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Weekday Picks: Stuffed Animal Sleepover, Sensory Fun, and Whole Foods Freebies, January 25-29

1/25/16 - By Jacqueline Stansbury

It was a dark and stormy night when wanderlust got the better of my son's bear Rusty. We were driving home from Northern California, but the bear decided to extend his stay. Grandma was able to recover and return Rusty the next day, and we kept my son's blues at bay by imagining the fluffy rogue’s exploits. (To this day Rusty has never satisfactorily accounted for all of his time away.) This week intrepid bears are offered a similar adventure at the Santa Monica Public Library. Tykes are invited to put on their jammies and bring their teddies down for story time—but when it's time to go, the plush pals stay behind for a sleepover. Kids pick them up the next day, along with a memento of their friends' nocturnal adventures.

Kids with special needs and their families have some fun options this week, from Pretend City’s monthly Family Autism event to Seeds2Sprouts’ Winter Wonderland at the Westside Pavilion to an AMC sensory friendly screening of Ride Along 2 for teens with autism.

But the biggest news? The most expensive grocery store in the “Whole” world is giving away free bags of samples and advice on entertaining at the soon to open Brea store.

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Keep an eye on the Mommy Poppins’ Daily Events Calendar and on our January GoList for more wintery things to do.

1. Family Autism Event at Pretend Cities – Monday
Irvine’s children’s museum closes its doors to the public and opens with warmth and support for families living with autism. This month there is a Sensitive Story Time reading of Understanding Sam by Clarabelle Van Niekerk and Liezl Venter, MA CCC-SLP. Reservations are required.
See all Monday events

2. Shrink Art for Teens – Tuesday
I'm not sure my library has a toaster oven available to the public, but the Valley Plaza branch of the L.A. Public Library does and will be cooking up some Shrinky Dink tchotchkes. Of course, if shrink art isn't your thing, movie buffs can spend some time with Alfred Hitchcock at LACMA instead.
See all Tuesday events

3.Whole Foods Pre-Opening Event – Wednesday
Whet your appetite in Brea at a pre-event celebrating the store’s grand opening in February. Light bites and gift bags make the sneak peek worthwhile.
See all Wednesday events

4. Stuffed Animal Sleepover – Thursday
A darling idea. More cuteness in one evening than this parent can stand: bring a bear. Leave a bear. Find out what mischief he got up to when picking him up the next morning.
See all Thursday events

5. Winter Wonderland Family Event – Friday
This event hosted by Seeds2Sprouts at Music Stars and Masters in the Westside Pavilion is designed as a play experience for all children, on the spectrum and neurotypical, to participate together. Activities include a bounce house, face painting, gift bags and a special sing-a-long with a character from Frozen. Vegan food will be served. The event is inclusive of all families but especially sensitive to the needs of those who will be most comfortable in a sensory safe space.  
See all Friday events

There are always plenty more activities on our Daily Events Calendar and in our monthly GoList. And if you don’t receive our newsletters full of suggestions for family fun, you really should subscribe…it’s free!

Photo by David via flickr