Matt Matasci

Latest posts by Matt Matasci

Best Things To Do in Big Bear, CA with Kids: A Family-Friendly Guide for Every Season

Submitted by Matt Matasci on Fri, 09/12/2025 - 3:06am

Raise your hands if you want to have fun in Big Bear. Photo courtesy of bigbearguide.com

Nestled in the pine forests of the San Bernardino National Forest, just a few hours from Los Angeles, Big Bear is the perfect outdoor getaway. When Angelenos want to experience a real fall or take a winter escape to go snow tubing or skiing, Big Bear is the place to go. It's easily doable as a day trip, or you can extend the fun into an overnight trip.

No matter the time of year, there’s an abundance of family-friendly activities and experiences to explore at Big Bear Lake and the surrounding alpine areas. Check out the best snow tubing near LA, and discover all the many things to do in Lake Arrowhead. Plan your family adventures with our Weekend Getaway Guide and Day Trips for Los Angeles Families.

16 Great Barbecue Grills and Pits in LA Parks for Cooking Out with Family

Submitted by Matt Matasci on Fri, 08/15/2025 - 3:14am

Claim your spot in grill in nature at one of LA's parks.

Whether a birthday party or an outdoor family outing, these are the best parks in Los Angeles for family barbecue and parties that need outdoor grills.

Nothing says “summer” like barbecue — but not everyone has the luxury of a backyard, and even those that do may not have the space for a BBQ or grill. Luckily, many of our local Southern California parks are standing by with grills and pits to satisfy that craving for charred food.

The beauty of life in Southern California is that "summer" can be practically any time of year; the parks below have year-round barbecue facilities, ready for birthday parties, holiday celebrations, spontaneous picnics, or family dinners al fresco. As you know, living in LA can be expensive — that's why it's always great to find a location that doesn't require a booking fee that'll cost half your paycheck! Whether it's a casual get-together or a birthday party, grilling at LA parks is a great way to enjoy the city's unbeatable weather and open spaces.

Heat Wave Survival Guide: Free & Fun Ways To Keep Kids Cool in Los Angeles

Submitted by Matt Matasci on Fri, 07/25/2025 - 4:19am

Noah's Ark at The Skirball. Photo by Mercie Ghimire.

As summer heats up, these cool things to do in Los Angeles will help provide respite from those lasting sun rays. It can be hard to soak up that sun for more than a few minutes when temperatures climb to triple digits. When it's too toasty to play at the park, ride bikes outside, or go for a walk, we've got answers and lots of ideas for cool things to do in Los Angeles.

From pools and splash pads to bowling alleys and cool museums, we've gathered the best indoor and outdoor activities to beat those summer—or even rare fall or winter—heat waves, as well as those unfortunate smoky haze days. Plus, you can always head to the beach! There are even more cool things to do in Los Angeles this summer in our Ultimate Los Angeles Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

Biking The Strand in Los Angeles: A Family Guide

Submitted by Matt Matasci on Fri, 07/18/2025 - 4:38am

A family bike ride along The Strand is an essential SoCal day. Photo by Meghan Dhaliwal, courtesy of Visit California.

Looking for a fun, scenic, and kid-friendly bike ride in Los Angeles? The Strand—also known as the Marvin Braude Bike Trail—is a coastal gem perfect for families.

As much as Los Angeles is consistently making improvements, the bicycling infrastructure in Los Angeles leaves quite a bit to be desired. This is doubly true for families who want to ride in the city with their kids. While it may not be advisable to take an epic 10-mile bike trip down Venice Boulevard (even if it does technically have bike lanes), there are several off-street bike paths throughout the metro. The crown jewel? The Marvin Braude Bike Trail, better known by locals as The Strand.

While you're biking The Strand, you'll pass by the Santa Monica Pier, and many LA beaches for kids and families. For more essential things to do in LA, check out our Los Angeles Visitors' Guide for Families.

