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Weekend Fun for LA Kids: JPL, Fun-a-Palooza, Great Big Day of Play, and Pirate Day

Photo courtesy of Ventura Harbor Village
Photo courtesy of Ventura Harbor Village
6/7/18 - By Toby B

Don't be sad. Yes, the school year is coming to an end. Yes, most kids are either on or about to be on summer break. But that doesn't have to be a bad thing. In fact, it could be quite fun!

There are tons of fun or downright awesome ways you can spend your time this summer. And for proof, you need look no farther than this very weekend in front of us. YOU CAN GO TO SPACE. (Disclaimer:  you cannot actually go into space, at least not this weekend. But you can go to JPL and meet the scientists and engineers and possibly robots who design, engineer and carry out our actual missions to space.)

There's a Fun-a-Palooza, hello? There's a Great Big Day of Play. The people who named these events did not risk being subtle: you're going to have a blast.

There are block parties and street fairs and open houses. Anyone missing school can fake the feeling with lots of reading and there are some kick-offs to get you started.  You can dance like nobody's watching, make art happen, or maybe even win a Tony. (Disclaimer:  you are probably not winning a Tony, at least not this weekend. But you can watch the Tony Awards with a bunch of other theater fans. Maybe you should rehearse your acceptance speech just in case.)

Keep reading for our suggestions for a totally awesome time this weekend. (Disclaimer: No need for a disclaimer. It's going to be fun!)

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

ALL WEEKEND

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

36th Annual Palos Verdes Street Fair and Music Festival

Palos Verdes
The 36th annual Palos Verdes Street Fair & Music Festival is the largest carnival in the South Bay. The heart of Palos Verdes comes alive with more than 200 exhibitors.  READ MORE

8th Annual Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival

Newport Beach
The 8th annual Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival celebrates the maritime heritage of Newport Harbor and wooden boats past and present. The weekend is filled with maritime craftsmanship, art, exhibits, food, music, and a boat parade. READ MORE
Photo courtesy of LA Sanitation
Photo courtesy of LA Sanitation

SATURDAY, June 9

Dockweiler Fun-A-Palooza

Playa del Rey
Dockweiler Youth Center hosts a day of free fun. Families can enjoy a petting zoo, bounce houses, rides, face painters, balloon artists, carnival games, camp activities, and live entertainment, and learn about summer recreational programming at the DYC.   READ MORE

Stephanie's Day Resource Fair

Studio City
Stephanie's Day is a free resource fair that helps families with children impacted by autism and other special needs with one place to gather valuable information, enjoy fun activities, and more. READ MORE

LA Sanitation & Environment South Los Angeles Yard Open House

Exposition Park
Keep on truckin'...  to the Open House event at LA Sanitation's South LA District Yard. Sanitation truck operators give demonstrations and tours; guests can tour facilities and enjoy information booths, recycling games, and a free lunch. READ MORE

Pasadena Playhouse Block Party

Pasadena
Ballet Folklorico, mariachi, Snow White panto, Cinderella ballet, and squid.  All these and more await as the Pasadena Playhouse Block Party returns with a day of free entertainment and fun. READ MORE

World Oceans Day

San Pedro
The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium celebrates World Oceans Day with activities and crafts. This event is free and open to all ages; registration is not required. READ MORE

Sherman Oaks Galleria Kids Club

Sherman Oaks
All summer there are free shows for kids and their parents at the Sherman Oaks Galleria Kids Club, with a different entertainer each week. Favorites like Twinkle Time and The BeatBuds return. READ MORE

Ahead with Horses Annual Children’s Demonstration and Fun Day

Shadow Hills
Ahead With Horses holds its 42nd annual Children’s Demonstration and Fun Day, where special needs program children are truly stars.  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

