Ball is Life

I’m going to be honest with you, dear reader. Sports are not exactly my thing.

Although some of my fondest childhood memories involve going to Dodgers games with my dad, that was mostly because ours was a health food household and at the games I got to eat sno cones until I threw up. There was a certain charm to listening to Vin Scully intoning on long night drives home in the family Volvo, but I didn’t keep the habit up as an adult. So when I heard the World Cup was coming to LA I mostly responded with an internal shrug.

But you guys? It kind of rules. Everyone is having so much fun! The Germans are discovering Waffle House! Japanese people are learning about bottomless chips and salsa! And tons of you are asking me the same question—what’s the best way to experience the World Cup with kids?

Good news gang: wall to wall watch parties from now til July 19th. Here are ten that seem like they’d be most fun to check out with little ones:

You know we’ve got our own special KCRW event in the mix— The Music Center’s ¡DALE! Fútbol Watch Party: Spain v. Uruguay. Kicking off the season of free nighttime dance parties downtown, it’s worth staying up past bedtime for.

The city is hosting kid-friendly Official Fan Zones in pretty much every neighborhood including yours, but the one at Union Station seems like a particular standout. With music, food, and trains, it’s kind of the ultimate family friendly World Cup hang.

Or get outdoors with the citywide Kick It In the Park, transforming local green spaces into World Cup fun zones with giant screens for live match screenings, soccer clinics, and family fun zones.

If they’re really serious about the soccer clinic thing, give them a chance to kick it with the pros at the LA Galaxy Soccer Celebration. Galaxy Players will be making in-person appearances, and every event has family-friendly programming.

For my fellow inside kids, the LA County Library is hosting a Summer of Soccer. There will be watch parties, soccer themed crafts, trivia, and movie nights, plus soccer themed reading recommendations.

The Hammer Museum is hosting free watch parties in their airy courtyard, where kids can kick back on those iconic Spun Chairs and take in the galleries between matches.

At LACMA this Thursday, they’ll be screening a game in honor of their ongoing exhibition Fútbol Is Life: Animated Sportraits by Lyndon J. Barrois, Sr. , for a chance to ponder the art of the game.

Or relax in the garden at the Getty Soccer Watch Parties, where they’re pairing each match with specially themed food and drink specials.

For a whole district’s worth of arty vibes, the NOHO Futbol Fest on June 27th will feature a full day of games, live music, interactive games, a family fun zone, star athlete appearances, and food and drinks galore.

Speaking of food and drink, snack loving little ones will be particularly excited about The World Grub at Smorgasburg LA. Serving up international flavors from many of the participating countries, the festival also features family-friendly activities and a mini soccer pitch.

So reader—where will you be watching the World Cup this year? And for a future column I’m collecting a list of the best frozen sweet treats in the city, so drop your recs below!

What’s Happening This Weekend:

Thursday, June 18th

Whether you love or hate it (I think it kind of slaps), LACMA’s new Geffen building is here to stay. They’re celebrating it with a special Grand Opening Weekend starting tonight, with events every day through Sunday (including the much hyped Saturday Art Parade).

Friday, June 19th

Start the weekend off right with an all-family sunset outing to the Penmar Golf Course for one of their beloved Sunset Sessions.

Saturday, June 20th

Keeping our World Cup theme going, The Broad and KCRW are pairing up for a SpotsRave in their outdoor plaza. There will be live music, workouts, giveaways, and even luchador matches from LuchaVaVOOM.

In Venice, the Venice Fest offers the perfect all-day streetfest energy, with dozens of bands, food trucks, and a classic car show. Stroll the streets then hit the beach with a picnic assembled from local vendors.

If you want to keep the artsy vibes going, the Perrotin Art Gallery on Pico is hosting a free crafting workshop for kiddos 8+.

Sunday, June 21st

For me, music + water makes for a perfect baby hang, so the LA River Solstice Festival checks all the boxes. Hosted by LA River Arts and Living Earth, it’s an all-day opportunity to explore the narrows with music from Mary Lattimore, a special performance by the Bob Baker puppets, and much, much more.

For my valley girls and guys, Warner Park in Woodland Hills is hosting a free musical tribute to Prince. Pack a picnic and rock out to “Little Red Corvette,” which is, as my three year old excitedly pointed out when it recently came on the radio, a song about vehicles.