longbeachkids

The Best Places to Play Pokemon Go in Long Beach

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Are your kids as obsessed with Pokemon Go as ours are? Or maybe it’s you who is obsessed? Either way, we’ve got the best places to play Pokemon Go in Long Beach, including the best Pokestops and Pokegyms and (where to get the best bang for your buck!)

Long Beach is a gorgeous town. Lots of scenery, lots of places to visit, and pretty perfect all year round.

Which makes it a great place to visit, but also a GREAT place to play PokemonGo.

Wondering where to play Pokemon Go in Long Beach? We’ve got a list of Pokestops in Long Beach, as well as Pokegyms in Long Beach.

Your hardest decision? Where to start looking first!

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Good Neighbor Park in Long Beach

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Looking for a big, shady park with free parking in Long Beach? Check out Good Neighbor Park in Long Beach, adjacent to the Regional Park (and the El Dorado Library Branch!)

Have you had the chance to visit Good Neighbor Park in Long Beach yet?

It’s near the El Dorado Regional Park, but without the entrance fee or long drive to the playground.

Nestled in between soccer fields, baseball fields, a skate park, and a frisbee golf course, there is SO much to do in this large stretch of green.

Add in a visit to nearby El Dorado Library, and you’ve got your whole day planned out for you!

Here’s why we think you should visit Good Neighbor Park in Long Beach (and why your kids will love it so much).

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Visiting the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Gardens

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If you’re looking for a short but fun activity in the heart of Long Beach, look no farther than the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Gardens located inside Cal State Long Beach. These stunning gardens aren’t able to be seen from any major streets and aren’t a major destination for most folks. You could live your whole life in Long Beach and not know about them!

When our first kids were little, we spent a lot of time exploring Long Beach with toddlers. As alums of CSULB, we remembered that there was a nice little Japanese Garden right on campus.

The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Gardens were close, not overwhelmingly large, and FREE. This was basically the trifecta for us as new Moms, so we were excited to check it out.

Almost ten years later, this is still one of my favorite places to take my kids.

The Japanese Gardens at CSULB are an amazing hidden gem that your little ones will love. With an easy walking path, lots of benches for snack breaks and a koi pond that will amaze your kids, it’s sure to become a family favorite.

Here’s everything you should know before you head to the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Gardens in Long Beach!

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Best Pumpkin Patches in Long Beach

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As soon as October hits, it’s time for all things pumpkin. Lucky for us, that means some awesome pumpkin patches in Long Beach. Whether you’re looking for an authentic country pumpkin patch or a more carnival pumpkin patch vibe, we’ve got what you’re looking for.

With birthdays in October and a general love for fall, we are unapologetically #basic. With a PSL in hand, one of our favorite fall traditions is a visit to the pumpkin patch.

While we may live in a big city, pumpkin patches are in no short supply.

Want to do a quick and easy trip to get that perfect carving pumpkin? There’s a patch for that!

Want to have that full fall carnival experience complete with rides, bounce house and petting zoo? There’s a patch for that!

Want to go old school and ride a tractor around a fantastic pumpkin patch and then get lost in a legit corn maze? Yes! There’s even a patch for that!

As certified lovers of all things fall, we’ve checked out every pumpkin patch in Long Beach (and even a few that are a bit of a drive away – but worth it!). Here’s our list of the best pumpkin patches in Long Beach.

The best pumpkin patches in Long Beach

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Duck Ponds Near Long Beach

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Looking for a low-key activity with nature, water, and animals? Check out on of the many duck ponds near Long Beach with your kids. It’s a perfect activity for babies, toddlers, and bigger kids, too!

When my kids were littler, we’d visit the duck pond near our house in Long Beach just for fun. I needed to get out of the house, and the duck pond seemed like a pretty chill place to take them.

As they got older, I realized what a fantastic learning opportunity the duck pond really was.

Not only is it outside and in nature, but kids can learn about various local animals. They can find out what they eat, how they move in the water and out of it, and what they sound like.

