combination of a small seaside community and pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere! This year it's going to be a mini-fest, on one day and scaled-down festivities. You'll still find top crafters and artists from around the country, the 43rd Annual Pumpkin Run, the famous pumpkin weigh-off, a costume contest, a pumpkin carving, a pie-eating contest, and plenty of good food. Be sure to bring cash so you can get a picture with the winning pumpkin!
Everything’s bigger in Texas, and when it comes to festival royalty, Queen Tunaep and King Reboog (yup, peanut and goober spelled backward) are no exception—since the late '30s the festival court has donned be-jeweled and be-ribboned gowns and capes that make Queen Elizabeth look like an amateur. But the glamorous get-up of the Bohemian Blooms Court is not the only fun for families in Floresville during the festival. There’s the Goober Games, which is filled with kid faves like sack races, peanut toss, and musical peanut; the parades are worth a watch too.
Fall wouldn’t be the same without the changing of the leaves. The tree-covered hills in southern Ohio are the perfect spot to capture the view, and since 1968, thousands of folks have gathered for three days of fun. There are four skyline drives to take in the beauty of the leaves: Buckskin Loop, Paint Vista Loop, Pike Lake Loop and Redbush Loop. Kids will love both the live pet show and the stuffed animal pet show (with categories such as largest, smallest, most unusual, most lovable), and the kiddy tractor pull. Adults will love the flea market, tribute bands, 5K run and more.
This year marks the 11th annual event taking place under the Oktoberfest Bigtop at Smith Fields. If you’re a kid age 12 and under you get in for free; anyone over the age of 12 needs to chip in $7. You’ll be entertained with great German music and a few crazy contests including log sawing, keg throwing, stein holding, and for the kids, a chicken dance-off. Lots of beer, bratwurst, sandwiches and soups too. The kids will especially enjoy the hot dog with mac & cheese plate.
Celebrating the rich agricultural history of pecans (the harvest goes all the way back to pre-colonial times) the Louisiana Pecan Festival has grown from a Frontier Days theme in the early ‘70s to a three-day festival filled with fun for the whole family. The weekend kicks off with Children's Day. There are arts and crafts booths, a cooking contest, carnival rides, great food, musical entertainment, the Grand Parade and a fireworks show on Saturday night is followed by the Street Dance. Be sure to hit up The Country Store, where you can pick up homemade pecan pies, pralines, jams, jellies, local honey and of course, pecans.
As parents and caregivers, we know firsthand that this parenting thing is not always easy. Which is why we created Beanstalk.
Beanstalk is a weekly, ad-free newsletter by and for those of us hanging on for dear life in Toddler Town. Those laugh-so-hard-you-cry and cry-so-hard-you-laugh moments? We’re here to help you through all of them.
Between the car seat wrestling matches, DEFCON level 1 tantrums, and toddler bedtime battles, you may find yourself yearning for the boring days of “eat, poop, sleep, repeat.” (Who’d have thought?)
But what if help was just an email away? Imagine useful advice on everything from how to fast-forward through meltdowns and (mostly) enjoy restaurant outings to transitioning from the crib to big kid bed without everyone in your house turning into a zombie. It’s possible, friend!
Even better: What if all those pearls of wisdom came right from toddler parents and caregivers who actually knew which tips and tricks work versus those that just sound good on paper?
Winter’s not always easy, especially when you’ve stir-crazy kids on your hands. The next time cabin fever sets in, escape to an amazing museum that caters to kids. You’ll spend the day cozy and warm inside while also learning about science, history and art: a win-win! These children’s museums are totally worth a visit—read on to get all the details about the best one in every single state.
1. Alabama: McWane Science Center, Birmingham Since opening its doors in 1998, McWane Science Center has welcomed millions of visitors to learn about all things STEM through exciting hands-on experiences. Permanent indoor exhibits include Itty Bitty Magic City (a play area perfect for kindergarteners and younger tots), Alabama Dinosaurs (featuring fossils discovered in the state) and NatureScope (discover birds and creepy crawly things).
2. Alaska: Fairbanks Children’s Museum, Fairbanks The Fairbanks Children’s Museum is all about play-based learning, and kids have a blast with all the awesome hands-on experiences and programs. You can get messy with hands-on art programs, mingle with other parents and tots during special meetups and scale a rock wall, just to name a few.
3. Arizona: Children’s Museum of Phoenix, Phoenix With over 48,000 square feet of play space, there’s enough to do at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix to keep your tots busy all day long. There are more than 300 play experiences spread over three floors, in addition to a range of classes about everything from fossils to art. Be sure to check out the Schuff-Perini Climber, a tree-like sculpture that gives kids a bird’s-eye view of the museum’s atrium.
4. Arkansas: Scott Family Amazeum, Bentonville Your crew will love the Amazeum, an awesome interactive museum with a focus on art, science and Arkansas culture. Be sure to check out the climbable tree canopy, indoor cave and tinkering hub, in addition to daily activities like DIY workshops, day camps, and playgroups. There’s even a Cloud Theater that gives you space to relax with calming music and time-lapse images of clouds.
5. California: Exploratorium, San Francisco With more than 650 exhibits, you need at least a day or two in order to see and try everything at San Francisco’s Exploratorium. Truly a hands-on interactive experience for ages 4 to 12, kids can take a sensory-loaded trip through a tactile dome, experiment in a tinkering studio and play in an eye-catching shadow box, and that’s just scratching the surface. The hundreds of exhibits are built in-house and are constantly evolving, which makes every trip unique.
