Fun & Free Things to Do with LA Kids This Weekend: Smurfs, Lummis House, and Free Donuts! June 2 - 3

5/30/12 - By Toby B

The events this week are presented on a need to know basis. For instance, National Doughnut Day was started in 1938 to honor the women who served donuts to servicemen during WWI, but you don’t need to know that. All you need to know is that there’s a free donut in it for you. Do I have your attention now?

Charles Lummis went to school with Teddy Roosevelt; he walked from Cinncinnati to Los Angeles (and wrote a book about it), had a distinguished career as a journalist, and was an activist for Native American rights; but again, that’s neither here nor there. What does matter is that the festival housed in his namesake home is this weekend, with music ranging from tex-mex to hip-hop; dance from Irish step to Brazilian capoeira, and a backdrop of historic buildings.

Remember last week when the moon blocked the sun and we were all pitched into complete blackness and chaos and Cthulhu emerged from the bowels of the earth?  No? Not important. Anyway,  it’s happening again.  Minus the chaos, the blackness, Cthulhu  (though wouldn’t that be something!)  And minus the moon, because this time it’s Venus that’s bogarting our rays. You can read all about the Venus Transit, but here's all you really need to know: no looking at the sun without protective eye gear!

Is it too early to start thinking about Fathers' Day? (It’s on June 17, and yeah, maybe that is one you need to know.)  There are a number of free art projects your kids can do this weekend that would make great gifts:  check out the craftiness going on at the Petersen, Home Depot, Lakeshore Learning, (yes, maybe Dad wants a snazzy garden snail. You get what you get and you'll like what you get, remember?)

Read on for the events you need to know this weekend...

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

FRIDAY JUNE 1

National Doughnut DayMultiple Locations
A mouthwatering Krispy Kreme donut is yours for the asking!

ALL WEEKEND
Pacific Islander Festival - Long Beach
Aquarium of the Pacific celebrates the rich and diverse cultures of the Pacific Islands with song, dance, food and more.

SATURDAY JUNE 2

LA Sanitation North Central Yard Open House - Los Angeles
Kids and trash trucks go together like pigs and mud, so bring your little piggie to the open house at North Central District Yard

Cinemalibu - Malibu
Smurf a smurfy night under the stars at this smurfy free screening of The Smurfs in smurfalicious Malibu Bluffs Park. Smurf on down!

Los Cerritos Wetlands Habitat Restoration - Long Beach/ Seal Beach
Kids can experience the Los Cerritos Wetlands while helping preserve them in this family-friendly community project.

SUNDAY JUNE 3

Lummis Day - Northeast Los Angeles
Historic Lummis House and Heritage Square Museum host the best of home-grown Northeast LA music, dance, and food.

The Legends of King Arthur - Topanga
Theatricum Botanicum begins its summer season of kid-friendly shows with Creative Playground’s spin on the King Arthur tale.

Lisa Haley & The Zydekats - Santa Monica
Kids can groove to the joyful Americana/Cajun/Zydeco sounds of Lisa Haley & the Zydekats at McCabe's biweekly Sunday kids' concert series.

Big Family Day - Downtown
It’s MOCA’s biggest art celebration of the year! Families can participate in multi-step projects, and enjoy performances by the Vox Dance Theatre and MEXIKA.

Andell Family Sundays - Royal Celebrations - Mid-Wilshire
This month the Andell Family Sundays at LACMA look at feasting and celebration, and art inspired by the ancient Plumed Serpent god, Quetzalcoatl.

Kids in the Courtyard: Your Turn! Games of Afghanistan - Westwood
The Fowler Museum invites kids to play the games of their Afghani counterparts, including kite making, card games, and egg fighting.

Story Pirates at the Help Group - Culver City
The Story Pirates perform stories written by students from The Help Group. Kids in the audience can participate in the creative process, giving suggestions that are turned into stories on the spot.

Target Sundays at CAAM: From Field Hollers to Musical Scholars - Downtown
The California African American Museum celebrates Black Music Month and the historic and rich musical culture.

American Indian Culture Day for Families - Griffith Park
Kids can learn how the sun and sky figure in the stories, ceremonial objects and poetry of Southern California native peoples. Plus, the Griffith Observatory brings its sun telescope to look through, and storytellers and demonstrators talk about the importance of the sun and sky in their cultures.

As always, there are many more activities listed on our daily events calendar. Whatever you choose to do this weekend, here's the only thing you need to know: have fun!