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Weekend Fun for LA Kids: Strawberries, JPL, Museums of the Arroyo, and Bugs

Photo courtesy of California Strawberry Festival
Photo courtesy of California Strawberry Festival
5/16/19 - By Toby B

One of the things I have learned as a parent is not to give too many options when presenting a choice. It's "do you want waffles or French toast?" not "choose from any potential foodstuff consumed by man or beast." Well, this weekend is a full-menu, free-for-all-at-the-mega-mart, you-name-it-you-can-have-it kind of weekend. This weekend, your options are all the things.

First up is the open house at JPL, doorway to the stars and window on the origins of the universe (though if you don't already have tickets you're probably not getting in). For your number one choice this weekend, go under the sea to Hollywood, for a Gleeful live-to-screen performance of a Disney classic. Also first up is the Topanga Banjo and Fiddle Fest, the pickingest pick there is (that's a pick pun). Your other first choice is the Bug Fair at the Natural History Museum, because if there is one truism about moms, it is that we love bugs. (And trash, we love that too!)

You can edumacate your offspring on science, literature, and history, then learn 'em about art and opera and long ago things. You can tour the Southland by land, by sea, or by Cozy Coupe.

And, like all first choice weekends, your best pick is anything that involves play, fun, frivolity, and festivity. (And because we're moms: cleaning up after yourselves.)

Wondering what your other first choices are? Keep reading for our choicest picks for the weekend, all tied up in a bow...

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Calling all princes and princesses: it's the last weekend of Renaissance Faire! Photo by Mommy Poppins
Calling all princes and princesses: it's the last weekend of Renaissance Faire! Photo by Mommy Poppins

ALL WEEKEND

LitFest in the Dena

Pasadena
LitFest in the Dena connects the Pasadena, Altadena, and greater Los Angeles communities with literature and local authors through this free, community literary festival for lovers of the written word The festival offers a packed weekend of panel discussions, readings, author guest talks, workshops, and literary performances.  The weekend events this year are held at Mountain View Mausoleum. READ MORE

Explore JPL 2023

La Cañada Flintridge
After a 4 year hiatus, this Mommy Poppins-favorite event is back. The wildly-popular Open House takes visitors on a “ride” through the wonders of space. Highlights include  full-size models of Mars rovers and the Europa Clipper spacecraft being constructed in the Spacecraft Assembly Facility, mission control and the machine shop, and the Microdevices Laboratory. The response to JPL's Open House event has been so great in recent years that attendance has maxed out, leading JPL to make the annual free event a ticketed one. Timed tickets are distributed... READ MORE

Civil War Reenactment

Perris
History buffs can experience a piece of American history at the Orange Empire Railway Museum's "battlefield," stepping back in time to see what life was like during the War Between the States. READ MORE

Bug Fair 2024

Exposition Park
There are bugs everywhere! No need to call the exterminator; it's Bug Fair 2024, the Natural History Museum's celebration of things winged and creepy-crawly. Bug Fair is the biggest bug festival in North America, and this year is celebrating its 38th year. READ MORE

California Strawberry Festival

Oxnard
The 2024 California Strawberry Festival returns on Saturday, May 18 & Sunday, May 19, once again at  the Ventura County Fairgrounds.  READ MORE

ARTsea

Marina del Rey
LA’s Marina turns into a pop-up arts district, with the return of ARTsea. Free and open to all, ARTsea transforms Marina “Mother’s” Beach into a creative playground with art, music, dance, and food. READ MORE

Downtown Burbank Arts Festival

Burbank
This free event in the heart of Downtown Burbank features over 175 handmade artisan booths on San Fernando Boulevard. Media City Church offers a free bubble experience that is fun for the whole family. In addition, the event features a Chalk Block, where chalk artists create masterpieces inspired by their favorite films. Vote for the "crowd favorite." READ MORE

Monrovia Days

Monrovia
The community of Monrovia celebrates its 138th birthday with a weekend of events. Highlights include games, carnival rides, food, live music, a meringue pie eating contest, and the annual Monrovia Days parade. READ MORE

Kiddee Matinees

Hollywood
On Saturdays and Sundays, families can catch a matinee screening of a kid-friendly movie at the New Beverly Cinema.   READ MORE

Renaissance Pleasure Faire

Irwindale
M'Lords. M'Ladies. The Renaissance has returned to the Southland! Medieval costumes and mugs of mead are the stuff that Renaissance Pleasure Faire is made of. The day promises continuous entertainment in 12 performance areas, with live jousting tournaments, comedy shows, magic, music, swashbuckling, and occasional sightings of Queen Elizabeth I in her Royal Parade as the Faire celebrates its Diamond Jubilee year. READ MORE
Sweep the beach at the Heal the Bay Beach Cleanup. Photo courtesy of Heal the Bay
Sweep the beach at the Heal the Bay Beach Cleanup. Photo courtesy of Heal the Bay

SATURDAY MAY 18

LA Sanitation & Environment West Valley Yard Open House

Northridge
Here's your chance to see the city's trash trucks up close! Kids can honk the horns, take a ride, see the maintenance facilities, and enjoy a free lunch. READ MORE

Wake Up with the Waves

Santa Monica
The final Wake Up with the Waves of the season is held on Saturday.   READ MORE

Free Boat Tours of the Port of Los Angeles

San Pedro & Wilmington
The Port of Los Angeles offers free 60-minute narrated boat tours of Los Angeles Harbor in celebration of World Trade Week. READ MORE

