El Dorado Park in Mission Viejo is such a great little park near an elementary school. I'm so surprised I've missed it all these years, but I think it's because it got a recent upgrade. It happens to have "Swing with Me" swings, so some readers pointed me in the direction of El Dorado Park in Mission … Continue Reading
Popular Posts
Parks with “Mommy and Me” Baby Swings
Families are looking for parks with "Mommy and Me" baby swings, also known as Expression Swing by their manufacturer (GameTime). I like the … Continue reading
10 Best Orange County Playgrounds (by Feature)
The 10 best playgrounds (by feature) in Orange County may not be the ones you'd expect. The idea for this post came to mind after I rode an … Continue reading
Play Trips and Park Tips
Hummingbird Parenting Explained (Story + Definition)
Hummingbird Parenting will be a series of blog posts related to a term I coined back in July 2010 which has since been quoted in parenting and outdoors books by some very influential people. I’m seeing the idea become more mainstream and I want to make sure I keep involved in the conversation that I […]
7+ Kid-Friendly Farm and Garden Outings
Are you looking for kid-friendly farm and garden outings around Southern California? I remember being allowed to wander through botanic gardens on my own. I guess my mom was probably watching, but my eyes were facing forward and I was an explorer in a new world! What was around the next bend? What exotic plants […]
Pavion Park in Mission Viejo
Pavion Park in Mission Viejo existed for a long time before it opened with a completely new playground in December 2014 — designed to be a universally accessible playground and one of the most progressive playgrounds I’ve ever seen. When I first visited this park back in 2010, it was our “mystery destination” on a walk up […]
7 Beach Playgrounds Right in the Sand
I never realized how many OC beach playgrounds we actually have for playing right in the sand! But, then again, why am I surprised with so many Orange County beaches suited for families? Years ago, I wrote up a similar list for the family travel website Trekaroo.com. You should check them out if you’re planning […]
3 Spots for OC Beach and Ocean Sunsets
Orange County beach and ocean sunsets are the perfect ending to our days playing outdoors. We’ve lived away from the beach – up in the mountains of Colorado or in the Piedmont of North Carolina – so I especially appreciate the opportunity to see the waves crashing as the sun sets behind Catalina Island. We […]
Crystal Cove State Park: Tidepooling at a Natural Playground
Crystal Cove State Park’s waters are a designated underwater park–which may be why the tidepooling was so amazing on our visit. December and January are notorious for the highest of high and lowest of low tides. I’m sure you’ll find something different on every visit throughout the year. There is so much more to Crystal […]
Irvine Adventure Playground at University Park: Color It With Play
Open year-round (10AM-DUSK) – except for City-recognized holidays – and completely free to the public. The Irvine Adventure Playground at University Park is home to many happy childhood memories. In the 1970s, it opened with one structure: The Shack. What came after was created by the children. This undated historic photo shows just how long the Adventure […]
Southern California Aquarium Trips & Touch Tanks
Southern California aquarium trips and touch tidepools are almost rites of passage for California kids. Most feature local sea life, and some include tropical highlights from Mexico or the South Pacific. Southern California Aquariums Birch Aquarium at Scripps in La Jolla My very favorite and more manageable with small children. Outdoor views of La Jolla Cove […]