A reader named Ellie left a great comment this week that showed how you can turn something simple – a patch of water – into a very cheap, very entertaining afternoon for kids. And you can do it almost anywhere there is a public stream!
There’s wonderful park in Hollywood where I used to take my kids (moons ago!). It’s on the north side of Los Feliz, not too far east of Western Ave. Can’t recall the name of the park. There’s a creek that runs through the park, which sometimes has crawdads and other creatures in it. There are picnic tables and benches, and it’s shady, which is great on really hot days.
We used to give the kids tiny bit of hot dogs attached to strings so they could troll the waters for some kind of “catch.” They never caught anything, but were always ready to try, and loved playing in the park.
I bet my nephews would love to “go fishing” at a stream near their house. And my sister would certainly appreciate a few hours off!
Related:
Frugal activities for kids this summer
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price. 
The name of this area in Griffith Park is called Ferndell and you can find it at 5375 Red Oak Dr., Los Angeles 90027. If you do a Google search, the first entry is the Recreation and Parks dept. listing for Ferndell. Enjoy!
Don’t forget Franklin Canyon (just off Laurel Canyon Blvd near Mullholand) it, too, has a lake. Another great place is Tree People…all have wonderful walking/hiking paths
Many thanks, Wendy, for the name of the park. Ferndell it is, and it’s wonderful! Of course, Lake Balboa and environs has tons of stuff for kids and adults to do, and it’s free as well. Plus the Madrid Theatre in Canoga Park used to have free shows for kids on certain days of the week, and they were sometimes versions of what were performed at the park in Warner Center. The kids get involved. Loved seeing them rounded up into a Mardi-Gras “parade” led by the jazz musicians!