I'm all about giving back, especially when "giving back" is code for "having an awesome time." This weekend offers several fundraisers that are really just an excuse to enjoy yourself (particularly if you are a kid). Saturday's Truck Adventures lets kids climb on, poke, prod, and jimmy a wide range of trucks and one-of-a-kind vehicles, with the drivers who operate them there on hand to answer curious kiddos' questions. (And by the way, your entrance fee benefits Make a Wish Foundation.) Also Saturday, you can see young Hollywood stars perform scenes by kid writers. (And by the way, your ticket price benefits Young Storytellers program, which mentors the young writers.)
On Sunday, the Zimmer's We All Play! event has everything we love about the museum: the airplane, the ball pit, the activities and crafts, and reality-play environments throughout the museum—combined with special day-of only activities like concerts by favorite kid bands (Lucky Diaz! Luis & Ana!), giant Hasbro games, a cookie bar (yum!), a petting zoo and puppy kissing booth (what?), free food, and fun giveaways. We went last year and had a blast. (And by the way your entrance fee benefits the Zimmer's Family Access Program, so more kids can play!)
Of course, as usual, this weekend offers tons of other opportunities for fun. You can ride the rails and party like a Victorian, watch kid-friendly films and attend an award show. Literary types take over Santa Monica, while DTLA's library gets STEAM-y. Long Beach walks the walk (or rides it), while Brentwood gets arty and Burbank puts on a parade. You can celebrate puppets and sanitation and Cinco de Mayo and Holland's King. (And by the way, some of these have no entrance fee at all!)
Keep reading for our most giving finds this weekend...
