Ways & Means, Pacific City
Pacific City is the hot new spot to take in the views of Huntington Beach, indulge in retail therapy and sip a craft cocktail at a rooftop lounge before seeking a delish dinner at one of the many eateries and cafes. The only recipe better than that for treating Mom…is probably found in the kitchen of Ways & Means. It can be tough to find a restaurant among the uber cool set, but Ways & Means’ co-owner Jennifer Delcham (with husband, Pharnell and mother, Dena Mathe) assures a warm welcome awaits. “Our own family frequently dines at the restaurant —...
Golfboarding
With its scenic 3rd hole fronting Salt Creek Beach, and the rest of the Robert Trent Jones Jr. course commanding sweeping views of the Pacific, Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point has always mixed in a surfing vibe to the 70-par course, but players never actually expected to surf there when they slipped on their golf cleats—until now. Line up a round of golf for dad this month for Father’s Day with the added twist of a GolfBoard instead of a cart, and he’ll be smiling through the bogeys. Golfboards, which top out at 10 mph and handle like...
The Bubble-Dash 2017
Online pre-registration is now closed! We will be accepting walk-ins throughout the day at Learn & Grow, but participation is subject to availability. Can you climb, dash, hop, roll and slide faster than any other kid on your block? Enter the Bubble-Dash Games at the Discovery Cube on September 30, and if you win, age group finalists will win fun outdoor toys, a family-four pack of tickets to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, and the grand prize of appearing on our 2018 Summer Fun Issue cover. Age Groups Ages 5 to 6 Ages 7 to 9 Ages...
JW Marriott Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa
This postcard perfect beachfront resort lies where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean. With cliffside tiers down to the water, these luxury digs have panoramic views over tranquil infinity pools to the crashing waves below. Sophisticated décor worthy of the JW brand adorns public areas and the well appointed suites, while the property offers a wide range of exceptional dining, an impressive signature spa, multiple sparkling pools and fitness center that make leaving the oasis simply unnecessary. www.marriott.com | San Jose del Cabo Jasha Spa and Salon Elements of the local culture are celebrated in the treatments at...
Educational Toys
Want to get an edge on your child’s education? Follow our experts’ advice and make it all about play. TK2 SCOPE This award-winning microscope is a dual light, sturdy metal and plastic piece of tech designed for frustration-free science. Two LED light sources allow for both the viewing of large objects lit from above or the viewing of thinly sliced or translucent specimens lit from below. (Included manual guides through endless learning options.) $135, www.thamesandkosmos.com Build-Your-Own-Computer Piper flips screen time worries to give kids an active role in the tech they use. Kids assemble a handcrafted wooden box and screen...
Tech Camp Stars
Your future programmer, filmmaker, video game-maker, or scientist will benefit from a summer full of fun and learning. Planet Bravo Whether it’s learning to code, film production, Minecraft, or even building robots, this camp allows kids to use create something awesome with technology in a fun one-week session. The 8 to 1 ratio of students to mentor allows kids to have the attention they need to develop as a programmer, while having fun with their peers who have their similar interests. 4947 Alton Pkwy, Irvine | planetbravo.com iD Tech Kids and teens of all skill levels will learn and interact...
Toys That Teach
These new toys on the market stir the imagination and encourage learning with hours of entertainment. Code & Go Coding is an essential skill for emerging learners, but with learning about coding comes more time staring at a computer. The Code and Go Mouse Mania Board takes an analog approach to coding and gamifies STEM by having two to four players take on the role of mice searching for delicious wedges of cheese. In order to win players will have to string together coding cards to make their way around a maze, maximizing their exposure to coding and minimizing their...
The Importance of Children Playing
A new clinical report stresses the importance of play for children. If your pediatrician is up on the latest prescriptions for children, you’ll be told about whatever vaccines might be needed at this age and counseled about the importance of nutritious instead of junk food. And then you’ll be asked: Is your child getting enough play? Not sports leagues or piano practice and certainly not video games. Just plain play: building with blocks, imagining up a traveling circus in space with stuffed animals, climbing a jungle gym at the park with friends, playing a board game, putting on a talent...
Los Olivos Community Park
Taking place on March 2, the grand opening of the Los Olivos Community Park will let the public come and see the sprawling 12.5 acre location, which has fields for multiple kinds of sports and activities. These areas even include lighted baseball fields and basketball courts, a soccer field and four tennis courts for community use. The fun doesn’t have to be strictly outdoors either, as the park now comes with a sizable and modern community center. The 6,700-square-foot facility is equipped with a large multipurpose room, a patio area for those perfect summer days and even a warming kitchen....
