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:)

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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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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Free Admission at Giggles & Hugs Wed & Thur!

Both locations of gigglesnhugs are offering free admission both today, Wednesday 9/11, and tomorrow Thursday 9/12. Check it out! You can't beat free!

Free crafts for kids schedule at Lakeshore Learning

Check out the calendar of free craft events at Lakeshore Learning.  Free craft sessions are held every Saturday in store from 11-3.  Fun!  You can also use the link below to print a coupon, just in case you get talked in to buying something





September Crafts

Sept. 7

Make & Play Guitar
What instrument could be more fun to play than a cute little guitar that kids create!

Sept. 14

Wise Little Owl
Children create a fancy feathered owl that they’ll be proud to call their pal!

Sept. 21

Fall Window Decoration
Welcome the fall season...with a stained “glass” leaf that will brighten any window!

Sept. 28

Make-Your-Own Accordion Book
Kids put together this accordion-style book...then write and illustrate their very own tale!

October Crafts

Oct. 5

On the Farm Puppets
Children bring their favorite farm animals to life...as they decorate these colorful stick puppets!

Oct. 12

Pumpkin Patch Door Hanger
Children create their own pumpkin patch decoration with our amazing scratch-through rainbow paper!

Oct. 19

Creepy Creatures Mask
Kids become crafty creatures when they make this goofy monster mask they’ll love to wear!

Oct. 26

Tricky Treat Cup
Kids have a ghoulish place to keep their treats after they make this super-cute holder!

free crafts for kids at Lakeshore Learning:

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Come and Try a Free Ladybug Music Demo Class

Ladybug Music is expanding, and there are even more free demo class times and locations to choose from.  Come check one out!

Try a FREE Ladybug Music class! Come join us for silly singalongs, scarf dance-a-thons & funky instrument jams!

Ladybug Music offers mixed age (infant – 4 years) classes & original CD’s that introduce you and your child to a wide range of music from Brazilian Beats to Appalachian lullabies to Surf Punk Ditties. With our rhythmic & soulful music you and your children can experience how fun and easy it is to sing & dance to Ladybug Music songs together!
In this accepting, warm, & playful environment we explore & learn

• pitch
• tempo
• melody
• rhythm through singing, instruments, dance and more!

FREE demo classes:

• September 5th,6th & 7th
• September 14th,19th & 20th
• Sign up now!

Come and Try a Free Ladybug Music Demo Class:

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Free Kid's Workshops at The Home Depot

There are 3 new workshop dates available for sign up on the Home Depot web site.  These building events are great - kids learn to build an item, paint it, and bring it home, along with a Home Depot pin and apron and a certificate.  So cute.  They are designed for 5 and older, but my four year old is fine with parental supervision:)

Free Weekly Workshops & Home Improvement Workshop at The Home Depot:

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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.

First 50 kids get in free at Giggles & Hugs - 8/22

Looking for a free play date tomorrow?  Grab a friend and head over to Century City - the first 50 kids get in free!  If you have more than 1 adult you can have one wait in line while the other chases the kids up the climbing structure right outside the entrance:)

Jazz on the Lawn in Santa Monica

Summer is almost over!  I can't believe it.  It has been so crazy and busy and fun, but I am feeling kind of ready to relax and get ready for a new year of school.  Just a couple years until both kids will be in school at the same time, and then a few more and they'll be in the same place too!

This free Jazz on the Lawn series in Santa Monica sounds really great as summer winds down.  You can relax on the lawn, pack a picnic, and enjoy the sounds of a different jazz band every week while your kids play and snack.  Sign up some friends to join you so the kids can keep each other busy!  Music is 5-7 pm.  I think it has the potential to be a very relaxing night out with the whole family:)

Check the link to Red Tricycle for the details...

Jazz on the Lawn:

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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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Baby and Pre-School Storytime at Los Angeles Public Libraries

Libraries are such a great source of free events!  And as a bonus you promote a love of reading and books just by going:)  If you are looking for something to get you and your baby or toddler out of the house look up your local library!  Most have a weekly storytime for a few different age groups, and for older kids most have summer reading programs.  I am looking forward to trying out this one, close to where we are staying for the next week, at the Rancho Palms branch.

Baby Storytime | Los Angeles Public Library:

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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