7 Ways to Bust Boredom And Keep Your Kid Busy This Summer In Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, CA - Liven up your summer and entertain the whole family with some of these boredom busting activities. Stop by a local book fair, paddle around Echo Park Lake or admire aquatic creatures at an oceanfront aquarium.

What's the hold up? Plan a fun-fulled summer in Los Angeles for your family with these activities.

1. Tuesday Game Night. Join forces with local kids and teens in an afternoon of tag-team video gaming and refreshments, courtesy of the Los Angeles Public Library. Kids and teens of all skill levels are welcome to attend. Tuesday Game Night is free and open to the public.

Where: Los Angeles Public Library - Wilmington Branch (1300 N Avalon Blvd)

When: Tuesday Evenings, 3:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.

2. Get swept away at Story Time.Take a family trip to your local Barnes & Noble for a morning of interactive storytelling. Story Time takes place in the colorful and vibrant Children’s Department and is led by a trained Barnes & Noble staff storyteller. Kids of all ages are encouraged to take part in group artistic activities that accompany the story — singing, dancing and craft projects help to bring the story to life every Wednesday morning. Find a store and a story time near you. Don’t forget to pick up the books from your summer reading list while you’re there!

Find this event at a Barnes & Noble near you

3. DIY Summer Craft: Popsicle Ice Chalk. Break your child out of a summer rut without breaking the bank — or even leaving the house. Check out this easy recipe for Popsicle chalk:

Step 1: Grab a medium sized mixing bowl and combine 1 part water with 1 part Cornstarch. Stir until smooth.

Step 2: Slowly pour the mixture into popsicle molds one at a time. Disperse evenly and lightly tap the bottom of the molds on a hard surface 3-4 times.

Step 3: Add several drops of food coloring to each popsicle mold. For variety, try mixing different colors in a single pop for a vibrant ice chalk surprise.

Step 4: Place the Popsicle molds in the freezer overnight.

Step 5: Chalk it up! Remove your popsicle ice chalk from the molds then head outside and start drawing!

4. Explore the World of Life at the California Science Center. Dive into the intricacies of the human body and the natural world through hands-on, interactive exhibits. Learn how the human body creates fuel at The Energy Factory, investigate the science behind genetics at Life Source or participate in hands-on activities with the younger kids in the Discovery Room.

Where: California Science Center (700 Exposition Park Drive)

When: 7 days a week, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

5. Shop a book fair and support local nonprofits. Whether you’re picking up your child’s summer reading books or snagging the latest bestseller for the beach, shop a Barnes & Noble Book Fair and a portion of your business will go towards supporting students in grades K-12 in your district. Find a Book Fair near you to contribute to local fundraising efforts for nonprofits and schools in your area.

Find this event at a Barnes & Noble near you

6. Pedal boat and picnic at Echo Park Lake. Pack a lunch and enjoy the breathtaking views of downtown Los Angeles with your family. The Echo Park pedal boats are a popular attraction for kids and adults; you can rent one for up to an hour and explore the whole lake without getting your hair wet.

Where: Echo Park Lake (751 Echo Park Ave)

When: Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

7. Head over to Heal The Bay Aquarium at the Santa Monica Pier. Explore the dozens of tanks that house over 100 local aquatic species in an effort to preserve the Bay’s current ecosystem. The Touch Tanks are a popular activity with youngsters; these hands-on, interactive displays allow curious kids (and adults) to safely investigate the deep sea.

Where: Heal The Bay Aquarium (1600 Ocean Front Walk)

When: Tuesday - Sunday. 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Image via Unsplash; Photo by Frank Mckenna