Cardboard City LA Eco Kid Free Family Fun

Family Fun

MBE partnered with Cardboard City for this post

by Rachel Marks

MBE Kids Editor

Cardboard City Open July 21 through September 3

There's an exciting activity available for families to do together in Southern California this summer. Part eco-friendly kids museum, part recycled arts and crafts hands on workshop for the whole family, Cardboard City is open to the public at Westfield Century City shopping center in Los Angeles now through Labor Day weekend, September 4.

At Cardboard City, parents, kids and extended family members can view and enjoy inspirational museum-quality works by LA-based artists. They can also make cardboard creations of their own with crafting materials provided, chat with the artists-in-residence, participate in story time, and visit the Cardboard City gift shop. 

The interactive exhibit and family art program evolves throughout the summer as the staff artists create new works each week, incorporating elements created by Cardboard City participants. This rare opportunity allows for youth and adults to come together from a variety of cultures and explore their creativity. In addition to the free components of the event venue's space, there is also select paid programming taking place throughout the summer.

 

My Family's Hands On Experience

I'm thrilled to share my wonderful personal experience at Cardboard City with my two sons, Izzy (age 5) and Ori (age 2). From the moment we stepped into this magical, creative wonderland, we were met with warmth and enthusiasm by delightful staff members, Emeeka Simmons and Jennifer Racusin. Their patience and genuine interest in making our visit enjoyable made all the difference. The main highlight of our visit was the opportunity to let our imaginations run wild as we embarked on two fantastic cardboard crafting projects. 

With the assistance of Emeeka and Jennifer, both full-time art teachers, we embarked on creating a cardboard version of Catboy from PJ Masks, one of my boys' favorite characters. The excitement and joy in the kids' eyes as we transformed a simple cardboard into a superhero together were truly priceless. Next, we decided to construct a cardboard house and decorate it with cork people.

 

The creativity flowed effortlessly, and I was impressed by how skillfully staffers guided my sons, helping them bring their ideas to life. As a parent, it was heartwarming to see them working together and bonding over their shared craft projects. Even my youngest, my 8-month-old daughter, wasn't left out of the fun! She was provided with a safe and enjoyable play area where she could explore and interact with cardboard in her own way. Watching her laughter and curiosity as she explored the cardboard sizes textures and shapes was truly heartwarming. 

But the experience didn't end with crafting projects alone. Jennifer, with warm storytelling vibes, captivated all of us, young and old alike. She painted vivid worlds with her words, and it was evident that she loved her craft. My boys were mesmerized, hanging on to every word she said as she read to them. It was a beautiful and interactive storytelling session that left us with cherished memories. 

Throughout the day, Emeeka and Jennifer made us feel as if we were more than just customers; they made us feel like family. They went above and beyond to ensure our visit was enjoyable and memorable, from start to finish. From offering helpful tips during the crafting process to engaging in light-hearted conversations, their genuine care and attention to detail were evident in every interaction. 

Cardboard City at Westfield Century City truly excels in fostering creativity and family bonding. The cozy and inviting atmosphere combined with the attentive staff created an environment where all ages from a variety of backgrounds can feel comfortable exploring their imaginations. As a parent, I appreciated how the activities catered to children of various ages, making it a perfect family outing.

The joy of crafting with my hubbie and sons, seeing their smiles and laughter, and experiencing the magic of storytelling all in one place was an unforgettable, fanciful experience. Thank you, Cardboard City and staff for providing us with such a pleasantly positive and memorable day. We can't wait to return and transform recycled cardboard into more beautiful crafts and artwork together as a family.

To sum it all up, I can confidently say that this visit to Cardboard City will be etched in our hearts for years to come and those of you with children who are lucky enough to be living (or visiting) the LA-area this summer should definitely consider taking your family here.

Where and When

Families are invited to discover Cardboard City for yourselves at Westfield Century City shopping mall, 10250 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, located on the 2nd floor, next door to Eataly and Macy's. Through September 4, 2023, operating hours are Wednesday to Friday Noon - 6 pm and weekends Saturday and Sunday from 10 am - 6 pm, including toddler-friendly crafting specially-designed for kids 2-5 years old  from 10 am - Noon. reDiscover Cardboard City is free and is open to the public.

image courtesy of Cardboard City

About Cardboard City 2023

Now in its third season and considered by many to be among LA's best family art education programs, the annual pop-up art center Cardboard City runs for 7 weeks from July 21 - September 4 and is produced by reDiscover Center. Partnering with Westfield Century City, this summer museum-style exhibition will have 12' sculptures, massive collaborative art installations, cardboard costuming, skills building classes, and community connections. Sponsored by City of Los Angeles DCA, Los Angeles Department of Arts and Culture, CA Arts Council, Herb Alpert Foundation, Adobe, Makedo, Clif Family Foundation, and the Getty Foundation. Get more information about Cardboard City, see special programming schedule and register for art classes.