CANCELED: Meet-and-Greets with Peppa Pig at the LA Zoo

Griffith Park
UPDATE:  This event has been cancelled. The L.A. Zoo is closed through March 31, 2020    You never know who you'll see at the Los Angeles Zoo. Like, for instance, Peppa Pig. READ MORE

AMC Theatres Sensory Friendly Films

Multiple Locations
Select AMC Theatres show current releases in a special monthly screening for families affected by autism. The program provides a special opportunity for families to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment. READ MORE

Saturday Morning Stories and More

West LA
Erin go bookstore! Luke Robertson visits Children's Book World for a St. Patrick's Day storytime. Every Saturday morning Children's Book World offers free children's entertainment March 2020 schedule:      March 7: Andrew & Polly Mini-Concert (all ages) March 14: St. Patrick’s Day Storytime with Luke Robertson (ages 4 – 7) March 21: Kevin Noble Maillard Storytime & Signing (ages 3 – 7) March 28: Roda Ahmed Launch Party & Signing (ages 4 –... READ MORE

Santa Monica Reads All Summer Kickoff Party

Santa Monica
Santa Monica Library celebrates the first day of Summer Reading with fun activities and a magic show! Readers young and old can be dazzled by the amazing Zany Zoe, enjoy sweet treats, and take pictures with special guests. READ MORE

Sierra Madre Concerts in the Park

Sierra Madre
The Sierra Madre Concerts in the Park series is held at the Memorial Park Bandshell on  Sunday evenings. Food is available on most concert dates.   READ MORE

Eat See Hear

North Hollywood
Eat See Hear screens favorite films on the "largest outdoor movie screen West of the Mississippi," featuring the only 52-foot wide image on an outdoor screen in LA, with full digital, high-definition projection and audio every week. This year's film selections include Jurassic Park and Ratatouille. READ MORE
You never know what you'll see at JPL's Open House. Photo courtesy of NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab
You never know what you'll see at JPL's Open House. Photo courtesy of NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab

SUNDAY, June 10

Great Big Family Play Day 2024

Griffith Park
Great Big Family Play Day returns bringing more great big family fun! Kids of all ages can enjoy two stages filled with live entertainment, character meet + greets, a Dino Exhibit covering 20,000 square feet of space, plus arts & crafts, create & build, sports & games, a bike course, local programs & camps, food, fun, swag and more  READ MORE

Free 2nd Sunday at PAM: Silk Road

Pasadena
Pasadena's museum honoring all things Asian opens its doors for free on the second Sunday of every month. November's event marks its fourth annual celebration of the Silk Road. This year's event highlights the importance of food and spice trade along the ancient route. READ MORE

Ferdinand the Bull

Topanga
Ferdinand does not wish to fight. But he does want to see a play under the oaks! READ MORE

Pirate Day Festival

Ventura
Pirate Day at Ventura Arrrgggbor offers authentic Pirate experiences throughout Ventura Harbor Village. READ MORE

CAAM Maker Fest

Exposition Park
The California African American Museum invites everyone to participate in this all-day, all-ages affair, featuring maker stations by local artists. Guests learn from the pros of the community and take home several creative treasures of their own.  READ MORE

Concerts on the Green 2024

Woodland Hills
The summer concert series at Warner Center Park returns for the 2024 season.  Swifties can unite at the penultimate concert, featuring Taylor Swift tribute Blank Space. READ MORE

Concerts in the Park (Monterey Park)

Monterrey Park
Families can enjoy the sweet sounds of summer at Monterey Park's monthly free concerts in Barnes Park—which include fireworks on the 4th of July! READ MORE

Tony Awards Viewing Party

Costa Mesa
Can't make it to Broadway? No worries: Broadway comes to us!  Theater fans can celebrate the Tony Awards at a free viewing party on the Argyros Plaza. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

El Molino Ave. and Colorado Blvd.
AMC Theatres - Participating Locations
Rotating Locations: Santa Monica High School
The California African American Museum
Argyros Plaza at Segerstrom Center for the Arts