Kidspace

Where: 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena CA 911103
When: Right now Kidspace is closed Mondays, but will be open 7 days a week starting in June. Tues-Fri: (9:30am-5pm)/ Sat & Sun: (10am-5)

* weekends are much more crowded than early weekdays!!

How much: $10 for adults and children/ Under 1: free

Things to keep in mind!
1. pack a lunch and save some money!
2. bring a second change of clothes..they will get wet!
3. don't bother with a stroller...you can't bring it inside anyways.

Take a look at the website for upcoming events and annual pass information
http://www.kidspacemuseum.org/site/PageServer?pagename=index


Kidspace Childen's Museum is located in Pasadena right next to the Rose bowl. It's really easy to get to and has a huge parking lot so you don't have to worry about any fees from a parking structure or getting towed or ticketed on the side of the road. I was a little confused at first on where to go, because the lot is so large, but when you see the "kidspace" symbol, all you have to do is follow it like a yellow brick road. Instead of finding Oz, you find a magical world built just for toddlers and kids! Although it seems a little pricey to charge both children and adults the same price, it still is worth it once you're inside. Of course I am a single child parent, so for a family of three or four, this can get pretty pricey!

I first want to start by saying that I grew up spending alot of my early childhood years at Kidspace. My mother took us often, and I even had the privelege of having a birthday party here. Except when I got inside I immediately called my mom and said, "Um..I think I went to the wrong place..." This was nothing of what I remembered. In fact there was nothing that remotely resembled the old kidspace. Late that night, my mom and I looked up Kidspace on wikipedia, and lo and behold it was moved to another location and completely refurbished in 2005. Don't get me wrong, it was the coolest place I had ever taken Ty! It just wasn't the memory I had as a young girl that I wanted to now share with my son. There was no firetruck, or news station where you can broadcast yourself on a tv after dressing up in the many costumes. There was no beach sand to play in, or underground tree house to crawl in. And there wasn't even the store to take you mini shopping cart and buy all the plastic food you could ever dream of. This was a new kidspace, and it would involve making NEW memories that would now be especially just for Tyler.







I don't want to go into too much detail about this place because then I would leave you with no surprise. This is a fantastic place that caters to the imagination and developing minds of kids. The museum is more like a hands of nature center. Where you are transformed into a bug in this extra large world. With countless climbing activities, the building also has different sections for learning about the earth: from earthquakes and avalanches, to digging for fossils and decomposition. There are tons of tanks with scorpions, beetles, tarantulas, milipedes, and cockroaches. They even have a black light room to see some of these critters in a new way. The coolest bug exhibit was the bee hive! A ten foot tube that reaches to the ceiling interacts as a highway for honey bees. This tube then leads back down into the hive where a piece of glass allows you to witness the hive being built in the making.

After we explored and plundered all we THOUGHT we could, we fumbled into another room full of rocks, leaves, pinecones, and everything else nature! Although this room is very hands on, and is for a children a little older than my 17th month old, we were still able to enjoy the fish tank and turtle tank. ("Turtle" is one of Tyler's first words). In the center of this room there is a always someone to answer questions or just explore with you. The staff is very friendly and helpful.



Outside the adventure only begins. Toddlers are able to enjoy a small water playground, where they can fill buckets, splash, and even take a ride on a slide. Bring another pair of clothes if you plan on letting your child explore in this area. For the older kids, there is a race track where you can jump on a tricycle and race around. Farther up the hill is a nice shallow pond where we saw some families playing with boats and buckets. A small vegetable garden and watering cans, allows the children to interact with the vegetation and be apart of the nature. A big water wheel, bridge, and waterfall adds aesthetic beauty while a climbing area gives older kids a little more of a challenge.

In addition to the outside area, and the exhibit itself, there is a small food window all specializing in snacks and lunches for children, an event room where they hold presentations and shows, a gift shop/store, and my favorite: the toddler room! This play area is built tough for the falling, jumping, tumbling, toddlers we love. The room includes: a small slide with a crawl through house, magnets boards with tons of colorful magnet shapes, a velcro wall with soft blocks, puzzles, books, toys, blocks, and rubber mats to go crazy on! This is the only area of kidspace where there is no shoes allowed (so where some clean socks) :D

Los Angeles Zoo

When: 10am-5pm
Where: exit Zoo Drive on the 134, or take Griffith Park.
How much: (13+) $13, (2-12) $8, (under 2) FREE!

