SoCal Summer Rituals
Chelsea Parrish and her family luxuriate in the lavender fields at 123 Farm in Palm Desert. PHOTO COURTESY CHELSEA PARRISH School has been out for weeks now, but before your kids start complaining of boredom, remind them that in a place like SoCal, there are endless ways to take advantage of our long, golden days. If you’re fresh out of ideas, the L.A. Parent team shares our summer rituals, favorite hidden gems and must-have treats that we seize each summer to ensure the season feels complete. New Swan Shakespeare Festival A couple of years ago, my mom surprised me with...
Bonding in Big Bear Lake
Paddleboarding during mother-daughter adventures at Big Bear Lake. PHOTO BY MICHELE RAPHAEL If you’re craving some crisp mountain air this summer, Big Bear Lake is a convenient, picturesque vacation spot for families, couples and solo nature lovers looking for adventure. You can get there in just two hours, and other than the scenic switchbacks during the last few miles before town, the route is relatively easy — especially in the warmer seasons when snow- and ice-covered roads aren’t a factor — as long as you're a confident mountain driver. The confident driver in our mother-daughter trip up to Big Bear...
Summer Sounds Under the Stars
Gloria Molina Grand Park’s summer concert series kicks off with a block party on July 4. PHOTO COURTESY GLORIA MOLINA GRAND PARK No matter how scorching our summer days get, nighttime in Los Angeles is usually a welcome breeze of slightly cooler temperatures, beckoning us outside to bask in the Southland’s magical after-hours. And there’s nothing like enjoying music with your friends and family in a communal outdoor setting. Whether swaying to jazz at LACMA or dancing to global beats, here are some of the best ways to make memories under the stars through the sound of music. KCRW Summer...
Editor’s Note: Rites of Passage
Sol, Cassandra and Marcus. PHOTO BY TAMEKA CAGE CONLEY Summer is here, but not without its share of blood, sweat and tears. As parents, we’re used to trudging through it all — unstoppable forces until we come up against that immovable object. This year, just 72 hours after the first day of summer, I came face to face with my immovable object: a hip gone bad. By the time you read this, I’ll have undergone surgery and will be (I hope) recovering well at home. While none of us ever wants to go under the knife, the timing was perfect. Since...
What to Read This Summer: Stories That Spark Imagination and Connection
Stories allow us to travel to new worlds, even when we are stuck at home. And while reading can be a solitary experience, it’s a wonderful way to bond with children, no matter how old they are. This summer reading list features books that will take readers to the depths of their imaginations to spark quality time and insightful discussion. One Alley Summer by Anne Ylvisaker A coming of age novel in verse, "One Alley Summer" by Anne Ylvisaker is relatable story that can introduce young readers to poetry. The novel follows Phee in a the summer before she begins...
Local Kitchens Lands in Studio City
The first Local Kitchens in L.A. County opens in Studio City this summer. PHOTOS COURTESY LOCAL KITCHENS Chef Tuê Nguyen loves a good food court. With an array of culinary flavors in a single space, it’s easy for everyone in a group to find something they love. So, when DoorDash alums Jon Goldsmith and Andrew Munday invited Nguyen to be part of Local Kitchens, a small-scale, multi-brand food hall out of San Francisco, she was intrigued. Instead of chain stalls selling pretzels and corn dogs, Local Kitchens highlights renowned chefs and the bold flavors and diverse regional dishes they’re most...
Backyard Olympics: Inspire Kids To Dream, Play and Shine
Young athletes practice their throws at the Ross Snyder Recreation Center in Los Angeles during the 2024 Paris Olympic viewing party. PHOTO BY STEPHANIE CHITICA, LA CITY PHOTOGRAPHER, DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION & PARKS Few collective experiences celebrated around the world inspire goal setting, demonstrate the power of teamwork and teach the value in reaching for dreams as powerfully as the Olympics. And with Los Angeles set to host the games in 2028, this summer is the perfect time to start making Olympic-sized memories with our children. Big dreams begin at home I first became a fan of the Olympics in...
Multigenerational Hiking: Trails for the Whole Family
Darrell Rohman, grandfather of 5-year-old twins, strolls the Crystal Lake trail. With more than 3,700 miles of hiking trails in Southern California alone, you could spend every day exploring a new trail, but if you’d like your family to join you on some of those excursions this summer, consider choosing trails that everyone — all ages and abilities — might enjoy. These suggestions for outdoor activities take into consideration the contrasting needs of hyperactive young children and aging adults with limited mobility, including those using powered devices and walkers. Bring water, sunblock, hats, shades, snacks, binoculars and comfortable shoes to...
Camping With Kids: Embrace the Wild (and the Chaos!)
Get kids involved in setting up camp. PHOTOS COURTESY RICK PERILLO The first step in camping with kids is to bury the notion that you’ll get a good night’s sleep on the trip. Your kids will crawl over you, walk around the tent half asleep and pepper you with "What's that?" a thousand times over. And even if they manage to sleep soundly, you will wake up every 30 minutes to make sure they are still tucked into their sleeping bags (they won’t be). Every rustle outside will have you peeking through the mesh, ensuring a bear isn't lurking outside your...
JULY BOOK CORNER: READ BEFORE BED
According to "The New York Times," summertime insomnia can occur due to extended daylight hours disturbing one's circadian rhythm and melatonin production. Trade in screen time in favor of a good book to calm the mind and get some sleep. Our July book roundup focuses on easy to read books that can be read to young readers as a bedtime story or read to oneself at bouts of summertime insomnia. MS. RACHEL AND BEAN AND THE BEDTIME ROUTINE: Encouraging a Calm and Comforting Good Night by Ms. Rachel and Mr. Aron and illustrated by Monique Dong "MS. RACHEL AND BEAN...
3 Essential Tips to Prevent Injuries in Youth Athletes
Submitted by the team at Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children As summer winds down and kids gear up for the fall sports season, excitement is in the air — and so is the risk of injury. Each year, millions of young athletes experience sports-related injuries, many of which are preventable with proper preparation. Whether your child participates in football, soccer, volleyball or cross-country, preparing strategically during the preseason can significantly reduce the risk of injuries that sideline kids and disrupt seasons. Here are three evidence-based tips every parent should consider to help their athlete start the season strong and finish injury-free....
