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Fun & Free Things to Do with LA Kids this Weekend: Cherry Blossoms, Teaching Zoo, and Swallows Day Parade, March 23 - 24

3/21/13 - By Toby B

Ah, Spring has sprung in the City of Angels. This season always fills me with a sense of anticipation: for the flowers that will bloom, the longer days and sweeter weather, and the hours that will need to be filled while school is on break. Luckily, Mommy Poppins has you covered, whether you're looking for some awesome spring break camps, or for fun activities you can do as a family.

Why is next week different from all other weeks? Well, for one thing, Passover starts on Monday.  We've got some fun ideas for Passover activities including the latest exhibit at the Skirball, which allows visitors to (literally!) walk in the footsteps  of the historical characters in the Exodus tale.  On a journey that long you're gonna need snacks; our Passover Bakery guide will lead you to some of the tastiest unleavened treats in Los Angeles. (As a bonus, did you know that many Passover treats are gluten-free?)

But one hour this weekend is going to be the most different of all. Saturday at 8:30pm is Earth Hour, a world-wide event in which we are encouraged to turn off our lights to draw attention to climate change and our need to protect our planet.  Sounds like a good time to go outside and look at the stars! (Camping, anyone?)

Read on for our favorite picks for this weekend …

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

ALL WEEKEND

America's Teaching Zoo Spring Spectacular - Moorpark
Moorpark College Teaching Zoo presents its annual spring spectacular, with animal shows, up close encounters and a kids zone, (and a check mark for number 67 on your list of 100 things to do with LA kids).

Cherry Blossom Festival - La Cañada Flintridge
The delicate and lovely cherry blossom heralds the arrival of spring. Families can learn more about these beautiful trees on guided walks and get a taste of Japanese culture with numerous activities throughout the weekend.

Railfest - Fillmore    
Fillmore & Western Railway celebrates trains, with a free festival and a variety of train rides to suit every passenger.

Easter Eggstravaganza - Irvine
Fun activities at Irvine Park Railroad include rides on an Easter Train as well as hayrides, a moonbounce, and egg hunts.

The Easter Bunny Blast by The Kinderwise Music Company - Hollywood
The Easter Bunny shows up for a Vegas-style, interactive stage production for children ages 10 and under with music, dancing, HD animation, balloons, and an opportunity to join the performers on stage.

SATURDAY MARCH 23

Swallows' Day Parade - San Juan Capistrano
The Swallows are welcomed back to Capistrano with the nation's largest non-motorized parade.

Japan Family Day - Arcadia
Japan Family Day celebrates Japanese traditional culture with performances, demonstrations, and fine cuisine. And pony rides for the kids!

An Afternoon with R.J. Palacio, featuring the Voices of Wonder - Santa Monica
Palacio discusses her book Wonder in the closing event of Santa Monica Reads. This book is about a perfectly normal boy who happens to have a significant facial abnormality, and the effect it has on him and the people around him.

Spring Kids Fest - Northridge
Kids ages 2-12 are invited to enjoy free family fun at Northridge Fashion Center's Spring Kids Fest.

Conejo Spring Fest – Thousand Oaks
Spring has sprung at Conejo Creek South Playfields; celebrate with egg hunts, inflatables, crafts, and face painting.

"Magical" Book Signing at the El Capitan - Hollywood
Audiences have been thrilled and amazed by their son’s performances before each Oz the Great and Powerful screening, and no wonder: when it comes to magic, Greg Wilson's Mom and Dad wrote the book. Literally. Mark Wilson and Nani Darnell sign copies of their magical tome Mark Wilson’s Complete Course in Magic at El Capitan.

Haugh Saturday Series for Kids - Glendora 
A young woman must rescue her father from a horrible beast (who is actually a cursed prince) in this musical adaption of Beauty and the Beast.

Earth Hour - Everywhere
It’s 8:30pm. Shut off your lights and think about the world we share.


SUNDAY MARCH 24

Complete Whalewatch - San Pedro
This whale adventure starts at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium and ends up on the high seas.

Bunny Brunch - The Grove
It’s time for Brunch with the Bunny at the American Girl Store at the Grove (I wonder if carrots are on the menu?).

Easter Festival & Treasure Hunt - Costa Mesa
The seventh annual Easter Festival & Treasure Hunt at the Orange County Market Place features a free treasure hunt, photos with the Easter Bunny, puppet shows, face painting, and wandering butterflies on stilts.

17th Annual Celebration of the Whales Festival - Oxnard
The Pacific Grey Whales are migrating and it's time to celebrate! While you're there why not try the
Channel Islands Kayak Race - free to enter, and the kayaks are even free for racing.

Family Flicks: Harvey - Westwood
Jimmy Stewart’s best friend is a 6 foot tall invisible white rabbit. (Hilarity ensues.)

Hammer Kids: I Wanna Rock - How To Form an Air Band - Westwood
Sure, kids want to be in a rock band. But why not encourage them to be in an air rock band? Every bit as cool but way quieter.

G.I. Joe Americana Day - Hollywood
Golden Apple Comics celebrates the release of G.I. Joe: Retaliation with free food, paintball target practice, free camoflauge makeup and nails, and a signing by actress Elodie Yung.

Passover Family Adventure and Camp JCA Shalom Open House  - Malibu
Journey to ancient Egypt (and zip-line across the Red Sea!) at this Passover celebration at the Shalom Institute.

Kids in the Courtyard: You've Got Style - Westwood
Move over project runway; visitors to the Fowler Museum style their most fashion-forward scarves and sashes.

Leather Making Workshop - West LA
Kids can make anything from bracelets and key chains to handles and masks in this leather workshop at reDiscover.

Autism Families Night - Long Beach
The Aquarium of the Pacific hosts a special evening exclusively for families with adults or children with autism.

As always, there are many more activities listed on our daily events calendar. Whatever you choose to do this weekend and for all of Spring Break, we hope you have marvelous time! Party on, dudes!