Best Things To Do This Weekend with LA Kids: Free Museums, Dodgers, & Lunar New Year Jan 31 - Feb 1

1/29/15 - By Toby B

So if a Southern California groundhog sees his shadow, does that mean we have six more weeks of... the same sunny weather we always have?  Because, no offense to anyone who might be snowed in, but even the coldest days of our winter are oddly lacking in winter-like qualities. (Except for all the snow.)

But the winds of change are blowing, because hello! Blink and it's February. Our shortest month is also chock full of holidays, with Lunar New Years, Valentine's Day (get your kid started on your presents at the free workshops this weekend), Presidents Day, and a whole month of African American History.

Then again, we may be skipping spring altogether, because this weekend we get a visit from the boys of summer:  your Los Angeles Dodgers are inviting folks over for a baseball love fest. So, in keeping with the season, why not get a move on and enjoy the great outdoors? Unless it rains, in which case you should totes stay inside.

Keep reading for some of our most seasonal picks for this weekend...

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

ALL WEEKEND

Shen Yun 2015 - Costa Mesa - Costa Mesa
Shen Yun brings to life 5,000 years of civilization through classical Chinese dance and music.
 
Disney's Tinker Bell and the Legend of the Neverbeast (2D)Hollywood
Animal fairy Fawn is determined to protect the mysterious NeverBeast in the latest Pixie Hollow adventure at the El Capitan.

Smoke and Mirrors - West LA
Some deep issues are addressed in this autobiographical tale, but it’s okay because ... look! Magic!

SATURDAY JANUARY 31

Museums Free-For-All - Multiple Venues
Culture on the cheap? Priceless! Select museums across the Southland let families in for FREE this Saturday.

Dodgers FanFest - Echo Park
Show your Dodger Blue at a free festival at Dodger Stadium. (Ticket purchase required for autographs and VIP tours.)

Lunar New Year Festival - Pasadena
The Pacific Asia Museum celebrates the Year of the Sheep with its annual Lunar New Year Festival.
 
Homeschooling: What, Why, and How - Torrance
In conjunction with National School Choice Week, Tools for the Home Educator offers a workshop about homeschooling. Parents can get info about local programs, support groups, and resources to help get started. 
 
Junior Chef Classes - Multiple Locations
This week’s free class at Williams-Sonoma teaches kids how to make some no-bake Valentine's treats.
 
Kids Club - Multiple Locations
Michael’s weekly craft is a wooden Valentine's Day frame. 
 
Saturday Morning Concerts - Santa Monica
Books and Cookies celebrates a musical storytime event featuring local authors, including 9-year-old Miranda Mary.
 
A Faery Hunt - Griffith Park - Griffith Park
Looking for your missing Faery Light? I think you can find it at Griffith Park.
 
Saturday Morning Stories and More - West LA
Award-winning author and illustrator Salina Yoon returns to Children's Book World with a new adventure that deals with a common childhood fear: thunder storms.

True Pablove - A Valentine's Family Celebration - Pico Union
True Pablove features unique Valentine-themed arts and crafts, live music, a silent auction, kids' activities, and great food and beverages...all to fight childhood cancer with love.  

Snow Day - Fullerton
Feeling snow envy? Tons of snow at Brea Dam Park gives SoCal youngsters the chance to build snow people, have snowball fights, and go sledding.
 
Let's Move Outside: The Ranger Games - Agoura Hills
Kids of all ages are encouraged to get physically active in the great outdoors, with ranger-led physical fitness activities and games.
 
Monster Energy AMA Supercross - Anaheim
Indoor motocross comes to Angel Stadium in Anaheim.
 
The Scottish Music Parade - Long Beach
Get yer wee laddies and lassies to the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, for Scottish music and dance, and, oh yes, bagpipes!
 
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 1

Museums Free-For-All - West LA/Mid-Wilshire
The Zimmer and the Museum of Tolerance only celebrate Museums Free-for-All on Sunday.

Free Day at the Bowers - Santa Ana
The Bowers Museum celebrates Lunar New Year, with face painting, art projects, Asian music, Qi Gong, and Vietnamese traditional dance.

Family Art Workshop - Hollywood
It’s timely, and environmentally responsible! Kids can craft recycled Valentine's Day cards at a free drop-in workshop at Barnsdall Park.
 
Free Day at the La Habra Children's Museum - La Habra
The Children's Museum at La Habra celebrates African American heritage with story quilt squares and corn husk doll crafts and lively music from Jazzy Ash and her band.
 
Hammer Kids Close Encounters: Portraits Gone Wild - Westwood
Mom! That portrait is looking at me!   
 
Andell Family Sundays: Abstract Art - Mid-Wilshire
Experimentation is at the heart of abstract art. Play with some materials in this months family program at LACMA.
 
Stories in the Afternoon - Pasadena
Mais, oui! The Norton Simon Museum travels to Paris to learn how the city has inspired great painters. Bon voyage!
 
Chinese New Year - Beverly Hills
This annual celebration at the Saban Theatre is free, but reservations are required.

As always, there are many more activities listed on our daily events calendar, and if you didn't receive this info as a newsletter, you should sign up for our weekly events updates. Whatever you choose to do this weekend, we hope you have a terrific time!