Here we've assembled a weekly calendar of kid-friendly activities and new places to try out with children. Each week, we'll give you the info on the five best family activities or events for the week. You're time-pressed enough, so we're happy to do the research and find the best things to do and places to go, both locally and within reasonable striking distance.
Look for the kids’ planner each Wednesday, and help us build the planner with your own suggestions and tips—just add them to the comment box.
ST. PAWTRICKS DAY GREEN ADOPTION EVENT
When/Where: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All six Los Angeles City Animal Care Centers
East Valley - (Green-quarters) 14409 Vanowen St, Van Nuys
West Valley - 20655 Plummer St., Chatsworth
South LA - 3612 11th Ave., Los Angeles
North Central - 3201 Lacy St., Los Angeles
West LA - 11361 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles
Harbor - 957 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro
Why Go: To find loving homes for hundreds of shelter animals, and get educated about being environmentally-conscious pet guardians. Adopt a pet at this “green” super-adoption featuring discounted adoption fees, “Kiss the Blarney Dog” kissing booth, matchmakers to help you find your fur-ever friend, eco-friendly pet products, refreshments, professional training advice, giveaways and much more. Adopt a shelter animal and not only will luck follow you home, but you'll be richer for the life you have saved. www.ruffpatches.org
Pricing: Adoption fees
When: Saturday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Leonis Adobe Museum, 23537 Calabasas Road, Calabasas.
Why Go: See what life was like on a working ranch in the 1880’s. Children can try tortilla making, butter churning, roping, doing laundry without a washing machine and dryer, and enjoy craft activities. Families can watch demonstrations of cooking in a Horno Oven, weaving, spinning, quilting, how to make clothes and dye wool, watch the blacksmith.Pricing: Free to members, Non-Members: Adults $3, Children $2
5TH ANNUAL SANTA MONICA AIRPORT ARTWALK
When/Where: Saturday, noon to 5 p.m., Ruskin Group Theatre, 3000 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica (310) 458-8350
Why Go: More than 60 local artists and performers will have their private studios and works on view, including Santa Monica Art Studios, Santa Monica College Art Mentor Program and Ceramic Arts and the Ruskin Group Theatre. The airport arts community is a unique, cultural resource located in one of L.A. County’s oldest operating airfields. Throughout the day there will be firing demonstrations of Raku Japanese pottery, highlights from the Ruskin Group Theatre’s popular monthly offering L.A. Café Plays and theater and art workshops for kids. The Mad Alsacians, an accordion-driven ensemble, will perform traditional 1930s to 60s French music and food will be offered from local restaurants Typhoon and Spitfire Grill, as well as the Border Grill Food Truck and The Sweets Truck.
Pricing: Free admission, free parking, free bike valet
Cost: $10 suggested donation
NORTH HOLLYWOOD HISTORIC WALKING TOUR
When/Where: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., North Hollywood Park - Amelia Earhart Statue - Corner of Magnolia Blvd. and Tujunga Ave. (818) 347-9665
Why Go: Learn about pioneer families, movie television and recording stars, the Spanish conquest, Mexican ranchos, great steam trains, vast ranches and orchards, land barons, wars, architecture, and much more! Tour highlights include: Amelia Earhart Statue, Amelia Earhart Library (1928), St. Paul’s First Lutheran Church, NoHo Fire Station #60, So.PacificRailroadDepot(1896) , Weddington Family History, Security Trust and Savings Bank (1924), El Portal Theatre (1926), NoHo Arts District, Lankershim Arts Center (1939) S. Charles Lee architect, Commonwealth Savings & Loan Building, North Hollywood Masonic Temple Lodge 542, Lankershim Elementary School (Marilyn Monroe attended).
Pricing: $10 suggested donation
When/Where: Saturday, 10 a.m.to 6 p.m. The Getty Museum, 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles
Why Go: Discover the richness and beauty of the ancient empires of India, Japan, and China as well as recent explosions in artistic creativity. Experience traditional Chinese opera, listen to Chinese folktales told by a master storyteller, and be dazzled by the amazing music and dance of these vibrant cultures at this hands-on family festival.
Pricing: Free. No reservations needed.
