I don’t know about you, but with school almost ending and the weather warming up, I am starting to think about some fun and inspired things to do with my kiddo, how about you? I like to try out unique, different and culturally inspired activities that are fun, but offer learning of some sort. Here is a list of some of the different things I am planning on doing this summer with my little guy and I hope you get one or two new ideas yourself. Enjoy and please contact me to share your creative kid friendly activities, I always appreciate new inspirations and recommendations. 



1.    Lakeshore Learning Store FREE Crafts for Kids

Every Saturday from 11:00 - 3:00, Lakeshore Learning Store offers these fabulous and FREE arts and crafts projects for kids ages 3+ at all locations. The projects are fun, creative and the kids really get into it. Plus, its fun to browse the aisles of this fabulous store packed with lots of great supplies that teachers adore.



2.    Annenberg Community Beach House

The Annenberg Community Beach House is a new public facility on Santa Monica State Beach. It features a pool, splash pad, play area, beach volleyball and tennis courts, gardens, event space, Back on the Beach Cafe, and the historic Marion Davies Guest House. There is no membership required to use the Beach House and most of the site is free and open daily (the pool opens for the summer season on June 19th.) Everyone was raving about this fabulous, beautiful family friendly pool/beach destination last summer, and it is at the top of my list this season.



3.    Home Depot Kids Workshop

Home Depot offers fun, educational, and FREE How-To-Workshops designed for children ages 5-12. The hands-on sessions are offered on the first Saturday of each month between 9 a.m. and 12 noon at all Home Depot locations. They teach children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while at the same time helping to instill a sense of accomplishment. In addition to the newly constructed project kit, each child also receives a kid-sized orange apron, similar to The Home Depot associates' aprons, and an achievement pin. It’s a super fun bonding activity for you and your child, and personally my 6 year old loves it!



4.    Underwood Family Farms

This is a fabulous family friendly farm out in the Moorpark area filled with animals, rides, games and wonderful U-Pick seasonal fruits and vegetables. I love packing a picnic and heading there for the day to escape, feed the animals and pick some seasonal delights. They also have a fabulous farm fresh produce stand as well to supplement your pickings. There is a nominal entrance fee and on the weekends your admission includes a tractor-drawn wagon ride to the fields. Picking strawberries with the kids is a juicy good time!



5.    Hollywood Bowl Summer Sounds

The Hollywood Bowl has created this fabulous summer program especially for kids that features culturally diverse live music, dance and art in an effort to expose children to the arts at an early age. Professional musicians, actors and artists guide children through a creatively rich cultural immersion each week. This summer’s program (July 5-August 13) will explore West Africa as found in Los Angeles’s Crenshaw District, Latin-American fusion that can be found on Olvera Street, and Yiddish music and dances from our own Fairfax Avenue. This is a must-do experience in LA if you want your child to learn to appreciate the arts and make sure to pack a picnic to enjoy on the beautiful grounds afterwards.



Romy is our resident lifestyle and beauty expert and each week she shares some of her favorite ‘rave’ worthy products, services and ideas that tickle her fancy. For additional tips or answers to your specific lifestyle and beauty questions, please visit www.RomyRaves.com