We are approaching our wonderful warm LA summers and there will be days (especially in the San Fernando & San Gabriel Valleys) where temperatures will reach 100 degrees. Playgrounds will be deserted and you’ll be sitting in your cool living rooms with your toddlers trying to figure out what to do. Well I have a few suggestions that are clean, budget friendly, safe, fun and don’t smell like cheese & feet!
On The Westside:
Giggles N Hugs in the Westfield Century City Mall
I absolutely love this place. They are a one stop shop. Unlimited play is $8. That includes playtime in the big jungle gym area, video games as well as different activities put on by the staff or special guests they invite. There is always at least one attendant inside the main play area with the children. They watch them and about every 20 minutes they will play games, have storytime, and dancing. 
In addition to this they invite musicians to come do sing-alongs, Karaoke, Magic & Puppet Shows and more. They offer a great menu of good food for both adults and kids. They have a full coffee bar and wine/beer (YAY!) for mommies & daddies. During the football season the have Monday Football Nights (which I love) where the kids can come play for free and you can watch the game & eat dinner. They also have a drop off service in case you would like to shop or catch a flick. It’s an extra charge, but an attendant never leaves your child and they will get fed. Did I mention that it’s an excellent place to have a birthday party?! Jaxon hosted his 2nd birthday party here and both the kids and adults were very happy. We paid a theme party price, had a semi private party and plenty of drinks & food for everyone. The best part was even after the 2 hours after the party was over the kids could stay and play for as long as they wanted to and we adults enjoyed some wine and convo! For you West Valley Mommies, I hear that they are opening up a new location at the Westfield Topanga Cyn THIS SUMMER!!!
Now I personally haven’t tried it out yet but I hear sooo many great things about it. Owned by a woman, which I LOVE! They have a full salon for mommies and babies, birthday party space, indoor playground and schedule classes & activities for an extra price. I heard that their classes/courses include Mommy & Me yoga, Ballet & Hip Hop dance classes, music classes and more. This is not only an indoor playground for those cold/rainy beach days, but a learning center for the little ones who are not in school or need a little extra socialization. I love the salon concept, personally. What a great way to bond with your little one by getting your mani-pedi’s or an organic edible facial! Or for mommy to get a quick pamper break while the little one plays. Love it!
Pasadena/San Gabriel Valley Area:
Kidspace Children’s Museum in Pasadena
Although there are a GREAT outdoor exhibits & activities, The Kidspace Museum also has a great indoor exhibit area that is a lot of fun! They also have an indoor café, a toddler play area and story time. We love this place! Their free family fun night is usually a culturally themed presentation that is interactive for the kids and the indoor exhibit is open for the kids to play. The free family fun night is every 1st Tuesday between 4-8pm. Really great for summer evenings because it’s still light out for most of the event and your kids can enjoy the program, exhibit and the adjacent park when it cools down a bit for the night. Kidspace also hosts an array of workshops on the weekends for parents and kids, as well as weekly classes to enjoy. They also host kid birthday parties! If you live on the east side, I thoroughly recommend this place on any day of the week!
San Fernando Valley:
The Pint Size Learning Center in Sherman Oaks
This place is new to the boulevard, and it was desperately needed! We just went for the first time the other day and we loved it! Not just because they have our favorite book, My Brother Charlie available for reading, but because it’s just a really great place to be.
It’s owned by two British women, one I know is a mother and the other teaches classes there. The main play area is set up like a mini town with a grocery store, house, hospital and construction site. They have a nice open toddler area that is gated off to the bigger kids and they also offer snacks with a small eating area. Storytime is daily at 10am and they host a variety of courses for different ages that include music, arts & crafts and more. It’s right down the street from Starbucks, Menchie’s and Dawn Barnes Karate Kids. Drop the older ones off to Karate and then go let your little one play for a bit.