Amazon Prime Day Kids Deals Big Savings

Toys 

This post contains Amazon Affiliate links at no additional cost to you

Save Up to 51% on These Deals for Your Kids

So many fun things to discover for toddlers and younger kids during Amazon Prime Days July 11-12. Not an Amazon Prime member yet? Try Amazon Prime FREE to access these amazing deals right now.

Now, without further adieu, here are Mommy Blog Expert's top picks for things you can save on during Amazon Prime Days that we think your children are gonna love. Whether you're shopping for summer or doing your holiday shopping early, there's something here for little ones to enjoy. 

TEMI Dinosaur Truck Toy

This is an ideal summer toy for kids 3-7 years old that boys and girls can enjoy indoors or outside. The oversized toy Tyrannosaurus Transport Car Carrier Truck (35cm long) encourages kids to let their imaginations run wild as they capture dinosaurs in the truck's cage. The dino truck comes with 8 colorful dino figures, activity play mat, dinosaur eggs. 

Amazon Fire 7 Kids Tablet

The heavy duty 7-inch Amazon Fire Kids Tablet (16 GB, Blue, Latest Release) is ideal for a preschooler's first electronic device. Gives little ones as young as 3-years old access to entertaining and educational family-friendly content. Parents will like this tablet just as much as you can set time limits, age filters, and more with the parental controls. 

LeapFrog Scoop and Learn Ice Cream Cart

Nothing says summer more for kids than ice cream. This LeapFrog ice cream toy cart from VTech is not only fun it encourages creativity, imaginary play, and learning. Sized for kids ages 2 and up, toddlers can actually push the ice cream cart, building motor skills. This sweet ice cream cart set includes everything kids need to make pretend ice cream cones and sundaes as well as faux money (teaching counting), a parental guide an more. Requires 3 AA batteries (included). 

PicassoTiles - 100 Piece Set

Kids love colorful building things, right? PicassoTiles, are clear magnetic 3D building blocks, that make it possible for youngsters to build some of the most imaginative structures, building and even castles. Children will be able to build to their heart's content and there's plenty of tiles for more than one child to build  something at the same time. Just think, with a toy like this, kids are only limited by their own imaginations.

My First Preschool Barbie

Now younger kids don't have to wait to be old enough to play with standard Barbie dolls. The larger sized My First Barbie measures 13.5" tall. The blonde haired Barbie features a soft poseable body, arms and legs and comes boxed with the outfit and accessories pictured including an adorable Barbie-sized plush kitten. A perfect way to introduce younger kids to the iconic doll Barbie, with Barbie The Movie

Maggy The Talking Hamster

Made for kids ages 1 through 5, Maggy The Talking Hamster speech therapy toy repeats what your child says in a silly voice as well as jumps up and down. This plush and cuddly hamster will imitate sounds whether kids sing, laugh, or speak in any language. Maggy encourages children to build their vocabularies with fun speech development games. Powered by 3 AAA batteries (not included).

CoComelon Toddler Plastic Dinnerware Set

Not really a toy, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't make meal time more fun for your toddler. Celebrating the popular animated toddler's series CoComelon, this includes two colorful double-sided plates (edged on one side, flat on the other) plus 4 textured grip spoons. Made without BPA, this feeding set will make eating more entertaining for kids and parents will be glad to know all pieces in the set are easy to clean and dishwasher safe.

DISCLOSURE: We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that allows our site to earn compensation, without extra cost to you, for including referral links within our posts to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

How To Get Kids Outdoors More

Kids Fitness 

 

7 Creative Ways To Inspire Kid to Get Outside & Play

Are you struggling to unplug your children from their devices and coax them into the great outdoors? Kids seem to always be on their tablet or on their parent’s phone. It's become increasingly difficult to encourage children to explore the world beyond their screens. But it’s important to make the time because the benefits of spending time outdoors are huge.

MBE partnered with Rollplay, post contains affiliate links

With some creativity, you can make the outdoors fun and educational for your kids. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently reported that children who play outside experience many benefits. Some of those benefits include: better overall physical health, greater engagement in learning, and improved behavior. They also enjoy better mental health than their indoor-focused peers.

