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 learning last year that I needed surgery, my main refrain was: “Just please let it be after my son’s prom, graduation and college admissions stuff.” In other words, like many moms, I had no time to take care of me. Thankfully, one by one, each of Sol’s senior-year milestones was reached:

He received his college acceptances, then made his final choice.

He attended prom — and on a yacht in Marina del Rey. But on the afternoon of prom, I got my first call ever from a school nurse: Our son had cut his finger on a robotics project and needed stitches! Luckily, my husband got him in and out of a packed urgent care by playing the prom card, and I found the perfect last-minute brooch for his tux by texting him photos from the shop and awaiting his yay or nay responses.

He turned 18!

He graduated — and we parents screamed our heads off as our robe-clad progeny pretended not to hear us.

We threw a backyard garden party to celebrate the graduate’s rite of passage with our extended community.

He got the nose piercing he’s been begging for. “At 18, you don’t need your parents for most stuff,” he told me. Yet, tuition still has to be paid and he still expects my hearty breakfast “sammiches” every morning.

As we cleaned up the party leftovers, I could sense a shift in my parenting journey: In a way, my husband and I were graduates, too.

In June, our digital editor, Nina Harada, attended her eldest’s kindergarten promotion. She emailed the L.A. Parent team after the ceremony: “I barely held it together. I am going to be a MESS for all graduations to follow. Cassandra, how did you survive Sol’s?!”

So far, I’ve held it together, but I have a feeling that come August (campus move-in time), I’ll have had a few breakdowns. And yet, these good cries are like a soft drizzle compared to the storms so many of our fellow families are facing (ICE raids, still trying to find their way after the L.A. fires and more).

I hope you and your family have a safe summer — and that you find ways to play, explore and unplug — even in the midst of chaos. This edition is a beautiful guide to help you do just that.

The post Editor’s Note: Rites of Passage appeared first on L.A. Parent.

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 middle school as she begins a friendship with her new neighborhood, Mercy Jones. 

Recommended for ages 9-12.

Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody: The Hat of Great Importance

by Patrick Ness and illustrated by Tim Miller

“Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody: The Hat of Great Importance” by Patrick Ness is the second installment in his Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody series. This imaginative chapter book with illustrations is about the monitor lizards Zeke, Daniel, and Alicia and a hawk named Meil in their not-so-normal school days. 

Recommended for ages 8-12.

The Incorruptibles

by Lauren Magaziner 

In a world where sorcerers rule over humans, Fiora Barrowling joins the human resistance and enrolls in the Incorruptibles Academy. “The Incorruptibles” is a fantasy book by Lauren Magaziner about resistance and magic. 

Recommended for ages 9-15.

The Wild Robot on the Island

by Peter Brown

Based on Peter Brown’s original trilogy that inspired the movie “The Wild Robot,, “The Wild Robot on the Island” is a picture book about a robot named Roz that learns to adapt to her new island home. 

Recommended for ages 4-8.

Fern’s School for Wayward Fay: The Grim Adventure

by Fern Forgettable and as told by Piper CJ

The second book of the series Fern’s School for Wayward Fay, “The Grim Adventure” follows a school with students part magical and part human as they fight against Death itself. Written by Fern Forgettable as told by Piper CJ.

Recommended for ages 8-12.

Stitch Head: The Graphic Novel

by Guy Bass and illustrated by Pete Williamson 

“Stich Head: The Graphic Novel,” written by Guy Bass and illustrated by Pete Williamson, is a spooky coming of age story about family and acceptance. 

Recommended for ages 8-12.

Kitty Vs. Kindergarten

by Martha Freeman and illustrated by Eda Kaban 

The picture book “Kitty vs. Kindergarten,” written by Martha Freeman and illustrated by Eda Kaban, follows Kitty as he is forced to adapt to an unfamiliar environment: the kindergarten classroom. 

Recommended for ages 3-7.