6. Colorado: Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus, Denver The Children’s Museum of Denver offers a nine-acre campus for kids of all ages to explore. Highlights include Altitude, where mini mountain climbers will make their way up and around over three levels of Colorado heritage to reach the lookout at the tippy top, and Box Canyon, an indoor mountain range for the small set. Don’t miss out on The Teaching Kitchen, Fire Station No. 1 and Art Studio, too.
7. Connecticut: Kidcity Children’s Museum, Middletown Kids ages 1 to 7 will have a blast exploring Kidcity’s one-of-a-kind, hands-on exhibits, all of which are built by in-house artists. There’s a Fishery, where you’ll use conveyors to bring in the catch of the day; a Space Age Roadtrip, where friendly aliens take a trip on Route 66; and a medieval village called Middleshire, where kids can build a castle and keep watch for Vikings. Be sure to block out a good chunk of time for your visit—they’ll be entertained for hours!
8. Delaware: Delaware Children’s Museum, Wilmington Your little explorers will have the chance to discover the worlds of science, math and technology at the Delaware Children’s Museum. Monkey around in the Stratosphere, a cool climbing structure that overlooks the museum’s lobby; learn what an architect does and how buildings take shape, and let your tiniest tots play on a model train in the transportation-themed area.
9. Florida: Glazer Children’s Museum, Tampa During your visit to Glazer Children’s Museum, kids will have the chance to set sail on a cruise ship, become a firefighter for the day, build a pillow fort and explore an indoor playground. Psst ... they offer free admission on the first Tuesday of every month, along with bimonthly events for kids with special needs.
10. Georgia: Atlanta Children’s Museum, Atlanta You’re bound to have a blast at Atlanta’s go-to destination for little learners. Gateway to the World invites mini explorers to climb through the layers of the earth and enter a one-of-a-kind, child-powered, rotating globe, while Step up to Science hosts a permanent lab with experiments conducted on a daily basis. Babies and toddlers can cast a line, enter a magical forest and even climb a tree house in Leaping into Learning, while older kids can work the farm, flip burgers in the diner and shop till they drop in Fundamentally Food. Don’t forget to look for the art studio in Let Your Creativity Flow, too!
11. Hawaii: Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center, Honolulu Whether you’re an island dweller or just on Oahu for vacation, the Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center is definitely worth a visit. Kids are encouraged to use their senses of touch, sight, hearing and smell to gain a better understanding of the world around them. Highlights include Tot Spot (a special play zone for your tiniest ones), Fantastic You (an up-close and personal look at the human body) and Rainforest Adventures (an exploration of rainforests and our precious natural resources).
12. Idaho: Museum of Clean, Pocatello For a seriously unique experience, you’ve got to check out the Museum of Clean. There’s not just one focus here—everything from clean air to clean water to clean language is covered. Kids will love exploring the museum’s play areas and interactive features (and looking at a massive collection of vacuum cleaners is pretty fun, too!).
13. Illinois: Kohl Children’s Museum, Glenview To folks living or vacationing in the greater Chicago area, Kohl Children’s Museum is just what the doctor ordered for beating back the winter blues. With 17 permanent exhibits, kids are able to expend tons of extra energy when they become veterinarians, nature explorers, chefs, mechanics and even Whole Foods employees, all in one day! It does get busy when the wind chill drops, but seeing your littles get in a full day of imaginary play is worth the crowds. Don't want to leave for lunch? Stop off at the Cosi in the museum’s entryway for food and drinks.
14. Indiana: Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Worthy of a vacation in itself, lucky families who visit the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis are in for five floors of energy-zapping activities and fun. The granddaddy of all children’s museums has almost 500,000 square feet of exhibition space, 11 permanent exhibits and over 120,000 real artifacts in the museum collections. Kids can discover prehistoric beasts in Dinosphere, visit the International Space Station, travel far and wide in Treasures of the Earth, or take a virtual ride on the steam engine designed to tackle the steepest railroad grade in the country in All Aboard!
15. Iowa: Iowa Children’s Museum, Coralville The Iowa Children’s Museum is all about inspiring kids to learn and grow through play, and their multi-sensory exhibits hit it out of the park. Aspiring chefs get to work in a pretend pizzeria; tots can learn basic physics lessons with race cars, tracks, and mazes; and train-obsessed kids will have the chance to play with model trains weaving their way through Iowa. In case that’s not enough to tire them out, there are also special events for art-making, STEM learning and more.
16. Kansas: Cosmosphere, Hutchinson Go on a space odyssey at the coolest museum in Kansas, a 105,000-square-foot space and science center that’ll keep your whole crew entertained for hours. Watch a jaw-dropping show in their state-of-the-art planetarium (you can even get a preview of what the sky will look like that very night), browse the largest combined collection of U.S. and Russian space artifacts in the world and watch live demonstrations of science experiments.
17. Kentucky: Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, Louisville A visit to the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory is sure to be a home run, especially if you’ve got sports fans in your family. You’ll get to see how baseball bats are made (and you’ll get a miniature bat to take home), crawl through a giant glove, try your hand at a simulated pitching experience and hold bats that were used by baseball legends.
18. Louisiana: Louisiana Children’s Museum, New Orleans With a visit to the Louisiana Children’s Museum, little ones will have the chance to learn about everything from reading and math to architectural ideas and the nuances of grocery shopping—all through super fun, hands-on activities and exhibits. Find out how to use a fulcrum or a pulley with the Simple Machines exhibit, head to Art Trek to explore a range of different media and techniques and go back in time to check out the recreated courtyard of one of New Orleans’ oldest buildings. With a fun mix of science, art and Louisiana-inspired activities, there’s really something for everyone.
