L.A. Kid Stuff, Things to Do, Events, Activities this week:
Monday, December 28, 2009 – Sunday, January 3, 2010

ELF Toddler Time

Benjamin Franklin Library
2200 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, 90033; (323) 263-6901
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Ages: 5 and under
Cost: FREE

Noon Year’s Eve Countdown!

Kidspace Children’s Museum
480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, 91103
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Noon (or a little before in order to countdown to noon!)
Ages: All
Cost: Museum entrance fee ($10 for adults & children over 1; members FREE)

Art Class for Kids

Arroyo Seco Regional
6145 N. Figueroa, Los Angeles, 90042; (323) 255-0537
Thursday, December 31, 2009
4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

Dinosaur Roar!

Los Angeles Central Library
KLOS Story Theatre
630 W. 5th Street, Los Angeles, 90071; (213) 228-7000
Saturday, January 2, 2010
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

ONGOING THIS WEEK AND BEYOND

Holiday Light Festival at Griffith Park

Park at L.A. Zoo Parking Lot (For Vehicle Free Nights, otherwise, drive along the route)
5333 Zoo Dr., Los Angeles, 90027
Friday, December 4 – Wednesday, December 30, 2009 (Vehicle Free Nights Dec 4 – 17, 2009)
5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

The Power to Play – From Trash to Treasure

Museum of Tolerance
Simon Wiesenthal Plaza
9786 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, 90035; (310) 553-8408
Now through December 31, 2009
Monday-Friday – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday – 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: Adults $15; Seniors $12; Children 5-18 $11; Children 5 and under FREE

Reindeer Romp

Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Dr., Los Angeles, 90027; (323) 644-4200
Thursday, November 26, 2009 – January 3, 2010
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily (closed December 25)
Ages: All
Cost: Adults (ages 13 – up) $13; Seniors (age 62 and up) $10; Children (ages 2 to 12) $8; Children (under 2) FREE

The North Pole Express

Fillmore & Western Train Co.
351 Santa Clara St., Fillmore 93015; (800) 773-8724 or (815) 524-2546
Saturday, November 28 – Sunday, December 27, 2009
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday departures: 6 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $26 Adults; $16 Kids; FREE under age 2 on lap

The Art of Native American Basketry: A Living Tradition

Autry National Center
4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, 90027; (323) 667-2000
November 7, 2009 through May 30, 2010
Saturdays and Sundays
11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Tuesdays–Fridays
10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $9.00 for Adults; $5.00 for students (13-18) and seniors (60+); $5.00 Adult Students (18 and over with ID); $3.00 for children (3-12); FREE for children under 3

Up Up and Away! Superhero Art Show

Monkeyhouse Toys & Art Gallery
1618 1/2 Silver Lake Bl., Los Angeles, 90026; (323) 662-3437
Ongoing
Ages: All
Cost: FREE Admission (Art for sale)

Dinosaur Encounters

Natural History Museum
900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, 90007; (213) 763-3466
Ongoing Wednesdays – Fridays 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 2:30 p.m.
Saturdays – Sundays 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: Museum Admission

Family Discovery Gallery

Museum of the American West
Autry National Center
4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, 90027
Ongoing Exhibit
Ages: All
Cost: Free with Museum Admission ($9.00 for Adults; $5.00 for students (13-18) and seniors (60+); $5.00 Adult Students with ID); $3.00 for children (3-12); Free for children under 3

Children’s Drawing Lessons

San Rafael Branch Library
1240 Nithsdale Road, Pasadena; (626) 744-7270
Saturdays
10:30 a.m
And Hill Branch Library
55 S Hill Ave., Pasadena, 91106; (626) 744-7264
Saturdays
4:30 p.m.
Ages: 4-10
Cost: FREE

Gold Rush

Museum of the American West
Autry National Center
4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, 90027
Saturdays and Sundays
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: Free with Museum Admission ($9.00 for Adults; $5.00 for students (13-18) and seniors (60+); $5.00 Adult Students with ID); $3.00 for children (3-12); Free for children under 3

Noah’s Arc Permanent Exhibit

Skirball Cultural Center
2701 North Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049
Tuesdays – Sundays (closed Mondays)
Tuesday–Friday, 12:00–5:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE with Museum Admission ($10 General; $7 Seniors 65+ and Full-Time Students; $5 Children 2-12; Children 2 and under FREE) Every THURSDAY FREE for the whole family!