Ash Wang is an editorial intern at L.A. Parent. Born and raised in Irvine, they will attend Pitzer College this fall. Wang is a member of @the309collective, and their writing has been featured in @CulturalDaily and the anthology “Home is a Hope.”

The post What to Read This Summer: Stories That Spark Imagination and Connection appeared first on L.A. Parent.

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 proud to serve. Nguyen joined the team. Today, Local Kitchens boasts 13 locations in the Bay Area, and its first SoCal shop is opening doors in Studio City this summer.

Nguyen is one of five inaugural chef partners at the Studio City location, where her menu items will include riffs on the classic Vietnamese street food dish com tam, or broken rice. Diners will also be able to peruse menus curated by Alvin Cailan, Einat Admony, Rick Martinez, Ari Fiengold and Max Cohen — a group of chefs from around the U.S. with more combined accolades and awards than Studio City has sushi spots.

“The Local Kitchens team is very selective about the chefs they work with,” Nguyen told me over Zoom in late May. “We are creating some really good food, yes, but we also want dishes that are rich in culture — and rich in stories.”

Nguyen, who is perhaps better known by her online handle, Tway Da Bae, has her own stories to tell. She spent her early childhood years in Vietnam, then lived with her family in Oxnard until going to culinary school in North Hollywood. When a staging role (or internship) at Spago in Beverly Hills proved uninspiring, Nguyen turned to social media, making how-to videos and sharing recipes for home cooks of any skill level to try.

“That was where I found the most success,” she said. “I encouraged people to either just cook, or to cook something that they might not be familiar with, like Vietnamese food.”

Her online presence and sphere of influence swiftly rocketed skyward. She has nearly 700,000 followers on TikTok, more than 500,000 on Instagram and more than 600 videos on her YouTube channel. Within her content portfolio is a wide range of casual tutorials: She’ll teach you how to make from-scratch strawberry matcha one day, then garlic yu choy (a green leafy veggie in the bok choy family) the next. She also provides videos on foundational kitchen skills, such as how to best store produce and stock a pantry. Throughout all of it, Nguyen is approachable, funny and coolly charming — a winning trifecta for a culinary influencer.

After a series of successful foodie pop-ups around Los Angeles, Nguyen partnered up with The h.wood Group (an L.A.-based hospitality company) to open Di Di in 2023. The upscale Vietnamese restaurant is on La Cienega Boulevard in West Hollywood and serves dinner daily. Nguyen’s creations here include shrimp toast, coconut crepe tacos, garlic crab noodles and sweet-and-sour duck.

“When Di Di opened, I didn’t think that I was ready, but are you ever really ready to open a restaurant?” Nguyen asked. “It was just a why-not moment, and I’m so glad that I took it.”

Social media certainly has a dark side, but for Nguyen, it was a platform from which to show the world what she could do and a way to forge her own path when the traditional road to becoming a chef proved too rigid.

“I thought that was the only way, but I was just cooking other people’s food,” Nguyen said. “Instead, I can actually have my voice heard and use this community that I built to not only cook, but to cook the food that I like.”

Other ways to get to know the food Nguyen likes? Pick up a copy of her cookbook “Di An: The Salty, Sour, Sweet and Spicy Flavors of Vietnamese Cooking with TwayDaBae,” which came out last September, or cook her tried-and-true broken rice dish with her recipe here.

Fragrant Broken Rice by Chef Tuê Nguyen

(Serves 5-10 people)

Step 1: Ginger Garlic Mix

Prep time: 30 minutes

3 cups canola oil
2¼ cups garlic, minced
¾ cup ginger puree

Heat a stock pot over medium-high heat. Add canola oil, minced garlic and ginger puree. Stir well with a silicone spatula.

Cook for 25 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes until fragrant and slightly golden. Reduce heat to low.

Cook for 5 more minutes, scraping the pan to loosen any caramelized bits.

Transfer to a separate pan to cool completely. Once cooled, proceed to broken rice.