There are countless ways to get kids to enjoy the outdoors, and below are just a few suggestions that are great for the entire family. Read on for some inspiration on getting the kids outside for fresh air in the days ahead.

1. Transform Walks into Interactive Games 

Walks don't have to be mundane. You can turn a simple walk into an exciting game of "Eye Spy" or a treasure hunt. Encourage your kids to identify the various trees, birds, flowers, and wildlife they see during the walk. 

Arm yourselves with field guides specific to your area, and make each outing a quest to discover something new. Engaging with local wildlife in this way not only encourages observation and learning but also fosters a deeper connection with nature.

2. Move Storytime Outdoors

Who said story time needs to be confined to the bedroom? Grab a blanket, some books, and find a shady spot in your backyard or a local park. Reading books that talk about nature can further enhance this outdoor experience, helping your child draw connections between the stories and their surroundings.

This way, you're not just fostering a love for reading but also subtly encouraging an appreciation for the great outdoors.

 

3. Choose Active Commutes 

If the destination is within a reasonable distance, why not walk or cycle instead of driving? Short car trips are particularly harmful to the environment as they burn fuel and create pollution at higher rates than long journeys. By choosing to walk or cycle, you're teaching your kids about eco-friendly practices while incorporating outdoor time into daily life.

Many families recently adopted a dog. Taking your kids for a walk or a trip to the dog park offers an added incentive for outdoor activity. 

4. Embrace Ride-on Toys 

Rollplay Nighthawk is a fantastic ride-on toy that offers kids an exhilarating outdoor experience. With speeds of up to 6 miles per hour and a unique steering technique, it's sure to delight little thrill-seekers. 

Ride-on toys offer more than just fun. They empower children with decision-making opportunities. Whether it's choosing the direction or speed children learn to assess risks and make independent choices. This gives kids a sense of confidence in their decision-making abilities.

Rollplay White 12 Volt Nighthawk Ride-On

5. Start a Miniature Garden 

Gardening is a great way to engage kids outdoors. Create a dedicated space for your kids to plant flowers and vegetables, and watch their excitement as they see their plants grow over time. This hands-on experience not only teaches them about nature and life cycles but also encourages responsibility as they care for their plants.

If space is an issue, you can start with a few pots or containers. As long as your kids can dig, water, and watch their plants grow, the size of the garden does not matter at all! 

6. Opt for Outdoor Dining 

Something as simple as having a snack or lunch outside can make a big difference. Eating outdoors is a fun and easy way to enjoy nature. It can be on a picnic in your backyard or a snack break during a hike. You can make this even more engaging by involving your kids in preparing the picnic or snack. This not only gets them excited about the outdoor meal but also teaches them valuable life skills.

7. Follow The Leader Walk 

Take the classic game of "Follow the Leader" outside with a fun, child-led adventure walk. Allow your child to decide the direction at each crossroads, turning a simple walk around the block into an exciting expedition. When it's time to head home, you can gently steer them back on track. This game not only keeps kids physically active but also nurtures their leadership skills.

Ride-on toy images courtesy of Rollplay

DISCLOSURE: We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that allows our site to earn a bit of compensation (at no extra cost to consumers) for including referral links within our posts to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

July 4th Family Friendly Free Craft Ideas

4th of July

This post contains Amazon affiliate links so we can earn a small commission, at no extra cost to shoppers, if you make a purchase

Free Fun Inspo for Independence Day

July 4th is all about our country's FREEdom. So what better way to motivate you to get into the spirit of the holiday than with some creative, FREE ways for you and your kids to celebrate The Fourth this year?

A Capitol Fourth on PBS

In our Nation's Capitol, there is there is entertainment for just about everyone to enjoy. Scheduled performers include Chicago, Boyz II Men, The Muppets of Sesame Street, Belinda Carlisle, The National Symphony Orchestra, Northwell Nurse Choir, The US Army Band "Pershing's Own," The United States Army Presidential Salute Battery, and others. Watch it from home wherever you are on the 4th of July on your local PBS station

DIY Patriotic Fan by PBS Kids

Here's a  fun patriotic themed craft that is easy enough for preschoolers to make with your help. This Paper Plate Fan Craft is inspired by the stars and stripes on America's flag and will help kids get into the spirit of the holiday. Free directions

4th of July Paper Rockets by Happiness is Homemade

See the directions to make some cute faux fireworks similar to the ones used for the decor here. This creative project starts with either empty toilet paper cardboard rolls (or recycled paper towel rolls) like those that were used to create the centerpiece above. Get the free directions

