Discover family fun in Orange County California! Looking for new places to take the kids? Planning a kid's birthday party? Want some insight on summer camps for your seven year old or ballet classes for your three year old? This is the place to come. Over time we hope to make this the destination to parents go to find out what to do in OC. Come back often and don't forget to tell us about OC Kid activites that we haven't discovered yet!
The perfect place for Moms to unwind for the day at Salon Sauvage, a Laguna Niguel Day Spa. Bozena is probably the best Laguna Niguel massage therapist I've ever met. You can also get just about any kind of facial or body treatment you want and it is a full service hair salon. Call them at (949) 661-2055. Also the best Orange County Permanent Makeup spa!
Starr Ranch Family Nature Workshop
9Nov09 | 3 comments
Let me just say up front, if you or your kids like nature, this is a great event to attend!
Starr Ranch Sanctuary is a 4,000 acre preserve owned and operated by the National Audubon Society. Throughout the year, it offers educational opportunities for members, families and kids. One such event was the recent Family Nature Workshops at Audubon’s Starr Ranch Sanctuary on Saturday, November 7.
I don't think an adult can truly review a child's play. While I can enjoy the play too, it is a play for children and they are the true judge of such plays. With kids, you don't look for thumbs up or thumbs down. You look at how wide open their eyes are, how big their smile is, and how giggly and jittery they are. ...continue reading... Laguna Playhouse Stuart LIttle A Musical Fantasy
Discovery Science Homeschool Week
20Sep09 | 1 comments
The Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana offered one hour classes in science last week. They split them up in to Kindergarten through second grade and third grade through fifth grade. They had the following classes:
First - Second Grade:
10:00am Each Day
Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2008 - Planetarium Starlab
Starlab, our portable planetarium, is designed to surround your students with the universe. Science, literature, and history are integrated into the ...continue reading... Discovery Science Homeschool Week
New Home Sales Soar in June
27Jul09 | 1 comments
Or at least that's what msnbc would have you believe.
Please check out the chart for new home sales posted at the link below and tell me if you can spot the "soaring" (Please go to the Calculated Risk site and click on the picture there for a larger version):
What you really should be reading is not msnbc but CalulatedRisk. He has been tracking the bubble for a very ...continue reading... New Home Sales Soar in June
Buying a house in Orange County
26Jul09 | 3 comments
hink it's time to buy real estate in Orange County California?
I highly recommend you do some research first and I don't mean just looking at houses. Here is an excerpt fro Dr. Housing Bubble:
Yet for some reason, there is this belief that we will once be back to the bubble heyday. I was talking with a person trying to sell their home. They had ...continue reading... Buying a house in Orange County
Very Hungry GREEN Caterpillar
11Jul09 | 4 comments
Ugh! The very hungry GREEN caterpillars are back! This time they are attacking our grape plants.
Last time five of these voracious caterpillars ate all twenty of our pepper plants down to a stub in like 24 hours. Needless to say I am not a fan of this green caterpillar.
I used to read the book the "very hungry caterpillar" to my daughter and never making the connection ...continue reading... Very Hungry GREEN Caterpillar
Nature Summer Day Camp Laguna Coast Wilderness
7Jul09 | 1 comments
Let your kids enjoy nature at Orange County's little island of wilderness - Laguna Coast Wilderness Park - at their camp sage Summer Camp for kids. My daughter did the Junior Ranger program at this wilderness jewel behind Laguna Beach last year and loved it. There are so many fun plants and insects/critters to learn about. Great for 7 year old kids to ten year old ...continue reading... Nature Summer Day Camp Laguna Coast Wilderness
Kids Musical Theater Camp Rock OC
21Jun09 | 4 comments
Kids Musical Theater is always entertaining both for the kids and the parents. If you have a chance to send your kids to a class or camp this summer, you won't be disappointed in this one at the Center Stage Studio in Aliso Viejo.
Orange County Summer Camps - Acting, Musical Theater, Singing, Scenes
20Jun09 | 2 comments
Fantastic acting and musical theater summer camps for kids ages 7 year old to 18 year old at the Laguna Playhouse Annex in Laguna Hills, Orange County, California.
