Aahs
1090 Westwood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90024-2903
(310) 824-1688
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An emporium for every kind of pop culture ephemera, "Aahs" is a grandchildrens' shopping dream. Gag gifts, novelty toys, t-shirts, and mugs featuring everything from The Munsters and I Love Lucy to The Simpsons and The Family Guy are housed here, among countless other useless knickknacks that grandchildren just absolutely need to have. Their parents usually lecture them about the disposability of such items, so it's up to you to indulge such memorable whims.
Info: Free
Hours: Monday to Friday 9:30am to 10pm, Saturday 9:30am to 10:30pm, Sunday 9:30am to 9pm
Age: Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Shopping
Afloat Sushi
87 East Colorado Boulevard at Raymond Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91105-1916
(626) 792-9779
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Sushi may not seem like the kid-friendliest of cuisines, but even the fussiest grandchildren are sure to be wowed by the “kaiten style” service at Afloat Sushi in Pasadena. Kaiten means that instead of ordering off a menu, options float by on small sushi boats, with customers pulling down plates they’d like to try. Dishes are removed after an hour, ensuring you only get the freshest fare to choose from. Relatively inexpensive for sushi and memorably entertaining to eat, Afloat Sushi is a great place to encourage your grandchildren to experiment with broadening their palates.
Hours: Sunday to Thursday 11am to 10:30pm, Friday to Saturday 11am to 12am
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Kid Friendly Eats
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This center of commerce in the Grove, encompasses a bookstore, a café with a large dining room, and doll-related facilities like a beauty salon and hospital. A theater holds American Girl shows daily, and the store is always packed with birthday parties. Grandchildren will love the historically accurate doll wardrobes.
Info: Varies by event and activity
Hours: June 21 to September 3: Monday to Saturday 9am to 9pm, Sunday 9am to 7pm
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Live Performances
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Amoeba Records
6400 West Sunset Boulevard at Cahuenga Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 245-6400
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The largest independent record store in the state, Amoeba boasts two floors of CDs, DVDs, and vinyl, along with other cultural memorabilia like posters and toys. They also host live performances and release events, which attract a broad swatch of LA’s many generations of hipsters. Your grandchildren are sure to find whatever hot new album they’re looking for, while you can indulge your nostalgia digging through the endless crates of records. Prices are reasonable, especially on used items, and the selection is nothing short of outstanding. [Photo Credit: Dicharry]
Info: Free
Hours: Monday to Saturday 10:30am to 11pm, Sunday 11am to 9pm
Age: Pre-teen, Teen
Shopping
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A 14-cinema multiplex encompassing the famous Cinerama Dome, which had fallen into disrepair before getting the inevitable Hollywood facelift, The ArcLight tries to bring the idea of sophistication back to moviegoing, and it works. Tickets are slightly pricier than normal, but seats are large and comfortable, and food is far above par for movie fare with offerings like pesto sausages with watermelon BBQ sauce. Check out what’s playing in the dome. If it’s something appropriate for grandchildren, by all means see it. The dome is nothing short of astounding. [Photo Credit: Integerpoet]
Info: Tickets: $11
Hours: Varies
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Local Unique
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Exceptionally kid-friendly, Art Bechstein and his family have been dishing out classic Jewish deli fare in the San Fernando Valley for decades. Sandwiches up to the triple decker, as depicted portrait style on the walls, are piled high with pastrami, roast beef, and other traditional staples. Matzo ball soup is note-perfect (though not available on the kid's menu), and the atmosphere is tailored to families. Ask for coloring placemats and crayons for grandchildren, and buy some black and white cookies for the road from the deli counter on your way out.
Info: Free
Hours: Daily 7am to 9pm
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Kid Friendly Eats
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Asahi Ramen
2027 Sawtelle Boulevard at LaGrange Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 479-2231
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Some foods are more fun to eat than others. There is perhaps nothing more satisfying than slurping up slippery udon out of a bowl of miso broth. Most of the offerings at Asahi Ramen, located on a strip of Japanese shops on Sawtelle Boulevard in West LA, involve some combination of noodles, broth, and meat, though there are also salads and non-soup items. But it’s the steaming bowls of ramen heaped with veggies and shredded meat or tofu that remain the real draw, sure to delight you and your grandchildren.
Hours: Monday to Wednesday, Friday to Sunday 11:30am to 9pm, closed Thursday
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Kid Friendly Eats
Back on the Beach
445 Pacific Coast Highway
Santa Monica, CA 90402-1601
(310) 393-8282
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Picnicking on the beach is less relaxing than it sounds. No matter how well packed the lunch or large the towel, it’s hard to stop sand from getting in sandwiches. To avoid these hassles and still enjoy eating by the ocean, head to this Santa Monica restaurant. The back patio is located directly on the beach, so your grandchildren can play in the sand while you kick off your sandals and enjoy the beautiful view.
Info: Free
Hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 2:30pm
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Kid Friendly Eats
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Beard Papa's
6801 Hollywood Boulevard Suite 153
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 462-6100
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A Japanese import by way of France, Beard Papa's is a truly cross-cultural dessert experience. Their specialty is a giant cream puff; a flaky pastry stuffed with a custard cream. They can be ordered by the box like donuts, or individually for a perfectly sweet treat that can be consumed out of hand while cruising the shops on Sawtelle Boulevard, or walking around the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard with your grandchildren.
Info: Free
Hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Kid Friendly Eats
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Open since 1961, this puppet theater on the edge of downtown has been providing magical old-fashioned entertainment ever since. Reservations are required, and can be made the same day. Bob Baker, a Hollywood native, worked in the animation industry before opening his puppet palace. Preserving classic traditions of craftsmanship and performance, your grandchildren are sure to be enchanted and inspired by the magical marionettes.
Info: Adults $12, 2 years and younger free; reservations required
Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10:30am, Saturday and Sunday 2:30pm
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Live Performances