Step 2: Fragrant Broken Rice

Prep time: 20 minutes

3 fluid ounces ginger garlic mix (above)
1 quart (4 cups) washed broken rice (See note below)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon chicken bouillon powder
5 cups cold water

Measure all ingredients, then add ginger garlic mix and washed broken rice to a clean rice cooker. Stir well. Add salt, bouillon powder and cold water. Stir again to mix.

Cover and let rice cook (about 17-20 minutes). Fluff the rice, close the lid and let sit for 10 minutes. Serve.

Notes: Broken rice is literally broken rice grains. It can be found in select grocery stores. Though historically peasant food (broken rice grains were considered inferior to whole ones and were therefore cheaper), it is now a common and beloved street food dish. 

Vietnamese broken rice is often topped with grilled pork or beef, steamed egg-and-pork meatloaf or a fried egg. Fresh veggies (cucumbers, tomatoes and/or pickled vegetables) are usually added to the plate, too.

The post Local Kitchens Lands in Studio City appeared first on L.A. Parent.

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 the summer of 1976, when I gathered with my friends to watch Queen Elizabeth proclaim the opening of the Montreal Olympic Games. The kids in my neighborhood decided to host our own “backyard Olympics.” Apparently, I wasn’t the only child inspired by those games. Olympic track and field gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee said, “It wasn’t until I was 14 and watched the 1976 Olympic games on television that I really started to dream about the big time.” Watching UCLA’s Evelyn Ashford compete in the 100-meters dash inspired Joyner-Kersee to also become a Bruin and eventually compete and medal in four Olympics.

Back in the ‘70s, we turned the shiny insides of Peter Pan peanut butter jars into gold medals. We covered Smucker’s jelly lids with tin foil to make the silver medals.  Bronze medal recipients received brown construction paper circles with BRONZE written on them in black crayon. We threw a broomstick javelin and a baking potato shotput, measured our long jumps with yardsticks and were covered in grass following our summersault-filled floor exercises.

The memories we made have lasted a lifetime, which is why I’ve continued the tradition with my own children every four years, including last summer when, in between watching the events in Paris, relatives and friends who happened by our house stood a chance to medal in kickboard races in the pool, water polo with a Vaseline-covered watermelon or a USA version of P-I-G at our local basketball court. We even played a round of Olympic Yahtzee.

The good news is you don’t have to wait for the games to come to L.A. to get in on the action. Here are a few fun activities you can do this summer to inspire your aspiring athletes to get moving and dreaming of going for the gold!

New ways to get active

Run by L.A.’s Department of Recreation and Parks, PlayLA is set to impact more than one million kids by the time the 2028 Olympic torch is lit. It boasts a broad array of youth athletic programs, including 26 Olympic and 10 Paralympic sports. Local public pools are not just for swimming. Many also offer water polo, synchronized swimming and kayaking lessons. Flag football will be a new Olympic sport in 2028, and multiple locations offer classes and leagues to join.

Inclusivity for every young athlete

Most summer leagues and clinics through PlayLA kick off July 7. Go to laparks.org/play-la to register for these low- to no-cost sports supported by a $160 million investment from LA28 and the International Olympic Committee.

Though Los Angeles hosted the Olympic Games in 1932 and 1984, the 2028 Olympics will mark L.A.’s first time ever also hosting the Paralympic Games and, with that in mind, the adaptive sports offerings by PlayLA are robust, including tennis, para-equestrian opportunities and wheelchair basketball.

“PlayLA Youth and Adaptive Youth Sports Program has transformed the way we deliver sports to our youth,” says Department of Recreation and Parks General Manager Jimmy Kim. “We have been able to provide access to high-quality, inclusive and affordable Olympic and Paralympic style sports for kids. This movement reflects the spirit of the Games and ensures that this generation grows up with the opportunity to play, compete and dream in their own communities.”

