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Disney on Ice: Magic in the Stars glides into DTLA. Photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment.
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Enchanted: Forest of Light. Photo by Kathryn Rapier, courtesy of the event.
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Dive into fun at the Cayton Children's Museum. Photo by Matthew Tucciarone
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Fun & Free Things to Do with LA Kids this Weekend: Ren Faire, Burbank Parade & Puppet Festival, April 6 - 7

4/4/13 - By Toby B

Thumbs Up at the Fowler? I give it two thumbs up!
The Alvin Ailey celebration at the Music Center?  It's got a good beat; you can dance to it!
Kids Run the Bases at Dodger Stadium? An out-of-the-park home run!

What? You think you can do better?  Sigh. Everyone's a critic. No really,  I mean that. Everyone's a critic. Especially kids. (If you doubt that, ask mine for a review of my cooking prowess).  (Double sigh.) If you think your kid has what it takes to be the next Siskel & Ebert / Leonard Maltin/ Pauline Kael, you should check out our Kid Critic opportunity. We're looking for a few kids who call 'em as they see 'em, to review short films that are being shown at the the Los Angeles Children's Film Festival. Fame and fortune (or at least a free seat at the movies) could be theirs.

Now give us your opinion of this weekend's highlights...

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

ALL WEEKEND

Carnaval Primavera Downtown Festival - Huntington Park
More than 350,000 people attend Carnaval Primavera, billed as "this year's major spring downtown Hispanic festival."

Renaissance Pleasure Faire  - Irwindale
Huzzah! Young lords and ladies of the realm hie to Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area for the Renaissance Pleasure Faire.

Boats - Costa Mesa
The Segerstrom presents the story of two life-long friends who meet through bizarre circumstances involving a chicken, a deserted island, and a sombrero.

America's Teaching Zoo Spring Spectacular  - Moorpark
It's your last chance to catch the festivities at the Moorpark College Teaching Zoo.

SATURDAY APRIL 6

Burbank on Parade - Burbank
This year's parade marches to the theme Let's Go To The Movies.

Rocka Your Soul - Downtown
The Music Center celebrates Los Angeles' own Alvin Ailey with performances and and craft workshops at Downtown’s Grand Park.

Electric Dusk Drive-In - Downtown
The skyline of Downtown LA provides a dramatic backdrop for this rooftop screening of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Free Day at La Habra Children's Museum - La Habra
Kids can plant a live flowering plant in a recycled vessel at this free day at the Children's Museum at La Habra.

Silk Road Story Time - Pasadena
This month’s storytime at the Pacific Asia Museum has an April Fools theme. Bazinga!

peace. love. swap. Kids' clothing and gear swap - Manhattan Beach
Time to do some spring cleaning/ restocking of your closets.

SUNDAY APRIL 7

Puppet Festival - West LA
It's a day of performances, puppet making, and storytelling at the Skirball Cultural Center.

Free Day at the Bowers - Santa Ana
Orange County's Bowers Museum celebrates Japanese Cherry Blossoms with a free family festival that features food, music, and art projects for all. Admission to the museum is free all day.

Groovy David - Santa Monica
Groovy David rocks McCabe's biweekly kids concert series.

Andell Family Sundays - Make it Green - Mid-Wilshire
LACMA’s Sunday Family program has a green theme this month. Kids can show their love for the planet by drawing from nature, making instruments out of recycled materials, and touring landscapes.

Kids Run the Bases - Dodgers Home Game - Dodger Stadium
Echo Park
Kids get Matt Kemp replica jerseys and can run the bases after the Dodgers/ Pirates game at Dodger Stadium (and cross #68 off our 100 Things To Do with LA Kids bucket list!).

Target Sundays at CAAM: Haute Couture With Hatitude - Exposition Park
It’s hats off to fashion at the California African American Museum.

American Indian Culture Day for Families - Griffith Park
The whole family can learn more about American Indian cultures, with storytelling, music, and traditional crafts.

2nd Annual 4GOOD Family Day - Volunteering Together - Studio City
It’s never too early to learn the value of helping others. Kids can participate in activities that brighten the days of servicemen and women, seniors, and patients at Children’s Hospital LA.

Westside Jewish Community Center's Open House - Mid-Wilshire
Families can get a free preview of JCAMP's summer program, with arts, crafts, photography, music, dance, theater, swimming, sports, yoga, cooking, field trips, theme days, and color wars.

Family Jam: Thumbs Up! The Music of Southern Africa - Westwood
This month's free Family Jam at the Fowler explores music from Southern Africa.

Marionette Magic! - Mid-Wilshire
The Franklin Haynes Marionettes are pulling the strings at the Zimmer's Sunday Family Program.

As always, there are many more activities listed on our daily events calendar. Whatever you choose to do this weekend, we hope you have marvelous time!