Summertime at Dodger Stadium

There’s so much more to Dodger Stadium than baseball. On our latest trip, for the June 25 game against the Colorado Rockies which turned into the “longest nine-inning game in the history of Dodger Stadium,” we took some time to enjoy the sights, explore a little, and stay even after that 4-hour, 19-minute game to the let the kids run the bases. Did you know that’s a thing?

Dodger Stadium kids watching

Obviously, you go to Dodger Stadium to watch a baseball game. But kids can get bored, and games can last a long time. Luckily, there are things to see and do there that break up the activity of just sitting and watching the game.

Things To See

There are plenty of great photo opportunities in and around Dodger Stadium. Pictures of your kids and family near the giant Dodger hand or the LA symbol will become iconic images of their childhood.

 

Dodger Stadium giant hand

Dodger Stadium LA symbolThis silver logo is just inside the entrance to the club level seats.

Dodger Stadium Jackie Robinson

This sculpture, unveiled in April, is the first-ever sculpture in the Stadium and marks the 70th anniversary of Robinson breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball. It’s located on the left field reserve level plaza area (Lot B).

Dodger Stadium social media center

The social media center is fun to watch – that dude in there has a busy job! If you post a photo to social media with the tag #mlbmemorybank, it will show up on the board, and may be shown on the giant DodgerVision screen in the stadium!

Dodger Stadium DodgerVision

That’s our crew! You can see our guests, Jeff and Kevin, and my son Brady front and center in his Dodgers cap. I was too busy trying to snap a pic to make sure I was in the shot!

Dodger Stadium bullpenYou can watch the reserve pitchers warming up in the bullpen during the game. We were so close we could hear how hard the ball smacks the glove at 90 mph!

Things To Eat and Drink

Beyond the obligatory Dodger Dog, the various snack bars throughout the stadium offer a variety of salads, nachos or ice cream in a Dodger helmet, meatball subs, Vietnamese noodles, and more! I decided to dessert my way through the day, starting with this churro ice cream sundae.

Dodger Stadium churro ice cream sundae

My son preferred a cherry flavored Icee, but my choice of drink on this sweltering day was the Ketel One Watermelonade.

Dodger Stadium Ketel One Watermelonade

A full list of what food is available where is on the Dodgers website under Concessions.

Things To Do

Like I said, it’s not just baseball games that happen at Dodger Stadium. They have fireworks, movie nights, kids running the bases, festivals before the games, and giveaways. At this game, they gave a cool Dodgers water bottle to every kid who came. They have themed games and special promotions for groups. This day was Girl Scout Day, and all the Girl Scouts – there were hundreds – who showed up led a parade around the field before the game. Psst: Hello Kitty night is coming up September 25.

Dodger Stadium hello kitty

My son and his friend got to run the bases that day. It was over pretty quickly, but there was a long line. The experience is open to kids 4-14 after select Sunday home games.

Dodger Stadium kids run bases

mom and kid at dodger stadiumHe was pretty happy with the day. So was I.

Check out the rest of the Dodgers’ 2017 home game schedule. Go for the baseball, come back with a day full of memories, and maybe even a bag to put them in.

Dodger Stadium boy on club level

My son and our friends and I attended the game as guests of the Dodgers. All opinions are my own.

Blast City Laser Tag: Winter Break Activity

Blast City game room, for while you’re waiting to play

For parents* who are fans of Kids World at Lindero Canyon and Kanan (and other indoor playgrounds) but whose kids are getting too big to spend hours in the arcade, climbing tunnels, or the battle ball pit, I’m excited to tell you that Blast City Laser Tag, which opened recently right next door, is there for the kids to enjoy once they graduate from “little kid” status.

Big kid in motion

Blast City is a two-story laser tag facility that is “fully immersive,” so it’s just like the kids get to play their favorite role-playing video games but in real life. Each game is $10 for “12 minutes of intense action, fog, light effects and great music.” Referees are stationed throughout to offer assistance, but parents can enter the game with the kids (you have to play too, though). Equipment includes vests and laster tag guns, and participants have to watch a video and go through equipment training before playing the game. Kids 5 and older can play, and it’s not just for kids – plenty of adults play the game, too.