Gardening with Kids
Playing in dirt isn’t just loads of fun — it’s healthy, too! There’s no question, playing in the dirt tops the list of fun for young children despite the protests of many well-intended parents. If you’re one of those parents, you can put your fears aside. It turns out dirt is actually beneficial to the long-term health of kids, according to a Northwestern University article, “Germs at Four, Less Inflammation at Forty,” by Clare Milliken. Studies have found that early exposure to certain germs, like those found in dirt, actually help kids’ immune systems learn to better regulate inflammation. In...
Editor’s Picks: September 2019
PICK OF THE MONTH Parenting OC’s Learn & Grow Expo Saturday, October 5 This health, education and special needs expo gives families the opportunity to connect with more than 60 exhibitors that focus on healthy living. These are experts in the community that can offer parents valuable tools, experience and wisdom to help them raise kids that are healthy in body and mind. The event includes free health screenings, nutrition and fitness demos and family activities, including face painting, balloon art and strolling entertainment. Also, for kids who can climb, dash, hop, roll and slide faster than any other kid,...
Editor’s Picks: January 2020
PICK OF THE MONTH: California Adventure’s Lunar New Year CelebrationFriday, January 17 - Sunday, February 9At California Adventure, Lunar New Year is all about the mouse — the Year of the Mouse to be exact. You can celebrate Year of the Mouse with multicultural activities that salute Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean cultures. Guests will enjoy 24 days of Lunar New Year celebrations from Jan. 17 to Feb. 9, 2020. The limited-time festival gives people of all ages the chance to experience unique holiday entertainment, special Disney-inspired Asian cuisine items, kid-friendly crafts projects, and popular Disney characters dressed up in festive...
Puffy Paint Starfish Craft
Craft Supplies Cardboard, or cereal box Scissors Glue Shaving cream Paint, variety of colors Paint brush Sand or Pastina pasta Instructions Step 1: Trace a sea star with five rays onto a piece of cardboard or cereal box.Step 2: Cut the sea star out.Step 3: Put equal parts shaving cream and glue into a bowl and mix about 1/4 cup of each.Step 4: Add one good squirt of your choice of acrylic paint and mix color.Step 5: With a paint brush, paint your sea star!Step 6: Sprinkle with coarse sand or Pastina pasta to add texture To see the full...
Art Therapy OC
Art Therapy OC is a cheerful, colorful, encouraging, & inspirational art studio for all ages. Come explore the enjoyable world of Art, it's endless creative, expressive, & therapeutic benefits, & possibilities for healthy better-living. Everyone is a creative artist! Dr. Diana Shabtai, “MissDee” looks forward to seeing you and yours this season for some fun holistic self-care for mental health. Diana offers a wide variety of unique beneficial creative wellness workshop choices where the art is tailored especially for you! You may schedule a private session, creative play date, join her awesome “creative kids camps,” have a personalized pARTy, corporate...
Create a DIY Summer Camp for Your Kids at Home
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash With a little research, you can design a fun, enriching and free summer camp experience for your kids this summer. Now that social distancing has moved from spring to summer, parents have shifted, too, from their school-year roles as academic tutors during a time of remote learning, to summer camp counselors. That wasn’t an easy end to the school year, was it? It also wasn’t the same kind of instructional experience — many students didn’t learn as much as they would have in the classroom. Then there’s the phenomenon of summer learning loss, in...
Distance Learning Tips for Working Parents
I’m a manager at a large company and a mom. Do you have advice on how I can manage my team from home while also managing my kids’ distance learning? All ages I can certainly relate with many parents in this situation that balancing work and home life is often a struggle. And if your role at work requires daily team and client meetings, along with managing virtual learning — well, let’s just say it’s not easy, especially for parents with young kids. And, it’s even more challenging because socialization with their friends is extremely important and impactful, while also...
A Healthy Mental Space
How educators and parents can help students — and themselves — emotionally cope with pandemic and socio-political stress. A pandemic. Political divisiveness. A storming of the United States Capitol. It sounds like the makings of a political thriller, but it’s the reality Americans have been living for the past year. On a local level, families have been impacted by lockdowns, business and school closures, distance learning, working from home, job loss — and lots of anxiety. It hasn’t been an easy time. Big, world issues are directly impacting the everyday lives of families and educators, and with that comes stress....
Summer Fun Guide
(Photo Courtesy of OC Fair & Event Center) Looking for places to go and things to do this summer? We got you covered. Summer of 2021 is unleashing a world of fun in Orange County. Knott’s Berry Farm has reopened to celebrate 100 years. Disneyland Resort is back with Disney California Adventure Park’s whole new hero-filled land: Avengers Campus. And Legoland has returned with a land of its own: The Lego Movie World. “This is going to be the largest assembly of these heroes any place, anytime, anywhere,” said Disney Parks Live Entertainment Executive Creative Director Dan Fields in a...
