longbeachkids

Pony Rides in Long Beach

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Looking for some great pony rides in Long Beach? Or wondering if there are any horseback riding lessons in Long Beach? You’re in luck! Across from Long Beach Towne Center, on the Lakewood/Long Beach border, is an amazing equestrian center! Go on a pony ride, take a riding lesson, or have a birthday at this amazing hidden gem of Long Beach!

Anytime we go to a fair or carnival, my kids love to go on a pony ride. But at fair and carnival prices? I say “no” much more often than I say “yes.”

Once you pay for the ride (that’s over in 2 minutes) and then a big upcharge just to take a picture, you’ve spent a LOT of money. Have more than one kid? Forget about it! Pony rides at a reasonable price are hard to find!

So we were thrilled to find affordable pony rides in Long Beach. Whether you’re taking one child or a fun family outing, there’s something for everyone at Ponytime at the Lakewood Equestrian Center!

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Best Bike Paths for Kids in Long Beach

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One of our favorite family activities is taking a neighborhood bike ride. If you’re looking for a place to ride, you’ll love our list of best bike paths for kids in Long Beach.

My family rides our bikes a lot. We ride around the neighborhood, we ride to nearby parks, we ride to close family members homes. We ride so much we had to start looking for new fun places to ride our bikes.

Luckily, Long Beach has a ton of fun recreational opportunities and a surprising amount of green space for a big city. Long Beach also prides itself on being a “Bike Friendly Community” with lots of bike lanes and spaces created for riding bikes.

And while, as adults, we love all the bike lanes, sometimes our kids need something a bit more protected.

From parks to beach paths, to right in your own neighborhood, there are a ton of great places to ride bikes with kids in Long Beach.

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The Best Places to Swim in Long Beach

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Need to cool down? You’re in luck- there are TONS of great places to swim in Long Beach! Read on for a full list of our favorites.

Temperatures are creeping up, and with many in Long Beach living without AC, it gets HOT both inside and outside!

One of the best ways to cool down is by throwing yourself into some water and getting some relief from the heat.

Luckily, we know exactly where to swim in Long Beach. Whether you want a pool, beach, or just a place to splash around, we’ve got you covered with this list of the best places to swim in Long Beach.

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The Best Parks in Long Beach

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Long Beach, CA has some FANTASTIC parks (and with new bond measures, they’re getting better all the time!) But people ask us all the time- what are the BEST parks in Long Beach? We’ve got our favorites- read on to find out where they are!

Southern California is known for its gorgeous year round weather. And one of the perks? Our gorgeous, super fun city parks system.

Unlike other places around the country, we have access to these free parks all year long.

Which park you choose has a lot to do with what your kids enjoy. We’ll break the best parks in Long Beach down by category so you can find the one that’s best for you.

However, we also strongly recommend trying out ALL the parks on this list! You never know just how much your kids will love something until you give it a try.

So without further ado, here it is – our list of the best parks in Long Beach, CA.

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Visiting Bolsa Chica Wetlands with Kids

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Looking for a fun way to get outside in Southern California? Consider visiting Bolsa Chica Wetlands with kids! It’s a flat, easy walk with lots to see. Fun for the whole family!

I’ve lived here in Long Beach for almost twenty years (oh, ew. How am I that old?) and I’ve never visited the Bolsa Chica Wetlands before.

I’d always heard about them, and how beautiful it was, and what a nice walk it was.

But I’d also heard about how terrible parking is, and it was enough to put me off completely.

So when a trip with Cub Scouts forced my hand, I had no choice but to visit Bolsa Chica Wetlands with kids (like, LOTS of them) for the first time.

And it turns out (like so many things) I had nothing to be afraid of, and only wished I’d done it sooner.

If you are also intimidated by the adventure, or are looking to visit Bolsa Chica Wetlands for the first time, here are some pro tips to make the whole thing less scary (and more fun).

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What Should I Do With My Kids Today in Long Beach?

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We’ve all been there- a whole long day stretched ahead of you, and you’re asking yourself, “what should I do with my kids today?” You’re in luck- we have a whole list of things to do with your kids today in Long Beach.

Summer is here, and we try to keep our kids busy. Summer camps, pool days, beach days- all the good stuff.

We also try to sprinkle in plenty of “do nothing” days, letting them get bored, roaming the neighborhood and riding bikes.

But then there are those OTHER days. Where it’s clear that we’ll all be miserable if we stay home, but I have no idea what to do with my kids today.

And that’s where this list comes in.

If you also find yourself asking, “what should I do with my kids today in Long Beach?” you’re in luck- we have a whole list of super fun ways to entertain your kids (and yourself!) close to home.

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Visit Splash! La Mirada This Summer

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Looking for a fun, low-key water park in Southern California? Check out Splash! La Mirada with kids to pack in a full day of water based fun.

If you’re anything like our family, your kids LOVE to play in water.

And luckily, living in Southern California, the summer weather is absolutely perfect to splash and play, whether at the pool, the beach, or one of our many local splash pads.

But once in a while, we want to upgrade our summer fun by visiting a water park in Southern California. And unfortunately, our budgets don’t always allow us to go big (a la Raging Waters, Soak City, or Great Wolf Lodge).

Luckily, we’ve got a hidden gem of a water park in nearby La Mirada. Run by the city, Splash! La Mirada Buccaneer Bay is a perfect place to ride water slides, chill in a lazy river, and go on a water-based play structure.

WITHOUT breaking the bank.

So if you are looking for a cheaper water park in Southern California, look no further. We’ve got all the tips for visiting Splash! La Mirada with kids.

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Camping in El Dorado Park in Long Beach

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Wondering if there is camping in El Dorado Park in Long Beach? The answer for whether or not camping is allowed in El Dorado Park is a little more complicated than you might think- but we’re going to clear it up for you right here!

If you’ve spent much time in East Long Beach, you’ve for sure heard of El Dorado Regional Park in Long Beach. It’s got incredible resources, and lots of green space.

But it’s also a SUPER confusing park.

Not only are the one way roads a little tricky (and don’t get us started on the limited entrances!) but people often get it confused with Long Beach’s El Dorado Park, the free-use portion of the park with the same name.

And one of the most common questions we’ve been asked? Is camping allowed in El Dorado Park in Long Beach.

The answer is yes- but also no. Read on for full information!

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Kids Swim Teams in Long Beach

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If your kid has been taking swim lessons for a while, you might wondering, is my kid ready to be on a swim team? If yes, it’s time to find a swim team for kids in Long Beach! Here are the best kids swim teams in Long Beach.

My kids started swim lessons as babies. They were soon rolling and floating, rocking big arms, and confidently spending the summer in the pool. Eventually, they plateaued and it felt ridiculous to keep spending big bucks on lessons. Which is when we decided to switch from swim lessons to swim team.

We researched every swim team in – and around – Long Beach before picking one. So whether you’re ready to join now or just starting to look into it, these are the best kids swim teams in Long Beach (and nearby!)

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Long Beach Concert in the Park

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Long Beach Concert in the park is Back! Check out this list of dates and places you can attend a Concert in the Park this year for some great, free, family fun! Plus, we’ve compiled all our best tips for attending Concert in the Park with kids!

One of my favorite things about living in Long Beach is our summers full of family, friends and Concert in the Park. Growing up, I attended the same park where I now take my kids. And this event has the same excitement today that it still had 30 years ago.

The music is always exceptional and everyone always has a wonderful time making memories. And if you’re lucky, your kids will be worn out from all the running around having fun.

Concert in the Park is a long-standing tradition in Long Beach and one that you’ll want to add to your summer to-do list.

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