Disney's The Little Mermaid in Concert

Hollywood
I long to be Part of Your World,  or at least in the audience of The Little Mermaid In Concert performed live to film at the Hollywood Bowl. READ MORE

World’s Biggest Playdate

Pasadena
Why should kids have all the fun? Folks big and little can find a Cozy Coupe in their size at the Little Tikes Pasadena Play Date. READ MORE

25th Annual Annabelle Godwin Play Day

Van Nuys
Child Care Resource Center hosts its 25th Annual Annabelle Godwin Play Day.  Families can discover new ways to create interactive, hands-on learning activities at interactive booths. READ MORE

Nothin' But Sand Beach Cleanup

Pacific Palisades
Kids can get involved and help the environment by participating in this monthly beach cleanup. The first event in 2024 is held at Malibu's Zuma Beach. READ MORE

Cypress Police Open House

Cypress
Everyone is invited to spend the day at the Cypress Police Open House. READ MORE

Endangered Species Day

San Pedro
The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium celebrates Endangered Species Day. READ MORE

STEM Funshop at the Port of Los Angeles

Wilmington
The Port of Los Angeles holds an educational event for students of all ages, designed to stimulate the brain with activities centered around Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. READ MORE

Buena Park Open House

Buena Park
The City of Buena Park and Buena Park Police Department  hold their annual free Open House.   Families are invited to meet their local police department. READ MORE

OCMA Free Family Day

Santa Ana
The Orange County Museum of Art hosts a fun-filled day of art, creativity, and play for the whole family. READ MORE

Cotsen Institute of Archaeology Open House

Westwood
Cotsen Institute of Archaeology holds its annual open house. The Institute’s laboratories and archives represent research from around the world and are open to anyone interested in archaeology. READ MORE

"Dash and Victoria Find True Love" Children's Book Launch Party

North Hollywood
Children’s book "Dash and Victoria Find True Love" is launched with creator meet and greets, kids activities, and storytime. READ MORE

Public Star Party

Griffith Park
The sky... it's full of stars! The lawn... it's full of telescopes!   ​The Observatory's free public star party offers a chance for the whole family to look at the sun, moon, planets, and other objects with the assistance of the Los Angeles Astronomical Society, the Los Angeles Sidewalk Astronomers, and the Planetary Society. READ MORE

Angels Post-Game Fireworks

Anaheim
The Angels' game ends with a bang on select Saturday nights—a fireworks kind of bang.   Some games may include additional promotions. READ MORE

NightGarden

La Cañada Flintridge
This spring Descanso opens the garden gates at night for NightGarden, a new monthly series featuring special evenings of science, music, libations, and surprises. May's event blinds us with science, from what's in the backyard to what’s happening in outer space.  READ MORE

Street Food Cinema 2024

Glendale, Pacific Palisades
It's good Kenough:  Street Food Cinema opens its 2024 with a screening of Barbie under the stars at the Autry Museum. READ MORE
Experiment with wearable art at the Fowler's family event. Photo by Reed Hutchinson
Experiment with wearable art at the Fowler's family event. Photo by Reed Hutchinson

SUNDAY MAY 19

626 Golden Streets- Mission to Mission

South Pasadena, San Gabriel, Alhambra
626 Golden Streets is back, with two new routes for 2019. The first event links the historic South Pasadena and San Gabriel Mission Districts via Downtown Alhambra. READ MORE

Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival

Agoura Hills
Paramount Ranch plays host to an old-time bluegrass, folk song, folk dancing, and crafts festival. READ MORE

Museums of the Arroyo Day

Montecito Heights,Highland Park, Pasadena, Mount Washington
The annual Museums of the Arroyo Day treats LA families to free admission at five local museums. READ MORE

L A Opera Family Days

Downtown
Activities for El Gato Montés: The Wildcat include an intermission reception with Spanish desserts. And did we mention... Plácido​ Domingo! READ MORE

Pick Pico

West LA
Pick Pico is the offical Westside Neighborhood Council Street Fair. Festival goers can sample local restaurants, see local fine artists, and enjoy live entertainment. Kids can enjoy a bounce house and the Kids Zone. READ MORE

18th Annual Russian Arts and Culture Festival

West Hollywood
The Russian Arts and Culture Festival in Plummer Park offers a free day of entertainment, music, food sampling, Russian crafts and jewelry, art exhibits, activities for children, a retro car show, and numerous exhibits by local businesses. READ MORE

Fowler Families: Let's Experiment! Wearable and Sustainable Art

Westwood
Is it possible for an artwork to be both wearable and sustainable? Guests can explore this question with Fowler Educators by examining objects from around the world. READ MORE

JoJo Siwa: D.R.E.A.M - the Tour (LA)

Downtown
Nickelodeon star and YouTube sensation JoJo Siwa takes her show on the road and kids can bop along – live and in person – to Boomerang, Kid in a Candy Store, Hold the Drama, and more. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Orange Empire Railway Museum
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Ventura County Fairgrounds
Marina Beach (aka Mother's Beach)
Library Park Memorial Fountain
Banning's Landing Community Center
Woodley Park (corner of Woodley & Victory)
Banning's Landing Community Center
Cotsen Institute of Archaeology Labs and the Lenart Auditorium
Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Rotating locations, including the Autry Museum
Multiple Museums, including The Gamble House