Mindfulness for Childhood Anxiety
(Photo Courtesy of Kampus Productions/Pexels) How mindfulness can become a useful part of your child’s mental-health toolkit. Parents shouldn't be intimidated by conversations about how to manage childhood anxiety. It's very easy to fall into the trap of thinking that anxiety is a problem that needs to be fixed. In reality, anxiety is a very expected, everyday part of the human experience that can be managed. All of us will experience anxiety at some point. While we never want to downplay or dismiss the debilitating impact that anxiety can have when it's left unchecked, we also want to avoid the...
Practical Mindfulness
(Photo Courtesy of Canva) Learn how to create a mindful household for your child for parenting in unprecedented times. Is mindfulness possible in the chaos? It's the question that every parent asks. Life comes at us fast when we're helping our kids navigate the stress of school, socializing, family dynamics and the world at large while juggling our own professional and personal battles daily. Our ideal of living in a calm, emotionally connected house is often sacrificed to the realities of just how much we have on our plates. There's a secret that so many parents miss. Mindfulness happens best...
Private School Directory
List your school on our Fall 2023 list or update your school’s information for Spring 2024 with our easy form.
Sea Change
Students ready to board the Crystal Cove Conservancy Science Cruise out of Davey’s Locker. (Photo courtesy of Davey’s Locker Sportfishing) The Marine Protected Area Science Cruise offers underserved students hands-on science field trips. For some, it’s a chance to get out of class and do something different. For others, it’s a pivotal moment that opens doors to new opportunities and career choices. Either way, local students — many from Title 1 and underserved schools — are playing an important role in protecting the environment. All of this is happening through the Marine Protected Area Science Cruise, a program that’s been...
Pulling Strings
Soka Performing Arts Center starts the year off with a children’s classic: puppets…
Summer Camp Prep for Special Needs
Summer camp offers the chance for new friends and experiences, and lifelong positive memories for all kids. Here are some tips on how to prep your special needs child for a great time at camp…
Tangled Web
A local mental health professional offers useful tips on how to protect and prepare children in an increasingly online world. Nicole recently arrived at the youth shelter I oversee. She is 15 and in crisis. Her home life is pretty overwhelming, so she turned to social media to escape and numb out. But over time, that source of solace grew into a full-blown addiction. Nicole is disengaged from extracurricular activities, choosing instead to spend hours each day on social media. She will often miss meals, classes and sleep as she stares into her cell phone. Her addiction has exacted a...
Best Fishing Spots in OC
Hook, Line, Sinker! Find the best family friendly fishing locations that Orange County has to offer. 1. Huntington Beach Pier (Photo Courtesy of Eric Chalifour:Flikr) Huntington Beach Pier is the place to be when it comes to fishing. At 1,850 feet long, the iconic pier is one of the longest on the West Coast. It’s open from 5 a.m. until midnight and because it’s public, a fishing license is not required. Bring your gear and try to get your catch, and if the effort makes you hungry, Bud & Gene’s restaurant sits at the end of the pier for a...
Summer Safety
(Photo Courtesy of iStock) How can I protect my kids during summer outdoor activities? All ages Summertime means more outdoor time with sun, water and bugs. So, what are the best ways to keep your family safe during warm summer days? Sun Protection Barriers are the best forms of protection from those sunny rays. For babies, sunscreen can be added for skin protection starting at 4 months of age with products that have limited or no perfumes or additives. In addition, it is always wise to keep on using blankets, hats/clothing and shade as well to protect the skin from...
When You Inspire a Passion for Learning … the Extraordinary Happens
When You Inspire a Passion for Learning… the Extraordinary Happens. At Stratford School outstanding outcomes only occur through intentional balance.
Enriching Activities
In searching for the right after-school activities for your kids, here are five questions to ask. After-school activities help children explore new interests.
Eye for Education
Jimmy Bui melds’s photography with teaching to develop something new at Vibrant Minds Charter School. Jimmy Bui has always been passionate about teaching.
Top Teacher & Employee Awards 2024 – Winners Announed
We celebrate our 11th Annual School Heroes — Top Teachers, Top Employees and Top Leaders — of Orange County Awards and Issue. With more than 200 nominations, we were impressed as we are year after year with the caliber of teachers, employees and administrators that are clearly making the lives of our students and families so much better. This year we expanded our criteria to include all kinds of education — from private and public to alternative and online schools — and the response was truly overwhelming. All of the finalists and winners are featured in our March Issue. Also,...
Readers’ Choice Awards — 2024
See who won! Winners will be featured in our September magazine.
FAQ: Readers’ Choice Awards
Want to know how our Annual Readers’ Choice Awards work? See our frequently asked questions.
Traveling with Kids and Pets
Get some tips from experts for safe, sane and fun travel with the whole family. Travel is a great way to experience new things, learn and gain enlightenment.
Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal
Baked oatmeal has been a beloved breakfast choice for families for generations, evolving from simple, hearty porridges into the delightful dish we know today.