19. Maine: Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine, Portland Kids 10 and under will love spending the day playing and learning at this gem of a museum in Portland. The hands-on exhibits range from an exploration of the camera obscura to a kiddie-style farmers market (complete with bakery and fish market) to a special area that’s perfect for your tiniest tots. And since this is Maine, after all, there’s even a replica lobster boat where kids can learn about the state’s working waterfronts.
20. Maryland: Port Discovery Children’s Museum, Baltimore With loads of options for purposeful play, Port Discovery Children’s Museum is undoubtedly one of the best indoor spaces in the Mid-Atlantic region for kids ages 0 to 10. It’s currently under construction, with new exhibits due to open in spring 2019, but in the meantime, you can still get your play on in their Construction Zone exhibit. Little ones can design their own robots, build with giant blocks and launch rockets toward a mini-moon.
21. Massachusetts: Boston Children’s Museum, Boston There are 88,000 square feet of hands-on engagement at the Boston Children’s Museum. The focus on science, culture, health & fitness and the arts make this an ideal destination when it’s just too cold to be outdoors (or anytime, really!). Locals and tourists alike benefit from the scores of programs and activities developed by museum educators, and a few attempts to make it to the top of The Climb, the three-story climbing structure in the center of the museum, will leave your kids tired and happy.
22. Michigan: Impression 5 Science Center, Lansing In 1972, Impression 5 became one of the first hands-on science centers in the country, and they’ve been a Michigan favorite ever since. With a focus on dynamic, interactive activities that encourage kids of all ages to play, create and challenge their understanding of science, it’s well worth the trip. Learn about oral health with giant dental tools, step into a full-size body bubble, become a naturalist for the day and more.
23. Minnesota: Minnesota Children’s Museum, St. Paul The Minnesota Children’s Museum’s mission is to spark learning through play, and you’ll see what they mean after one visit. Kids will love exploring The Scramble, a four-story vertical adventure with a spiral slide and a netted catwalk. Let them get creative making their own stories at Imaginopolis, and spend some time in Our World, a mini-city with everything from a post office to a farmers market.
24. Mississippi: Mississippi Children’s Museum, Jackson Kiddos will have a blast playing the day away at this Jackson gem. The 40,000-square-foot museum houses five galleries of educational, interactive exhibits and weekly programs that focus on everything from literacy to science to Mississippi heritage. Learn about healthy eating in a cute kitchen, make a masterpiece in the art studio and find out about the state’s agriculture.
25. Missouri: City Museum, St. Louis We recommend wearing comfy clothes for your day at the City Museum because you’ll definitely be crawling, sliding and climbing. With lots of interesting architectural features like old chimneys and salvaged bridges, it’s captivating for kids and adults alike. Venture through hidden tunnels, monkey around on fun jungle gyms and zoom down indoor slides—your little explorers will love it all.
26. Montana: Children’s Museum of Bozeman, Bozeman Offering hands-on exhibits, summer science camps, after-school activities, and educational programs, the Children’s Museum of Bozeman is a cultural hub. Kids can make slime in the science lab, collect eggs from chickens on the farm, tinker with electric circuits and more. Even your tiniest tots will love their special zone that offers plenty of space for rolling, crawling and climbing.
27. Nebraska: Lincoln Children’s Museum, Lincoln Spend the day exploring the Lincoln Children’s Museum’s three floors and 23,300 square feet of hands-on exhibits and imaginative programs. Check out Cuckoo Construction, the museum’s largest exhibit yet, which gives kids a chance to help build walls and watch foam bricks fall. Chill out in the Grow Zone, an interactive indoor garden perfect for tiny tots. Cruise over to the water exhibit, where you can watch the rain fall from the clouds above and build dams to hold the water back.
28. Nevada: DISCOVERY Children’s Museum, Las Vegas The three-story DISCOVERY Children’s Museum opened in 2013 and is home to nine themed exhibition halls totaling 26,000 square feet of interactive hands-on core exhibits. It’s hard to miss The Summit, a 70-foot tower covering 22,000 square feet with 12 levels of engaging, hands-on play. Kids can lift a car with a lever and (if they make it!) take a peek at the amazing roof at the very tippy top. Check out a mini Hoover Dam in Water World, walk into a Dr. Seuss book in Young at Art or watch your crawling cuties wander around Toddler Town—a desert-themed space complete with trains, tunnels and an art zone.
29. New Hampshire: Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, Dover The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is all about hands-on discovery, and you’ll get what they mean when you see their amazing exhibits. Engineer a flying machine and launch it from a 30-foot tower, venture into a cave to read glow-in-the-dark books and find secret paintings, dig for Triceratops fossils and more. Between the exhibits, STEAM Lab drop-in sessions and junior science classes, there’s enough to keep you coming back for more all year long.
30. New Jersey: Liberty Science Center, Jersey City Inspire your budding scientists and engineers with a visit to Liberty Science Center, home to 12 museum exhibition halls, a live animal collection with 110 species, giant aquariums, a 3D theater and lots more. Catch a planetarium show, check out views from the Hubble Space Telescope and meet some of the animals that live in the Hudson River. Young learners can even don a white coat and perform checkups in the Doc McStuffins exhibit.
31. New Mexico: Explora Science Museum & Children’s Museum, Albuquerque Spend the day learning about science, technology, engineering, art and math through fun hands-on activities at Explora. Experiment with balls and ramps to slow down the effects of gravity, make a masterpiece out of recycled materials and discover the unique characteristics of water. Be sure to check out their events calendar, offering everything from music jams to adults-only evenings.
