Playground for Parents

Disney for FREE! Happy Birthday!

 

Besides endless amounts of cake and ice cream, yet another reason why I wish I could celebrate my birthday all year long - Disney is now offering FREE admission to their theme park! Simply select your destination, either the Disney Resort in Florida or California, and register on their website for free admission on your birthday in 2009. Honey, I'm still bitter that everyone's birthday, except the baby's, has already passed in my household. *Sigh*  But, that didn't keep me from passing the great news on to you, and hoping that you or your kid has a fall or winter birthday! 

 

Treat yourself if you're a big kid at heart (it's hard to stay away from It's a Small World), or sign-up your kids for a birthday celebration at a Disney park, with parades, rides, fireworks and their favorite characters - surely a day they will never forget. You can register yourself and everyone in your household for free birthday admission (kids under age 3 already get in free).

 

What to do:  After you've registered on the Disney website, print your confirmation email and save it. Approximately two weeks prior to your birthday, you'll get a reminder (thank goodness, because really, is there anything worse then remembering you have a gift certificate or coupon AFTER the expiration?!).

 

Take your confirmation email and a picture id to Disneyland on your birthday, and BAM, you just gifted yourself. With all the money you save on admission, you'd be able to get a slice of pizza and some new Mickey ears...maybe.

 

Already have season passes to Disney?  Head on over to Will Call and you'll get to select one of their special birthday gifts, including a FASTPASS card (that's right, be treated like royalty on your birthday, and go to the front of the line celebrity-style).

 

Enjoy, and good luck getting that It's a Small World song out of your head. Happy Birthday!

 

 

Barks & Books Day

You encourage your child to read, anywhere, and to anything.  She reads to her stuffed animals, her baby brother, even the family pets.  She gets the phonics practice, and you get an adorable video opportunity. Kid Space Museum just added to your cd of sweet memories, with their Barks & Books Day.  During this unique event, kids meet a therapy dog from the Pasadena Humane Society, and read him an animal-themed book. Really, does it get any sweeter?  A wonderful activity to promote both literacy and animal welfare.

 

February 28th, 11am at Kidspace Museum, 480 N. Arroyo Blvd, Pasadena. Ages 5-8.  Register online.  $9 admission.  For more information, go to www.kidspacemuseum.org.

 

 

 

 

Baby Loves Disco

If you haven't heard about this nationwide craze, we're going to have to get you out more (at least get you enrolled in a mommy group).  Baby Loves Disco is all the rage, and hitting 21 cities across the country, from Atlanta to Washington.  I know it's been a while, but you do recall what a disco club is, right?  For those who can't remember their wild and free pre-diaper days: a club is a big room. With big speakers.  And flashing lights. And a big floor where people do this thing called dancing. And a sweaty guy shorter than you, with bad breath and even worse pickup lines, makes a pass at you...Well, that's Baby Loves Disco, but without the stinky short guy, and much more enjoyable.  You don't have to wear lipstick and three inch heels, and no one cares if you have two left feet; chances are there's a two year old on the floor who dances more off-beat than you do.  This is clubbing, family-style, smack in the middle of the afternoon.

All across the country, Baby Loves Disco is slowly but surely transforming the hippest night clubs into child proof discos as toddlers, pre-schoolers and parents looking for a break from the routine playground circuit, let loose for some post naptime, pre-dinner fun. Make no mistake, this is NOT the Mickey Mouse club, and Barney is Banned. Baby loves disco is an afternoon dance party featuring real music spun and mixed by real djs blending classic disco tunes From the 70s, & 80s guaranteed to get those little booties moving and grooving.

The fun spills out from all corners of the club: bubble machines, baskets of scarves and egg-shakers, a chill-out room (with tents, books and puzzles), diaper changing stations, a full spread of healthy snacks and dancing, LOTS of dancing. But at it’s core, Baby loves disco is a community event that brings kids together with kids, and parents together with parents.

 

Remember standing behind the rope, all dressed up and ready to boogie, hoping you didn't get turned away because it was too crowded?  Yea, it wasn't cute then, and it ain't cute now, especially with a toddler hanging on your leg.  Get your tickets in advance.  And get your groove back, Stella.

