Cheap or Free

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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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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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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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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Movies in the Park in Long Beach 2022

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Summer Movies in the Park are back! Check out this list of places to watch movies in the park in Long Beach and the surrounding areas for cheap family fun every week, all summer long!

One of our favorite family traditions each summer is to walk to our local park to watch a movie.

Long Beach goes all out with their Movies in the Park program. They bring in a GIANT inflatable screen, free popcorn, and often a couple of vendors to show family friendly movies three times a week, EVERY week, all summer long!

Not only does the City of Long Beach come correct with their summer movie in the park offerings, but several neighboring cities and local organizations do, too.

So if you’re looking for movies in the park (or on the beach!) this summer, we’ve got the complete list of where to find them (and how to watch them!)

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Summer Movies for Kids in Long Beach

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THEY’RE BACK! After a long hiatus, summer movies for kids in Long Beach. Find out where to find cheap summer movies in Long Beach right here (along with how much they cost, and a few sneaky ways to save even more money!)

One of our favorite, easy ways to entertain our kids in the summertime? Hitting up some cheap summer movies!

Each year, local movie theaters play older, family friendly movies a few times a week. These cheap summer movies for kids in Long Beach are usually VERY afforadable, at $1-2 a piece.

It’s an excellent way to beat the heat (and the kids’ boredom!) for a few hours.

After taking a couple of years off due to the pandemic, we’re happy to say that summer movies for kids in Long Beach are back (and better than ever!)

Check out this list of places to watch cheap movies with your kids this summer in Long Beach!

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Craft Fairs in Long Beach

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In the market for some unique gifts or items for yourself? Hit up one of the many craft fairs in Long Beach, guaranteed to have something special for everyone!

Long Beach has no shortage of incredible small businesses to support. Restaurants, boutiques, quirky plant shops (we’re looking at you, Plantiitas!).

But often overlooked are the many artisan crafters in Long Beach. Folks, it just doesn’t get more “small business” than that!

If you find yourself looking for a craft fair to visit in Long Beach, we’ve compiled this handy list to help you out.

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Where Do Kids Eat Free in Long Beach?

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We love going out to eat with our kids (well, most of the time). But restaurant visits with kids can break the bank! So where do kids eat free in Long Beach? Read on to find out!

Look, most of the times, we really enjoy eating out with our kids.

But there are the other times- you know what I mean- when you would have had just as much fun staying home and setting $75 on fire. It would cost the same, and be just as enjoyable.

Going to restaurants with kids is a total risk, and so we’re always on the hunt to save money at restaurants with our kids.

And that’s how we found this list of places where kids eat free in Long Beach. Check them out and save some money on your next restaurant visit!

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Visiting Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

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Looking for an educational, free aquarium in Southern California? Check out the totally fun, totally free Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, located in San Pedro!

Listen, we love- abosolutely LOVE- the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. We had annual passes for a good long while, and we used them often.

When I decided to stay at home with the kids though, those Aquarium of the Pacific passes were just too pricey to keep. And as a result, we went a LONG time without visiting an aquarium.

So when I hear about an amazing, free little aquarium in nearby San Pedro, I just knew we had to give it a visit.

And oh boy, were we ever pleasantly rewarded!

If you’re looking for an aquarium in Southern California that won’t break the budget, we highly recommend Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro. Here’s what you need to know before you go!

CHILD LOOKING AT MOON JELLIES; TEXT; CABRILLO MARINE AQUARIUM

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