Where to Go with Your Baby and Toddler {Burbank edition}
I don't know about your little one, but my 18-month old is very active, loves to explore, gets bored easily, and needs to leave the house at least once a day or she goes stir-crazy! I don't blame her, there are things to do, people to see, food to taste, and music to hear! The world is their oyster and Burbank is the perfect place to explore. Being such a family-friendly community, Burbank has many destinations that are great for kids, but what about the toddler set?
Toddlers are a distinct group, needing just the right amount of stimulation and excitement, but too much of that can be a disaster, so I have listed some places around town that you may (or may not) have considered venturing to with your wonderfully energetic toddler!
1. Los Angeles Zoo - In case you haven't yet been to The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, here are a few facts. The Zoo opened on November 28, 1966. The Zoo is home to more than 1,100 mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles representing more than 250 different species of which 29 are endangered! In addition, the Zoo’s botanical collection comprises several planted gardens and over 800 different plant species with over 7,400 individual plants.
The Zoo receives over 1.5 million visitors per year for good reason. It's a wonderful place to go with infants to stroller around and melt off that baby weight. During the toddler years, they love to visit the sheeps and goats at the petting zoo, and burn off some steam at the Play Park located at the top of the Zoo. Skye and I have probably been there about 5 times in the last 18 months, and each visit I enjoy it just as much as the first time!
Adults $17, Children $12 (2-12), Kids under 2 are FREE, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027
2. Under the Sea - I have visited this cute little indoor playground many times. It's a bit old, but it makes up for it in value, since it is extrememly cheap. It's $9 per child (no admission fee for adults) and it's unlimited play. Make sure to bring socks for both you and your child. I had the misfortune of getting kicked out for wearing flip-flops! My only caveat here is that some of the employees don't seem very interested in monitoring the kids, and show lack of interest in their job. There is usually only one person manning the place, and I have witnessed one employee who just sat there the whole time looking at her phone.
$9 per child for open play all day, Adults are FREE. 2424 W. Victory Blvd, Burbank, CA 91506
3. Rockin' Kids Indoor Playground and Party Center (Burbank Town Center) - I like the name, it's made for my readers! Hah, hah! This is a fun place to take a break while at the mall. After about a half hour of strolling around shopping, my toddler needs to get out of her stroller and run around. It's hard to keep them cooped up for so long, so you can come here and let them roam and play, and then continue on with your shopping, while they fall asleep from exhaustion!
$9 per child, 201 E. Magnolia Blvd. #306, Burbank, CA 91502
4. Burbank Scales & Tails - I know this is a pet store, but speaking from experience, I take Skye here frequently and she absolutely loves it. The store recently moved to a bigger, better location, and they have a full fish area, along with a some bunnies, snakes, iguanas, and birds, etc.
FREE, 1701 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91506
5. Chuckee Cheese - It's for older kids, but I took Skye there when my hubby and I wanted a fun, DISTRACTING, family-friendly place to eat. Knowing full well she would have a good time, we went there for some pizza and played some simple games with her. She even had her picture taken on the photo Chuckee Cheese car. If you bring a little one, just make sure to hang on to her to protect her from all of the larger kids running amuck on a pizza-suger high!
Pizza and token packages start at $19.99, 930 N San Fernando Blvd, Burbank, CA 91504
6. Santa Anita Playlot - This little-known park is hard to find, but a hidden gem in the Burbank park arena. It has both a younger kids play area, and larger kids play area. The younger kids area has a slide, swings, climbing area, and sand below them all for tear-free falls. It's nice because it usually doesn't have many kids, giving a chance for your little one to run around freely.
FREE, 250 E Santa Anita Ave, Burbank, CA 91502
7. Travel Town Museum - A favorite when I was a little kid, the Travel Town Museum has been around for 61 years. Opening on December 14, 1952, Travel Town has been amusing kids young and old with it's 17 locomotives. For the younguns, tickets can be purchased to ride the Melody Ranch Special, a miniature live steam train once owned by Gene Autry, for two circles around the museum grounds. Classic!
FREE, Trainride tickets are $2.75, 5200 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027
8. Pet Mania - A small, little pet shop with lots of heart! It features a large selection of kittens, puppies, and birds, but uniquely they only offer rescue animals. So if you come by with your kids and end up adopting a pet, take the time to teach them about adoption vs. buying one from a breeder or non-rescue pet shops! I take Skye here on trips to the nearby Starbuck's and we browse the little kitten aisle and ogle at the wide-eyed puppies!
FREE, 353 N Pass Ave Burbank, CA 91505
9. Americana at Brand - A favorite with one of my playdate Moms, the Americana lets you get in some good shopping, and some playtime for the tots. There is a large fountain which features a water show, a San Franciscan style trolley, a large grass area where kids can run around freely, and a small, often crowded, sand playpark. Keep in mind the grass area is currently being resodded so it is blocked off until later this Summer. They have a kids club on Tuesdays, 11am-1pm, where activities and entertainment are held for children, parents, and caregivers.
FREE, 889 Americana Way, Glendale, CA 91210
10. Kid's Castle - Kid's Castle opened it's doors in 2008. Video Games, a mini roller coaster, photo booths, and air hockey make this an older kid's dream. But if your toddler is looking for something a little different and his older siblings are itching to go, it is free to enter and fun for everyone. They even serve beer and wine for the "oldest kids"!