Days and evenings full of fun

Summer Night Lights (SNL) is the extended recreation program at 40 public park sites across the city. Families and teens can enjoy a variety of activities with extended evening hours Thursdays through Saturdays, often including free food and movie nights. South Park, Hubert Humphrey and Costello recreation centers all have SNL kickoff events slated for July 10.

PlayLA Day – July 14 will mark three years until the opening ceremonies of the 2028 Olympics, and PlayLA will celebrate with a free event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., offering Olympic-inspired activities for kids and families at L.A. Memorial Coliseum (the first venue in the world to host three Olympic Opening Ceremonies!). Registration is required. Go to laparks.org and search “PlayLA Day.”

Attention older kids –PlayLAis hiring coaches, especially for specialty sports such as skateboarding, fencing and archery. For more information, contact PlayLA via email at rap.playla@lacity.org.

GAME ON! Science, Sports & Play – Just across Exposition Park from the iconic Coliseum, you’ll find GAME ON! Science, Sports & Play, an all-new interactive exhibit at the California Science Center. Aspiring young Olympians can participate in hands-on activities and learn the science behind success.

“GAME ON! is engaging from the moment you enter the colorful space,” says Alyson Goodall, senior vice president and chief advancement officer for the California Science Center Foundation. “It’s incredibly immersive and interactive, and a wonderful opportunity for children to practice skills for familiar sports or try something new, all with virtual guidance from mentor athletes and rooted in core science principles.”          

Imagine practicing your swing and having Dodgers first baseman and World Series Champion Freddie Freeman offer tips on how to plant your feet with video playback! How about virtually swimming alongside Paralympian Jamal Hill as he demonstrates the physics of thrust, drag, buoyancy and gravity that helped him win his bronze medal?  How cool would it be if your soccer-loving child could get kicking advice from Angel City FC’s sister duo Alyssa and Gisele Thompson? And then there is “Lethal Shooter” Chris Matthews, who has worked as a shooting coach for numerous WNBA and NBA standouts. At GAME ON!, young athletes can learn the science behind the flight path speed of a basketball and test the arc and angle of their own shots.

“One of the best parts,” adds Goodall, “is that even if you’re not the one doing the activity, kids are gathering around, cheering each other on as they explore the science and test their skills.”

Thanks to the collaboration between the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, the LA84 Foundation and the Walter Family Foundation, the 17,000-square-feet exhibition is included with free admission to the California Science Center, though groups of 15 or more need timed reservations. Call 213.744.2019 or visit californiasciencecenter.org.

Your own backyard or local park

If you want to stay closer to home, why not bring the games to your own yard or a nearby park and use these easy ideas as inspiration?

1. Jar lids can be spray painted gold, silver and bronze if you want to get crafty while recycling and repurposing with your kids. Don’t have lids, ribbons or time? Many companies offer easy options. Visit orientaltrading.com for starters.  
2. Got a ping pong table or badminton set? Encourage your children to work on their skills throughout the summer with a friendly competition planned before school begins again.
3. If you have a pool for diving or a grassy space for a gymnastics floor exercise, make the judge’s score cards, make a list of moves that earn points and let kids rate the moves they like best.
4. Set up races down the sidewalk or around a park path. Let kids who don’t want to run keep the times.

Making summer memories shine

There is still time to get your young gymnasts and synchronized swimmers, weightlifters and badminton champions to put down their electronics and start dreaming of gold.

It might be one of their favorite memories of the summer of 2025, and it might get them thinking about what sports they’d like to see in person when the Olympics come to town in just three summers!

Suzanne Weerts is an author, teacher and producer who loves sports but is far more effective as a fan than an athlete. 

The post Backyard Olympics: Inspire Kids To Dream, Play and Shine appeared first on L.A. Parent.

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 all of them. All parks listed are ADA-compliant.

South Coast

Wetlands and marshes

Madrona Marsh Preserve and Nature Center – Torrance; Tues-Sat, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Little kids love this small park, which offers a series of educational programs tailored to them. There are brochures in the parking area for self-guided tours. At least 275 species of birds live in this park. Dogs not allowed. 