Halloween Treats
From theme parks to local mom-and-pop shops, what are some of the hot Halloween treats families can find in and around OC?
Math Solutions
Learn the unique approach of the Russian School of Mathematics and how it shapes students mathematical abilities and critical thinking skills.
Happy Campers
Tips to help kids with their first camp experience. School’s almost out. You found the perfect day camp for your little artist, swimmer or scientist, but…
7 Simple Mindfulness Activities for Autism
Add these to your coping toolbox
In recent years, mindfulness has gained popularity across various settings, from schools to workplaces. It is not just a…
A Letter to Stoic Fathers
Learn how writing a letter can foster emotional intelligence, gratitude and mindfulness in your family from Anthony Cupo of Stepping Forward Counseling Center.
Strawberry Lemonade
Ready to sip on something sweet and tart? Try this sweet strawberry lemonade drink that brings sunshine to any moment.
Overcoming Fears
Parenting is one of life’s most rewarding journeys, but it’s not without its challenges. Alongside the joy and laughter many parents experience fear and anxiety
Mother’s Day Gift Guide
Celestial Silk’s 25 Momme Silk Pillowcases Not only are silk pillowcases great for your hair and skin, they are at the height of luxury. Celestial Silk’s 25 Momme Pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase will help your mom feel like a queen. The pillowcases regulate body temperature to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. They are hypoallergenic and safe for all skin and hair types. They come with either a zipper enclosure or envelope style with a hidden flap. You can select from standard, queen and king sizes along with a variety of colors and prints. $34.99;...
Talk About Curing Autism This Holiday Season
The Sensitive Santa program is ideal for those who struggle with the chaos of meeting Santa at a nearby mall. Launched more than 14 years ago in November 2000, the Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) organization began as a local support group for OC parents with autistic children. Founded by Lisa and Glen Ackerman, parents of an autistic son, the grassroots program had its humble beginnings in Huntington Beach, with TACA's first meeting held in the Ackerman's living room amongst 10 other families. Since then, it has spread to over 45,000 families, becoming a nationwide non-profit organization focused on supporting...
I Chews You!
Beat the chewy-blues with these clever teethers and gum soothers your baby will love. Eco-Teether Crib Rail Cover We all cringe at the sight of our little ones gnawing on the crib rail, toxic-free paint or not. These handy crib rail covers offer a comfy textured fabric that is machine washable and free of chemicals or dyes. $49, www.BabeeTalk.com Chubby Gummy Zoli’s toothbrush’esque version of a teether is made with BPA & phthalate-free thermoplastic rubber (TPR) and polypropylene (PP). The handle is easy to grasp, with an anti-choke shield ensuring they don’t poke those soft-textured nubs in too far. $12,...
Arts and Autism
A Spectrum of Possibilities The world of the arts might not at first glance seem like a natural fit for those on the spectrum. Teaching art to children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) can be a challenge, given that ASD’s typically impair social and communication skills, behavior regulation, and coordination and motor function. But many parents have found programs mired in expression and creativity can guide their kids’ broader outlook and help with social interaction in a fun and engaging way. OC Arts in Action Brianna Shaffer offers Let’s Play Music group classes, private music therapy, and piano and guitar...
Summer Movie Preview 2016
Sure, it might be the month celebrating Screen Free Week, but we feel like an afternoon as a family at the movies is a different critter than eyes-glued-to-apps-and-games. Share the popcorn, and a few laughs (or gasps), with the kids with these new family flicks. Finding Dory Opens: June 17. Rated:G. Cast:Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Hayden Rolence, Diane Keaton, Eugene Levy, Idris Elba, Bill Hader, Kate McKinnon, John Ratzenberger. Plot:The friendly but forgetful blue tang fish reunites with her loved ones. Parenting Points: Finally, a sequel to one of the most beloved animated films of all times. A star-studded casts...
Spelling Bee 2016
F-U-N, Parenting OC’s Annual Spelling Bee Recap On May 7, Parenting OC’s Annual Spelling Bee kicked off at Fairmont Private Schools’ Anaheim Hills Campus in an interactive chat with award-winning author, Debra Garfinkle, who served as Spelling Bee judge. Garfinkle spoke about her journey as an author, and how she was told “no” several times before she was able to publish her books, encouraging the spellers to never give up. The fierce competition involved 58 elementary students from throughout Orange County. After 12 rounds, six spellers remained. The word list had been exhausted. Much to the surprise of the entrants,...
Montessori Soaring
The Out of Box Education. The founder of Montessori education, Maria Montessori, brought her philosophy to the United States from Italy over a hundred years ago. It enjoys over fifty years of history within the Orange County community, where generations of children have benefitted from the unique way of learning. The Montessori educational philosophy provides children with the freedom to grow and experiment within a comfortable environment. Without endless directives, children are able to develop independently through sensorial work. By allowing students to take charge of their own education, they advance at their own pace and develop real world skills...