FREE, 2814 W Empire Ave Burbank, CA 91504
11. McCambridge Park - This park is expansive and there is alot of room to run around, chase balls, and people watch. The play area of the park is pretty big. And their is a separate play area for little toddlers, completely away from the bigger kids area, which is a plus. No worries of them spilling over into each other's space. Tip: Go during the week if you can, the weekend can be a bit crazy here since it is such a popular park, especially during the Summer months.
FREE, 1515 N Glenoaks Blvd Burbank, CA 91504
12. Universal CityWalk Hollywood - CityWalk is a three-block entertainment, dining and shopping promenade. There are more than 30 great places to eat, a 19-screen movie theatre featuring a eight-story-high IMAX, seven night spots including the Jon Lovitz Comedy Club and Samba Brazilian Steakhouse & Lounge, indoor skydiving and more than 30 retail stores. You may not get to go to the nightspots, but just coming up here and eating and shopping is fun with the kids. Your little one will have so much too look at and experience here. This year is their 20th Anniversary, so look for some special deals like $2 movie parking and live music all summer long!
FREE, Parking is $15 and up, 100 Universal City Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90068
13. Starlight Bowl - During the Summer in Burbank, the Starlight Bowl is one of my favorite activities on Sundays. Starting July 4th each year, the Bowl hosts kid-friendly concerts each Sunday for a very good price. This year I am looking forward to Led Zepagain and Queen Nation on August 10th. I prefer the cheaper, open seating on the grass so you can lay down a blanket, have a picnic, pour a glass of vino, and relax to the music!
Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for kids, children under 3 are FREE, 1249 Lockheed View Dr, Burbank, CA 91501
14. Lincoln Park - This is a great park to bring toddlers! The play area is completely gated off, so no little ones can stray off. They provide toys (like cars they can ride, etc), so no need to bring any of your own. There are a couple of baby swings, and sand to shovel. There are plenty of park benches inside the gate for weary moms to commiserate. It does tend to get a bit crowded, so make sure to keep an eye on your eager tots, since bigger kids can easily knock them over when the area is filled to maximum capacity.
FREE, 300 North Buena Vista St, Burbank, CA 91505
15. Verdugo Aquatic Facility - This newly remodeled swimming facility has a 50-meter pool with diving boards, a seperate activity pool with two waterslides, a shallow pool and play area with fountains for littler kids, a new locker room and lifeguard area!
It's really an impressive local pool! Be sure to bring cash though, since they do not have a credit card machine and it is cash-only admittance.
50-meter pool: $4 adults and $2 for kids (residents), $5 for non-residents. Activity Pool: an additional $2, 3201 W Verdugo Ave, Burbank, CA 91505
16. Melodies & Me - They offer Mommy & Me music classes once a week for children (ages infant to five) and their families sharing songs, instrument play, rhythm chants, and movement activities in a relaxed, playful, non-performance-oriented setting. Their Summer Semester starts beginning July 8th, and their Fall semester starts September 7th.
$130 for 1st Child, $65 for 2nd Child, Children 8 mos and younger are FREE with registered older sibling, 11911 Magnolia Blvd. #34, Valley Village, CA 91607
17. Read-To-Me Club - A club for Toddlers and Kindergarten age children at the local public library. The club meets on Tuesdays or Wednesdays at 10:00 AM at the Buena Vista Branch Library.
FREE, 300 N. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91505
18. Burbank Parks & Rec - I can't tell you how useful and fun the classes I have taken through Parks & Rec have been! Since Skye was born, I have been signing up for either one or two classes per session. It's been a lifesaver having structured classes made just for babies and toddlers. Some days my daughter just really needs to get out of the house and interact with other little like-minded peers. Whether it's a Mommy & Me class, Swimming, or Baby Signing, it's been a great experience, and affordable. Right now I am taking Baby Gym, where the toddlers ages 1-2 run around obstacle courses for 45 minutes and Skye loves it!
Locations and fees vary.
19. La La Land - This used to be a Gymboree Play & Learn Center, but two years ago they closed, and La La Land opened. An indoor playground similar to Under the Sea, but it feels a bit newer, it's a little less crowded due to the off-the-beaten-path location, and they offer Mommy & Me classes on Wednesdays mornings at 10am. They also offer free Wi-Fi for all those tethered moms out there. In addition to open play, La La Land offer party packages that start at $398. Keep in mind on your first visit, they still have the Gymboree sign facing the street, so don't let that throw you off.
$8 for unlimited play per day, $52 for Mommy & Me classes plus unlimited play per month, 443 Irving Dr. Ste. F, Burbank,California 91504
20. Fun & Fit - The Tumble Tots program, for children ages 12 months to 3 years, is child-directed and the classes have the entire facility to themselves. Imagine a room filled with specially designed play equipment arranged to challenge and delight your toddler. It includes a 45 minute lesson involving: hand-eye coordination (important for writing ability), eye-tracking skills (important for reading readiness), basic gymnastics skills and social skills working with other children.
$96.00 per month, 1919 W. Burbank Blvd., Burbank, CA 91506
This will be an ever-growing list, so when I add additional activities, I will repost it. Do you have any favorite local haunts you frequent with your toddler? If so, I would love to hear about it! Just comment below and I will add it to my list!