Family Nature Walk

Eaton Canyon Natural Area
1750 N Altadena Dr, Pasadena, 91107
Saturdays (Weather permitting. Call to confirm the week you want to attend.)
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

COMING SOON

Noon Year’s Eve Countdown!

Kidspace Children’s Museum
480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, 91103
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Noon (or a little before in order to countdown to noon!)
Ages: All
Cost: Museum entrance fee ($10 for adults & children over 1; members FREE)
Website

A Kidspace tradition! Count down to the “noon” year at 12PM, then celebrate with streamers, sparkling cider, music and a balloon drop. A great way to celebrate the new year with young children.

Art Class for Kids

Arroyo Seco Regional
6145 N. Figueroa, Los Angeles, 90042; (323) 255-0537
Thursday, December 31, 2009
4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE
Website

Kids and families are invited to join the fun with a LACMA teaching artist to create a new masterpiece each week.

ELF Toddler Time

Benjamin Franklin Library
2200 E. 1st St., Los Angeles, 90033; (323) 263-6901
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Ages: 5 and under
Cost: FREE
Website

ELF Toddler Time Stories, songs, fingerplays and more!

Dinosaur Roar!

Los Angeles Central Library
KLOS Story Theatre
630 W. 5th Street, Los Angeles, 90071; (213) 228-7000
Saturday, January 2, 2010
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE
Website

Start 2010 off in a really BIG way, with stories, poems, songs and a puppet show starring dinosaurs of all kinds

L.A. Kid Stuff, Things to Do, Events, Activities this week:
Monday, December 14 – Sunday, December 21, 2009

Travel Town Train Museum Train Rides to Santa

Travel Town
5200 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles
December 14 and 16-23, 2009
5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $7.00 per person. Infants under 18 months free

Chanukah

1300 Block, Third Street Promenade, 90401
Friday, December 11 – Friday, December 18, 2009 (sundown)
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

Disney On Ice – Worlds of Fantasy

Staples Center
1111 S Figueroa St., Los Angeles, 90015
Thursday, December 17, 2009 – Sunday, December 20, 2009
Thursday: 7:30 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m.; 7:30 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday Noon: 3:30 p.m.; 7:30 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $16 – $65

Music Center Holiday Sing-a-long

Music Center Plaza
135 North Grand Ave. Los Angeles, 90012
Friday, December 18, 2009
6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE (Tickets required. Tickets are distributed beginning at 6pm, while supplies last. One ticket per person to those waiting in line. Seating capacity is limited. FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED.)

A Christmas Carol

Madrid Theatre
21622 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, 91303; (818) 347-9419
Friday, December 18 – Sunday, December 20, 2009
Friday, 7:30 pm
Saturday, 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Sunday, 2 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: General Admission $15 to $30

OZOMATLI

Grammy Museum (Family Music Encounters)
800 West Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles, 90015
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Noon (doors open at 10 a.m.)
Ages: All (Best for ages 5 and up)
Cost: $10 (includes admission to the cool new museum!) Reservations are required. Call 213.765.6800 ext. 6 or email family@grammymuseum.org to reserve.

Zoo Kapers

Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, 90027; (323) 644-4211
Saturday, December 19, 2009
9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Ages: 5-6 (child only)
Cost: $23; $18 (zoo members)

Holiday Gift Bags – 7+Fig Kid’s Club

7+Fig (in the Lower Level Atrium)
735 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles 90017; (213) 955-7150
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Noon – 2 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

Family Art Stops

The Getty Center
1200 Getty Center Drive in Los Angeles
Museum Galleries
Saturdays and Sundays (ongoing)
Tuesdays-Thursdays
December 22-24 and 29-31, 2009
2 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
Ages: 5 +
Cost: FREE

ONGOING THIS WEEK AND BEYOND

Holiday Light Festival at Griffith Park

Park at L.A. Zoo Parking Lot (For Vehicle Free Nights, otherwise, drive along the route)
5333 Zoo Dr., Los Angeles, 90027
Friday, December 4 – Wednesday, December 30, 2009 (Vehicle Free Nights Dec 4 – 17, 2009)
5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

The Power to Play – From Trash to Treasure

Museum of Tolerance
Simon Wiesenthal Plaza
9786 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, 90035; (310) 553-8408
Now through December 31, 2009
Monday-Friday – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday – 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: Adults $15; Seniors $12; Children 5-18 $11; Children 5 and under FREE

