Roberta Brown

Roberta to launched Mommy Poppins' Los Angeles in 2011. Previously she served as LA Editor for GoCityKids, National Editor for ParentsConnect, and Editor for NickMom—all of which worked out well for her son, who grew up serving as Chief Guinea Pig for all things fun in LA and beyond.

Latest posts by Roberta

6 Unexpected Ways to Play as a Family--Even While Doing Chores

Submitted by Roberta B on Mon, 07/28/2014 - 10:30am

If you were raising your kids in, say, Utah—or any other place that doesn't have a Mommy Poppins daily calendar to point you in fun directions—you'd have to work a lot harder to keep your summer days playful. Our SUMMER OF PLAY partner, KaBOOM!, works with community leaders around the country to create more spaces and ways for kids to enjoy balanced and active play. Mother of three and registered nurse, Cyndalynn Tilley, is one of these community leaders in Woods Cross, Utah, and she's shared some of her favorite ideas for finding opportunities to play while doing ordinary daily activities. Backyard games are great when you have the time and space, but what about when you have to bring kids along to do chores like shopping and laundry? Even then grown-ups can help kids get the play they need to thrive.

What are your secrets for finding play in mundane situations? Share pics of your inventive playtime ideas on social media for a chance to win great prizes in our SUMMER OF PLAY CHALLENGE. Then for even more inspiration, check out our SUMMER OF PLAY photo gallery on Facebook to see what others are posting.

5 Things That Make This Week Different, May 26-30

Submitted by Roberta B on Mon, 05/26/2014 - 4:04am

Every Thursday we draw your attention to the best of the best things to do with kids around LA over the weekend, to make sure that the most intriguing activities on our events calendar don't pass you by. We also kick off each month with a Go List highlighting the weekend events worth planning ahead for. We talk about weekends a lot. But what about weekdays? Don't parents of toddlers crave fun outings all week long? Don't school aged kids love being picked up with an adventure to embrace? You could take them to see the Pompeii exhibit at the California Science Center. You could take them on a scavenger hunt at the Santa Monica Pier. Or you could take them to do one of the following five things that we think make this week different.

Kids’ Party Planning: 6 Expert Tips for Throwing a Fun, Stress-Free Birthday Bash

Submitted by Roberta B on Wed, 05/07/2014 - 10:22am

Much like telephones and VW Beetles, birthday parties look a whole lot different than they used to. Here in LA, I've seen kids' parties that looked like they had wedding planners, guest lists that go higher than the child can count, and party favors with bigger price tags than the gifts. I've also seen parents say, "Oh, stuff it," and run away to Disneyland. Whether you're on the birthday party fast lane or have no qualms about keeping it sweet and simple, a few tips from party experts can only make things better, so we asked some party professionals to share their insider tips.

Bears: Parent Movie Review of the Disney Film at El Capitan

Submitted by Roberta B on Wed, 04/23/2014 - 3:57pm

Every Earth Day for the last few years, Disneynature has given families a movie event to look forward to, and this year's treat is an all-ages celebration of the most kid-centric of mammals: Bears. In the tradition of other Disney Earth Day releases, which have included Chimpanzee, African Cats, and Oceans, the film Bears offers a breathtaking cinematic journey - and a peek into the world of Alaskan brown bears that seems almost impossible in its close-up detail. Not to mention, it is almost unbearably adorable. Read on to see just how adorable - and to find out if it's your little bear-lover's cup of tea.

Muppets Most Wanted: Parent Movie Review

Submitted by Roberta B on Tue, 03/25/2014 - 12:36pm

Muppets Most Wanted (PG) is in theaters, so read on for a parent review that helps you decide whether or not your little Miss Piggy fans are ready for this film. Looking for a kid-friendly theater on Long Island? Also check out this roundup of Family Movie Programs in the area.

Muppets Most Wanted: Parent Movie Review

Submitted by Roberta B on Tue, 03/25/2014 - 7:30am

Muppets Most Wanted (PG) is in theaters, and we're ready to address two questions right off the bat: 1. Is the new Muppet movie worth seeing, and 2. Is it worth seeing at El Capitan? No need to draw it out: the answers are yes and yes! Read on for a parent review that helps you decide whether or not your little Miss Piggy fans are ready for this film, and why seeing it at Disney's El Capitan Theater - directly in front of the new Muppets star on Hollywood Boulevard - is more of an experience than seeing it anywhere else.

Our New Camp Guide & Business Listings with Improved Search & Features

Submitted by Roberta B on Wed, 03/12/2014 - 5:13pm

Last fall, we asked our readers to take a short survey and share their thoughts about how to improve our Summer Camp Guide. Overwhelmingly, we heard that you wanted a combination of our editorial recommendations, plus the ability to search listings and find recommendations from other parents.

So we're happy to debut our newly updated Camp Guide and our Camp Directory, now featuring an improved search, parent reviews and star ratings, and other enhancements. Even better: Our overhauled Directory isn't just for camps. We have begun bringing you listings for party places and services and enriching classes, too.

Read on to find out more or head straight to our Day Camp Guide and Directory to browse the listings and leave reviews for your favorite programs.

Kids on Stage: a Theater Camp for LA Kids

Submitted by Roberta B on Fri, 03/07/2014 - 5:07am

If you're a Westside mom of a kid bitten by the acting bug, the name Kids on Stage is probably already familiar to you. Kids on Stage has been introducing young performers, from toddler to teen, to the joys of the performing arts since 1987. The company offers theater camps and acting classes, staging productions at local Westside performance spaces, including Santa Monica's Morgan Wixson Theater. But what makes this company stand out among LA's many and varied children's theater companies?

Roberta Brown

Latest posts by Roberta

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