And, if you’re unlucky, they’ll learn what happens if you get too close to the edge of the duck pond (don’t ask. It was a bad day).

If you’re looking to explore duck ponds near Long Beach, you’re in luck. We have TONS of them nearby. Read on to find out which one is closest to your neighborhood!

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Stores with Kid-Size Shopping Carts in Long Beach

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Why do kids universally love those tiny shopping carts so much? Whether it makes them feel like a miniature adult or just gives them a power trip, those little shopping carts can make your grocery trip SO much easier with kids in tow. Here’s where to find little shopping carts for kids in Long Beach.

When my kids were littler, we had a total love/hate relationship with those tiny shopping carts at grocery stores.

Essentially, my kids loved them. And I hated them.

But the fact that those tiny shopping carts can coax a kid who does not want to go grocery shopping into a total convert. And so here we are.

Here’s a list of grocery stores with kids’ shopping carts in Long Beach.

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Free Things to Do With a Baby in Long Beach

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Looking for cheap or free things to do with a baby in Long Beach? Check out this list of sweet outings with a baby near Long Beach for ideas of how to keep your little one (and yourself!) entertained.

So you have this beautiful little baby, and you’re in the sweet spot where you have some time off work. But what do you actually DO with the baby all day?

They sleep a lot, and eat a lot…and then what?

If you’re anything like us, new moms will get a little stir crazy from time to time. Not to mention- your budget may be a little leaner than it used to be. Your baby is probably content to be at home, but are you?

If not, you’re probably looking for some free things to do with a baby in Long Beach (or anywhere, for that matter).

Here are some free activities to do with a baby in Long Beach. Which ones have you tried so far?

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Cheap Kids’ Treats in Long Beach

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Want to grab a cheap treat with your kiddos while you’re out and about, without breaking the bank? Check out these great cheap kids’ treats in Long Beach (or near it)!

When my kids were little, I would take my daughter on little adventures each weekend while her brother took a nap. Sometimes it was things like visiting the library or running an errand, but sometimes I wanted to treat her to something special.

The problem? These little adventures could add up to big expenses over time!

So after some research and a little trial and error, we found that there are some good, cheap kids’ treats in Long Beach. By taking advantage of the different hours and locations, we could enjoy a special sweet without breaking the bank.

Here are our favorite places to take kids to get dessert in Long Beach (on a budget!)

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Bloomfield Park in Lakewood

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On the east side of town? Check out Bloomfield Park in Lakewood, a less busy park iwth a lot of bang for its buck!

I’ve lived in Long Beach for decades- eight of those years with kids in tow- and I’ve never been to Bloomfield Park before.

But this summer, we’ve made it our mission to visit every wading pool near Long Beach, and Bloomfield fit the bill.

We were expecting to love the wading pool (we always do), but I was surprised at how much the kids loved the green, open space and two (mostly) gated playgrounds for different ages.

Check out why we love Bloomfield Park, and plan your visit to love it too.

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Marine Park (AKA Mother’s Beach) in Long Beach

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Need an easy beach with kids in Southern California? Check out Mother’s Beach in Long Beach! With shallow waters, no waves, and attentive lifeguards, this is one of the safest places to start going to the beach with kids in So Cal.

One of the first places I took my kids to the beach in Long Beach was Mother’s Beach.

We were meeting up with some friends, and though I was nervous to take my toddler to the beach by myself, I decided to be brave and try it.

And, to use an appropriate pun, it was the perfect place to get my feet wet when it comes to taking kids to the beach.

I went on a weekday morning, so parking was easy. The water was warm and shallow. And the lifeguards were very safety conscious (which was a little annoying, but totally made me feel better).

We mostly go to beaches with deeper water now that the kids are older, but we still hit up Mother’s Beach in Long Beach anytime someone with toddlers comes into town.

Read on to find out why Mother’s Beach is the best beach for toddlers in Southern California (according to two moms who have been to pretty much all of them!)

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