October 8th—here's where I'm taking my kids this week

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Happy October! We’re back in town but NYC was so much fun. We kept it low key and did some touristy things (Brooklyn Bridge Park & Natural History Museum with the kids were highlights!) but overall it was mostly a food tour. 😆

Now that we’re fully into fall, I always start to feel a bit overwhelmed this time of year on the parenting front. So many happenings/holidays and seasonal things to do, it’s a lot. I try to keep a casual, mental bucket list to make sure nothing major gets missed. I’m working on a fall-themed events graphic for social that will highlight our favorites for the month, in case this helps any other parents too, and will continue to post our weekly picks here!

x Carissa

📍 Topanga
Pickle Workshop
Friday 10/10 Head to Topanga Canyon Farmer’s Market for a pickle-making workshop with @inapickle_la. You’ll make your own jar of gourmet pickles to take home, sample a few flavors, and support the local market in the process. $100 per person - half the proceeds benefit the market. (10:30am - 12pm)

📍Van Nuys
Art + Bonsai Day at The Japanese Garden
Friday 10/10 Meet local artist Nori Shirasu (@norishirasu), who’ll be live-demonstrating traditional Japanese arts like sumi-e (ink painting) and Japanese Calligraphy style, known as Shodō. Enjoy wandering around the garden as a family after making art together. (9:30am - 3:30pm)

📍 Highland Park
Calico Critter Party!
Saturday 10/11 This Saturday Freya the Bunny will be at Merci Milo for a meet and greet moment that’s pure nostalgia. Stop by for hugs, photo ops, and limited-edition Freya cookies. Bonus: the first 25 customers snag a goodie bag with cookies & other treats! (11am - 1pm)

📍Griffith Park
Depot Days at Travel Town
Sunday 10/12 Vintage trains, live jazz, food trucks, and model displays take over Travel Town Museum. Kids can explore, catch live music, and join the member-only costume parade. Free to attend and for all ages. A can’t miss for train lovers! (10am - 3:30pm)

📍Pasadena
Crafting Memories: Family Day
Sunday 10/12 Enjoy a relaxed, hands-on afternoon across the Gamble House and Pasadena Museum of History. Families can make ceramic tiles, craft, bird-watch, listen to live music, and picnic on the lawn. Free and open to all. (11am - 3pm)

Save the Date!
Saturday 10/18 We’re thrilled to be hosting & curating the fall craft for kids at Platform’s Fall Harvest Party! We’ll share more event details on social this week - so excited to be part of this and hope you all can swing by! RSVP here

*These aren’t ALL the family-friendly events happening this week in and around LA, just the best (IMO). We keep it short and curated—follow on IG + TT for more!

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See you next week!