Fun & Free Activities for LA Kids this Weekend: ZAMFEST, Airport Open House and Rockin' Presidents; Sept 22-23

9/20/12 - By Toby B

Look up in the sky:  it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s… well, yeah, it’s a plane.  But look at what’s on top of the plane: the Space Shuttle Endeavour. After 25 missions and more than 122 million miles, Endeavour is en route to its new home at the California Science Center. First stop LAX, but, like any good tourist, Endeavour wants to catch all the sights before it lands. Wherever you find yourself Friday morning, take a moment to look up and you might just see history flying by. And that's the beauty of Los Angeles: sometimes all you have to do is step outside to find inspiration.

Name your interest, there are a thousand ways to pursue it. Kids moved by Endeavour's salute can gaze at the stars at the Griffith Observatory or watch more earthbound flyers at Santa Monica Airport's Open House. Future poli-sci majors can rock with all 44 American presidents, or root for the underdog senator played by Jimmy Stewart in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Creative hyphenates can find their muses at Pasadena Museum of California Art's birthday party, Hammer Kids' LitLab, or the art & music festival ZAMFEST. Whatever your passion, Los Angeles has you covered, and the sky's the limit!

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

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

ALL WEEKEND

The Pacific Astronomy and Telescope Show - Pasadena
Folks who look to the skies might want to head over to the Pasadena Convention Center, where astronomy hobbyists can hear from scientists, space explorers, and authors, and check out the latest from exhibitors and vendors.

Moompetam: Celebrating Coastal Native Americans - Long Beach
Aquarium of the Pacific celebrates the indigenous California Coastal cultures.

Redondo Beach Lobster Festival - Redondo Beach
Missed your chance at lobster the last few weekends? No worries: the Redondo Beach Lobster Festival serves up plenty of the crustacean delicacy, with live music and a kiddie area.

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

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 22

Santa Monica Airport Open House - Santa Monica
Come fly with me - or at least come to the airport! Santa Monica Airport welcomes families to tour the facilities.

Sing-A-Long Sound of Music - Hollywood
Live out your childhood dream to be a Von Trapp at this annual sing-a-long at the Hollywood Bowl.

Rosh Hashanah Storytime - West Los Angeles
Author April Halprin Wayland leads a Rosh Hashanah themed storytime at Children's Book World.

SoCal Momee Fair - Santa Monica
It’s one-stop shopping for local Moms (or Moms-to-be). Learn about parenting techniques, local resources, a little pampering, and lots of family fun.

Rock the Presidents - Malibu
Sure, everyone knows Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln, but what about Fillmore, Polk, and Cleveland? All 44 US POTUSes are covered, from Washington to Obama, in this high energy musical extravaganza that can teach everyone a thing or two about our country’s highest office.

10th Birthday Party at the Pasadena Museum of California Art - Pasadena
Pasadena Museum of California Art celebrates its 10th birthday with fun and creative projects, live music… and there’s cake!

National Gymnastics Day Open House - Burbank
Did the gold medals for Team USA inspire your little tumbler? Check out the open house at Golden State Gymnastics.

Public Star Party - Griffith Park
The shuttle may be grounded, but we can still look to the stars!

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 23

ZAMFEST - West Los Angeles
ZAMFEST is the arts and music festival for kids 10 and under. Get your creativity on!

Memories with Mom - The Grove
Young girls can have brunch with their two favorites: Mom and their American Girl doll.

Evo Bluestein - Topanga
Kids can discover the rich legacy of folk music and dancing as teacher and performer Evo Bluestein comes to the Theatricum Botanicum.

Family Flicks: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (G) - Westwood
You’ll believe one man can make a difference when Mr. Smith goes to Washington!

Hammer Kids: LITLAB - Westwood
Young writers perform daring experiments with language in this free workshop at the Hammer Museum.

Family Jam: I’ve Got Rhythm—Samba Rhythm! - Westwood
Get ready to dance and sing along to the melodic and energetic samba.

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 spectacular time.