El Dorado Nature Center – Long Beach; Tue-Sun, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

In this manmade environment built with the soil extracted from construction of the 605 Freeway, children can enjoy watching turtles bask in the sun while older folks can rest by the lake to look at the waterfowl. With three connecting loops, the park offers a total of 3.25 miles of trail, mostly shaded. The soil is so soft that people often walk barefooted. Parking $8-$9 on holidays; passes with senior discounts. Dogs not allowed.

Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve – Marina del Rey; daily

Enjoy about four miles of soft trail. Watch for butterflies. Look for easy parking on Bluff Creek Drive.

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve – Seal Beach; daily, 6 a.m.- 8 p.m.

Originally home to the Tongva people, this rich coastal ecosystem surrounding a tidal mouth has been a restoration project for decades. The 1,300-acre park offers four miles of flat trail accessible to powered mobility devices and strollers. From the trails, visitors have a vantage point to observe Bolsa Chica’s biodiversity far beyond the beautiful birds, including endangered plants and even sea lions. Pamphlets are available at the two free parking lots. Dogs not allowed.

Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park –Wilmington; daily, dawn to dusk

Around 300 species of migratory birds enjoy the freshwater lake, the tule marsh and the willow forest. The two flat trails have a total combined distance of 5 miles. Free parking. Fishing permit needed.

Overlooking the Ocean

Point Vicente Coastal Trail –Palos Verdes Peninsula; daily, dawn to dusk

Also known as Vicente Bluffs, this trail runs several miles east and west parallel to the south rim of the peninsula. Stroll west as long as you can, taking in the spectacular view. Don’t miss the interpretative center, the whale-watching deck or the lighthouse, which opens only on second Saturdays. Have a picnic or watch the sunset. It’s all free, including parking. Bring a jacket. Leashed dogs are OK.

Urban

Kenneth Hahn Recreation Area – Los Angeles; March to October, 6 a.m.-8 p.m.

Nestled between La Cienega Boulevard and La Brea Avenue in Baldwin Hills, Kenneth Hahn is an urban gem with a network of hiking trails at varying difficulty levels. The trail closest to the Japanese garden is ADA compliant. To avoid parking fees, use the shuttle bus for 25 cents.

Suburban

Powder Canyon Trail – La Habra; dawn to dusk

The best family-friendly trail of the entire Puente Hills Preserve is a 1.1-mile portion of the Powder Canyon. Equipped with complete facilities. Leashed dogs allowed.

Mountain

Crystal Lake Recreation Area/Campground – Angeles National Forest, accessed from Azusa via California Highway 39

This overnight camping trip requires planning. Adventure pass and fishing permit are needed. Senior discounts are available. Pack all you need to feed and shelter your family for a weekend, but think simple, practical and economical. California Highway 39 is a long, winding road shared with cyclists going uphill. Kids might need something for motion sickness.

At 6,000-feet elevation, Crystal Lake campground has running water, clean bathrooms and 120 tent sites. Arrive late on Thursday or early on Friday ahead of Labor Day to secure one of the three ADA-compliant sites. Use only designated, bear-proof garbage containers. Leave no trace is the principle.

There are two ADA-accessible, interpretative trails with brochures: Golden Cup Trail (0.25 miles) and Pinyon Ridge Trail (a new 1-mile loop). The lake trail is 2 miles long and mostly on the road, then you hike down the last .25 miles on a wide trail. Swimming is not allowed. For a greater challenge, older children and strong adults can take an adventure day of their own. Windy Gap Trail is 2.5 miles long (one way) with an 1,380-elevation gain of moderate difficulty. It serves as a popular path to the Pacific Crest Trail and to Little Jimmy Trail Camp. Visit sierraclub.org for a list of 10 essentials to bring. Pick up a trail map at the ranger’s office.