32. New York: The Strong Museum of Play, Rochester With roots dating back to wealthy Rochesterian Margaret Woodbury Strong's extensive doll and toy collection, the museum has grown into an impressive 100,000-square-foot destination. While the entire facility is worth exploring, stellar permanent exhibits include Can You Tell Me How to Get To Sesame Street? (featuring all of the series' popular characters, as well as a 123 Sesame stoop for sitting and photo ops); the Wegmans Super Kid Market, a hyper-realistic replica of a grocery store sponsored by the boffo hometown chain; American Comic Book Heroes: The Battle of Good vs. Evil; and Reading Adventureland. The museum is also home to the National Toy Hall of Fame, and when you add on-site restaurants, a carousel and easy-as-pie parking, it's a destination worthy of a family road trip!
33. North Carolina: Discovery Place Science, Charlotte A visit to Discovery Place is a must for opening little eyes to the wonders of science. From World Alive, where guests can wander through a rainforest and an aquarium, to Think it Up, a “thought studio” of multisensory colors, sights and sounds and back to Project Build, where anyone can be an architect for a day, every inch of Discovery Place is dedicated to making learning fun and interesting. The tiniest family members have their own special place for discovery in Kid Science, and the Discovery 3D theater screens family-friendly movies and short films perfect for all ages.
34. North Dakota: Dickinson Museum Center, Dickinson Science-loving kiddos will enjoy learning about dinosaurs and more at the Dickinson Museum Center. Check out fossils that were discovered in the area, see their collection of rocks and minerals and play in an augmented reality sandbox. You can even peek inside the fossil laboratory to watch paleontologists at work preparing recently discovered fossils for research and display.
35. Ohio: COSI: Center of Science and Industry, Columbus With over 300 interactive exhibitions, a seven-story extreme theater, the country’s only high-wire unicycle, and Little Kidspace, created just for kiddos ages 0 to 5, there’s enough educational fun to keep the entire family entertained for days at COSI. Encounter Poseidon at Ocean, the playground depicting the mysteries of the sea. Check out the Energy Explorers exhibit, which teaches families about energy and making smart choices, or get up close and personal with a T. rex in the Dinosaur Gallery. With their range of traveling exhibits and classic features, every COSI visit can be a different adventure.
36. Oklahoma: Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum, Seminole Since 1993, the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum has been a favorite destination for Oklahoma families. The museum is based on an imaginary town, where kids can explore many careers, all from a pint-sized vantage point—they can become a judge, doctor, artist, news anchor, meteorologist, actor, pilot, EMT or firefighter for the day. Plus, you can get lost in the 12,000-square-foot Castle Maze, see aquatic life native to the state and take a ride on a miniature train.
37. Oregon: OMSI: Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Portland OMSI is a can’t-miss museum in Portland, where kids and adults alike can immerse themselves in all things science and technology. Use “human power” to take a virtual trip through Portland, craft your own world using an augmented reality sandbox and experience the sights and smells of the world’s only permafrost research tunnel. Be sure to check out their cool camps and classes too, on topics ranging from kitchen chemistry to web design.
38. Pennsylvania: Please Touch Museum, Philadelphia The name says it all. What other place has the singular mission of encouraging young visitors to touch everything? Start a visit to the Please Touch Museum in Hamilton Hall, at the huge “monument to play”— a 40-foot replica of the Statue of Liberty’s Arm and Torch (made out of toys). Move toward Roadside Attractions, where engineers can repair cars, collect tolls, and take a trip to the future. Be sure to say hello to the Please Touch puppets: Pinky, Pickle, Melita, Dr. Penny and many more, who pop up and perform daily.
39. Rhode Island: Providence Children’s Museum, Providence Kick cabin fever to the curb with a visit to the Providence Children’s Museum, home to hands-on, play-based exhibits and programs that explore culture and all things STEAM. Check out Play Power, where you can send objects soaring through air tubes and construct magnetic mazes; The Climber, a kid-favorite two-story-high climbing maze; and Coming to Rhode Island, an interactive time-traveling adventure that introduces kids to people who immigrated to the state. Their events calendar also has loads more fun in store, including live theater and art sessions.
40. South Carolina: The Children’s Museum of the Upstate, Greenville Spark your kiddo’s curiosity with a visit to The Children’s Museum of the Upstate. With 19 interactive exhibits, there’s enough to keep any kid entertained for hours. Build dams and learn about water in Reedy River Bend, report the news or weather in the 7 News Studio and monkey around on a multi-story climbing structure. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, grab a tasty meal at the museum’s in-house cafe.
41. South Dakota: Children’s Museum of South Dakota, Brookings Make a day of it with your whole crew at the Children’s Museum of South Dakota. In the exhibit Our Prairie, kids can learn about the region’s past and role-play the daily tasks of living on the land over one hundred years ago. Head to Sensations to experiment with patterns, textures, shapes, and colors and collaborate on hands-on activities. Then cruise over to KidStreet to pick up your mail, tune up your car and make sandwiches and ice cream sundaes. There’s also a cozy MiniExplorers area that’s perfect for your tiniest tots.
42. Tennessee: Creative Discovery Museum, Chattanooga Located in the heart of downtown Chattanooga, the Creative Discovery Museum is totally worth a visit. Their permanent exhibits include Corner Clinic (become a doctor for the day), Culinary Corner (make healthy snacks using ingredients from the museum’s rooftop garden), Little Yellow House (let your tiniest tots exercise their imaginations) and Excavation Station (grab a shovel and get digging in the sand). Be sure to check out their events calendar for the latest goings-on, from a snow day celebration to a honey harvest.
