Kylie Williams

Kylie Williams is a mom of four who loves exploring Los Angeles with her kids and reporting back about the exciting events, attractions, and hidden gems she discovers. When she's not schlepping the kids around the city, she's probably at the gym, reading a book, or putting together snack bags for one of the kids' sports teams. If you know of a place she should check out, drop a line at Kylie@MommyPoppins.com.

Latest posts by Kylie

A Holiday Hoedown: Gilchrist Farm Brings Christmas Fun and Santa Breakfast to Santa Clarita

Submitted by Kylie Williams on Thu, 12/01/2022 - 11:00am

Over the first three weekends of December, an action-packed Holiday Hoedown is in full swing at Gilchrist Farm.

Gilchrist Farm is well-known for its picturesque pumpkin patch and fun-filled Halloween celebration, but many families don't know that the excitement continues well into the Christmas season! Over the first three weekends of December, an action-packed Holiday Hoedown is in full swing at the Santa Clarita destination with free general admission and free parking, no less.

On Saturdays and Sundays beginning December 3rd, families can meet Santa (he's photo-ready from 10am to 3pm), watch a pony-filled holiday parade featuring a real fire truck, antique tractors and delivering Santa to the event (the hullabaloo starts at 10am), cheer on the Jingle Pigs during regular hog races (catch 'em at noon and 3pm), and so much more. You can even reserve a seat at a private pancake breakfast with Father Christmas himself for an additional fee.

Whether you're hanging with the Big Guy or exploring the farm festivities, Gilchrist has all the nostalgia you're probably craving at this time of year, plus it makes for some darling photos for the memory book, too. Here's the scoop on what to know before you go.

Breakfast with Santa in Los Angeles—Plus Holiday Teas with the Nutcracker and Mrs. Claus!

Submitted by Kylie Williams on Sun, 11/13/2022 - 7:06am

Pick a festive pancake to dine on with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Photo courtesy of SkyPark at Santa's Village via Facebook

Share breakfast with Santa and more tasty treats at these spots where kids can dine with the man of the hour.

Santa has a broad face and a round little belly, that shakes when he laughs like a bowl full of jelly, but to keep it that way, Santa needs breakfast. Thankfully, in December, he often takes his sleigh down to SoCal for a breakfast with Santa for all the kiddos on the nice list. Make your little elves' Christmas season all the more magical and eat a meal with the man in the big red suit. Prefer another meal? We've got some seasonal and festive teas with the Nutcracker or Mrs. Claus, too. Many of these dining experiences fill up quickly and require reservations in advance, so plan and book ahead.

Looking for more opportunities to meet Santa? He can often be found on a Polar Express train and other holiday trains, posing for a Santa picture, and at Christmas tree lighting celebrations. For all the most festive events around town this season, check our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Los Angeles Families.

Best Pregnancy and Parenting Classes in Los Angeles

Submitted by Kylie Williams on Thu, 08/18/2022 - 12:09pm

All new parents and their babies are welcome at The Family Room. Photo courtesy of The Family Room

There are a ton of excellent parenting and pregnancy classes in Los Angeles. Take advantage of all the knowledge in our city!

As a pregnant mama of three, I am all too familiar with the anticipations, concerns, and frustrations that can arise during pregnancy and into parenthood. There are so many unknowns and there is so much to learn. I've struggled to form a birthing plan, fretted with a crying baby through the night, and struggled to breastfeed an easily distracted infant. So let me pass on one thing I have learned: seek help when things get hard or uncertainty arises! Not only will you find some of the answers you've been searching for, but you may find deep relationships and camaraderie with others that are on this incredible journey of raising the next generation.

And when your bundle of joy arrives, we've also got loads of great mommy and me classes in LA, where you can keep learning and exploring together. Find all these classes and more in our Guide to the Best Classes for Kids and Parents in Los Angeles.

San Diego with Kids: 59 Family-Friendly Things To Do in San Diego, California

Submitted by Kylie Williams on Sat, 08/13/2022 - 11:01am

There are tide pools everywhere you look in San Diego! Photo by Kylie Williams

Whether you live in California and are in town for a weekend getaway or coming from far away for a sunny vacation, we know the perfect things to do in San Diego. San Diego is honestly overflowing with family fun. Some of the destinations are obvious: billboards all over the city remind you that the Safari Park, Legoland, the San Diego Zoo, Sesame Place, and SeaWorld are just a few miles away. However, there are also so many incredible "off the beaten path" places to take your family that before you get halfway through this list it'll be time to go home, and you'll have to plan a return visit.