If you can only stay in the Crystal Lake recreation area and walk the short trails around camp, do not be discouraged. Disconnect from your digital devices and play camp games, creating beautiful memories for your family along with the breathtaking views of the San Gabriel Canyon.

Born in Venezuela, Lisbeth Coiman is a trekker of intersecting paths and an avid hiker with aching knees. She is the author of “I Asked the Blue Heron: A memoir” and “Uprising/Alzamiento,” a poetry collection that calls attention to the humanitarian crisis in her homeland. Visit lisbethcoiman.com.

The post Multigenerational Hiking: Trails for the Whole Family appeared first on L.A. Parent.

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 tent. While my family was camping in Joshua Tree National Park one night, the wind whipped so fiercely that the tent walls pressed down on our heads. I stayed awake for hours, convinced we’d blow away while my kids slept through it all.

But if you embrace the reality of these less-than-restful nights, you’ll unlock an unforgettable family adventure. Camping builds resilience — not just in your children, but within your entire family unit. You’ll learn to collaborate with fewer comforts and resources, putting electronic devices aside to spend truly present, undistracted time together. You might find yourselves captivated for an hour by a family of turkeys wandering the campground, finally be inspired to learn a few constellations and perhaps even embrace a little dirt.

Sometimes people ask me, “Should our first camping trip be in the backyard?” No. The temptation of the house is too great — not for the kids, but for you. Inside are your soft bed, Netflix and a carton of Häagen-Dazs in the freezer. Save backyard camping for after you have completed your first campground excursion. 

Getting started camping with kids can feel daunting even for experienced campers, but the adventure is far more accessible than it may seem. 

Where to go

Los Angeles is full of campsites within a one- to two-hour drive. Try these options for a good time:

Leo Carillo and Sycamore Canyon Campground. These are two separate campgrounds about 10 minutes apart, located right off Pacific Coast Highway. Both are excellent spots to introduce new campers. They are a close drive from most parts of Los Angeles, campsites are shaded under oaks and sycamores, you can walk to the beach and Leo Carillo even has a small general store. Both campgrounds can be reserved up to six months in advance, and for spring and summer months, you will need to book that far out. However, you can also check back for last-minute cancellations. Book sites through reservecalifornia.com.

Wheeler Gorge. Wheeler Gorge is eight miles north of Ojai, which is convenient if you need to pick up forgotten hot dog buns! The campground is shaded and has a creek running through it with some great swimming holes. Weekends fill up fast for the summer months, so reserve in advance at recreation.gov.

Black Rock Campground (Joshua Tree National Park). If you are willing to drive a little farther and already have a one-night camping trip under your belt, head out to Joshua Tree National Park. This campground sits within the park’s boundaries, but you will have to drive about eight miles before the park’s main entrance. This is a family-friendly campground with a ranger station. Stop into the ranger station to get your Junior Ranger Handbook and participate in the activities. At the end of your trip, stop back in to be sworn in as a Junior Ranger. Learn more at nps.gov.

What to bring

Here’s the essential gear you need for successful camping:

Shelter. Tents are usually classified by how many people they sleep (e.g. four-person tent). If your family does not want to be too cozy, size up. For example, get the six-person tent if you are a family of four). Coleman makes good starter tents that are sturdy and affordable. Make sure to practice setting it up at home before your trip. You don’t want to be fumbling with tent poles while the sun sets. 

Air mattresses. You’ll rest more comfortably on an air mattress.If you use an electric pump, make sure you have extra batteries or that it is fully charged. I avoid this by using a hand pump and having my 5-year-old pump it up. Young kids are fine on roll-out foam sleeping pads, but you might want something nicer for older kids. When choosing sleeping bags, pay attention to their temperature ratings, which indicate the lowest temperature at which the bag should be used. For Southern California’s warm season, you won’t need anything extreme; a 30-degree-Fahrenheit-rated bag should provide ample warmth.