Patriotic Paper Wreath Craft by Crayola

A paper plate is the base for this craft that incorporates colored construction papers cut into star shapes. A easy way for kids to help decorate their room and your house for July 4th. Get the free directions 

Firecracker Margarita by Mommy Blog Expert

Celebrate by making an Independence Day cocktail or mocktail margarita. This drink can be made with or without alcohol either as a slush or straight out of the bottle and will be a hit with your party guests. To easily mix up some fun drinks check out MBE's free directions

More Free, Fun Ideas for the 4th of July

American Flag Coloring Page  from Crayola

20 Free 4th of July Printables from Mod PodgeRocks Blog

Patriotic Recipes, Crafts from PBS Food

Wishing You  

A Safe, Fabulous 4th!

Central Perk Coffee Enjoyed Best With Friends

Good Taste

MBE partnered with Central Perk for this post, opinions are my own

New Artisan Coffee, Inspired by Friends TV Series

I am writing this review now, under the influence of Central Perk "Oh. My. Gawd!" Cold Brew Blend ground coffee. I received this to facilitate a coffee tasting for this review, along with two other varieties of the brand's newest java offerings including "Gunther!" Espresso whole beans and "Moo Point" ground decaf. 

Central Perk Coffee

Fans of the iconic TV series Friends from Warner Bros. which ran for 10 seasons from 1994-2004 are familiar with the show's fictional Central Perk coffee shop where New Yorkers Ross, Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Gunther and the rest of the gang like to hang out. Earlier this month the first-ever real life Central Perk coffeehouse opened its doors to the public in Boston; additional coffee shops are planned for around the country during 2023.

But don't worry coffee lovers, if you're outside of Boston: you are not missing out because Central Perk's artisan coffees are available right now nationwide for delivery in 10 oz bags (as well as in single serve pods in a box) to your doorstep for you to brew at home.  

In fact, after trying this trio of new coffees myself, which were all so good, I decided to include them among our top picks for MBE's 2023 Father's Day Gift Guide.

 

The Newest Central Perk Coffees

Joining existing Friends inspired varieties "How You Doin," "Pivot Blend," and "We Were on a Coffee Break," are three all-new Central Perk coffees -- each created with the expertise and know-how of NYC resident and famed Chef Tom Colicchio. The newest three are featured in this review.

"Oh.My.Gawd!" ground coffee may be billed by the brand as a medium roast with butterscotch and cocoa notes as a cold brew blend. Admittedly, I've tried this both iced and hot, and either way this coarse grind choice is my hands-down favorite of the new Central Perk coffees sent to me to experience. This is particularly good for summer which starts tomorrow, served as an ice blended style drink by adding milk and a tablespoon of chocolate milk powder to ice cubes and brewed coffee, then frothing it up in a blender before pouring into a tall glass.

"Gunther!" Espresso whole beans is a dark roast producing dark cocoa, sweet caramel, and smoky notes. Full-bodied, bold and rich tasting, this is a great choice for those of you who appreciate the strong taste when sipping a good espresso like I do. To make a delicious cup of espresso, simply grind the whole beans immediately before brewing, then use 1-2 tablespoons of ground coffee for each 6 oz cup of cold filtered water which should be properly heated to a piping hot 197-205 degrees for ideal extraction and best results.

"Moo Point" decaf coffee is an essential to have on hand, as an alternative to the caffeinated varieties, especially if you are entertaining for Sunday brunch, serving with dessert, or just about anytime you are offering your guests coffee. As a medium roast, with its delightful light hints of cocoa and subtle honey, savoring this brew I had a hard time telling that this coffee variety, as flavorful and good tasting as it was, was actually decaffeinated.

 

What is Artisan Coffee Anyway?

Artisan coffee, which has become extremely popular among discerning coffee drinkers, is defined as a high quality coffee that has been crafted with great attention to details by skilled individuals like Chef Colicchio. It is a term often used to describe coffee, typically sourced from specialty coffee farms growing an exceptional quality of beans, then prepared in small batches by small-scale coffee roasters.

About Central Perk Coffee

Central Perk responsibly sources coffee from 20 countries of origin -- including many of the best growing regions around the world. Products are available for ordering exclusively online, shipping in the US and internationally through CentralPerk.com. Coffee product packaging options including single serve pods, whole beans, and ground coffee for $16.99 each. There is also a coffee subscription program to receive products shipped to you regularly. Always fresh, free US shipping is provided with orders of $40+. As the company's mantra says, this coffee collection is "Enjoyed best with FRIENDS." Stay up to date on all the news and learn more by visiting CentralPerk.com, also by following them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.