Reindeer Romp

Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Dr., Los Angeles, 90027; (323) 644-4200
Thursday, November 26, 2009 – January 3, 2010
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily (closed December 25)
Ages: All
Cost: Adults (ages 13 – up) $13; Seniors (age 62 and up) $10; Children (ages 2 to 12) $8; Children (under 2) FREE

The North Pole Express

Fillmore & Western Train Co.
351 Santa Clara St., Fillmore 93015; (800) 773-8724 or (815) 524-2546
Saturday, November 28 – Sunday, December 27, 2009
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday departures: 6 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $26 Adults; $16 Kids; FREE under age 2 on lap

The Art of Native American Basketry: A Living Tradition

Autry National Center
4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, 90027; (323) 667-2000
November 7, 2009 through May 30, 2010
Saturdays and Sundays
11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Tuesdays–Fridays
10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $9.00 for Adults; $5.00 for students (13-18) and seniors (60+); $5.00 Adult Students (18 and over with ID); $3.00 for children (3-12); FREE for children under 3

Up Up and Away! Superhero Art Show

Monkeyhouse Toys & Art Gallery
1618 1/2 Silver Lake Bl., Los Angeles, 90026; (323) 662-3437
Ongoing
Ages: All
Cost: FREE Admission (Art for sale)

Dinosaur Encounters

Natural History Museum
900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, 90007; (213) 763-3466
Ongoing Wednesdays – Fridays 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 2:30 p.m.
Saturdays – Sundays 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: Museum Admission

Family Discovery Gallery

Museum of the American West
Autry National Center
4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, 90027
Ongoing Exhibit
Ages: All
Cost: Free with Museum Admission ($9.00 for Adults; $5.00 for students (13-18) and seniors (60+); $5.00 Adult Students with ID); $3.00 for children (3-12); Free for children under 3

Children’s Drawing Lessons

San Rafael Branch Library
1240 Nithsdale Road, Pasadena; (626) 744-7270
Saturdays
10:30 a.m
And Hill Branch Library
55 S Hill Ave., Pasadena, 91106; (626) 744-7264
Saturdays
4:30 p.m.
Ages: 4-10
Cost: FREE

Gold Rush

Museum of the American West
Autry National Center
4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, 90027
Saturdays and Sundays
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: Free with Museum Admission ($9.00 for Adults; $5.00 for students (13-18) and seniors (60+); $5.00 Adult Students with ID); $3.00 for children (3-12); Free for children under 3

Noah’s Arc Permanent Exhibit

Skirball Cultural Center
2701 North Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049
Tuesdays – Sundays (closed Mondays)
Tuesday–Friday, 12:00–5:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE with Museum Admission ($10 General; $7 Seniors 65+ and Full-Time Students; $5 Children 2-12; Children 2 and under FREE) Every THURSDAY FREE for the whole family!

Family Nature Walk

Eaton Canyon Natural Area
1750 N Altadena Dr, Pasadena, 91107
Saturdays (Weather permitting. Call to confirm the week you want to attend.)
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

COMING SOON

Snow Days

KidspaceChildren’s Museum
480 North Arroyo Boulevard, Pasadena, 91103; (626) 449-9144
Saturday, December 26 – Monday, December 28, 2009
Museum Hours (Monday – Friday, 9:30am – 5pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10am – 5pm)
Ages: All
Cost: $10 Adult and Children ages 1 year and older; Children under 12 months free

Family Art Stops

The Getty Center
1200 Getty Center Drive in Los Angeles
Museum Galleries
Saturdays and Sundays (ongoing)
Tuesdays-Thursdays
December 22-24 and 29-31, 2009
2 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
Ages: 5 +
Cost: FREE
Website

Enjoy a playful introduction to art with Family Art Stops, a half-hour, hands-on gallery experience geared for families.
A gallery teacher will greet you in the Museum Entrance Hall and lead you to to a family-friendly work of art in the galleries. You might meet a Renaissance oil painting, a 45-foot-tall steel sculpture, or an opulent tapestry adorned with scampering exotic animals. You and your family will look and learn together as you participate in fun activities such as puzzles, drawing, role-plays, even an artistic version of Mad Libs. Activities and works of art change frequently, making each visit a new experience.

After your Art Stop, your gallery teacher will suggest other family-friendly works of art in the collection that you can visit to practice your new skills at looking and talking about art.

Don’t miss the Family Room, open for drop-in, hands-on activities highlighting the Getty Center’s collection.

