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

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.

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.

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.

Yoga For Kids This Weekend: Imagine Fest and Beautiful Warriors

girl doing yoga
This weekend there are two local events happening that will welcome kids to yoga and related activities. I have a friend who’s been doing yoga since her childhood. That was not my experience. My mom did Jane Fonda’s aerobics workout. But you – you have a chance to give your kids the gift of yoga. It’s a new age, everyone.

Imagine Fest

Sunday, September 25, 2016, 12pm – 7pm
Paramount Ranch
Tickets online only $40 each, $25 for students with ID
($10 parking. A VIP ticket gets you special bathrooms, snacks, and cocktails!)
www.imagineyogamusic.com

Imagine Fest is a “bohemian-styled yoga, art and live music festival” that will feature live music, and main stage yoga flow led by top instructors including Agoura Hills’ own Drorit Rudin of Agoura Power of Yoga. There will also be art installations, a vendor “village,” a guided meditation pavilion, food trucks, and special kids’ programming by sponsor Peaceful Ninjas.

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Um, sorry. You got me at Peaceful Ninjas. That means you can go enjoy the yoga and meditation while your children are being led through activities that celebrate yoga mindfulness, health, nutrition, and connection to nature.

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Proceeds from Imagine Fest will support Unlikely Heroes, a non-profit organization that provides safe home and restoration for victims of child sex slavery. Really, you have to go. It’s your civic duty. Students who purchase a ticket and simply attend the event will get SEVEN (7) community service hours! That’s nearly half their yearly requirement, and this experience is likely to change their lives.

 

Beautiful Warriors

YogaWorks Westlake Village
2475 Townsgate Rd.
Westlake Village, CA 91361
Saturday, September 24, 1:30-3:00PM
$15 per person
805-371-3030
www.yogawithjuliet.com
www.thebeautifulwarriors.com

A yoga class for girls ages 11-15
This class will encourage and empower young ladies to shine their light and rise together. The class will consist of yoga postures designed to build strength, focus and confidence while exploring the basic tenets of yoga: non violence, truthfulness, gratitude, kindness, compassion, and joy.

New Location for Watermelon Festival August 13 & 14 [Win Tickets!]

Enter to 4 win tickets to the 54th Watermelon Festival!
*three girls:watermelon
Southern California is a great place to celebrate food. Coming up on August 13 & 14, the Watermelon Festival will take place at the Hansen Dam Soccer Field – it’s a 54-year-long tradition!

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I have to confess, I hadn’t heard of this one before, but that’s just another instance of being a tourist in my own town, something that I just love about Los Angeles. There’s always something new to discover, even if you’ve lived here for 20 years!

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As with other food festivals, the Watermelon Festival is a great family event. The two-day fair will feature free watermelon, food, carnival rides, games, contests, live entertainment, and a Kids Zone.

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And of course, there will be watermelon related hijinks! There’s a carving contest, a seed spitting contest, and a watermelon relay. You can also stroll the booths at the arts & crafts marketplace. Live entertainment will include a Battle of the Bands and the Melon-Dramatic Puppet Theater.

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Our family is looking forward to checking out this new-to-us event. As you can see, my kids really like watermelon!

kids watermelon

May, 2009

And I’m giving away a pack of 4 tickets to a lucky reader! Simply leave a comment on this post (remember to include your email address, it will not be displayed) by Sunday, August 7 at 11:59 PM to enter. Winner will be drawn randomly and contacted by email Monday August 8 to arrange mailing of tickets. Good luck!

Watermelon Festival

August 13-14, 2016
11AM – 10PM Saturday
12PM – 10PM Sunday
Hansen Dam Soccer Field
114800 Foothill Blvd.
Lake View Terrace
Tickets: $10 adults, $6 kids 3-12, FREE kids 2 and under
Website: watermelonfest.org