ALL WEEKEND

Gumby Fest 2015  - Glendora
The claymation creature takes center stage in this weekend long fest about stop-motion animation. Many of the activities and panels are free.
 
Exhibit Opening: Mummies: New Secrets from the Tombs - Exposition Park
The Natural History Museum’s newest exhibit features 20 mummies from ancient Egypt and Peru.

Opening Week: Hot Wheels: Race to Win - Santa Ana
Start your engines! Discovery Cube Orange County’s newest exhibit offers immersive activities for Hot Wheels fans of any age.
 
Opening Week: Curious George Exhibit - Sylmar
Feeling curious? You and your little monkeys can explore Curious George’s world at the Discovery Cube Los Angeles.
 
Moompetam: Celebrating Coastal Native Americans - Long Beach
Aquarium of the Pacific celebrates the indigenous California Coastal cultures.

Pasadena Greek Fest - Pasadena
Take a trip to Greece, with dancing, music, a kids' zone, and tons gyros, souvlaki, and moussaka.

Thousand Oaks Arts Festival - Thousand Oaks
More than 60 visual arts exhibitors, live performances, and children's hands-on artistic and interactive exhibits fill Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza in this free festival. This year's honorary chair is Jane Seymour.

Aladdin (G) - Hollywood
It’s a whole new world, as the Disney classic returns to the El Capitan for a limited run.

Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales - Long Beach
Minnie, Mickey, and friends bring classic fairy tales to life, including Cinderella, Beauty and The Beast, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Neverland A Mermaid, Fairies and Pirate Adventure - Santa Monica
When the Mermaids and Pirates of Neverland begin fighting over who gets to stay in Mermaid Lagoon, the Fairies have to come help sort it out.  
 
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19

Talk Like a Pirate Day - Multiple Locations
Talk like a pirate, get a free Krispy Kreme. Dress like a pirate, get a dozen.
 
Kidical Mass - Talk Like a Pirate MASS-ive ride - Santa Monica
Not only is this month’s family bike ride piratically themed, (aarrrh!);  it’s also part of a worldwide event, aiming for the biggest global family bike ride ever!  
 
Coastal Cleanup Day - Multiple locations
What better way to teach kids to appreciate southern California’s most beloved natural resource, than to take part in cleaning it up? This is the state's largest volunteer event of the year.
 
Celebrity Red CARpet Safety Event - West LA
Parents can learn about car seat safety (and baby carrier safety and home safety and on-the-go safety…) while kids enjoy fun activities.
 
Southern California Children's Museum's Touch-a-Truck - Arcadia
Touch it - you know you wanna! Kids can climb on dozens of vehicles, plus enjoy the beach ball dump and Cozy Coupe carwash. Back this year: a Horn-Free Hour from 9am-10am.

Vicky's Birthday Party - San Pedro
The Battleship IOWA celebrates the birthday of its mascot, Vicky.  (She’s a dog.)
 
Doggie Street Festival - Westwood
Pets are celebrated at this annual fest (held this year  at Westwood Recreation Center ) that aims to help increase dog and cat adoption.  You might even find a furry friend to call your own!

Junior Chef Classes - Multiple Locations
Williams-Sonoma holds a special back to school class with American Girl (a portion of the class fee benefits No Child Hungry).
 
Hands-On Saturdays for Families: SCOTLAND - Arcadia
Watch out for Nessie: The Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage explores the customs and culture of Scotland.

Carnival for Kids - Santa Clarita
There’s Mother’s Day; there’s Father’s Day, but when do kids get their day? The City of Santa Clarita fixes that by celebrating a “Day for Kids” in Newhall Park.
 
KMA Bully Defense Workshop - Sherman Oaks
Kids can learn tools to defend themselves from bullying, whether physical or verbal, in this free workshop.
 
He-Man and She-Ra Day - Hollywood
By the power of Grayskull: Masters of the Universe’s He-Man and She-Ra take over the Egyptian Theatre.
 
Public Star Party - Griffith Park
It’s that time of the month again: the time we point our telescopes to the sky and gaze in wonder!

Author Event: Shana Muldoon Zappa and Ahmet Zappa Discuss "Star Darlings"  - West LA
The authors discuss their new books in the Star Darlings series at Children’s Book World.
 
International Observe the Moon Night - Downey
Let’s hear it for the moon! The Columbia Memorial Space Center pays tribute to our nearest and dearest celestial neighbor.
 
North Hollywood International Film Festival - North Hollywood
Spy Kids screens under the stars at Victory/Vineland Recreation Center.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 20

Opening Week: The Broad Museum - Downtown
Los Angeles is getting a new museum! Tickets are free but limited (alas, Sunday is already sold out).
 
Scandinavian Autumnfest and Marknad Celebration - Agoura Hills
The Scandinavian festivities in Vasa Park include a huge waterslide, petting zoo, gem mining, swimming, a rock climbing wall, and other games and activities. (And Swedish meatballs.)
 
Kids Koncerts at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum - Topanga
Rhythm Child rocks the house trees at the Theatricum Botanicum.
 
Skirball Playdate: A Recipe for Family - West LA
Kids explore how families connect through food and shared mealtimes.
 
Worldwide Day of Play - Pasadena
Go outside! Run! Jump! Have fun! Kidspace participates in Nickelodeon’s Worldwide Day of Play.

Latino Heritage Festival at MOLAA - Long Beach
MOLAA’s free Latino Heritage Festival celebrates Latin American culture through art workshops, live performances, food, unique craft vendors, and gallery tours.
  
Family Flicks at the Hammer - Westwood
Hammer Museum takes kids on a classic sci fi adventure, with a free screening of the 1959 film Journey to the Center of the Earth.
 
Creepy Crawly Creature Feature - Culver City
It’s all about bugs at STAR Eco Station, with bug experts, a bug buffet (yum?), a butterfly garden, and tours of the station.

Children's Garden Workshops - Irvine
This month’s session explores the tools gardeners use in their everyday work. 
 
Thai Cultural Day - Los Angeles
The richness of Thai culture and cuisine takes center stage in this day-long festival at Barnsdall Art Park.
 
Kids in the Courtyard: Make Your Own Map - Westwood
Kids make a map of their world at the Fowler Museum.
 
Kids Run the Bases - Dodgers Home Game - Echo Park
The Dodgers play Pittsburgh; kids run the bases, and everyone gets a collectible pin of Clayton Kershaw.

Children's Art Workshop: Short Story Pictures - Exposition Park
The California African American Museum helps kids create a short story through photography.
 
Zimmer Sunday Family Programs - Mid-Wilshire
The Zimmer celebrates Chihuly’s birthday. (He’s the artist who works with blown glass, not the squid-like dragon monster. Not sure when Cthulu’s birthday is, but I bet he throws one heck of a party.)          

As always, there are many more activities listed on our Event 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!