Fun & Free Things to Do This Weekend with LA Kids: Valentines Galore and a Monster Giveaway: Feb 11–12

2/9/12 - By Toby B

Love is in the air! Valentine’s Day is next Tuesday, and all around Southern California kids can craft  and hear stories and sip tea in honor of that most romantic of days. If you're still looking for a special way to celebrate Valentine's with your little ones, we've got plenty of heartfelt suggestions.

Nothing sets my heart aflutter like the simple beauty of children at play (what can I say, I'm a Mom!). As a gift to you, we've come up with a list of public school playgrounds that open up to the community when school isn't in session.

And for those who have a more heart-pounding definition of romantic, we have a giveaway to announce that's simply smashing!

Read on for our favorite picks for this weekend and to learn more about the giveaway...

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

ALL WEEKEND

40th Annual Camellia Show - San Marino
Last week it was the Descanso Gardens; now the Huntington Library gets in on the Camellia action.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 11

African American Art Festival - Culver City
STAR Eco Station celebrates African American History month with an art exhibit, live entertainment, and games.

Sounds and Rhythms of Afghanistan (S.A.R.A.) & Ballet Afsaneh - Downtown
Discover the stunning sights and sounds of Afghanistan at this free concert.

Target Free Family Saturday: Ready, Set, Go! - Downtown
Get ready to jump rope, hula hoop, and dance as the Japanese American National Museum celebrates healthy living.

Junie B. Jones - Glendora
Fans of the book series by Barbara Parks won’t want to miss this live action musical at the Haugh Performing Arts Center.

Pottery Barn Kids: Valentine's Day Doll Tea Party - Multiple Locations
Kids can share this special Valentine’s party with their favorite dolls or teddy bears.

DISSENT: Teen Night 2012 - Downtown
Teens rule the night at this annual event at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA.

Monster Jam - Anaheim
All the hearts and roses have got you down? Head on over to Angel Stadium for an evening of smashing, bashing, car-crashing chaos.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 12

Castles in the Sky: Miyazaki, Takahata and the Masters of Studio Ghibli - Hollywood
Academy-award nominated Howl’s Moving Castle (PG) plays at The Egyptian Theatre.

Chinatown Firecracker 5K/10K Run and Walk  - Chinatown
Run on down to Chinatown for a 5K/10K in honor of the Year of the Dragon.

Tom Chapin - Santa Monica
Tom Chapin performs at McCabe's popular biweekly children’s concert series.

Hammer Kids: Sunday Afternoons for Kids: Time Travel- Blast Off! - Westwood
Kids use movement to experience traveling back and forth through time.

Madeline Tea Party - Glendora
Un lump or deux? Blue Chair Books holds a French-themed tea party for Madeline fans.

Victorian Valentine's Day Tour - Los Angeles
Take a romantic tour through the Grier Musser Museum, made all the more romantic with Valentine's decor.

Family Jam: Música and the Chicano Movement - Westwood
The Fowler invites families to explore the instrumental and vocal sounds that have inspired Mexican-Americans in the Chicano Movement.

Date with Dad - Fairfax
Girls can celebrate a special Valentine’s date with their Dads at the American Girl Store at the Grove.

And now for that giveaway: we have a family four-pack of tickets to see Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam on February 18, 2012 at Dodger Stadium, (that's a $100 value!) To enter, you must email us with the subject line "Monster Jam" by midnight on Friday night, February 10, 2012.

As always, there are many more activities listed on our daily events calendar. Whatever you choose to do this weekend, we hope you have a heart-warming time. Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!