When the Sun’s Away…You Can Still Play:

Rainy Day Activities in Woodland Hills

In Southern California, rainy days are often equivalent to snow days: A lot of people “freak out,” post Facebook statuses about the weather as if it was some kind of alien anomaly that shouldn’t happen and suddenly become terrible drivers. In all seriousness, though, many of us love rainy days for various reasons; some Los Angelinos actually feel as if they’re the “only hope” for “real weather” that Southern California has, thus embracing them and – a bit of pun intended – soaking them up.

Romanticized or not, rainy days normally force us to put a hold on certain activities we were planning. But depending on the types of activities you enjoy, there are still plenty of things to do when the sun’s away and you want to play…all you need is Woodland Hills Magazine to be your guide to the best rainy day activities in Woodland Hills.

Go Bowling

Corbin Bowl, situated at 19616 Ventura Boulevard in Tarzana, is the ultimate rainy day respite, complete with a Pro Shop, birthday party rooms and a blast of an arcade. Corbin offers a full range of services and entertainment for the whole family, including 26 AMF HPL synthetic lanes with wood approaches and computerized scoring systems; live music Monday nights with Grandstand Jam Open Mic from 8 pm to midnight; Friday and Saturday “Fun with the Family” nights from 10 pm to 2 am and featuring music, blacklights, disco lights and fog; a sports bar and café; “Concerts at the Bowl” Wednesdays featuring the San Fernando Valley Symphony Orchestra and more.

Play Indoors

Giggles N Hugs Family Restaurant & Playspace, located at 6600 Topanga Canyon Boulevard Suite 2008 in Los Angeles, has been voted Number One Birthday Party Place in L.A. as well as Number One Family Restaurant and Number One Indoor Play Space in the city, and there’s a reason for that: This spot is just plain FUN. From custom 2,000 square-foot play areas to non-stop high-energy activities all day long, Giggles N Hugs is the brainchild of two parents – Dorsa and Joey Parsi – so you know it’s been mom and dad approved. Established in 2008, Giggles N Hugs was conceived as a new kind of children’s restaurant where play time, healthy food and happy parents can converge, and since that time the venue has become the number one destination in L.A. for parents and kids who want to eat better while playing and having fun.

Make Some Art

Art Departure, located at 19932 Ventura Boulevard, represents something different on the “rainy day circuit”: A place where one can make some art. This full gallery and studio experience for artists of all ages and abilities focuses on creativity and personal growth through the wonderful medium of art-making, and offers art classes and workshops, an ever-changing gallery, art parties for kids and adults and more. According to artist and owner Jaye Weiner, Art Departure is about opening doors in a nurturing and accepting environment, where everyone can spread their creative wings and fly.

Catch A New Flick

There’s absolutely nothing more traditional in America than catching a flick on a rainy afternoon, and when that’s on the agenda, AMC Fallbrook 7 at 6731 Fallbrook Avenue in West Hills takes the experience to the next level with spacious, luxurious reclining seats. AMC Theatres welcomes approximately 200 million guests annually through the doors of its more than 300 locations, and with innovative amenities and a focus on providing an array of motion pictures in the best theatre environment, the company is regularly recognized as an industry leader and iconic destination.

Go Adventuring

Glow Zone Family Challenge Arena, located at 6051 De Soto Avenue, is an entertainment destination we’ve covered a few times before in Woodland Hills Magazine, but there’s a reason for that: From incredible indoor games to a “Soft City” area for kids seven and under, this attraction goes beyond typical rainy day activities. One of the most popular things to do at Glow Zone is the Glow Mini Golf, boasting a challenging 18-hole course with an array of obstacles including cyclones and challenge wheels, as is the Scale the City Rockwall, which includes 10 individual rockwalls, each reaching a staggering 20-feet tall. Kids can race against their friends on Glow Zone’s five timed climbing walls while parents watch from a distance and take in the excitement around them.

Get Cozy With A Book

When you want to simply get away from the technologically-driven society that permeates our everyday lives, try curling up with a good old fashioned book at the Woodland Hills Branch Library of the Los Angeles Public Library System. Located at 22200 Ventura Boulevard, the Woodland Hills Branch Library offers not only a mind-numbing selection of reading material but also intriguing events including Folk Songs for All Ages, Infant/Toddler/Preschool Storytime, New Contemporary Fiction Book Club, Chaim’s Love Song: A Performance by Arnold Weiss and more. The library also carries a range of hot new titles in fiction, non-fiction and children’s sections, and offers a true retreat from the day in, day out hustle and bustle.

The term “fun activities” means something different to everyone, but here’s something that can’t be disputed: Any of the aforementioned rainy day activities in Woodland Hills won’t let dreary weather dampen anyone’s spirits.