 

For my fellow Angelenos - Baby Loves Disco will next be in Los Angeles on March 14th, followed by other dates throughout the year!

 

 

Free Pancake Day

I'm still waiting on a Free French Fries Day from McDonald's, Free Garlic Noodles Day from P.F. Changs, Free Spinach Dip Day from Cheesecake Factory...Until then, there's IHOP .

IHOP is one of those places that you loved as a kid, with the stack of chocolate chip pancakes and whipped cream smiley faces.  And now you more or less grin and bear it as an adult, for the sake of creating fond memories for your own kid (how did I ever like that sticky strawberry syrup?).  Soon IHOP is giving you a great reason to return: National Pancake Day.  Brilliant. I think schools and businesses should be closed in honor of such an event. 

Join the International House of Pancakes in celebration of National Pancake Day on Tuesday, February 24th, from 7am-10pm (if you've never had "breakfast for dinner," now's your chance).  You get a FREE short stack of three buttermilk pancakes.  All IHOP asks is that you consider making a donation to support local children's hospitals through Children's Miracle Network.  Their goal is to provide enough free pancakes to raise $1,000,000 for charity.  Free food and an opportunity to help kids.  It's a win-win.

Check IHOP for a location near you. 

 

 

A Treehouse Like No Other

I'm thrilled when an indoor play place separates itself from the rest, by offering more than a ball pit and ride-on toys. The Treehouse Social Club is in a league of its own, with not only it's huge indoor treehouse, but a unique play area and arts & crafts room, a boutique with neat toys & gifts, a delicious cafe with full menu, weekly workshops, kids' classes, parties and special events.  No need to leave the older sibling at home - they also provide computer games and Wii.  I dare you to suppress your inner child, and not hide away in the treehouse with a good book.

Coming up on March 10th, from 11am-1pm, is their Swap Social.  Bring a bag of gently used children's clothing, & go home with "new" gently used children's clothing! All clothes not swapped or kept is donated.

The Treehouse Social Club   310.288.3024

426 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA  90048

 

 

Monday Madness

You need somewhere to go today, don't you?  Getting through the weekend was fine - Saturday was Valentine's Day, so you were feeling all mushy and reflecting on how much you totally love your kids, your husband, your life, blah, blah. Nothing your child said or did could annoy you, because love was in the air.  And on the off chance that you did become slightly irritated, the SEES chocolate took the edge off and restored peace once again.  On Sunday, you were still feeling good, maybe you went to church, went to brunch, arranged for a playdate. 

But, then that extra day of family "togetherness" was thrown in, with everyone out of school and off work for President's Day.  You hate to admit it, but you've reached your limit, and for your own sanity and the children's safety, you really need to get out of the house.

 

Check out Go City Kids super extensive list of Indoor Activities.  From museums to aquariums, bowling, play spaces, bounce houses, arts centers, libraries, story times, Go City Kids will give you the full scoop on over 500 local kid spots!  The site provides detailed parent reviews, ratings from 1 to 5 stars, contact information, hours of operation - everything you need to know to plan a few hours of fun.  The link I've provided here is for the greater Los Angeles area, but Go City Kids covers family events in major cities across the nation, from Albuquerque to Washington.  Stuck on where to have the next birthday party?  Stress no more and select a venue from the listings.

If you can't find somewhere to go or something to do based on this website, then you probably should stay home - get some ironing done, plan the week's menus... Sounding better already, right?  Go on now - pack your snacks, grab your coats, and get going.  Don't forget to bring your iphone - afterall, you'll need something to entertain yourself while the kids are running amok.

It's 2am, and I just realized that I don't have anything planned for tomorrow, besides hopefully sleeping in.  Thank goodness for this post.  What would I do without...me?

 

Park It Here on Saturday

You can often count on your local park to provide holiday festivities for FREE.  The LA Department of Recreation & Parks is hosting Valentine's Celebrations, with art & crafts, games & prizes, for all ages!  Check their website for times and locations, including Studio City, Tarzana, Van Nuys and North Hollywood. http://www.laparks.org/calendar.htm

Join families just like you, looking for a fun way to wear the kids out and burn off all that chocolate.  Did I mention free? 