A Parent’s Guide to Augmented Reality
Pokemon GO makes tiny monsters appear everywhere from museums and malls to backyards and kitchens. Entire families have cheerfully headed out into their neighborhoods and beyond to collect as many monsters as they can. Keep your family safe with common sense rules for this and the many AR games likely to follow. Permissions Children under 13 can’t sign up for games unless they have permission from parents. That’s a reminder that younger children need augmented supervision in augmented reality. Play together if you can. Or ask your child to walk you (literally!) through the game so you can see and...
Early School Stress
Q: [School-Aged] My son is only in second grade, but he seems really stressed about schoolwork! We never had homework at this age, but he’s been dealing with that since Kindergarten, so I didn’t think it would be a big deal. But this year he gets emotional and frustrated when we even approach his homework nook at home and makes dramatic exclamations “I HATE SCHOOL!” “I CAN’T TAKE THIS!” as he sits there trying to muddle through. He seems so stressed that he can’t think straight and then is stuck for even longer and gets really down on himself when...
Picking a Pediatrician
Q: [Maternity/Newborn] We must have been good this year, because Santa is bringing us our first bundle of joy. But we need to score a great pediatrician, STAT. It’s so confusing and stressful to choose, would it be greedy to ask him to toss one of those in his bag, too? A: Your belly is growing … and so is your anxiety. Luckily, you’re not in this alone. Your pediatrician is your partner in keeping your newborn healthy and in monitoring her development and milestones. That is why finding the right pediatrician for your family is so important. Many parent...
Coding Toys
When tech is introduced in a way that enhances critical thinking, it can enhance education and create a comfort level with the world our kids are entering. Here are a few of our favorites to start them on the path. Cubetto Preschool to Kindergarten Cubetto is the only screen-less programming system, powered by a coding language made of colorful blocks that lets children three and up write their first computer programs. Kids use coding to guide a friendly wooden robot named Cubetto, through stories, challenges and illustrated maps by placing uniquely shaped hardwood blocks in different patterns on the control...
Date Night
It’s Date Night in OC, and not just any date night…Valentine’s Day! Here are our picks for a great night out. SOL Cocina Bare your SOL to your significant other this Valentine’s weekend. In addition to Executive Chef Deborah Schneider’s award-winning regular menu, guests can enjoy Valentine’s Dinner Specials on Tuesday, February 14th. Perfect for a romantic Saturday or Sunday morning, SOL’s famous Baja-inspired brunch is available for guests on both Saturday, February 11th and Sunday, February 12th. Reservations are recommended by calling (949).675.9800. Newport Beach | www.solcocina.com Selanne Steak Tavern Cupid, Chef Josh Severson and his team will cast...
Chic Lit
Hey, Sam-I-Am, you don’t have to resign yourself to endless picture books to properly celebrate Read Across America day. The best way to inspire young readers is to lead by example and let them see you fall in love with a good book. So put down that phone, and pick up one of these great reads. In Twenty Years By Allison Winn Scotch Twenty years ago, six Penn students shared a house, naively certain that their friendships would endure—until the death of their ringleader and dear friend Bea splintered the group for good. Now, the remaining five reluctantly gather at...
Judiel Ennis
Saving Two Lives with One Swab “You’re a match!” Seeing the email in her inbox, Judiel Ennis wondered how she had landed on an online dating junkmail list. Happily married, the Foothills Ranch mom ignored the email. When a persistent unknown number began showing up on her phone days later, she noted the lack of a voicemail and decided the calls were a mistake as well. No alarms went off, time passed, and Judiel went on with life. Two years before the email and anonymous phone calls began, Judiel wandered past a room at her workplace where DKMS (a bone...
Do Parents Have to Be Anti-Social (Media)?
Nearly everyone is connected to social media, whether to reach out to old friends or to stay in constant contact with new ones. For the past few years, researchers have been trying to figure out what impact that screen time is having on wellbeing, whether for our bodies or our minds. After one such study from the University of Michigan suggested Facebook may hurt our moods, even the New Yorker covered the topic, penning the article “How Facebook Makes Us Unhappy”. But as doctors already know, and the article noted, such comparisons are too simple. As a parent, you want...
Go VR Gaming
Forget the stereotypes about video games being for lonely men in darkened basements. A new Anaheim Garden Walk arcade is out to dispel them all. Go VR Gaming, which opened in March, hopes to expose more people to the world of gaming and virtual reality. Its bright environment – complete with a large play area and couch – aims to make arcade playing a family-friendly experience. Since opening, customers have ranged from age seven (the minimum age required for headsets) to 83. Games include a job simulator, as well as some scary and sports-related machines. “Go VR Gaming is a...