43. Texas: Children’s Museum of Houston, Houston With 14 permanent galleries and exhibits along with a cafe, library and family learning center, we are bowled over by the 90,000 square feet of play available at the Children’s Museum of Houston. Start at Kidtropolis, a play city built and run by kids from the ground up on a daily basis, and move on to How Does it Work?, where your budding scientists have access to a ton of hands-on experiments, like creating a roller coaster and sending messages via fiber optics. If there's still time, go undercover in the S.E.C.R.E.T. spy experience.
44. Utah: Treehouse Children’s Museum, Ogden Since 1992, Treehouse Children’s Museum has been a favorite for kids ages 1 to 12 (and their families, too). The exhibits encourage playing imaginatively and making new stories—there’s the Big Red Barn where you can “milk” a cow and collect eggs from chickens, plus areas based on different countries so you can dream up an international journey. There’s even an Oval Office where tots can pretend to be the president.
45. Vermont: Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich Founded in 1974, the Montshire is now one of the busiest museums in northern New England, and for good reason. It’s dedicated to teaching visitors about natural and physical sciences, ecology and technology through its 140 hands-on exhibits. Kids will love getting a look at the inner workings of toys; examining seeds, bones, and plants under a microscope; experimenting with different types of instruments; and playing with different types of bubbles. This one’s sure to be a hit with adults and kids alike.
46. Virginia: Amazement Square, Lynchburg With four floors and nine galleries of hands-on, interactive exhibits, Amazement Square is (fittingly) an amazing place to spend the day. Start off by exploring Amazement Tower, a climbing structure with slides, ladders, tunnels and a zip line that spans all four of the museum’s floor. Then get creative in the Kaleidoscope Gallery, where kids can paint on the walls and rock out on stage. Toddlers will also love playing in Shipwreck Cove, a special under-three area with a pirate ship and a coral reef.
47. Washington: Washington: Hands On Children’s Museum, Olympia The most visited children’s museum in Washington, it’s our go-to for hands-on science and art learning. With more than 150 exhibits, you’ll never run out of things to do—kids can shop in a mini farmers market, send scarves through a 25-foot AirWays Maze, make and float their own boats and lots more. Be sure to check out their events, too, including free first Friday nights and art studio sessions.
48. Washington D.C.: National Building Museum, Washington D.C. Go on an architectural adventure at the National Building Museum. Kiddos can learn about design, construction and engineering through the museum’s two distinct areas. The Building Zone (for ages 2 to 6) lets them stack and balance faux bricks, drive a miniaturized bulldozer and romp around a “green” playhouse, while the other area, Play Work Build, has foam blocks of varying sizes, allowing adults and children alike to build and demolish their own creations. Click here to find out more (plus get the scoop on more of our favorite kid-friendly museums in the DMV).
49. West Virginia: Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum, Wheeling Located in beautiful Wheeling, kids of all ages will love exploring the Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum. You’ll find interactive, operating model train layouts, along with toys you’ll remember from your childhood—dolls, dollhouses, toy soldiers, playsets, trains, planes, and ships, just to name a few. Kids will have a blast taking a peek into the past (and seeing how far toys have come!).
50. Wisconsin: Building for Kids Children’s Museum, Appleton Foster your kids’ curiosity with a visit to the Building for Kids Children’s Museum. They’ll have the chance to climb into a 10-foot human heart, make a masterpiece using blocks, become a firefighter for the day, build boats and lots more. Check out the events calendar for more fun activities, like toddler playtime sessions, STEM workshops and story times.
51. Wyoming: Jackson Hole Children’s Museum, Jackson The Jackson Hole Children’s Museum is all about fostering a love of learning through collaborative play and creative problem solving, and with their interactive exhibits and exciting programs, the littles will definitely be on board. Become a pilot for the day, go shopping in the Mountain Market, build a cool creation on the Magnet Wall and snuggle up for some quiet time in the Book Nook.
Feel like your kids are bouncing off the walls? Let them do it literally at one of the area’s many bounce house places. Giant slides, obstacle courses and plain old jumping will be sure to get them good and tired for nap or bedtime. At most places, parents looking to burn off a little steam (yes, the Fitbit counts each jump) can bop around with their kiddos, but for those who need a break, many also have cafes.
Photo: Pump It Up
Pump It Up Open jump times welcome kiddos of all ages to hop around the giant bounce houses, which feature slides, climbing and obstacles. Area locations offer special events, too. In Manassas, wear tie-dye on Tuesdays and get $2 off, keep it safe with Little Tikes Jump for ages 6 and under while parents enjoy a free cup of coffee in Loudoun County, and make it a family affair with Family Jump in Silver Spring. It’s $11/kid and $3/adult, including 90 minutes of bouncing, 30 minutes for pizza (two kid-sized slices per person) and a drink.
Cost: About $10, varies slightly by location Where:10110 Battleview Pkwy. (Manassas, Va); 73 Lawson Rd. SE (Leesburg, Va); 12210 Plum Orchard Dr. (Silver Spring, Md); 109 Post Office Rd. (Waldorf, Md) Online:pumpitupparty.com
Jumping Joeys Tap your inner kangaroo and head here to bop from inflatable to inflatable. There’s one set aside for the littlest boppers and a long one with basketball hoops on either end. Tall slides and obstacle courses are plentiful. Note: It’s a nut-free facility.