Sign up at the Museum Information Desk beginning at 1:30 p.m. for the 2:00 p.m. program and at 2:00 p.m. for the 2:30 p.m. program on the day you’d like to participate.

Behind the Scenes at Disney on Ice Worlds of Fantasy

This holiday season while many of us are at home drinking eggnog and spending time with our families, Todd Straley will be hard at work making sure his own extended work-family brings extra cheer to your holidays. In fact, this is the way he’s been spending the majority of the past 13 Christmases: on the road with various traveling ice shows. But don’t feel sorry for Todd just yet, because this Company Manager of the Disney on Ice Worlds of Fantasy show loves what he does, and admits that its perks make up for any shortcomings us grounded mortals might recognize.

Being the person in charge of a unit of 100 employees including performers, crews and concessionaires is a big responsibility, and one that has brought him around the world and to every single one of the 48 contiguous United States. In fact, it’s best to ask not where he has been, but where he hasn’t.

The Disney on Ice Worlds of Fantasy North American tour began in August and will continue until April 2010. In June 2010, Todd and the unit will bring the show on a four month journey through China, Southeast Asia and Australia. If you consider all of Todd’s travels on his own time and add his travels for work, he’s pretty much been everywhere except Russia, Africa and India. Even that may soon change as he says Disney on Ice is looking into expanding to India.

“I love meeting new people and bringing the show to different places,” says Todd. “I’ll watch the show and the audience and you see the kids light up and they just go crazy and are so happy.”

Todd’s sense of pride and love of the show is evident as he recalls memorable moments from each country. But as the Company Manager, he must also keep in mind the happiness of 100 other people in the Unit who ultimately determine the quality of each performance. That’s why during the holidays, Todd ensures that there are enough activities to make any tour member feel right at home…on the road.

“We do a Secret Santa gift exchange and we’ll have breakfast together Christmas morning, do the show and maybe have dinner together on Christmas night,” he says. His “touring family” as he refers to them, will repeat the togetherness at New Years. “We’ve become a really close knit family. That’s what happens when you are all touring together.”

No doubt good company and good management do a lot for the Unit’s morale; and when morale is good, the shows prove it. Disney on Ice Worlds of Fantasy promises just that as it pulls out all the stops. From talking, life-sized Lightning McQueen and Mater cars a soaring Tinkerbell high above the stadium to a Lion King ensemble and the Little Mermaid and her prince to a Princess pre-show with Cinderella and Tiana, this show is as good as it gets.

Judge for yourselves just how good the Disney on Ice Worlds of Fantasy show can get. It’s not too late to purchase your tickets for the Staples Center shows this Thursday – Sunday. Next week the show moves to the Honda Center in Anaheim through the 27th, to the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario through January 3rd and will conclude its Southland tour at the Long Beach Arena January 6-10.

Wherever you see the show, remember that in addition to all the talented performers on the ice and in costumes, there’s a guy behind the scenes who makes sure it all comes together. You may see him peeking from behind the curtain, and more likely than not he’ll be enjoying the cheer the performance is bringing to families like yours as much as you are enjoying the show itself.

Disney On Ice – Worlds of Fantasy

Staples Center
1111 S Figueroa St., Los Angeles, 90015
Thursday, December 17, 2009 – Sunday, December 20, 2009
Thursday: 7:30 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m.; 7:30 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday Noon: 3:30 p.m.; 7:30 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $16 – $65

Snow Days

KidspaceChildren’s Museum
480 North Arroyo Boulevard, Pasadena, 91103; (626) 449-9144
Saturday, December 26 – Monday, December 28, 2009
Museum Hours (Monday – Friday, 9:30am – 5pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10am – 5pm)
Ages: All
Cost: $10 Adult and Children ages 1 year and older; Children under 12 months free
Website

Get your mittens and jackets to play in real snow blanketing the courtyard at Kidspace Children’s Museum. Make snow men, snow angels, snow balls! Plus: make an edible snowman at the Harvest Corner and paint with ice at the Art Cart.

Zoo Kapers

Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, 90027; (323) 644-4211
Saturday, December 19, 2009
9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Ages: 5-6 (child only)
Cost: $23; $18 (zoo members)
Website

Mountain Madness! From valleys to mountain peaks, explore the animals that live in rocky areas and evergreen forests. Learn about the special adaptations that help them survive life in the mountains by observing them firsthand out on the zoo grounds!