Dealing with Your Child’s Coach
Q: [School-Aged] New school year, new coach and my daughter feels like he “doesn’t like” her. This is a first, and her examples of being treated differently than other players seem to back up her sense. I feel the need to step in because my young athlete has a valid complaint, but could it be seen as interference and lead to consequences from the coach? A: It sounds like such a basic question, “How involved should I be in coach communication for my child?” The answer is, well…. complicated. Good news is you are far from alone and you are...
Editor’s Picks: September 2017
PICK OF THE MONTH Parenting OC's Learn & Grow Expo Saturday, September 30th The first annual Learn & Grow Expo is kicking off at the Discovery Cube OC with a dash of fun for the kids. A Bubble Dash, to be exact. Kids can sign up for this multi-activity obstacle course of fitness fun and win a chance to appear on next year's Parenting OC Summer of Fun cover. But this expo isn't all just fun and games. Families can find out about all facets of healthy living, education options and special needs services at this event. More than 60...
Editor’s Picks: February 2018
PICK OF THE MONTH Jamboree Summer Opportunities at the Cube March 3, 2018 Parenting OC returns to the Discovery Cube for its 12th Anniversary Edition of the Kids’ Summer Opportunities Jamboree event. The free event will take place on March 3rd, 2018, from 10 AM to 2:00 PM. This is the third year the iconic Orange County family destination has partnered with Parenting OC to host the summer-fun planning extravaganza. This year, Jamboree will have special guests, along with games and many new exhibitors featuring family travel destination sports, summer camps, and school information. The Aquarium of the Pacific will be...
Memorable Mini-Getaways
School may be out for the summer, but schedules can still be difficult to get away too far and for too long. Fortunately, there are numerous attractions and mini vacation spots up, down, and around Orange County to have a fun and unique family vacation for the scrapbooks. Palm Springs About a 2-hour drive Soak up the desert sun at one of the many family-oriented hotels in Palm Springs, which offer large swimming pools, waterslides, and family-friendly dining options. The area is also filled with sightseeing and attractions, including the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert in Rancho Mirage, which...
Anaheim White House Restaurant
The Anaheim White House Restaurant, run by renowned philanthropist Sir Bruno Serato, received a multimillion-dollar makeover after an electrical fire in February 2017. Serato is well known for feeding local children in need. While the restaurant was being rebuilt, Serato volunteered to cook for the children at the Diocese of Orange’s Christ Cathedral kitchen in Garden Grove. The steakhouse restaurant is now open to the public, resembling the original 1909 Colonial-Style mansion. The main dining area has 11 rooms; eight of which are available for private gatherings. 887 S Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim | 714-772-1381 or anaheimwhitehouse.com Joon Shabu Shabu The...
STEM Toys
Pendulonium STEM Challenge Let your child explore the fundamentals of physics without them ever knowing. The Pendulonium STEM Challenge from Learning Resources is an entirely kid-powered activity set that will develop early engineering, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Kids launch balls at goal cups using a three-piece adjustable pendulum that introduces them to early physics concepts like force and momentum. As your child masters each challenge, use the included activity book to increase the level of difficulty to encourage continued development. If only all physics classes could have been this fun when we were in school. $19.99, www.amazon.com Beaker Creatures Greetings...
Rainy Day Fun
Rainy days as of late have made us search for fun things for the kids to do indoors. The kiddos can stay warm and dry at home while having a blast with these entertainment options. Beaker Creatures Whirling Wave Reactor Toys and books are all fun, but for a truly exciting reaction, Beaker Creatures’ brand-new Whirling Wave Reactor will have your children making their own creatures right in the comfort of home. For those parents whose kiddos are mad scientists in training, this is perfect for birthdays and special occasion gifts. This incredible and inventive Whirling Wave Reactor is virtually...
St. Patrick’s Day Green Treats
St. Patrick’s Day may have started as a religious festival day in Ireland, but cultures all over the world have adopted traditions and customs to celebrate the day. Nearly all of them involve the color green. Here are some green treats you can find in Orange County that are a lot less predictable than green beer. Mr. Matcha Follow the glow of a green neon heart-shaped sign to find your way to Mr. Matcha. The organic soft serve shop in Downtown Santa Ana serves matcha (finely ground Japanese green tea leaves) as a hot tea, cold tea, latte and a...
Apps to Help with Anxiety, Sleep and Relaxation
Apps can be a priceless tool. Imagine your child having a coping skill in their pocket that can bring harmony and presence at home or in the classroom. Meditation apps are fostering great results, they can help young ones calm down and help improve focus and concentration. Many environments can be overstimulating. Mindfulness apps can help reduce the effects by calming the mind. If your child is dealing with social anxiety and their health-related symptoms or disorders such as ADHD, apps can be very beneficial to aid in the reduction of symptoms. In many cases, all that is needed is...
