Best of LA: Kids
Boone Children’s Gallery
5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90036
While grown-ups stroll through LACMA’s galleries and clink glasses at the free outdoor concerts, kids can make their own art at the museum’s Boone Children’s Gallery.
Neighborhood: Mid-City
Category: Art, Arts & Entertainment, Best of LA, Best of LA 2013: Do, Best of LA 2013: Kids, Best of LA: 2013, Best of LA: Do, Best of LA: Kids
Children’s Book World
10580½ W. Pico Blvd, Cheviot Hills, CA, 90064
310-559-2665
Whether your kid is three or 13, into puppies or Greek mythology, the staff at Children’s Book World can make a recommendation, or several
Neighborhood: Pico-Union
Category: Best of LA, Best of LA 2014: Kids, Best of LA 2014: Shop, Best of LA: 2014, Best of LA: Kids, Best of LA: Shop, Books and Magazines, Education, Shopping
Flicka
204 N. Larchmont Blvd, Larchmont Village, CA
323-466-5822
For parents who wish to distinguish their tot from the pack, Flicka on Larchmont narrowly edges out the competition
Neighborhood: Larchmont
Category: Best of LA, Best of LA 2014: Kids, Best of LA: 2014, Best of LA: Kids, Children's Clothing
Grow Kid Grow
4310 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake, CA, 90029
323-661-4769
Put a couple of extra quarters in the meter; you’ll need time to sift through the jam-packed racks of barely worn clothing and accessories for newborns to teens at Grow Kid Grow
Neighborhood: Silver Lake
Category: Best of LA, Best of LA 2014: Kids, Best of LA 2014: Shop, Best of LA: 2014, Best of LA: Kids, Best of LA: Shop, Children's Clothing, Shopping
KidsPark
9056 Tampa Ave., Los Angeles, CA, 91324
When last-minute appointments or ailing baby–sitters disrupt your plans, KidsPark, in Northridge, is a blessing.
Neighborhood: Northridge
Category: Best of LA, Best of LA 2013: Do, Best of LA 2013: Kids, Best of LA: 2013, Best of LA: Do, Best of LA: Kids, Child Care, Community
Kitson Kids
Various locations, Los Angeles, CA, 90401
310-260-9170
The Kitson name may be tarnished by too much publicity and Ms. Lohan. But when there’s a newborn, a four-year-old girl, and a 12-year-old boy on your list, Kitson Kids delivers.
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
Category: Best of LA, Best of LA 2012: Kids, Best of LA 2012: Shop, Best of LA: 2012, Best of LA: Kids, Best of LA: Shop, Clothing, Shopping
Ladybug Music
36 Church of Christ, Studio City, CA, 91604
310-359-5391
When you toil from 9 to 5, the hours spent with your little ones become especially precious–use them wisely at Ladybug Music
Neighborhood: Studio City
Category: Best of LA, Best of LA 2014: Kids, Best of LA: 2014, Best of LA: Kids, Education, Educational Programs
Landis’ Labyrinth
140 and 144 N. Larchmont Blvd., Larchmont Village/Manhattan Beach, CA
323-465-7998
For a return to the basics for games and toys, consider Landis’ Labyrinth
Neighborhood: Larchmont, Manhattan Beach
Category: Best of LA, Best of LA 2014: Kids, Best of LA 2014: Shop, Best of LA: 2014, Best of LA: Kids, Best of LA: Shop, Shopping, Toy Stores
Los Angeles Central Library
630 W. 5th St., Los Angeles, CA, 90731
213-228-7000
Want to know how Angelenos prepared a chicken dinner in 1881? Dig into the culinary collection at the Los Angeles Central Library.
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Best of LA, Best of LA 2013: Do, Best of LA 2013: Kids, Best of LA: 2013, Best of LA: Do, Best of LA: Kids, Books and Magazines, Shopping
Neighborhood Rock School
2602 N. Glenoaks Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 91504
818-557-7723
They talk to kids in their language, and newbies are welcome at the three-year-old school, which also holds a summer camp.
Neighborhood: Burbank
Category: Best of LA, Best of LA 2012: Do, Best of LA 2012: Kids, Best of LA: 2012, Best of LA: Do, Best of LA: Kids, Education, Music Schools
Ramon “Wacko” Medellin
Let’s give a round of applause for Ramon “Wacko” Medellin, who has dozens of tricks up his sleeves
Category: Arts & Entertainment, Best of LA, Best of LA 2014: Kids, Best of LA: 2014, Best of LA: Kids, Performing Arts
Really Awesome IMPROV Show
6560 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA, 90028
323-464-8542
Even the ground rules are entertaining at Second City’s Really Awesome IMPROV Show
Neighborhood: Hollywood
Category: Arts & Entertainment, Best of LA, Best of LA 2014: Kids, Best of LA: 2014, Best of LA: Kids, Comedy Clubs
Studio LOL
11634 Ventura Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 91604
818-660-3460
Whether through gibberish poetry or fake infomercials, kids at Studio LOL learn to speak up and skip the “ums”.
Neighborhood: Studio City
Category: Best of LA, Best of LA 2012: Do, Best of LA 2012: Kids, Best of LA: 2012, Best of LA: Do, Best of LA: Kids, Education, Educational Services
Swain’s
37 North Glendale Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 91206
(818) 243-3129
Entertaining your children shouldn’t be grueling; Swain’s sells hundreds of kits that will keep the brood occupied.
Neighborhood: Glendale
Category: Best of LA, Best of LA 2012: Kids, Best of LA: 2012, Best of LA: Kids, Hobby Shops, Shopping
West Hollywood Public Library
625 N. San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90069
No wonder the free Saturday morning readings in the children’s theater at the West Hollywood Public Library are so well attended.
Neighborhood: West Hollywood
Category: Best of LA, Best of LA 2012: Do, Best of LA 2012: Kids, Best of LA: 2012, Best of LA: Do, Best of LA: Kids, Community, Information & Referral Services
Woodbridge Park
11240 Moorpark St., Los Angeles, CA, 91602
On the northern border of Studio City along the 101 freeway, Woodbridge Park boasts two mini playgrounds (one for toddlers and one for bigger, more rambunctious kids), four swings, shady benches, a jogging trail, covered picnic areas, a couple of card tables, and alfresco workout stations.
Neighborhood: Studio City
Category: Best of LA, Best of LA 2012: Do, Best of LA 2012: Kids, Best of LA: 2012, Best of LA: Do, Best of LA: Kids, Family Fun, Sports & Recreation