Cost:$10.60/single session, bulk passes available Where:1425 N. Quincy St., Arlington; 402 W. Broad St., Suite 200, Falls Church Online:jjbounce.com
SportBounce of Loudoun It’s tough to get bored with 10,000 square feet of jumping and playing potential. Two steep slides greet you at the door, with two more giant slides waiting farther back. There’s also a colorful jumping pillow that’s huge, basketball challenges, obstacle courses and a bounce house for the 36-month-and-under set. The back room houses some climbing and seesaw-like toys, and there’s a café for mom and dad. Remember to bring socks!
Cost: $10/child over 24 months, $6/child 18 to 23 months Where: 44710 Cape Ct. (Ashburn, Va) Online: sportbounce.com
Kid’s Choice Sports Center Lots of options during open play here, including bounce houses, basketball, soccer, aquatics and bubble ball. There’s also the new Toddler Town for kiddos 1 through 5. It features more than 100 games, a playhouse and mini sports. Each pass gets you 2.5 hours of play time. Check out the after-school programs and day camps, too.
Cost: $8 for single play, $35 for five passes, $55 for 10 passes Where: 13000 Sport and Health Dr. (Woodbridge, Va) Online: kidschoicesportandfuncenter.com
Bounce Mania In its 8,700-square-feet of space, this family-owned indoor playground and bounce house place offers two bouncing areas and a full arcade plus a parents’ lounge serving free coffee. Look for discounts such as the $5 Bounce for late-afternoon jumpers and $7 sessions on Wacky Wednesdays.
Cost: $10 Where: 7679 Limestone Dr. (Gainesville, Va) Online: mybouncemania.com
Monkey Joe’s Keep an eye out for the furry purple Monkey Joe mascot as kids 12 and under bounce around on the giant inflatables. There’s a separate area for the youngest guests, and an arcade where the machines give tickets that can be exchanged for prizes. Note: Adults can help children 4 and under but are not allowed to bounce for safety reasons.
Cost: $12.99/child over 2, $6.99/child 2 and under who are playing Where: 23521 Overland Dr. (Sterling, Va); 13032 Middlebrook Rd. (Germantown, Md) Online: monkeyjoes.com
BounceU Check out the All-Age Open Bounce on Mondays through Thursdays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. ($10.95/bouncer), Cosmic Open Bounce on Fridays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. ($13.95/bouncer, parents bounce for free) when the facility breaks out glow-in-the-dark accessories and turns up the tunes or Preschool Playdate, which happens on weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ($11.95/bouncer) for kids 5 and younger. It includes 90 minutes of bouncing with a snack and story break in the middle. Toddler Time is offered four times on weekends for kids 4 and under.
Cost: $10.95 to $13.95 Where: 1632 E. Gude Dr. (Rockville, Md) Online: bounceu.com
Jump!Zone The five giant inflatables here feature superhero and princess themes, and a firetruck with a slide. Stop by for Family Fun Night on Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m., when you can get the Family Package for $30, which buys you admission for two children (adults are free), a one–topping pizza and a 2-liter bottle of soda.
Getting out and about with babies is key to keeping your sanity. You need places that not only provide a never-ending roster of new things to explore, but that also teach wonderful habits and philosophies to both you and your youngster. That’s why we’re thrilled that the year begins with two new spots opening that will keep you and your toddler busy and learning for years to come. Farm-to-Table imaginary play with Toddler Town hits the South Bay and Out of the Box’s sensory hands-on explorations expands and moves down the street in the Valley.
Toddler Town
AdventurePlex in Manhattan Beach is an awesome big kid destination with a basketball court, mazes, tunnels, climbing bouncy houses, gymnastic mats, ropes courses and rock climbing walls. But there wasn’t a lot to do for the smaller set. As of January 16, that’s all changing, because Toddler Town is opening, and this space within a space is tailor made for the 0-5 set to do some serious hands on exploring—and learning!
With three main areas (see below) as well as parent-child classes, physician-led health workshops and nutrition lessons, this whole space is geared towards teaching the healthy farm-to-table food cycle in an environment built for active play and fun. They think they’re just playing, you know they’re absorbing healthy habits and lessons that will last a lifetime.
photo: Toddler Town
Start at The Farm
Little ones can get their tiny hands “dirty” on The Farm by raking, planting and harvesting fruits and vegetables in the play garden, and plucking oranges, apples, strawberries and tomatoes straight off the walls.
photo: Toddler Town
Move to The Market
Those freshly picked fruits and vegetables are ready for the shopping cart at the Toddler Town Grocery Store, where the shelves are always stocked with healthy foods. Kids can haul their harvested crops straight from The Farm to the checkout stand and get firsthand knowledge of the organic farm-to-table food cycle in the process.
Kick Back in the Beach House
The Toddler Town Beach Home gives kids a chance to bring the healthy food home to put on the table. A kitchen complete with a dining table, refrigerator, microwave, cabinets and sink are all included in this play area reminiscent of South Bay beach bungalows. There’s even a play fireplace and simulated ocean view. For tots that like to play house, this is a dream come true. (And it’ll have us land land locked parents thinking of a move to the SB.)
The best part is, no big kids are allowed. This area is strictly for the small set, so you don’t worry about them getting knocked over or ignored.
Toddler Town is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and drop-in admission is $10 for 2 hours. Or look into memberships, which come with unlimited play, classes, lectures and workshops and a members only hour each morning.