The Benefits of Classroom Pets
How children can benefit from pets in the classroom. Pets and kids seem like a natural match. Not always, but many times they are quite fond of each other. And there’s something to it. Research has been supporting the idea that animals can benefit children — even in the classroom. “Many studies have shown and confirmed that companion animal ‘pets’ have taught children to be gentler and caring to all living beings, which they retain as grownups,” said holistic veterinarian and researcher Dr. Jean Dodds, of Hemopet veterinary center in Garden Grove. Hemopet recently posted an article on its blog...
Editor’s Pick #3: Maritime Festival
Maritime Festival The Ocean Institute has taken a starboard turn and gone virtual with this year’s festival. Taking place September 11-13, this free, interactive online event contains live demonstrations, interview with experts and ship tours from around the world. Families will enjoy live music (including shanty sing-alongs), mermaid encounters, and explorations… [More]
Garden Grove’s Parks and Recreation Guide
The 2023 Winter/Spring Parks and Recreation Guide is the primary source of recreational activities and cultural programming in the city of Garden Grove. Inside the guide you’ll find a multitude of activities, classes, and programming that will engage the body and mind for everyone that resides in the Orange County area. Explore youth sports and creative arts; adult activities and fitness; special events and more by visiting ggparksandrec.com or contact us at (714) 741-5200.
Motherhood and Depression in a COVID World
Q: [Adults] I’m pregnant and I’ve heard a lot about postpartum depression. Is the pandemic impacting this issue for new moms? Maternal depression is the most common complication of pregnancy in the nation. An estimated one in five new or expectant mothers will experience a mental health disorder during pregnancy or in the first year following childbirth. These disorders include depression, anxiety and the less prevalent but most severe of the disorders, postpartum psychosis. Low-income populations often have higher prevalence of depression and sadly, the impact of the woman’s early childhood hardship can influence depression or anxiety later in her...
Disaster Prep — Making an Emergency Kit
The pandemic has made me want to be more prepared. What should I include in my family’s emergency kit? All ages As we begin the new school year (from a classroom or the living room), it’s the perfect opportunity to teach kids about the importance of being prepared. While the last several months have shown that we can’t predict or control what happens, we do have the power to prepare ourselves and our loved ones for an emergency. Typically, students learn how to prepare for emergencies, like wildfires and earthquakes, at school. It’s a great time to prepare your family...
Camp Resilience
Courtesy of Camp James We interview the Camp James executive director about how the camp stayed open through 2020 to return this summer. Summer camps, like most of the world, were turned upside down in 2020. Despite the quick pivoting that was required when California locked down last spring, some camps managed to stay open. Among them was Camp James, Newport Dunes, which remained open with some adjustments. “While camp looked a little bit different in 2020, the majority of our campers had an amazing time,” said Executive Director Scottie Roach. “We did surveys of our families towards the end...
Pollen Problems
(Photo Courtesy of Canva) Are we having a worse allergy season in 2021? All ages The answer can be complicated. Yes … and no. No: Face coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic has substantially reduced not only the number of communicable viral illnesses but also allergy symptoms. A recent study (by Dror et al.) showed that self-reported nasal allergy symptoms (such as stuffy, runny, itchy nose and/or sneezing) were significantly reduced in nurses wearing either N95/surgical mask versus no mask. The size of most airborne allergens ranges from 10 uM to 100uM and can be filtered out by most standard surgical...
Solstice Restaurant, Tenaya Stone Spa, & More
Solstice Restaurant, Tenaya Stone Spa, Sanrio Boutique, Zankou Chicken, and The Sweet Hand…
Valentine’s Day Heart Craft and Lesson
(Photo Courtesy of Adriene Madden/Adventures in the Schoolhouse) The Little Red Schoolhouse’s (adventuresintheschoolhouse.com) latest crafting video is ready to instruct you how to create a craft for your Valentine. As you craft, don’t forget to snap some photos. https://youtu.be/bksqjLxmu8w Craft Supplies 1 Pinecone Paper plate Yarn Safe Needle Scissors Hole puncher Enter Our Craft Photo Contest Submit a picture of your child with this craft or any other craft of your choice below for a chance to be featured in Parenting OC Magazine, on The Little Red Schoolhouse’s socials and to win a free class with Mrs. Madden! Plus, the...
Parenting Through Trauma
(Photo Courtesy of Xavier Mouton Photographie) How do I help guide my kids through the trauma of school shootings? All ages Earthquake drills. Fire drills. These types of emergency preparations have long been part of student life in Orange County schools. These days, unfortunately, many children have something else built into their school schedules: active shooter drills, to prepare them for the possibility of a mass school shooting. The Robb Elementary School shooting in May was the 27th school shooting this year, according to Education Week. There have been over 200 mass shootings in the US this year alone. It...
