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Fun & Free Things to Do with LA Kids this Weekend: Family Sandcastles, National Dance Day and Free Smoothies, July 27- 28

7/25/13 - By Toby B

This week we celebrate the birth of a great son of England. His arrival was most definitely magical, and celebrated across the wizarding world. Harry Potter is one year older, and the folks at Whimsic Alley are throwing him a shindig befitting a prince.

But perhaps you were thinking of another Brit who’s been getting a lot of attention: the Bard of Avon is as fresh as ever 449 years after his birth. The renowned wordsmith has productions going all around town: you can see free Shakespeare in Griffith Park or A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the VA’s Japanese Gardens, there’s even a superhero version of Twelfth Night coming up in Culver City.

But of course I jest. The big news across the pond is the birth of HRH George Alexander Louis, the 8 pound, 6 ounce bundle of royalty. Congrats to the happy family, and welcome to the parenting club. If you ever make it out this way, be sure to check out our events calendar for the inside scoop on what to see and do with your little one in La La Land. (But for now, just try to get some sleep!)

Keep reading for some of our favorite picks for this weekend...

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

ALL WEEKEND

42nd Annual Malibu Arts Festival - Malibu
More than 200 artists display their works at this beautiful open air festival. Kids work with artists to create their own masterpieces in a children’s workshop.

Summer Fest at Venice Beach - Venice
Families can enjoy two days of family fun at the beach featuring 60 bands live on stage and food from all over the world.

Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival  - Long Beach
Marine Stadium hosts one of the largest dragon boat competitions in California, with Chinese traditional art demonstrations, Chinese acrobats, traditional dance, hip hop, music, and martial arts performances.

Last Weekends of the Month at the Skirball - West LA
It’s all happening at the Skirball this weekend.  July’s Last Weekend programming is inspired by the Gary Baseman exhibition, and includes playing the Baseman-designed board game Cranium. The Family Amphitheater Performances feature Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band on Saturday and The Hollow Trees on Sunday. And if you just don’t want the fun to end, pack your PJs for the After Dark: Skirball Family Sleepover.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Built to Amaze!  - Anaheim
Anaheim gets even happier this weekend: the circus is coming to town! (Check out our review.)

Lowes Build and Grow - Toy Story - Multiple Locations
The free project at Lowes this weekend is R.C. from Toy Story.

A Party Celebrating Harry's Birthday - Hollywood
Whimsic Alley celebrates a certain young wizard’s birthday.

A Midsummer Night's Dream - West LA
Best hurry: this weekend is your last chance to catch this delightful production in the Japanese Gardens of West LA's VA Hospital. (Here's our review.)

SATURDAY JULY  27
Family Sandcastle Building Day - San Pedro
They’re wetting down the sand on Cabrillo Beach, so bring your buckets and shovels and build your dream castle.

Free Jamba Kids Smoothie Day - Multiple Locations
Kids under 8 get a free Kids Smoothie at Jamba Juice. Drink up!

Big!World!Fun! - Hollywood
Dance storytellers Sheetal Gandhi and Shyamala Moorty artfully weave rhythm, song and gesture into a dynamic and fun exploration of Indian mythology. Before the show kids can join in building a collective mandala.

Day of the Cowboy and Cowgirl at the Autry - Griffith Park
The Autry honors the iconic heroes and heroines of the old West with a day of festivities.

National Dance Day Celebration - Downtown
So you think you can dance? Grand Park downtown celebrates National Dance Day with performances and the chance to splash it out in LA’s only fountain dance classes.

Dive Into Story Time with the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium - West LA
The supremely entertaining Wyatt from the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium visits Children’s Book World to teach kids about the aquatic world using puppets, costumes, and engaging stories.

Sherman Oaks Galleria Kids Club - Sherman Oaks
Juggler David Cousin visits the Kids Club at Sherman Oaks Galleria.

Aesop's Fables - Topanga
Creative Playground brings its unique form of storytelling to the Theatricum Botanicum, with an immersive interactive experience built around Aesop's Fables.

Phineas and Ferb Meet and Greet - Fairfax
Mommmm! Phineas and Ferb’s creators are appearing at the Children's Place at the Farmers Market!

Redondo Beach Summer Music Festival - Redondo Beach
The free concert on Redondo Pier features the roots/soul music of Justin Hopkins.

Grab a blanket (and some popcorn!) for these family-friendly movies under the stars:

Cinemalibu-  Malibu
I like to move it, move it, to Malibu Bluffs Park for a free outdoor screening of Madagascar 3.

Movies on the Green - Woodland Hills
Tired of being a bad guy? Earn your hero’s badge at the free screening of Wreck-It Ralph at Warner Center Park.

Movies in the Park - Santa Monica
Grease is the word, for a free movie screening at Rustic Canyon Recreation Center.

Electric Dusk Drive-In - Downtown
E.T. phoned home and said he’d be screening at a drive-in in downtown LA.

SUNDAY JULY 28

Razzle Bam Boom Kids Koncert at Theatricum Botanicum -Topanga
The comedy and music team Razzle Bam Boom entertains under the towering California Oak trees at the Theatricum Botanicum.

Summer Family Fun Series - Farmers Market
The Petersen Museum helps kids build a recycled car as part of the Farmers Market’s summer family fun series. Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band perform.

LA Family School Sample Sale & Soiree - Silverlake
Moms can shop discount designer clothes while Dads and kids play upstairs. Or Dad can shop while Mom plays with the kids. Or the kids can shop while Mom and Dad visit the Beer Garden.

Kids Run the Bases - Dodgers Home Game - Dodger Stadium
The Dodgers take on the Reds, and kids get free sunglasses.

Zimmer Sunday Family Programs Mid-Wilshire
Drum drum drum drum drum drum drum, dum ditty dum ditty dum dum dum. Join the Free to Be Me Drum Circle at the Zimmer Children's Museum at let the rhythms move you!

LevittLA Summer Concert Series - Children's Concerts in MacArthur Park -  Downtown
Kiddle Karoo, a silly monster band of costumed characters, monster puppets, and lead Kiddle Karoo combine rock, pop and hip-hop with comedy, dancing and a touch of magic.

Sunday Movie Nights - Beverly Hills
Can’t make the Saturday showing at Warner Center? No worries, you can catch Sunday’s free screening of Wreck-it Ralph at Beverly Canons Garden.

An assortment of under-the-stars concerts awaits you on Sunday:

Manhattan Beach Summer Concerts in the Park - Manhattan Beach
Enjoy the classic rock of Woodstock Tribute at Polliwog Park Amphitheater.

Playa Vista Concert in the Park - Playa Vista
Surf City All Stars play in the Central Park Bandshell.

South Pasadena Summer Concerts - South Pasadena
Garfield Park has the Motown inspired sounds of Stone Soul Music.

Concerts on the Green - Woodland Hills
Warner Center Park presents Journey tribute band DSB.

Sierra Madre Concerts in the Park - Sierra Madre
Memorial Park Bandshell has Jane Fuller, playing pop across the decades.

As always, there are many more activities listed on our daily events calendar. Whatever you choose to do this weekend, we hope you have marvelous time!