Free Pumpkin Carving for Kids in Sherman Oaks

I was at the Sherman Oaks Street Fair this weekend, and I got a flyer for a free event happening this weekend, on Sunday Oct 27 from 12-2.  Kids get a free pumpkin to carve, and there are other events and games too.

The event is at the Sherman Oaks Lutheran Church, just south of Ventura on Dickens St.

14847 Dickens St.
Sherman Oaks
818 789 0215

I like the idea of leaving the mess somewhere other than my house:)

Post-Halloween Candy Buy-Back at Smiles!

I just got this email from our pediatric dentist, and I thought it was a great idea!  They will buy your excess Halloween candy from you for $1 per pound, and send the candy to our troops stationed overseas.  Brilliant!

Dear families,

Happy October! Smiles is having a Halloween candy buyback on Friday November 1st from 1:30pm to 4:30 pm.  We will buy back each pound of candy at $1.00 per pound. We will have toothbrushes, stickers, a sampling of anti-cavity candy and raffle tickets to win an electric toothbrush. Candy will be sent to our troops overseas. We hope to see you all!

Sincerely,

The Smiles Team

The Curtis School Super Fair

The Curtis School Fair is on this weekend - Sunday Oct 13, and they are planning lots of fun for kids of all ages. Admission is free, but like the Encino Street Fair I posted about some activities will require ticket purchase.  It's a fun way to get to see the beautiful campus:)






http://curtis.onlineauctionbook.com/static.php?menu_id=59



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Endeavour Fest at the Science Center Oct 11-13

I really loved our last visit to the Science Center to see the space shuttle.  It was amazing to be in the same room with it!  This weekend, starting today, you can visit the Science Center for Endeavor Fest, a 3 day celebration of the 1 year anniversary of the space shuttle's arrival in LA.  There will be lots of special exhibits, and even real astronauts!  If you have a kid who loves space this is the place to be!  And admission is free, as always:)

Hopefully this event is not impacted y the government shut down.  I didn't see anything on the web site, but it might be worth a quick call just to be sure everything is going according to plan before you head out!



http://www.californiasciencecenter.org/GenInfo/NewsAndEvents/Headlines/2013/EndeavourFest/EndeavourFest.php

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Taste of Encino Street Festival Sun Oct 13

Check out the Taste of Encino Street Festival this weekend at Ventura and Balboa!  There will be tons of vendors and schools set up with booths and info, and a kids' area with a bounce house, rock climbing, pumpkin patch and more.  Admission is free, but the rides probably have an added fee.  It's just fun to head out with the stroller and see so many people hanging out together:)

Taste of Encino:

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Best Pumpkin Patches in Los Angeles - Red Tricycle

Last week we made our first venture out to the Pumpkin Patch!  We went to Mr. Bones because the petting zoo and pony rides were open weekdays, and some are just weekends.  I didn't post about this trip because even though the admission is free, I felt pretty sure there was a cheaper, just as great (or better) patch to be found.  I think $7 for a pony ride is just too much!  Maybe the perfect patch is on this list, from Red Tricycle.  I will let you know if I find a winner:)



Best Pumpkin Patches in Los Angeles:

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Just $7: Kid's Unlimited Wristband to World-Famous Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier | Plum District Deals

Here is a new Plum offer for a kids (under 7) wristband for the amusement park on the Santa Monica
Pier.  Kids get unlimited rides at about half price!  Just be sure to check the operations calendar - this can only be redeemed when the ticket booths are open, which means when the park is in full operation (as opposed to limited operation) mode.  This is typically Friday evening/night and weekends, plus dates over the holidays.  For $7 I think this is worth a try!



Just $7: Kid's Unlimited Wristband to World-Famous Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier | Plum District Deals:

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Abbot Kinney Festival Sun Sept 29

Here is another great, free event this weekend - The Abbot Kinney Festival in Venice.  There is lots for both grown ups and kids (Red Tricycle was sure to emphasize the craft beer selection at this particular festival!).  The day starts off with a family parade featuring reggae music at 9:45.  Fun!



Abbot Kinney Festival:

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West Hollywood Book Fair

Looking for a fun free outing this weekend?  Check out the West Hollywood Book Fair this Sunday.  The link is below with all the event details, including special stuff for the kiddos:)

westhollywoodbookfair.org:

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Free Museum Entries Sept 28!