Summer is here! And our classes will be starting in a week, July 6th, and there is still space available to accommodate your children. We offer classes for 7-8 year olds, 9-12 year olds, and 13-18 years. These are two ...continue reading... Orange County Summer Camps - Acting, Musical Theater, Singing, Scenes
Orange County Earthquake
17May09 | 1 comments
Looks like we just had a small earthquake. USGS indicates a 5 centered between Orange county and San Diego. Maybe Camp Pendelton. It occurred at about 8:30pm. I felt quite a bit of shaking in here in Laguna Niguel, but it didn't last long.
Here's a link to the live map of the epicenter of the orange county earthquake area:
Summer is here and some, even in the midst of our hush hush depression, are looking for camps for their kids. We have experienced a few and have looked at others. I have my opinions and my child has hers. Let's start with gymnastics.
I give it a thumbs down, she gives it two thumbs up.
History Rhymes. Or is it "those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it."
Did anyone Listen to Helicopter Ben today?
Did you know GM also did a reverse stock split in the 1930's?
# "For the immediate future, at least, the outlook (stocks) is bright."
- Irving Fisher, Ph.D. in Economics, in early 1930
# "...there are indications that the severest phase of the recession is over..."
- Harvard Economic Society (HES) ...continue reading... History Rhymes - 1930
Little Princess at the Laguna Playhouse
5May09 | 1 comments
A Little Princess at the Laguna Playhouse
This sounds like a wonderful play for kids as young as 5! The Youth Theater group will feature this classic children's tale at the Laguna Playhouse from May 8-17.
The play stars several Laguna Beach residents, youth actors Gianna Cancelliere and Ellie Spurlock and adult actors Claire Day and Charlie McClung.
most assuredly family related. Its important to understand the ballot measures and how they affect your family and kids - and get out and vote!
Seven statewide ballot propositions will be on a special May 19, 2009 election ballot in California. Six of the seven ballot measures were voted onto the ballot in a special legislative session in Sacramento the week of February 16th as a negotiated ...continue reading... California 2009 ballot propositions
Acting Classes for Kids in OC
17Apr09 | 4 comments
Laguna Playhouse offers acting classes for kids.
SPRING 09 YOUTH THEATRE CLASSES
CREATIVE DRAMA
(Ages 6 - 8)
This is an excellent introduction to acting. Students explore self expression through playful exercises and rehearsal in preparation for their showcase. Students will increase their concentration, memorization skills, and focus their energy as they enjoy the creative experience. There is a final showcase on the last day of class. Enrollment is limited ...continue reading... Acting Classes for Kids in OC
Salon Makeover in Orange County
14Jan09 | 2 comments
Something for Moms (or Dads)!
Want a beauty makeover? My favorite Orange County Hair Salon, Salon Sauvage, is giving one away for FREE for this Valentine's Day! It can include a hair cut, color, highlights, makeup, spa manicure and eyebrow reshaping. I remember walking in to a salon one time and just said, "go for it"! I was so impressed with the result I was sad ...continue reading... Salon Makeover in Orange County
KB Toys files Bankruptcy - Begin Liquidation sales in the middle of holiday season
11Dec08 | 1 comments
As the Great Depression II marches on, some weird things are happening. Like this announcement from KB Toys:
They are filing backruptcy, closing all stores, and will begin liquidation sales in the middle of the holiday season. Wow. Immediately I think Toys 'R Us is going to suffer and I should short it. But apparently it isn't listed. I just find it completely amazing they ...continue reading... KB Toys files Bankruptcy - Begin Liquidation sales in the middle of holiday season
Junior Ranger Laguna Coast Wilderness
19Nov08 | 1 comments
What a great program for your budding naturalist! In my daughter's first meeting they found doodlebug (sp?) tracks and quail tracks, a wolf spider and bobcat scat. They also learned about native plants and what a ranger does. She could not stop talking about the program. Since she is very into science and nature, this program has a strong appeal to her.
Dinosaure Live is now scheduled for Orange County! August 2oth-24th at Honda Center in Anaheim. Tickets on sale now.