Toddler Town at AdventurePlex
1701 Marine Ave.
Manhattan Beach
310-546-7708
Online: adventureplex.org
photo: Outside the Box
Outside the Box
This learning center and play space is on the move, and while the business itself has been around for several years, the new space is so much bigger and brighter (and the art is so cool) it’s like a whole new place, and if you’ve never been, now is the time to discover it. For parents of babies, who are looking for stimulating classes, events and activities, there’s nothing quite like it anywhere in town. Classes began here on January 5, and you can find classes for kids as young as 8 weeks old.
photo: Outside the Box
The What
All the classes include a brain-development and multi-sensory component; this means every art and music class includes gross motor skill activities and exercises that utilize all parts of the brain in a child.
With more space, they are also able to offer a whole host of new classes that we can’t wait to try: there’s Hot Wheelers for special needs kids in wheelchairs; FLOW Yoga encourages mindfulness, expression and connectivity in kids; Bubble Bath Bonanza; Sibling’s Classes and a Rough & Tumble class. Classes are offered every day to cater to babies as young as 8 weeks old to toddlers. OTB also offers a limited selection of additional classes that serve kids 4-10.
photo: Outside the Box
Their goal is to create a place for family (including sibling—always needed) bonding, where parents learn ways to teach their kids in other situations and everyone explores together through sensory play. Our favorites are classes where kids get really hands on in vats of noodles, beans, bubbles or paint. Yes, it’s brain expanding (which, clearly we’re for!), but talk about cute overload! Your new parent brain will go into overdrive and your phone’s memory will be full in minutes.
photo: Outside the Box
The Space
Bigger isn’t always better, but in this case… Swapping their 1500 sq. ft. space for this 4000 ft. museum-like beauty is quite the upgrade. In fact, the aesthetics and artwork incorporate the new theme, “How we share our planet with animals,” and the intricately designed walls (created by the collaboration of world renowned artists the Dilakian Brother’s and Elza Deco Artistry) are part of the experience. “The idea was to create a magical, whimsical forest with animals everywhere, so kids can walk inside, and feel like they are ‘outside’ an enchanted garden of textured and colored visuals to explore and discover, and touch. The walls come alive to play with the kids!” said owner, Octavia Lindlahr.
The center is open Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Check the website for class schedules throughout the week.
Our city speaks more than one language, and many of us want our kids to, too! Story times, classes, camps and concerts all come in bilingual options to introduce even the littlest of linguists to the wonders of languages, or keep them practicing when school is out for the summer. Get kids habla-ing Espanol from babies on up, and get a jump on raising little world citizens.
photo credit: LeTania Kirkland
Bilingual and Language Immersion Classes
The Awesome Playground
While this Highland Park fixture is well known for the indoor playground, the play land offers more. The Awesome Academy hosts weekly Spanish classes for preschoolers and kids in grades 1-5. Marcela Hernandez, a seasoned elementary school teacher who specializes in Special Education, aims to keep learning fun and build confidence in her students that will help them in their every day school setting. Hernandez introduces preschoolers to basic vocabulary and the Spanish alphabet by using a daily theme and exploring it through songs and art. Elementary students learn more extensive vocabulary and the nuts and bolts of sentence structure.
Bonus: If you have the siblings in tow, they can play in the indoor play space during class.
The Awesome Playground
5158 York Blvd.
Highland Park
Phone: 323-256-2467
Online: theawesomeplayground.com
photo credit: LeTania Kirkland
Baila Baila
Isabel Brazon leads kids of all ages with her fun and energetic music classes. Kids are introduced to a conversational approach to language through song as they sing, play instruments and dance. Brazon introduces phrases and concepts through songs and encourages everyone to join in by introducing themselves (“Me llamo _______”), expressing their feelings (muy bien) and learning colors. Baila Baila classes are offered at multiple venues throughout the city. Classes are on a drop-in basis and 45 minutes per session.
Bonus: Baila Baila can also be seen in concert. Check the website for dates and venues.
The Zimmer Museum
The Zimmer Museum in Mid-City offers language immersion and bilingual classes for preschoolers. Toddler Town is a language immersion program where teachers and students speak only in their chosen subject. Classes are offered in Spanish, Farsi and Japanese. Littles enter the world of language with an opening song, then break out into sensory, art and dramatic play stations where they can get hands on with items from the day’s theme all while being introduced to the vocabulary of their chosen language. ROCKeros Pequeños is a bilingual music class where kids are introduced to Spanish vocabulary and concepts through, song, movement, instruments and rhythm. After circle time, your little rocker can dress up in their best performance gear and sing a tune en Espanol at the Karaoke station. Sessions are 6 weeks and weekly classes are 45 minutes long. Check the website for dates and times.
The Zimmer Museum
6505 Wilshire Blvd.
Miracle Mile LA
Phone: 323-761-8984
Online: zimmermuseum.org
photo credit: Traci Green via The Green Bean
The Green Bean
The Green Bean in Eagle Rock is a children’s resale store and community family resource in Eagle Rock. Owner Traci Green is not just dedicated to keeping your kids in cool and affordable clothing but also with providing them real stimulation. Every Thursday Jeannette Garcia, a professional librarian, hosts a bilingual story time right inside the store. Ms. Jeannette (as the kids call her) leads babes and toddlers through an opening song, reads several stories en Español and then rounds out the class with a craft. Story time is free, but gratuity is welcomed.
