Meghan Rose
Before becoming a parent, Meghan Rose worked at pioneering internet companies like AOL, eToys.com, and eBay. After having twins, she shifted her focus to literacy, co-authoring Home is Where the Books Are (Choice Literacy, 2013) and launching LitforKids.com. Now based in Los Angeles, Meghan is all about finding fun things to do with kids. Please send her ALL your ideas and suggestions for national parenting and travel articles, or drop a note just say hi: meghan@mommypoppins.com
Latest posts by Meghan
Summer Shakespeare is the norm and as summer passes into fall, much of our outdoor theater also fades away. However, that's not the case at Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum in the Forest of Topanga (I know it’s a canyon, but it reminds me of the Forest of Arden!). Here Shakespearean actors tread the boards (and Shakespeare's fairies flit through the trees) into November. The annual production of A Midsummer Night's Dream is perfect for even young kids—there were kids as young as two in the audience when we saw it—running a tight 80 minutes, with plenty of singing, slapstick, and even animals. Read on to discover why everyone from tots to teens delights in this production filled with mistaken identities, naughty fairies, unrequited love, and an Amazon queen.
Kids' eyes shine with glee as they climb aboard the Grand Canyon Railway’s magical Polar Express Christmas train. This 1930s vintage train is a ringer for the one in the Chris Van Allsburg children’s book of the same name (yep, the one they turned into a classic holiday movie). Every year families can celebrate the Christmas season with a trip to the North Pole to visit Santa Claus, via the Grand Canyon. That makes two childhood “must-do” outings completed with one amazing holiday trip.
This train sells out fast every year—some families book a year in advance—so the sooner you can get tickets, the better!
As the national editor for Mommy Poppins, a lot of kids' stuff comes across my desk (well, kitchen table). I mean, a lot. And some of it is pretty ridiculous (like high heels for babies and diaper-changing gloves—really?). But one of the perks of the job is watching events and activities pile up in my inbox that I just can’t wait to do, see, and experience with my kids. Because that sense of discovery—of finding something that leads to new interests and passions for my kids—that’s what parenting is all about. And if I discover something that makes my life a little easier along the way...all the better!
Check out the stuff I’m super excited about in September 2021, and discover a few things that will make this month of back-to-school and pumpkin spice lattes even more fun for families.
It’s time to brush up your Shakespeare! Shakespeare is set free in Griffith Park this summer once again, as the Independent Shakespeare Company’s production of The Tempest is now playing. Think Shakespeare is too high falutin for your wee one? Fear not! ISCLA goes back to Shakespeare’s roots as entertainment for the common folk, which translates to lots of slapstick humor and music. While the show is still fabulous and free, many things have changed for this summer’s production. Read on for a quick overview of the show and what’s new (for brevity is the soul of wit).
There are so many things to do in California with kids before they grow up (and another 100 or so things to do just in LA)—that’s why it’s the best place on earth to raise kids. Disneyland, the Golden Gate Bridge, and tons of other tourist attractions call California home. But that’s the stuff everyone knows. Scratch the surface and you’ll find California fun facts, firsts, and a weirdness that runs more than skin deep. CA is the birthplace of Barbie, the internet, fortune cookies, electric guitars, blue jeans, movies (of course!), and so much more...
Amusement parks are a fantastic way to spend a summer day with the kids. But let's face it: between the price of admission, parking, food, and souvenirs, the cost really adds up—especially for large families. How can you save big at theme parks and water parks? For everything from discounted days to membership money-savers and more, here are our tips for scoring discounted admission at theme parks, amusement parks, and water parks across SoCal.
If you're looking for toddler-friendly options, check out our listing of the best amusement parks for toddlers.
Everything is back! There are so many things we all missed last summer that it seemed time to look ahead to this summer and check out all the activities Angelenos can finally do (again). From Shakespeare in the Park & Hamilton in the dark (of a theater) to books on the shelves & music under the stars, these are the outings we are already eagerly anticipating.
Since these are just the activities that had closed down last year, it's not even taking into account some other summer favorites, like going to the beach, swimming in lakes and pools, hitting a water park, or picking fruit at a local farm. Summer is just too darn short to fit in all the fun...
Yay! The great California reopening is happening! The Dodgers can play to capacity crowds. Disneyland can sell all the tickets—and we can bring out-of-town guests, too. Kids are out of school, but pretty much every Califonia school is pledging to return in-person, 5 days a week in the fall (or summer, since we have a ridiculously early start). Museums, theme parks, zoos, restaurants, and more are all open. But does California reopening mean no more masks? Is social distancing a thing of the past?
As California reopens fully this week, we're looking at what that means, what's reopening, and everything in LA that's now open for kids...
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