If your kids loved the Walking with Dinosaurs videos, they should love this show. According to ticketmaster, the tickets aren't on sale until 6/22 at 10am if I understand their site correctly. Looks like kids under 2 are free if they sit on the parents ...continue reading... Dinosaur Live Orange County Show 2008
Ice Skating Birthday Party
17Mar08 | 1 comments
The Aliso Viejo Ice Palace in Orange County offers public skating and ice skating birthday parties. We went to one for six year olds. They have a seperate room where you can have your own private party. The current price of $175 for 10 kids and 2 adults for 1 hour is about average.
Sadly and suddenly, Lifetime Performing Arts Academy of Aliso Viejo closed their doors last month. Apparently due to an inability to come to terms on a new leasing contract. This leaves a big hole in South OC for the main reason that it offered kids a 'fun' place to build various performing skills. They offered dance, and theater dance and acting and voice and all kinds ...continue reading... Lifetime Performing Arts Academy closes
Hanna Montana 3D Movie Concert Delights Little Girls
3Feb08 | 4 comments
A great way for small kids, especially little girls to see a concert! I know when my daughter was two, she did not like the 3D movie at Disney California Adventure. But as a six year old, she thought it was "really cool". She kept trying to reach out and touch the things that were floating at her.
A fun place to have a birthday party in Orange County if your kids are into ocean creatures or Science, is the Ocean Institute in Dana Point. It is primarily an educational institution but does have public access on weekends. It is perfect for the 6-12 year old group and even small kids love it.
Birthday parties are available on most weekends and the price is $225 ...continue reading... Birthday Party Ocean Institute
Orange County Childrens Musical Theater
19Oct07 | 6 comments
Bitty Broadway program at The Center Stage Studio in Aliso Viejo introduces the five and six year old age group to musical theater. If you have five year old or six year old extroverts who like to perform on stage, whether it is singing, dancing or acting, and are prepared for the audition, you should consider this theater program.
Dinosaur Live - The Walking with Dinosaurs Live Experience
2Sep07 | 11 comments
Apparently a new show is coming to town: Dinosaurs live Walking with Dinosaurs
This show looks awesome from all the videos I have seen. Unless I missed it, I have yet to see tour dates for Orange County. It includes 15 life-sized robotic dinosaurs including Tyrannosaurus Rex in a live performance on stage. Well, as alive as a robot can get.
Looks like we just had a small earthquake. USGS indicates a 4.7 centered in the Santa Ana mountains between Santa Ana and Lake Elsinore. It occurred at about 10:29am. I felt it here in Laguna Niguel, but not much shaking and it didn't last long.
Here's a link to the live map of the epicenter of the orange county earthquake area:
A rare August thunderstorm (rare thunderstorm period) blew through southern Orange county today. Here is an image I captured this morning of a lightning strike over Laguna Niguel (or possibly behind it in San Juan Capistrano or Dana point). What a slow moving storm.
I guess these little rain cells are remnants of the hurricane that just blew through Mexico.
The OC Fair is great fun for the whole family. There is so much to do. There are rows and rows of food booths and shopping booths. Several stages with music and other acts like the peking acrobats, a comedy juggler, or local kid
groups performing dance and song. As you walk in, there is a small petting zoo with some cute little animals to ...continue reading... OC Fair
Caspers Wilderness Park
30Jul07 | 2 comments
Many years ago, on a beautiful fall day, I went on a hike in Caspers Wilderness park with a friend. We decided to take a trail that was on the map but in real life was a narrow path of beaten down tall grass. We didn't get far before we ran into our first Tarantula. There wasn't any room to go around, so we jumped over ...continue reading... Caspers Wilderness Park
Best Summer camps
Starr Ranch
Ocean Institute
Girl Scouts of OC
I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.
Henry David Thoreau, Walden (1854)
This website is based on a blog format to bring you up to the minute info, tips, and opinions on fun and educational family things to do in Orange County California. Any type of family and kid topics are game here.
If you know of a place, activity, or other useful information for Orange County families, feel free to contact us.