The Green Bean
5060 N. Eagle Rock Blvd.
Eagle Rock
Phone: 323-739-0870
Online: thegreenbeangoods.com
photo credit: Adriana Villarreal via Kidspace Studio
Kidspace Studio
Kidspace Studio in Whittier is a hub dedicated to play and learning—from everything to dance and yoga to language of course. Kidspace offers classes in both French and Spanish. Kids 2 1/2-5 years old can join a fully bilingual parent and child school prep class. Owner, Adriana Villarreal introduces kids to Spanish emphasizing play. A weekly theme is introduced and kids are encouraged to get up and move around the room to discover Spanish vocabulary through their surroundings. Language through play is also available in French. Spanish and French classes are also offered for kids up to 12 years where conversational skills and grammar are emphasized. And if your little one is a mini music maven, Kidspace hosts Fiesta Musical, a music class where toddlers can sing and dance to traditional and original songs in Spanish.
Kidspace Studio
13710 Whittier Blvd.
Whittier
Phone: 323-283-8490
Online: kidspacestudio.com
photo credit: Vox Box Arts
Summer Language Camps
Vox Box Arts Collective
If your family is looking for something with more of an arts focus, Vox Box Arts in Glendale is just the ticket. This summer the arts collective will be offering a two-week language immersion camp entitled Caja de Arte open to K-8th grade. Campers will practice visual arts, dance, theater and even make their own marionettes, all while speaking Spanish. And if language immersion sounds intimidating, don’t worry! Camp Vox Box director, Janice Markham says while teachers and students speak Spanish exclusively, kids are encouraged to help their peers. Besides, with the all of the creativity flowing through the space, most of those inhibitions melt away.
Vox Box Arts Collective
Phone: 323-258-2557
Online: voxboxarts.org
photo credit: Savoire Faire
Savoire Faire Language Institution
Language immersion doesn’t stop at Spanish. Savoire Faire summer camps are available in Spanish, French, German and Mandarin for ages 5 & up. These one-week camps aim to fuse learning and fun. Campers will be introduced to themes and vocabulary for the day and then have the chance to use the language in the “real world” during daily field trips. Junior campers will learn through, song, dance, movement and cultural crafts while older kids will have structured lessons on top of hands on activities, games and art activities based on the cultural connections to their language. And for those always-hungry linguistic aficionados, daily cooking classes are available for all ages—they can learn a whole new side of the language while filling those bellies.
Bonus: If you have a group of friends interested in summer language camp, Savoire Faire will tailor a session to your needs.
Savoire Faire Language Institution
117 W. Torrance Blvd.
Redondo Beach
Phone: 310-379-1086
Online: sfli-ca.com
photo credit: Kallpachay Spanish Immersion
Kallpachay Spanish Immersion
Kallpachay means “to inspire” in the ancient Incan language and the organization’s summer camps inspire a sense of playfulness and ease while learning a new language. Kallpachay’s summer camps are full immersion taught by all native Spanish speakers who hold play in the highest regard. Kids open their day with a group circle, “ice-breaker” activities and chants and move onto group activities. Vocabulary and sentence structure is introduced through arts, crafting and gardening and even daily cooking classes to introduce Latin flavors—so kids learn through practice that language emerges from culture. Campers will also be introduced to variety of cultural connections to the Spanish language and participate in group activities and celebrations.
Bonus: Camps are held at several locations across the L.A. area to ease your summer commute. Also, families can choose to participate in 1-3 weeks, depending on your schedule.
Lango Foothills
Based in La Canada, Lango Foothills is a great location for those who live north of downtown. Lango offers summer camps in Spanish, French Italian and German. After starting the day with an ice-breaking game of charades and songs, campers will split up and focus on the daily theme through songs, puppetry and storytelling. Kids explore the culture of their target language through art or cooking projects every day. And each week culminates with a Friday celebration where campers dance, sing or perform a play in their target language.
Twinkle Time
Twinkle Time isn’t just a bilingual concert, it is a parade of characters otherwise known as “Twinkle and Friends.” Twinkle concerts are energetic, colorful, pop shows that will temporarily transport the kids to the dimension of “Twinkle”—who needs a sugar rush? The bilingual songs are filled with catchy tunes, lessons for the littles and a reminder that all languages should be celebrated. Check Twinkle Time’s website for upcoming concert dates and venues.
Nathalia Music
After taking the family to a Nathalia Music concert you won’t mind having one of her tunes stuck in your head. A trained music therapist and clinical psychologist, Nathalia began writing bilingual songs to introduce her kids to her Colombian heritage. Now she hopes her music serves to provide fun, rhythm and a positive outlook for kids (and their parents). Nathalia music draws inspiration from Rock, Cumbia, Reggeaton and everything in between. Nathalia Music songs are bilingual and each verse is translated directly—the family that grooves together, learns together. Check Nathalia Music’s website for upcoming concert dates and venues.
La Librería
There are other ways to immerse your little ones in the Spanish language. La Libreria is a Spanish language bookstore specializing in books for kids ages 1-15. The brick and mortar store was the dream of Chiara Arroyo and Celene Navarrete, two mothers who wanted to share the rich literature of their childhood and their countries with their own children and beyond. For years Arroyo and Navarrette visited Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala and Spain and lugged suitcases of books home to share with their children and sell in local literary fair and schools. In February, La Librería put down roots mid-city. The two moms say their aim is to make the store a cultural hub where everyone feels welcome. Bring the family and discover worlds you never knew (or have sorely missed) through literature.
LA Librería
4732 ½ W. Washington Blvd
Los Angeles
Online: la-librería.net
Do you have a favorite place to learn Spanish with your kids? We’d love to hear your bilingual secret spots!