Kids Resources

A great place for that first haircut, Lollicut dispels worry with a ceremonial certificate & picture, as well as colorful murals, movies, videos, toys, and specially designed chairs (cars, jeeps, horses) to keep even the fussiest of kids happily engaged.

The experienced and friendly staff offers encouragement, cookies, lollipops and great haircuts, as well as a healthy environment (no chemical procedures) for kids. For the final touch, you get a balloon to take home.

The Yellow Balloon is the quintessential children's hair salon, replete with arcade games, crayons, coloring books, and a cookie jar at each station. It is much easier to get a reluctant child their first or subsequent haircut(s) there because there is so much eye candy for them to look at, and the stylists are experienced in the psyche of small children. The stylists are child haircut experts and boast a Hollywood star clientele.

However, your kids' main motivation to go will be the yellow balloon and hand-stamps they leave with. Your motivation will be the easy, no-hassles haircut in a child-friendly fun environment.

The Treehouse Social Club pioneers new territory, offering children's indoor play, spa services, a cafe, arts and crafts, creative classes, a boutique, and private parties all in one space.

Open play is dominated by a terrific tree house in the center of everything, with a big slide and a funky recycled horse swing. There is a dress-up room, a gated toddler play area, an arts and crafts area supervised by staff, and a room with computers and a Wii for older kids.

Children's classes include a variety of popular creative classes, including Tippy Toes & Tea, Move Like a Superhero, Playful Readers, dance, music, art, and more.

A la Carte Art is available anytime there is no art class in progress; children can work with a parent or with a monitor (when available) on individual art projects, starting at $3. Regular storytimes and live music are also scheduled; see our calendar for more details.

All of the above can be enjoyed while mom takes advantage of spa services, like facials, manicures, and massage, or enjoys a bite from the terrific menu at the cafe. Sight lines are good for watching little ones while indulging in these luxuries. Spa services are offered Thursday through Saturday for drop-in, or by appointment.

As if this were not enough to achieve under one roof, the boutique has a fun selection of gifts, clothing, toys, and books.

Although visitors can pay by the day for open play, by far the better deals are the membership options. Monthly memberships start at $35 and include unlimited open play, a free guest pass, free class registration (normally $25), and priority placement in popular classes.

Six-month and annual memberships are also available, as are more expensive memberships that include perks like free manicures, more guest passes, and discounts on classes, gifts, and birthday parties. The latter can be arranged either during normal business hours or privately, and the cakes are pretty amazing!

Specialties: Pediatric dentistry

The practice of Westside Pediatric Dental Group consists of Dr. Bernard Gross, Dr. Jessie N. Schwarz and Dr. Lynn S Lempert.

In addition to excellent care, the office has a reputation for great swag; toy planes, toothbrushes, and stickers are likely to fill patients' pockets on the way home.

Specialties: Pediatric dentistry

Dr. Morshed specializes in pediatric dentistry.

Specialty: Pediatrics and adolescent medicine

Practice Structure: Group

Marshall Sachs, MD

Dennis Woo, MD

Sharon Kaminker, MD

Chiaki Jutabha, MD


Hospital Affiliations: Saint John's and Santa Monica UCLA


Drs. Woo and Sachs have long been well known figures in the Santa Monica community; Dr. Sachs in particular was pediatrician to many of the parents who now bring their own children to him. Drs. Kaminker and Jutabha are the younger doctors in the practice and have loyal followings of their own.

There can sometimes be long waits at this practice, since the policy of taking important calls from parents at any time can slow down exams and put doctors behind schedule. Most parents feel the benefits outweigh the inconvenience, though - particularly as the parent phoning in is frequently saved a trip to the office with a feverish child.

Specialty: Pediatrics and adolescent medicine

Practice structure: Group; 3 MDs

Dr. Arnold Zukow

Dr. Kenneth Keer

Dr. Suzi Li

Hospital affiliations: Encino-Tarzana Medical Center, Northridge Medical Center, West Hills Hospital, UCLA Medical Center

Insurance Companies: Aetna, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Cigna, HealthNet, Pacificare, United Healthcare

Board Certification: Yes

Med Ed: University of Illinois, University of Guadalajara, UCLA


The Gettleman, Zukow, and Keer practice has served San Fernando Valley families for over 30 years. The large office has nine examination rooms, a lab, and x-ray facilities. The waiting room keeps kids and parents "patient" with a a separate sick area and plenty of toys.

Waiting time averages about 15 minutes. Five nurses assist in care, while a full support staff keeps things running. Adolescent medicine has long been a specialty of the office. Patient ages begin at birth and often continue into the 20s.

Specialty: Pediatrics and adolescent medicine

Practice Structure: Group

Robert Hamiliton, MD

Lisa Kessenich, MD

Jenna Roberts, MD

Kristin Pelenka, MD

Janna Roberts, MD


Hospital Affiliations:St Johns and Santa Monica UCLA

Charm and Happy supplies clowns, face painters, balloon twisters, and more for party entertainment.

Also available for rent are trains, mini rides, sumo wrestlers(!), and ponies.

Since becoming a major force on the LA music scene in the early '70s, McCabe's Guitar Shop is known as much for its folk and rock concerts as for its superb selection and service to the string-playing community. Now that many of the music fans and musicians that it has fostered have grown up, children's music has become a popular mainstay at the Santa Monica shop.

McCabe's specializes in acoustic and folk instruments: guitars, banjos, mandolins, dulcimers (both hammered and plucked), fiddles, psaltrys, et