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Summer Reading Programs for Kids

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Summer is here and that means lots of time outdoors, popsicles and snacks all day, and – let’s admit it – probably a lot of screen time. But it also means local summer reading programs that may actually get your kids excited about cracking open a book before September!

When I was a kid, we lived for those personal pan pizzas from Pizza Hut. And earning them just for reading? Well, that sounded like a good summer to me!

Luckily, these days it’s more than just Pizza Hut that is into incentivizing reading programs over the summer!

From ice cream shops to the public library, books stores to – you guessed it – pizza hut, there’s really something for everyone to enjoy this summer. All while reading a book!

Here are some of our favorite local summer reading programs for kids!

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Where to Get Kids Ears Pierced in Long Beach

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When we were little you just went and got your ears pierced at Claire’s. Now there are a ton of options when wondering where to get kids ears pierced in Long Beach. Whether you’re looking to get baby’s ears pierced in Long Beach or your older child has decided they’re ready, we’ve got a place that will meet your needs.

My daughter is seven and just decided she wants to get her ears pierced. My lobes are hole-free, so this was a whole new experience for me! Which meant I had to research my butt off.

The biggest question I had was, where should I take my kid to get her ears pierced?

I remember my Mom taking my sister to Merle Norman to get her ears pierced. But I was pretty sure that was some outdated information! (Does Merle Norman even exist anymore??)

So I asked friends, family, the internet. Here’s everything you need to know about safe options for getting your kids ears pierced.

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Tips for Visiting the OC Zoo

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Looking for a zoo near Long Beach that is small, manageable, but still a ton of fun? You don’t have to head to LA or San Diego! Check out the OC Zoo in Irvine for a great zoo at an even better value!

We’re big time zoo enthusiasts. We regularly get family passes to the LA Zoo, and have even been known to get them to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. But sometimes we don’t want to have to deal with the LA traffic or make a whole weekend of going to San Diego.

If you’re looking to see some fantastic animals from the Southwestern United States, you’ll find a great collection at the OC Zoo.

Nestled in the beautiful Irvine hills, the OC Zoo is one of our favorite places, that even we tend to forget about!

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Where to Get Kids’ Hair Cut in Long Beach

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Looking for a great place to get a kids’ hair cut in Long Beach? We’ve got a list of local, kid-friendly salons near you.

Getting your kids’ haircut can be an ordeal. Some kids are afraid, some don’t like the various noises and sensations, and some just have a hard time sitting still for that long.

Whatever the case, getting your kids’ haircut isn’t a lot of fun.

However, there are some kid-friendly salons nearby that can make the experience so much better. Take a look at this list of where to get kids’ hair cut in Long Beach for ways to make the process less painful (for everyone involved!)

kids' hair salon; text: the best kids' hair salons in long beach

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The Best Children’s Dentists in Long Beach

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Looking for a great kids’ dentist is Long Beach? We have several options for children’s dentists in the area, so you can find the one that takes your insurance and fits your family’s needs.

Going to the dentist with kids can be a truly daunting task. First, there’s deciding when to take them. Then, deciding what kind of dentist the need.

And once you get all that sorted out, you still need to find a children’s dentist near you that accepts your insurance.

It’s…. a lot.

So we’ve made it a little easier for you. Here are the best children’s dentists in Long Beach, along with the pros and cons of each one. It’ll help you decide which Long Beach dentist is right for your kids.

So here we go- let’s find you a kids’ dentist!

boy at dentist; text: the best kids' dentists in long beach

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Best Libraries Near Long Beach

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We love ALL the libraries. With so many resources, kids’ activities, and freebies, you really can’t go wrong. But let’s be honest- some are better than others. Here are the best libraries near Long Beach.

Southern California has a LOT going for it. Beaches, parks, museums- there’s no shortage of entertainment.

But all of those things take a whole lot of effort, and some of them are downright expensive. Sometimes you just need an easy, free, quiet activity.

You know where I’m going with this, right?

There are so many really good libraries near Long Beach. Sure, they all offer books and computer access. But some of them just have a little something extra.

Read on for our list of the best libraries in Long Beach. Did your favorite make the cut?

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Pirate Adventures in Long Beach

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Do you have a mini matey that loves all things pirates? We’ve got the best playgrounds, events, and swashbuckling fun for the best pirate adventures in Long Beach.

It seems to be a right of passage that kids will eventually go through a pirate phase. Whether they are obsessed with riding Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland, playing swords in the backyard or telling pirate jokes (Why can’t pirates learn the alphabet? Because they’re stuck at c/sea), “thar be a pirate phase ahead.”

Pirates are just fun.

Luckily, we live in close proximity to a ton of ways to have pirate fun. From parks with a pirate theme, pirate shops, and even a full-blown Pirate Invasion, you’ll find a wide variety of pirate experiences in Long Beach.

So here’s a list of all the pirate fun in Long Beach for your family to enjoy!

pirate adventures in Long Beach

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