21 Teen Birthday Party Ideas in Los Angeles: Cool Party Places for Teens

Submitted by Matt Matasci on Sun, 07/13/2025 - 12:35pm

This literally cool birthday outing might even get called "cool" by teens. Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Wake

Planning for any child’s birthday party can be a trying task, but finding teen birthday party ideas that your snarky teens won't deride is practically impossible. Teenagers are a particularly tough group to plan for—and you have to account for the fact that tastes vary wildly and what is exciting for one teen is a total bore for another. Luckily, Los Angeles is jam-packed with things to do with tweens and teens, and that includes places where you can hold teen birthday parties that your celebrant will truly adore.

From comedy clubs to private pool cabanas and tech wonderlands to falcon flying fetes, we've rounded up teen birthday party ideas (even sweet 16 birthday ideas) that are tried and true for teens. To get more ideas for your party, like where to get the best birthday cakes in LA, visit our Guide to Birthday Party Ideas in Los Angeles for Kids. Because big kids love birthday cake, too.

24 Things To Do with Kids in Redondo Beach

Submitted by Matt Matasci on Sun, 07/06/2025 - 2:22am

Get out on the water or go under the water. Photo courtesy of Redondo Beach Glass Bottom Boat Rides.

Redondo Beach is a sunny seaside gem offering a wealth of family-friendly fun. It may even feel like a vacation within a staycation. This South Bay favorite locale is perfect for a day with kids. It's more laid-back and less busy than, say, Santa Monica if you want to enjoy a day at the ocean without crowds and tourists.

From sandy beaches and the kid-favorite Seaside Lagoon to a dinosaur museum, playgrounds, and glass-bottom boat rides, there is no shortage of ways to play, explore, and make lasting memories. Whether your family loves nature, adventure, or laid-back coastal vibes, Redondo Beach offers something for every little explorer.

For more coastal gems in Los Angeles, explore Palos Verdes with Kids, discover things to do in Manhattan Beach with kids, and browse our Beach Guide to Los Angeles and Orange County.

Best Kids Indoor Playgrounds & Play Spaces in Los Angeles

Submitted by Matt Matasci on Sun, 02/02/2025 - 7:35am

Climbing is encouraged at Wild Child. Photo courtesy of Wild Child Gym

Indoor playgrounds and play spaces in Los Angeles let kids climb, and their imaginations fly. Colorful rooms full of slides, play structures, ball pits, and engaging activities hold a special kind of magic for kids. Adults can appreciate indoor playgrounds too—places where the Wi-Fi works, coffee is (usually) available, kids remain contained, and someone else cleans.

Rainy days, birthdays, hot days, cold days—no matter why you need indoor playgrounds in Los Angeles, these are the best of the best. For more indoor fun, discover free things to do indoors in LA, research these indoor birthday kids' birthday party places in Los Angeles, and check out our Indoor Fun and Play Spaces Guide for Los Angeles Kids.

100 Fun Free Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids

Submitted by Matt Matasci on Sun, 01/05/2025 - 9:29am

There is so much free fun to be had at places in LA like LACMA. Photo by Joey Zanotti via Flickr 2.0

Free things to do in Los Angeles are words that likely grab your attention, and there's no shortage of free activities and attractions in a city as large as LA. Save your funds for birthday gifts, Christmas presents, summer camps, and theme parks, and instead, take advantage and plan out your days with the kids with all the many free things to do in Los Angeles.

While it's no secret that it's expensive to live in Southern California, one of the benefits is just how many free things there are to do! From museums to tours to uniquely Angeleno attractions, you can live here for years and still not check every box. But if you're up for the challenge, here are 100 free things to do in Los Angeles with kids.

For more free things to do in Los Angeles, see restaurants where kids eat free in LA, find out when all the free Los Angeles museum days take place, and discover more free fun in our Guide to Free Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids.

Latest posts by Matt Matasci

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