Kids Who Haunt
Wyatt Stanley working on the Hatbox Ghost for the Haunted Mansion-themed yard display at his Aliso Viejo home. (Photo Courtesy of Ralph Palumbo) Younger generations of Halloween lovers are finding pathways to careers in theme parks, prop making and more. Jacob Larson was born into the haunting life. His dad, Dave, started a home haunt in Orange five years before Jacob was even born, in 1999. Now at 18, Jacob is busy working at Knott's Berry Farm as an FX technician in the Entertainment Department during the theme park’s biggest event: Knott’s Scary Farm. “In our department we create animatronics,...
CSI for STEM
Local schools find an innovative way to teach STEM through crime scene investigation and forensics programs…
A True Warrior
Local mom Vanessa Warrior helps children with developmental delays improve their gross motor skills while offering hope to families…
5 Tips for Emotional Regulation
Teaching children emotional regulation is essential for ensuring that they can move through life without emotional outbursts that leave them feeling out of control. Emotional regulation is fundamental to…
Best Parks in OC
Play in the Park! Find the best family friendly parks and play places that Orange County has to offer. 1. Irvine Regional Park (Photo Courtesy of OC Parks) Irvine Regional Park features close to 500 acres of picnic areas, sport fields, hiking and equestrian trails. Other attractions include Orange County Zoo, Irvine Park Railroad and pony rides, bike and paddle boat rentals and plenty of playgrounds. The park’s train guides passengers through the historic park, which sits in the foothills of Orange. The petting zoo is nestled among the park’s live oak and sycamore groves, where families can feed goats...
Business in Detail
An Orange County nonprofit teaches children how to become entrepreneurial leaders through the work of auto detailing. You might look at a dirty car and see a mess that needs to be taken care of. Kevin Jones sees a blank canvas. An opportunity to bring back its shine through auto detailing. “When people come out, and you see a smile on their face, it puts a smile on my face as well,” he says. He looks at today’s youth similarly: as a blank canvas he can fill with practical knowledge to help them advance in life and avoid falling into...
Have a Disney Playdate this Weekend
Get ready for a three-day magical extravaganza with “Disney Junior & Friends Playdate,” celebrating the entertaining and music-filled stories of Disney Junior’s popular series for preschoolers and their families at Disney California Adventure Park on Friday, Aug. 18 and Downtown Disney District on Saturday, Aug. 19 and Sunday, Aug. 20. The festivities kick off Friday at California Adventure with a Playdate Party Parade featuring Disney Junior characters — including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Doc McStuffins, Sofia the First, Elena of Avalor, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Vampirina, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Goofy, Pluto and Mira, Royal Detective. Special “Disney Junior Live!...
Getting Crafty and Spooky
With the spooky season upon us, it’s time for some family craft time, utilizing items you probably already have lying around the house and making them your own
A Guide to School Types
From private to online, we explore school options now available for families post-pandemic. Schools have no doubt changed since 2020 and its difficult to choose
Spring Zing Lemon Bars
These lemon bars are light, airy and the epitome of spring. Made with a shortbread crust and zingy lemon filling — it melts in your mouth!
Living La Vida Garza
Butlers, Bidets and that Bon Vivant Feeling At Garza Blanca in Los Cabos. The sun was shining bright, and the temperature was a comfortable 80 degrees
Strawberry Bliss Cake Bites
Recipe and Photography by Madison Amirehteshami Delightfully sweet and irresistibly fruity, these strawberry cake bites are the perfect treat for any occasion. Bursting with fresh strawberry flavor and nestled in a moist, tender cake crumb, each bite-sized morsel is a miniature celebration of summer. Get ready to savor the essence of strawberries in every bite of these adorable treats. Now let's get to baking! Ingredients: Cake 1 1/4 cups gluten-free 1 to 1 flour* 1/2 cup sugar 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/3 cup vegan butter, softened at room temperature ¼ cup plant-based milk 1/2 tbsp lemon...
Health, Lifestyle & Beauty
We bring you the best of the best in Orange County health, lifestyle, and beauty plus plenty more you won’t want to miss. Congratulations to all our winners!
2024 Top Teacher & Employee Award Winners
Winners were featured in our 2024 March Issue! Samuel PerlaFranklin Elementary School Elizabeth EllisonRobert C. Fisler School Tania MoralesBeyond Blindness Top Leader Finalists Top Teachers Finalists Top Employee Finalists ALL FINALISTS [ninja_tables id="64185"] [ninja_tables id="64187"] [ninja_tables id="64189"]
Lightings and Sightings
Find your tree lighting or Santa event for the holiday season here!
School Hero Goals
We asked last year’s School Heroes: What are your 2025 goals? Elizabeth Ellison This year: teaches eighth grade language arts and comprehensive English, an…
Boysenberries, Food and Wine
OC theme park food festivals are underway this spring.
Knott’s Berry Farm was just a farm and roadside restaurant for hungry travelers between L.A. and San…
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