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

Go Camping This Weekend: Last Minute Campgrounds near LA

Submitted by Roberta B on Fri, 06/25/2021 - 8:34am

Camping at Joshua Tree National Park. Photo by Hannah Schwalbe/NPS

Wouldn't it be great if you could go camping this weekend? Well, guess what—you can! Just because you didn't plan your camping trip months in advance doesn't mean your tent has to stay in the bag. Pitch that tent tomorrow at one of these SoCal campgrounds that accommodate last minute campers (even on holiday weekends!), and then break out the marshmallows. And if you think your kids need a little more incentive to embrace disconnecting for a weekend, check out these SoCal campgrounds with extra entertainment.

Hidden Gem Beaches: LA's Secret Seaside Spots that Only Locals Know

Submitted by Roberta B on Thu, 06/17/2021 - 10:01am

There's so much to do at Victoria Beach. Photo by Carl Glover/CC BY 2.0

SoCal has no shortage of beaches, including plenty of classic, family-friendly beaches right here in Los Angeles. The only problem is all those other people who seem to know about them, too. As locals, we deserve a few beaches that only we know about, where we can enjoy the Pacific Ocean in our backyard without running into all the tourists who are just as happy at Santa Monica Pier anyway. Read on to discover the beautiful hidden beaches that even some Angelenos have never visited.

Best Private Swimming Classes and Swim Schools for LA Kids

Submitted by Roberta B on Fri, 06/11/2021 - 10:40am

Photo courtesy of Head Above Water Swim School

With a pool, beach, or even lake around every corner in LA, it's extra important to get kids feeling safe and confident around the water at a young age. Group swim classes at a local YMCA or community pool can vary widely in quality, so many parents opt for private or semi-private lessons. The great news is, these lessons don't necessarily require a private pool or cost a mint. But they do get kids on the fast track to independent swimming. Check out these great options for getting kids safe in the water.

Movie Premieres and New Series To Stream in June: What To Watch on Netflix, Disney+, HBO, & More

Submitted by Roberta B on Mon, 05/31/2021 - 1:00pm

Peter Rabbit 2 - The Runaway. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures

It's been exciting watching so many things reopening in recent weeks, including movie theaters in most areas. If you're ready to take the plunge and see a movie in a cinema, you can catch some of these premieres on the big screen. But with most children still waiting to get vaccinated, movie night at home may remain the safer choice for many in June. Movie studios continue to make that easy, by offering most of their big premieres streaming at home—plus there are some big series kicking off on Netflix, HBO, Hulu, and Disney.

Marvel is releasing its next much anticipated limited series this month on Disney+; we're crossing our fingers that Loki will be just as exciting as WandaVision was. Hamilton fans are excited to catch Lin-Manuel Miranda's In the Heights on HBO Max, and Netflix makes sure we remember dear old Dad in time for Father's Day with its new release Fatherhood.

If you missed Raya and the Last Dragon in theaters, it debuts in June as an included film on Disney+. And if you've been waiting patiently for the Peter Rabbit sequel, Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway finally premieres this month as well—though in a last minute change, it will only be available in theaters.

Looking for more family movie night ideas once homework is off everyone's plate? Check out our favorite summer movies to watch with kids.

Read on for our top streaming picks in June!

New! Find and Book Drop-in Play, Classes, Camps, and More in the Mommy Poppins Calendar

Submitted by Roberta B on Tue, 05/18/2021 - 6:49pm

We are so excited to be getting out and doing things again that we've added a whole new way to find and book activities directly on Mommy Poppins! Our activities calendar has new categories for camps, classes, parties, and attractions, as well as the events, both virtual and in-person, that you are used to. In addition to the new types of activities in our calendar, some activities now have the option for you to book directly from our calendar, making signing up quick and easy.

Read on for a sample of some of the fun things you can book right now in NYC. Simply click through to the listings and select BOOK NOW to reserve your space for comedy shows, art classes, drop-in play, summer camp, party entertainers, or even a Father's Day scavenger hunt. Keep checking back, because as businesses reopen, we're adding more options every day.

Free (or Super Cheap) Archery Classes for LA & OC Kids Who Love Bows and Arrows

Submitted by Roberta B on Mon, 05/10/2021 - 6:07am

Archery classes sound like something for Robin Hood, but a fair number of kids who see Brave or The Hunger Games end up curious about archery. Which means a fair number of their parents end up scratching their heads and saying, "Where do we do that??" Gymnastics classes, swimming classes—those are easy. But where to bring a would-be archer to string a bow and shoot some arrows? Less obvious, perhaps, but not as hard as you might think. And the even better news? These archery classes are usually free! (Or very low cost.)

Check our guide to the Best Kids Classes and Activities in Los Angeles for more kids' activities and programs for kids of all ages, including the best Parent and Me classes for babies and toddlers.

Volunteering Opportunities and More Ways To Help Houston Families Weather the Storm

Submitted by Roberta B on Fri, 02/19/2021 - 8:17am

It's been a tough week all over Texas, and plenty of Houstonians we know are still without power, battling burst pipes, unable to get their homes warm enough, or even unable to stay in their homes. Whether you are in need of help, or fortunate enough to be able to offer help, we thought a few of the resources below might be good to have on hand. We've collected some food banks, some lists of warming centers, and other ways to help your fellow Houstonians through this challenging time.

Best Roller Skating Rinks in Houston: Where To Skate with Kids

Submitted by Roberta B on Wed, 02/17/2021 - 1:18pm

Let's show these kids how we roll! Disco music, retro carpet, strobe lights, and a smell that is entirely unique to roller rinks have made a big comeback. There are at least a dozen roller rinks around Houston where families can get the retro vibe and roll away the hours skating circles around each other. Escape the weather indoors, schedule a killer birthday party, or just show off your vintage moves to the kids. Some of the rinks below even offer toddler skates or daycare programs.

Wondering what else you could be doing today? We've got a list of all the kid-friendly stuff currently open in Houston!

Roberta Brown

Latest posts by Roberta

Pages