Equipment staging area

My kids got to check it out as guests of Blast City, and I have to say I was a little bit nervous because the 9-year-old has had negative experiences with laser tag in the past, but he gave this place two thumbs up! The staff who run the facility are very knowledgeable and helpful and they’re super into laser tag, which really adds to the experience. The boys were both tired and sweaty after two games. It was such a successful visit that Blast City gift cards were purchased for their Christmas stockings and they were both really happy to find them!

Blast City Laser Tag Arena

Blast City is open for open play Wednesday through Friday starting at 3:00 PM, and all day on weekends. The facility can be booked for birthday parties and corporate events, or you can reserve private games for your group of 10 or more. This actually sounds like an awesome team-building activity for your department at work.

Blast City Party Rooms and Rates

Better yet, because Blast City is right next door to Kids World, you can split your family up and send the older kids to play laser tag while you chill with an adult beverage in the back at Kids World and the littles pummel each other with soft foam balls. Who said there’s nothing to do over winter break?

*This goes for grandparents too. My kids’ grandparents brought them to Blast City, so I have them to thank for the legwork for this post.

Blast City Laser Tag
618 Lindero Canyon Rd
Oak Park, CA 91377
BlastCityLA.com

All photos by Barbara Tracy

Winter Wonderfest at Discovery Cube LA (Ticket Giveaway!)

No snow in your town? Pay it a little visit at Discovery Cube of LA!

I’m back with another fun snow-related giveaway (read to the end to enter)! Discovery Cube of LA, that central location for science learning and fun at the Hansen Dam Recreational Center in the Valley, has Winter Wonderfest happening now through January 7. It’s an awesome time to visit the center with the kids on break and you looking for something to do with them, plus, snow!

My boys were born in West Hills and have lived their whole lives in the Valley or the Bubble, so needless to say they don’t get to see snow very often. Last winter we drove up to the mountains, intending to visit the tubing park, but we got stuck in traffic so we never got above the snow line. (Womp womp.)

That’s why I was super excited to learn that Discovery Cube is having this snow event so close to home. It’s hard to imagine lots of snow in a place that can be 70 degrees in late December, so your mileage may vary as to the actual amount of snow when you get there, but rest assured the staff at DCLA has prepared something super cool (get it?) for your kids.

Sledding ramp for the littles

Winter Wonderfest runs now through January 8, 2017, at both the Orange County and Los Angeles locations of Discovery Cube. This event offers kids the opportunity to learn the science behind sledding, weather, and how snow is formed through hands-on activities. There is a 75-foot long ramp for sliding down on inner tubes, a smaller ramp for real snow sledding, and a snow play area.

Like I said, my boys aren’t used to lots of snow, so they were excited by the exhibit here. My 9-year-old said his favorite part was the science, especially the Cloud in a Bottle. The “snow meets science” learning stations also include Animal Adaptations to the Cold and Three States of Water.

Also, hockey!

Of course, a day at Discovery Cube of Los Angeles also includes the rest of the center too. This is the third time my boys visited and the older one still loves the recycling game where you sort trash into its different types and compete against other kids.

Tickets for Winter Wonderfest are $7 and require admission to Discovery Cube ($12.95 for kids – and adults too for a limited time!). If you visit the center before January 1 you can also see the Science of Gingerbread exhibit, with hands-on activities. The winners of DCLA’s gingerbread creation contest are displayed throughout.

Winter Wonderfest
Discovery Cube
11800 Foothill Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 91342
Visit website for tickets and more info

Flash giveaway! I’m giving away a 4-pack of tickets to Discovery Cube LA and Winter Wonderfest! Leave a comment on this post (not Facebook!) to enter by 11:59 PM on Tuesday, December 27. I will contact the winner early Wednesday morning, so you can visit DCLA and get your snow play in before the kids go back to school in January! Tickets will be held at will call under your name. Extra entry if you follow Agoura Hills Mom on Instagram or like my page on Facebook (just let me know in your comment).

Thank you to Discovery Cube for sponsoring this post and for the adorable photos of my imaginary little girls in the snow.