Check out the web site for this cool event!  Museums nation-wide are opening their doors free to the public with a printed ticket from this site.  I am considering the Autry or Petersen.  Download and print your ticket today and check out a new spot with the fam this weekend!  Use the link below the picture to get to the web site.



Museum Day Live! Venues | Museum Day Live! | Smithsonian Magazine:

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It's Cool at the Zoo - Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens

The LA Zoo is doing it's best to make you comfortable in this crazy heat!  I was just there yesterday for a visit with the kids, and it wasn't so bad until around noon.  As soon as we got inside I noticed signs for buy one get one free icee!  That definitely helped the heat:)

The zoo also has "cool" weekend events through Sept 29.  Have a look at the link for the details.  Most events are 11-12, and include a real fire truck, indoor Chuggington screenings, and live ice sculpting!  Sounds pretty, well, cool!

It's Cool at the Zoo - Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens:

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Aquarium of the Pacific $79 Family Membership with LivingSocial

Living Social has a new deal available for Aquarium of the Pacific.  You can get a one year family membership for only $79.  If you were to pay for 2 adults and 2 kids over 3 to visit, you would spend around $82!  Plus with the membership you get discounted parking and gift shop, VIP entrance lines and more (see all the details below).  It's a good deal if you plan to visit, and especially if you'll go more than once.  There are a ton of exhibits, and a 4D movie theater.  Good times!  It's worth the drive!

details

Experience the wonder of coming face-to-face with more than 11,000 ocean animals at world-class exhibits like Shark Lagoon and the June Keyes Penguin Habitat, and return again and again -- because one visit to the Aquarium of the Pacific is never enough:

• $59 ($90 value) dual membership for 2 people living in same household
• $79 ($115 value) family membership for up to 2 adults and your children
• Open every day from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.

"The aquarium is great. We come at least once a month and we love it every time." -Fun-Loving Family

Your Membership Benefits Include
Unlimited admission for 12 months without any blackout dates, plus access to a members-only VIP entrance so you can skip the lines. You'll also get invitations to members-only events, two-for-one deals on all 4-D movie tickets, up to a 20% discount on purchases at the gift store, 50% off parking, and much more. The Family Membership package is valid for all children under the age of 17 living in the same household, and comes with two guest passes for use at any time.

Happy Birthday L.A.! Free Party Downtown Sat Aug 31

Check out this link for the info on LA's birthday party tomorrow!  There is a definite emphasis on birthday cake, and lots of it!  Sounds fun.

happy birthday l.a.

WHEN: Aug 31 at 6:00 am to 1:00 pm

WHERE: El Pueblo de Los Angeles, 200 N. Main St., Los Angeles, Ca

COST: Free

AGES: All Ages

ADD TO CALENDAR: Google   iCal/Outlook

add to my play list

THE SCOOP:

What do you get for the city that has everything?  You don’t get it anything – you just come enjoy the celebration!  This is the 232nd Anniversary of the founding of Los Angeles, and the city is throwing itself a birthday party on Olvera Street (the oldest street in town) with Los Pobladores historic re-enactments, artisan demonstrations, exhibits, food, entertainment and plenty of birthday cake!

Happy Birthday L.A.:

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Second Annual Broad Fest | Free theatre performances and arts for the whole family and kids of all ages | Los Angeles, Santa Monica | The Edye | Sunday, September 1, 2013 | This year's Broad Fest | September family festival | Free arts festival | Santa Mo

Check out this free family event in Santa Monica this Sunday.  Looks like fun especially for those of us with a love of the theater!!

LA Theatre Show Info-Second Annual Broad Fest | Free theatre performances and arts for the whole family and kids of all ages | Los Angeles, Santa Monica | The Edye | Sunday, September 1, 2013 | This year's Broad Fest | September family festival | Free arts festival | Santa Mo: "Second Annual Broad Fest

Take advantage of the last days of summer–walk or ride your bike to The Broad Stage for a fun day of performance and art for the whole family!

The Second Annual Broad Fest features free performances and interactive art activities for kids of all ages. In addition to free concerts on the plaza featuring Masanga Marimba, Klezmer Juice, TJ Mayeshiro, and more, The Edye will be transformed into a jazz lounge with artists presented by Santa Monica College, Jazz Bakery, and The Blue Whale.