Food and cooking essentials. Two-burner portable camp stoves work great for keeping the family fed. You will want to bring a couple of small propane tanks for fuel. Use a storage bin to hold all cookware, pots and pans, cutting boards, lightweight plates, utensils, salt, pepper, cooking oil, paper towels, plastic cups, trash bags, etc. A cooler packed with ice for perishables is essential. For one- or two-night trips, there’s no need to replenish ice. But if you’re staying longer than that, you will have to head into town for a fresh supply.

Food is truly one of the great joys of camping! Simple classics like hot dogs are perfect for beginners, but as you get more comfortable, experiment with tacos, pasta dishes and even steaks. In the mornings, instant coffee for the adults and hot chocolate for the kids will be much appreciated. Bring lots of snacks and lots of water. They go fast while camping.

Safety essentials. Always pack a well-stocked first-aid kit, including plenty of Band-Aids and wipes. 

What to do

Setting up the tent, cooking and cleaning take up a lot of time when camping, so you don’t need to overpack your activities. Simply allowing kids to explore and connect with nature is often the most valuable activity. However, here are a few ideas to enhance the adventure:

Biking. Bicycling around the campground is consistently a top favorite for kids. It offers a sense of independence, allows them to explore their temporary neighborhood and burns off that boundless energy. My kids often rate the quality of a campsite on how many good bicycling hills there are. 

Scavenger hunt. Grab a folding guide on local trees, birds, reptiles, animal tracks and wildflowers of Southern California (Sibley makes excellent ones). Challenge your family to see how many items they can find and identify. If you’re feeling ambitious, do a little research beforehand and create your own customized scavenger hunt tailored to your specific campground’s ecosystem. 

Build campfires. The campfire is the heart of any camping trip. Involve the kids in the entire process, from safely gathering kindling to carefully stacking logs. This is also the perfect opportunity for a conversation about campfire safety. Once the fire is going, see where the conversation takes you. 

Create a family tradition. Create a tradition unique to your family that you will do on every trip. You can designate a s’mores master to oversee the marshmallow roasting. (Consider rotating the position each night.) Everyone can bring a poem or song lyric to share on each trip. I have my boys pick up five to 10 pieces of trash as the last thing we do before leaving the campsite. They find a lot of beer bottle caps and learn “leave no trace” principles at the same time.

Camping will take you and your family out of your comfort zone, unexpected moments will arise (changing diapers in a tent is much trickier than at home) and sleep may be at a premium. But your family will strengthen its bonds through shared challenges and connect on a level that the outdoors is best at facilitating. Less than two hours from home, Angelenos can camp in the mountains, the beach or the desert. Make it a goal to try all three.

Happy camping. 

Rick Perillo is the seed-to-table manager at MUSE Global Schools in Calabasas.  

The post Camping With Kids: Embrace the Wild (and the Chaos!) appeared first on L.A. Parent.

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 AND THE BEDTIME ROUTINE: Encouraging a Calm and Comforting Good Night” is a picture book from the famous Ms. Rachel that teaches young readers about bedtime routines. 

Recommended for ages 3-8

Embarrassed Ferret

by Lisa Frenkel Riddiough and illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi 

In rhymes and fun illustrations, “Embarrassed Ferret” follows Ferret as she learns that nobody’s perfect. 

Recommended for ages 3-7

Jurassic Girl

by Michele C. Hollow 

“Jurassic Girl” is a historical fiction book perfect for STEM enthusiasts that follows the 12-year-old fossil hunter Mary Anning. 

Recommended for ages 8-12.

Bakery Babies

by Meredith Newman and illustrated by Ka Huen Kwong 

A whimsical tale of babies sneaking out of their cribs and to the local bakery, “Bakery Babies” is a sweet picture book to read to young readers. 

Recommended for ages 3-8.

For A Girl Becoming

by Joy Harjo and illustrated by Adriana Garcia

By exploring connections to nature and one’s ancestors, “For A Girl Becoming” is a picture book rooted in Native American traditions. 

Recommended for ages 4-8.

For more book suggestions, check out our June Book Corner.

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