Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Long Beach, CA

I don't know about you, but sometimes I find it hard to get motivated to venture out of our little corner of Southern California. Sit in traffic with a cranky kid? No thanks. But I promise, the places in this post are actually worth the hassle. Just don't forget to bring snacks and a Magnadoodle for when you're stuck on the 405.

The La Brea Tar Pits smell like fresh asphalt on a hot day, and the oily black goo bubbles up like a witch's brew. Inside the Page Museum, you can see the reconstructed skeletons of the prehistoric animals like woolly mammoths who came to a sticky end millions of years ago.

When we want to go to a beach that doesn't come with a view of an oil well, we drive to Malibu. Bella likes to walk along the beach collecting the abundant seashells and smooth stones. Afterward, you can stop by the Malibu Country Mart to gawk at celebrities, pick up a birthday gift at Toy Crazy, or just have a coffee while you push your child on the swings.

At the La Habra Children's Museum, kids can try on dress-up clothes and explore stage equipment in a theater room, or pretend to drive a real OCTA bus. In the preschool Playpark, kids under five can put together puzzles or cook up breakfast in the housekeeping area.

One of the things I like about living in Southern California is that you can feel like you're in another country without the hassle of actually traveling. There are so many ethnic enclaves here, it's hard to choose, but one of my favorites is Little Tokyo. Stop for some ramen, because what kid doesn't love noodles? (Orochan is known for their spicy ramen, but they also offer a mild version.) You can cool down afterward with green tea ice cream at Mikawaya, then browse the children's section at Kinokuniya. (Many of the books are in Japanese, but they also have some books by Asian authors in English.) Also worth a visit is the Japanese American National Museum.