Theatre tours will be hosted throughout the day, and food and drinks will be available to purchase from Homegirl Café and Beachy Cream. Complimentary valet parking is available for all guests who arrive on bikes."

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Kids Hike at Franklin Canyon Sept 1

Check out this Kid's Nature hike coming up at Franklin Canyon Sept 1.  This is a great activity on your last weekend of the summer!

All Franklin Canyon programs are free:)

September 2013 Interpretive Programs
Sun, September 1st, 10am
Kids’ Hands in Nature
Join us for an easy stroll to study the
nature around us. Afterwards, create
art inspired by all the nature you have
seen. For ages 3-8 years, children
must be accompanied by adult. Meet
at Sooky Goldman Nature Center. 2
hours.

http://www.lamountains.com/programs_calendars.asp

Use the link above for more info and directions.

Pony Rides at Griffith Park

My favorite thing about the Griffith Park pony rides is that they have age appropriate ponies! I mean, if you are a big kid you can get a pony that trots you around an open raceway, and if you are, like, 3, you can go on the slow-walk-in-a-circle pony.  Because as much as 10 year olds might still like ponies, the walk in the circle gets old after a few years:)

All pony rides are only $3, and parking is free.  The ponies rest on Mondays.  This spot also has a really ghetto train ride around the grounds, which I hate but always have to go on with my kids.  They just love trains!

Here is the article from Red Tricycle: 

Griffith Park Pony RidesIf there’s one time-honored tradition LA is known for (besides Bikram knitting classes), it’s the Griffith Park pony rides. Little cowpokes ages 1 and up can choose from a variety of different rides depending on their comfort level. From a gentle pony sweep where you ride in a circle, slow ponies with an easy walking pace, medium ponies with a trot to big ponies that do more of a fast jog Richard Simmons style (minus the 80′s style spandex), there’s something for everyone. All rides are only $3 (cash only) and are available every day but Monday from 10:00 am – 4:30 pm.

4400 Crystal Springs Dr.
Los Angeles, Ca
Phone: (323) 664-3266
Online: griffithparkponyride.com
Parking: Free onsite.

Shakespeare - Super Hero Style!!

This free weekend event combines something I love - Shakespeare - with something my kids love - Super Heros!!  How awesome is that?

The Actor's Gang in Culver City is performing Twelfth Night acted entirely by super heros.  Shows are Sat and Sun at 11am in Media Park.  And they do this every weekend in August.  I can't wait:)

Autry National Center Free Tuesdays!

I have driven by this museum countless times on my way to the zoo - it is directly across the street - but have never been inside.  I had a look at the website today, and they do have a free day once a month on the second Tuesday of the month.  I am for sure going to check it out.  I think my son will enjoy the Wild West stuff, and if not, we can always hop over to the zoo:)

The August free date is the 13th.

Hours and Admission | Plan Your Visit | Autry National Center:

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Beverly Hills Farmer's Market - Picklefest!

Farmer's Markets are always fun, but doesn't Picklefest 2013 sound awesome?  The Beverly Hills market is one of my favorites because the street is out of the way, parking is in the adjacent lot and free, and there is almost always live music.  My kids also love the petting zoo and pony rides, which are happening every Sunday during August.  I think the petting zoo is about $3 and pony ride is $4.  The market goods seem pretty overpriced to me, so we usually stick to the petting zoo:)

This Sunday August 4th the market is hosting the 19th Annual Picklefest.  I have no idea what happens at Picklefest, but it sounds like a good time on a Sunday morning.

Check out the website for more details:

www.beverlyhills.org

Getty Center Free Garden Concerts This Wekend

I was just thinking about the Getty Center, and wondering if I could manage it with 2 kids.  It is such a beautiful free spot, but I always worry that there isn't enough for kids my age to do once we get there!  Well, this month there are kids concerts Saturday and Sunday at 4pm.  Perfect!  Add in a stop to the Family Room, with some hands on activities and painting, and I think it could be sure bet.

There is no admission fee for the Center or concert, but there is a parking fee of $15, so take the minivan and carpool!!!

Here is the website link with info about the concerts:

http://www.getty.edu/education/kids_families/programs/garden_concerts.html