*Stroller rentals are available
-single: $7 per day
-double: $11 per day

As a family we can never get enough of this place. For $60 we got the couples membership that allows us access for one year. Tyler is under two so he is automatically free. The membership is worth it if you live close and want a fun activity to get you out of the house. We try and make it to the zoo about once a week, and our trips are no longer than an hour or two. Sometimes before I go to school, I will take Tyler for a walk. I get exercise and he gets to take in all the sights and sounds. It's a win-win situation.

for membership pricing and details click here:
http://www.lazoo.org/membership/categories_benefits.html

Every outing to the zoo is a new experience in it's self. You never know what animal is going to be performing for the crowd or shying away. It's always differnet and always changing. The more we take Tyler to the zoo the more he is recognizing animals and exhibits. He watches their activities, and spots them out to us by pointing. He even does his trademark, "oooooh!"






Not only is the zoo a visual exhibit, but an interactive one. Every trip to the zoo, we stop at one of the many penny presses and add a new animal to Tyler's collection. The souvenier stores sell the penny collecting book, and for 51 cents, we take home a little momento of our adventure.

A couple downers are all the construction thats been going on to build the Pachyderm Forest exhibit, Reptile and Insect Interpretive Center, and the Rainforest of the Americas exhibit. The other dissapointment is the petting zoo that has not been open any of the days we have gone.

The los angeles zoo is a very kid friendly place and always has something new going on. During Christmas there were actual reindeer that accompied Santa Claus. If you want to give your child a real Christmas experience, the Los Angeles Zoo is the place to go. They even had a huge artic portrait where you could climb into the scene for a fun photo.

Griffith Park Pony Rides

What: The Griffith Park Pony rides. Including Wagon rides, and Train rides.
Where: Los Feliz and Riverside Dr.
When: Tuesday-Sunday (10am-4pm)
How old: 1+
How much: $3 pony rides/ $3 wagon rides/ $2.50 train rides
Phone #: 323-664-3266

I was really hesitant about taking Tyler to the Griffith park pony rides because he wasn't to keen on getting anywhere near a friend of mine's one year old mustang. The good thing was that these ponies were no taller than my chest, and much less intimidatng than the already enormous mustang. We approached a booth where a very nice man informed us of the two different pony rides. The first ride, the "beginners" ride, was held in a gated off circle, where the ponies were all linked together and you are able to walk right beside your little one as they enjoy the ride. The man continued to inform us that if there were any problems with our son getting on the pony, he would be happy to reimburse our three dollars.

Everyone there was very friendly and helpful, approaching me as I approached the gated ring. Tyler was fastened into the saddle, and instinctively grabbed onto the leather horn in front of him. I was so proud of my little guy I could cry. I had a smile plastered to my face as I walked with him round and round, showing him how to gently stroke the horse's hair. There wasn't one second where he showed signs of fear or disinterest. He rode that pony for his first time like a champ!





After conquering the beginner course, Brian (Tyler's father) and I debated whether or not Tyler would be able to go on the real pony ride without having a meltdown. The main pony ride goes around a scenic track guided by a wooden white fence. Only this time, mommy wouldn't be by his side. Mommy wouldn't even be there to help him in the saddle. We agreed it was worth a shot and spent another three bucks for the slow lane pony ride. By my surprise, Tyler slid into the instructors arms without a peep. The man placed Tyler on the pony, belted him in and Tyler busted out a huge smile! I was so relieved and so enthralled that this was going exactly how I had hoped.

And off he went, Just a boy and a horse, slowly walking along together. Brian and I followed along in the wagon path, waving and taking photos. The best moment was when a pony trotted by in the fast lane, and Tyler belted out some "ooh's and aah's." We had a blast!








Not only does this attraction have pony rides, but a horse drawn wagon ride and a little train ride. This Griffith park attraction also comes with free parking, picnic tables, and a snack bar fully equipt with hot dogs, hamburgers, and other entrees. It is also a great way to introduce trains and horseback as a way of transportation. You can even teach your child how to respect these large animals by showing them proper care and love!

Welcome to L.A. Mommy

Finding fun and cheap ways to entertain and educate your children is not as far of a reach as most may think. As a mother in Los Angeles, we are blessed and should be grateful for all of what surrounds us. My name is Ashley. I am a full time student, with a full time job, who just so happens to be a round the clock mom. My 16 month old son, Tyler, is the love of my life, and the reason I am able to survive each crazy day. Before I head to school or after I get off work, I am always searching for fun and creative ways to entertain Tyler, and get him interacting with his environment. I believe the best way a child can learn about their world, is through experience rather than lecture. Even though my son will not remember our daytime adventures, I know they are developing his mind, improving his coordination, and enhancing his love for the world. What more can a mother ask for?

Here is my guide to the best baby and toddler attractions in Los Angeles. There is no gift greater than the gift of knowledge, so let's teach our children culture, language, love, and all the beauties of nature that we sometimes forget to acknowledge. Enjoy!