Thank you to all our beta subscribers for sticking with us through the technical glitches while we continue pouring love into this resource for Westside families.

If you love Venice Rising, share it with a friend below. This is our love letter to Venice + Westside families, and we’re so glad you’re here.

✐ Also! Thanks to your feedback, future weekly newsletters will now land on Tuesdays — so you have more time to plan your weekends.

(bonus points if you read that in Ice Cube’s voice)

Let kids go wild making neon splatter art in a glow-in-the-dark paint room. Messy, creative, unforgettable.

https://splatterstudiola.com/kids-and-families/

321 Santa Monica Blvd Suite 100, Santa Monica, CA 90401

High-energy live-action game rooms where kids (and parents) jump, climb, dodge, and solve challenges together. The perfect Valentine’s kid date for burning off sugar and having a blast as a team.

🔗 https://playactivate.com/culver-city

Westfield Culver City

A giant indoor playground we randomly spotted driving by — perfect for a spontaneous kid date when you need guaranteed energy burn.

https://funplayworld.com/la#about

Pico near Lincoln

Whimsical, historic, and completely enchanting. Feels like stepping into a storybook.

https://www.bobbakermarionettetheater.com/hooray-la-2026

4949 York Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90042 (worth the drive!)

Interactive storytelling, costumes, nature, and imagination. Especially magical for younger kids.

https://afaeryhunt.com/

Crestwood Hills Park, 1000 Hanley Avenue, Los Angeles 90049 (Brentwood)

Drop the kids for a fun camp day and sneak in a daytime Valentine’s date!

https://www.bananasforever.com/day-camp

12931 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066

Science, art, games, movies, pizza, contests, snacks, friends — basically a dream night for kids ages 4–12 while you sneak off for an actual date night.

5–10 PM · $15/hr first child, $5/hr siblings · Once a month (check flyer)

https://www.realmlearning.com/

400 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Making an executive decision as a former raver to include this even though it’s practically in another state (aka Hollywood) Glow sticks, real beats, and a daytime dance floor for families.

https://events.venicerising.com/event/family-rave-bass-in-space/

1642 N Las Palmas Ave Los Angeles, CA 90028

If you’ve ever wished your kid felt confident, comfortable, and actually excited to be out there you must check out Sunrise Surf Academy.

Locally rooted and run by Venice surfers who know these waves like their morning coffee, Sunrise teaches kids (and teens and grownups!) how to surf with confidence, respect, and plenty of stoke. Summer camps and year-round sessions available. They are all about building skill, ocean knowledge, and community.

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