Alice and the Wonderful Tea Party

Live theater + delightful teas + sweet treats = one memorable Valentine's Day.  

Check out the show on February 14th, and Santa Monica Playhouse will give you a two-for-one voucher for any of their Family Theatre performances throughout 2009! 

Inexpensive holiday fun for the entire family - now that's better than having to share your box of Valentine's chocolates.

 

 

 

Valentine’s Tea Festival
featuring teas & flavours of England

Saturday, FEBRUARY 14, 2009, 2 - 8pm
at Electric Lodge Performing & Visual Arts Centre
1416 Electric Avenue, Venice, CA 90291

Celebrate English tea culture with a jolly good marketplace, tea tastings, delectable sweets and savouries, workshops, music, interactive installations, raffle prizes, other surprises and plenty to do for kids and adults alike
+

Santa Monica Playhouse Actors' Repertory Theatre

will perform their internationally acclaimed

ALICE AND THE WONDERFUL TEA PARTY

for ONE performance only at 6:30pm.

A pun-derful musical for the entire family!

Festival tickets: $10 (FREE for children under 12)
Performance tickets: $10 for adults, $5 for children 2-12

All-inclusive day pass:  $15 for adults (includes both festival & performance)

Plus $1 - $3 for goodies & workshops (proceeds to benefit Electric Lodge) 

info: 310.699.7271  tix: 800.838.3006 or www.kulovteafest.com

We strongly recommend that you get your tickets in advance, especially since the performance by the Santa Monica Playhouse is bound to sell out! This year, all of the advance ticket sales are handled by Brown Paper Tickets.

Parent's Night Out

Trying to go out with your honey for some adult fun on Valentine's, but nowhere to leave the kiddies?  Even Grandma has romantic plans for the evening?  Drop the kids off at Fairies & Dragons, and get your groove back, mama...at least for a few hours.  Hopefully you'll have something exciting to share with the other moms at carpool next week.

Saturday, February 14 - Parent's Night out on Valentine's Day

Fairies and Dragons is happy to offer a special Valentine's Day Workshop!  It's time for parents to reconnect, so why not leave your little valentines with them for the evening?  There will be games, songs, and a special Valentine's Day craft, all lead by their talented and competent Fairy Team.  Pizza is for dinner and yummy sweets for your sweets!

Where: Fairies and Dragons, 16733 Ventura Blvd, Encino

When: 2/14/09, 5:30pm-9:30pm

Who: Boys & Girls ages 3-8

How: Reservations required - call 818.783.8488

Cost of event: $15/hour for the first child with a two hour minimum, and $7/hour for each sibling.  Dinner is an additional $2/child.

For more info: 818.783.8488 or www.fairiesanddragonsparties.com

Paper Cuts

I could personally do without revisiting LIttle Black Sambo, or Aunt Jemima, but in the name of American history, this local doll exhibit is sure to be both interesting and enlightening for your child.  No old, boring museum paintings here, kiddo!

From CAFAM:   Showing January 25 - March 29, 2009.  In honor of African American History Month, Paper Cuts: 200 Years of Black Paper Dolls documents the evolving cultural images of African Americans throughout the last 200 years: from Little Black Sambo to Tiger Woods; from Josephine Baker to Beyoncé. The exhibit will feature some of the first black paper dolls produced in the United States—and travels from the civil rights movement to present day sports and entertainment figures. No longer simple playthings, paper dolls are vehicles of satire, of critique, and, more importantly, are a tribute to exceptional people and events. Paper Cuts will be a learning experience both in the gallery and in a host of workshops, tours, and classes scheduled during this not-to-miss exhibit.

February 8, 3pm: A collector discusses why she started collecting black paper dolls, the history behind them, and why they are so relevant today.

March 7, 1:30-3:30pm: Make your own paper doll and fashionable doll clothing!

COST -  Members: FREE, General: $5, Students and Seniors: $3, Children under 12: FREE
First Wednesday of every month FREE.

Craft and Folk Art Museum, 5814 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036. 323.937.4230.  www.cafam.org