Looking for a place to stay while exploring San Diego? Here is our list of the best hotels in San Diego for families and favorite places to stay in Carlsbad.

Best Swimming Lessons and Classes for Kids in Los Angeles

Submitted by Kylie Williams on Mon, 08/08/2022 - 9:45am

Dive in! The water is always fine. Photo courtesy of the Academy Swim Club

LA kids are practically born in the water, which is why it is important to enroll kids in swimming lessons in Los Angeles at an early age. With the help of a patient, qualified instructors, kids can learn water confidence, comfortability, and crucial safety skills. Whether your child is just getting familiar with the water or looking to hone their talent and join the school swim team, there are plenty of wonderful schools all over Los Angeles that offer a variety of swimming lessons, including schools in the South Bay, Westside, and the valleys. We've even compiled a list of schools with instructors that will come to your private pool.

If you're looking specifically for baby and toddler swimming lessons, we rounded up the best places that teach babies as young as a few weeks old! And you can find more great classes for kids, and even book a class online, in our directory of classes and listings. Check our Los Angeles Classes for Kids Guide for more kids’ activities and classes for kids of all ages and interests.

All New MB2 Entertainment in Santa Clarita is a Family Fun Center Gem

Submitted by Kylie Williams on Sun, 08/07/2022 - 10:20am

The mini golf holes are creative, challenging, and varied—for both kids and adults. Photo courtesy of the author

During my childhood, Santa Clarita was home to Mountasia. It was your typical family fun center with a 90s vibe. We’re talking fluorescent lights, multi-colored, ugly carpeting, hokey prizes, and purple walls. I loved it. During COVID, the lack of business put it under, and this Valencia mainstay closed for good.

Thankfully, MB2 swooped in and saved the day. The company acquired the Valencia property and spent months recreating it into something cool and new, while retaining that classic family fun. What has emerged is my favorite new place to bring my kids for a whole day of fun. Spend the day with bumper boats, go karts, bowling, VR, arcade games, laser tag, axe throwing, mini golf, and more. Read on for what to expect and more tips about visiting the new MB2 Entertainment in Santa Clarita.

If you need to keep kids from climbing the walls at home, check out the best rock climbing gyms for kids and top mini golf courses in Los Angeles! Find all this and more in our Los Angeles Guide to Sports Centers, Gyms, and Fun Zones.

Free in August: Movies, Concerts, Festivals, and More Free Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids

Submitted by Kylie Williams on Mon, 08/01/2022 - 12:00pm

Fiesta La Ballona closes out August with one of our favorite festivals. Photo courtesy of the festival

Celebrate the dog days of summer with this giant list of free things to do in Los Angeles with kids this August!

I've been spending too much money lately on back-to-school supplies and Halloween decorations. (Too early, you say? I think not!) If you, like me, are feeling a bit of financial pressure this month, this list is for you. Here are events that let you end the summer with a bang without spending a buck. Whether you want to enjoy a little Shakespeare, dance the night away, or chill out to some live jazz, there's nothing to stop you—short of heatstroke. We've also got free festivals for surfers, Japanese culture enthusiasts, and kids that just love a good carnival ride.

So gather up the fam and squeeze those last drops out of your summer fun. Keep in mind that we are always adding free events to our Los Angeles event calendar as they pop up, and we keep all our roundups of free outings for families in our Guide to Free Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids.

Recreation Park, Long Beach's Newest Playground, is Jurassic and Fantastic

Submitted by Kylie Williams on Sun, 07/17/2022 - 2:00pm

“Mom! That must be why they built this dinosaur park! Because they found these bones here!” My six-year-old cried as he unearthed the bones of a T-Rex at the Dino Excavation Zone at Recreation Park in East Long Beach.

His eyes grew wide with wonder as he dug out a massive skull sunk into the ground. In his mind, he had just made a historical discovery, and who was I to burst his bubble? The Dino Excavation Zone worked its magic and my kids felt like true paleontologists at Long Beach’s newest playground.

Recreation Park in East Long Beach got a major upgrade with a Jurassic-themed playground perfect for kids of all ages. The new space just opened in June and is the perfect reason to take a trip to Long Beach! Looking for more awesome playgrounds for kids in Los Angeles or even the best splash pads in town? We've got all that and more in our Summer Activities Guide for Los Angeles Kids.

Kylie Williams

Latest posts by Kylie

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