Fun & Free Activities with LA Kids this Weekend: Bug Fair, Strawberries, and Topanga Banjo Fiddle: May 17 - 18

5/15/14 - By Toby B

This is getting serious, guys. This is our last weekend before Memorial Day. You know what Memorial Day means? The beginning of summer. (Not in a solstice kind of way, but in an unofficial start to the season way, and a bunch of free outdoor concert and movie series are starting up and I think maybe you can wear white again way.)

But it doesn't feel like summer or anything; nope, no sweltering temps here. Denial may be a river in Egypt, but who needs rivers when we've got the beach, the waves, and delightful sea creatures? Sure, the mercury may be rising so high it'll knock you into the Renaissance era... twice... but we can enjoy it while breakfasting with gibbons and snacking on strawberries. Yes, you may get to the rink and find the ice has melted, but no worries, you can go roller skating!

Then, of course, there's no better way to get your mind off your own steamin' pile o' troubles than to help others. Luckily this is Big Sunday Weekend, so there are projects all around that need your special touch to get them done.

Keep reading for the hottest activities to be found this weekend...

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

ALL WEEKEND

Bug Fair 2014 - Exposition Park
The Natural History Museum celebrates things winged and creepy-crawly with the biggest bug festival in North America.
 
The Ugly Duckling and The Tortoise and The Hare - Santa Monica
Lightwire Theatre lights up the stage with their adaptation of these classic fables.

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing - Santa Monica
Judy Blume’s classic is brought to the stage at the Morgan-Wixson Theater.

Koroneburg Old World Renaissance Festival - Corona
Baron Heinrich Von Lauffer has invited the finest minds and most talented entertainers to celebrate the “state-of-the-art” inventions and advances of the Renaissance period – and guess what? You’re on the list!

Renaissance Pleasure Faire - Irwindale
Lords and ladies of the court, mount your fastest steeds and hie thee to the closing weekend of the Renaissance Pleasure Faire!

Play Days - Monterey Park
Monterey Park’s birthday celebration includes a 4-day carnival and a parade on Saturday.

California Strawberry Festival - Oxnard
Strawberries are the only fruits that have their seeds on the outside. They are also yummy. Nibble on a pound or two at this annual festival.

The Wind in the Willows - West LA
This weekend's performances of Wind in the Willows include an arts & crafts fair.

Big Sunday Weekend - Multiple Locations
Volunteer projects throughout LA are waiting for your family's helping hand.

SATURDAY MAY 17

Wake Up with the Waves  - Santa Monica
Rhythm Child plays the popular kids concert series on Santa Monica Pier.

Endangered Species Day - San Pedro
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium draws attention to endangered marine species with a free day of activities.

Books and Cookies Play Day at Piper Preschool - Santa Monica
The Santa Monica favorite brings the fun to Piper Preschool, with Movers and Shakers storytime, a concert by Jennifer Paskow.

Marina Fest - Marina del Rey
The one-day boat show at Burton Chace Park features yacht club water taxi tours and free boat rides.

LA Sanitation West Valley Yard Open House - Northridge
Join Mr. Recycle and his sidekick Robo Blue at the West Valley District Yard, and see the city's trash trucks up close.
 
Santa Monica City Yards Open House - Santa Monica
Sanitation Yard Open Houses are so much fun,  Santa Monica decided to get it on the action.

Breakfast with the Gibbons  - Santa Clarita
The annual breakfast at the Gibbon Conservation Center offers a chance to see (and hear!) the acrobatic primates in action.

 A Faery Hunt Presents Fairy Time in the Enchanted Garden - Palos Verdes Peninsula
The faeries are loose in the gardens!  Why not join them for a magical walkabout at South Coast Botanic Garden?
 
Nothin' But Sand Beach Cleanup - Hermosa Beach
This month’s beach clean-up is in Hermosa.

Public Safety Day - Agoura Hills
There’s a helicopter flyover, an open ambulance, a Canine Search & Rescue team, and a Shakey Quakey house - all part of the safety and rescue oriented fun at Fire Station No. 89.

World City: Daughters of the Purple Sage Wylie & The Wild West - Downtown
This month’s free World City presentation is all about Americana, with cowboy music and songs of the American West.
 
SuperSMASH Carnival and 40 Year Celebration - Santa Monica
Santa Monica Alternative School House brings on the fun at this annual fundraiser that includes a BBQ, games, rides, crafts, and a real car that you can help paint.

Colfax World Fair  - Valley Village
Colfax Charter‘s annual fair features dozens of family-friendly games and attractions, two food courts, a huge silent auction with over 500 items, raffles, and musical performances throughout the day.

Neighbohood Nursery School's Annual Spring Fair  - Silver Lake
The primo entertainment at this annual fundraiser includes Dan Bern & Friends, Storytime Funland, Randy Kaplan, Wolf Country, The Outlines, and Independent Dance Company.
 
Dinosaur Dig - Thousand Oaks
The dino-rific fun at the Conejo Community Center includes dinosaur crafts, games, and a hike to a “dig site” to dig for fossils.

Movie in the Park - Manhattan Beach
Bring blankets, low back chairs, snacks, and your finest singing voice for a free screening of the sing-a-long version of Frozen (PG) at Polliwog Park.

SUNDAY MAY 18

54th Annual Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival - Agoura Hills
Whether you want to watch or join in, the Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival offers plenty of opportunity to enjoy music, with the backdrop of Western movie sets and the mountain locations of Paramount Ranch.
 
Education & Enrichment Fair LA 2014 - Westwood
This free fair can point you in the direction of all different kinds of education enrichment programs, including learning differences, multilingual education, gifted and 2e, educational therapies, and more, with TED-style speakers throughout the day.
 
Museums of the Arroyo Day - Los Angeles & Pasadena
Families can discover living history, local history, architectural history, dance, traditional craft demos, kids' crafts, storytelling, art, and live music at five historical museums in Pasadena and Los Angeles.
 
Interactive Concert For Individuals With Autism And Their Families - Sherman Oaks
Music for Autism presents a free concert for people with autism and their families, featuring vocalist Cassandra Kubinski.

Seal Day - San Pedro
The Marine Mammal Care Center hosts its 21st annual Seal Day, encouraging families to come see the marine mammals and enjoy games, activities, live music, information booths, guest speakers, and movie screenings. Pet adoptions are also available at the event (but I’m guessing no seals).
 
LoveLiv Benefit - Culver City
Games, bouncers, tours of Star Eco Station and live entertainment highlight this benefit to raise aawareness for Nemaline Myopathy.

Sister Cities Of Los Angeles Cultural Day In The Park - Los Angeles
The Grove celebrates the cultures of eight of Los Angeles sister cities, with music and dance from Beirut, Busan, Giza, Lusaka, Mexico City, Mumbai, Nagoya, and Yerevan.
 
Stories in the Afternoon - Pasadena
The Hindu god Vishnu changed form to save the world. What form will your superhero take?
 
Classically Digital - Pacific Palisades
Audiences are taken on a musical journey through past, present, and future, the Stone Age through Rock.
 
Zimmer Sunday Family Programs - Mid-Wilshire
Admission to the Zimmer is free this Sunday, sponsored by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

As always, there are more activities listed on our daily events calendar, and if you don't already receive this post as a weekly email, you should totally subscribe. Whatever you choose to do this weekend, we hope you have an amazing time!