• Several parks and lakes in the L.A. area offer watercraft rentals.Kid riding on water cycle at park image by Vasyl Dudenko from Fotolia.com
  
  The Los Angeles area is ripe with fun, educational and interesting activities and events to keep young minds curious, active and satiated. Whether you're briefly visiting the area on vacation, have recently moved into the area or are simply acclimating to a new parenting lifestyle, several indoor and outdoor venues are available to engage toddlers. The sunny skies enable year-round hiking, zoos and aquarium visits and restaurants everywhere make taking a break to recharge easy.
  
  

Studio City Farmer's Market

• Whether you're already visiting the San Fernando Valley area or will need to drive north the 15 miles to arrive there, taking the time to visit the Studio City Farmer's Market is worth the effort. Open on Sundays, the market is family oriented and fun for children of all ages. A petting zoo, bounce house, pony rides, carousel, animal balloon maker and face painting are all offered. Organic and local produce, flowers and fresh herbs are also available. This market shuts down a street off the main thoroughfare, Ventura Boulevard, in the Valley so families can walk around at their leisure. A pottery paint shop is within walking distance as are numerous restaurants and cafes.
  
  Studio City Farmer's Market
  
  10252 Ventura Place
  
  Los Angeles, CA 91604
  
  818-655-7744
  
  studiocityfarmersmarket.com
  
  

The Jump Around

• Located in Canoga Park off of highway 101 in San Fernando Valley, the Jump Around invites kids of all ages, including adults, to exhaust pent-up energy in a safe, fun and active environment. Upon walking through the front door, guests pay a one-time fee determined by the amount of time they wish to stay and then enter the main room. Various inflatable bounce houses, obstacle courses, slides and sports rings are offered. All players must wear socks and all adults are encouraged to play with their children. Kids enjoy free reign of the entire facility during open play times and a free arcade is also available. Hot food is served for an additional cost at the cafe.
  
  The Jump Around
  
  21515 Parthenia Street
  
  Canoga Park, CA 91304
  
  818-993-5867
  
  thejumparound.com
  
  

Kidspace Children's Museum

• Situated 10 miles east of Los Angeles in Pasadena, Kidspace Children's Museum awaits energetic, curious kids with several displays, interactive exhibits, climbing zones and outdoor play areas. This entire property is completely kid-friendly, meaning everything can be touched. An indoor tree offers exploration and a rope tower rises up to the ceiling. Kids prepare various bug-related foods for adults and caretakers at a diner or can choose to venture outside and roam around the expansive lawn on big bikes. An indoor nature center boasts a rich book collection as well as dried animals, insects and other nature items. Several seasonal and special-occasion activities apply and a large playground is outside the front entrance.
  
  Kidspace Children's Museum
  
  480 N. Arroyo Boulevard
  
  Pasadena, CA 91103
  
  626-449-9144
  
  kidspacemuseum.org