L.A. Kid Stuff, Things to Do, Events, Activities this week:
Monday, December 7 – Sunday, December 13, 2009

The Secret of Kells

AMC Burbank Town Center 8
201 E. Magnolia Blvd. #345, Burbank, 91501
Monday, December 4 – Thursday, December 10, 2009
Monday-Thursday: 7 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: Kids $9; Adults $10-$12

Travel Town Train Museum Train Rides to Santa

Travel Town
5200 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles
December 11,12,13,14 and 16-23, 2009
5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $7.00 per person. Infants under 18 months free

Playhouse Disney Presents the Imagination Movers in Concert

Fred Kavli Theatre
2100 E. Thousand Oaks, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
11:30 AM
Ages: All
Cost: $31.50-$41.50

The 16th Annual Queen Mary Tree Lighting Ceremony

Queen Mary
1126 Queen’s Highway, Long Beach, 90802 (800) 437-2934
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

Celebrate on Cañon Drive

Shops and Stores on Canon Drive
Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, 90210
Thursday, December 10, 2009
4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

Chanukah

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

Holidays Around the World – Featuring Putamayo’s A Family Christmas Artist Johnny Bregar

800 West Olympic Blvd., L.A., 90015; (213) 765-6800
Saturday, December 12, 2009
10 a.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $8 (Free with paid museum admission and to members. RSVP necessary at 213.765.6800 ext. 6)

Snow Day and Trackless Train Rides

Shoreline Village
Shoreline Village Drive, Long Beach
Saturday, December 12, 2009
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: Admission fee for snow play and bounce houses. FREE train rides.

32nd Annual Santa Monica-Venice Christmas Run

2600 Barnard Way (at Ocean View Park, Venice 90291
Saturday, December 12, 2009
10K 7:30 am, 5K 9:15 am, Kids Fun Run at 10:15 am
Ages: All
Cost: $35-$55 (Kids Fun Run $15) Go to website to register. Can register day of event.

Chanukah Celebration

Universal Citywalk
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, 91608
Saturday, December 12, 2009
8 p.m. – Midnight
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

The Nutcracker Ballet (Presented by the California Dance Academy)

Madrid Theatre
21622 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, 91303; (818) 347-9419
Saturday & Sunday, December 12-13, 2009
Saturdays, 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm
Sundays, 1:00 pm & 5:30 pm
Ages: All
Cost: General Admission: $18 and $22; Seniors & Students: $12 and $16

Help a Mother Out Holiday Playdate

Treehouse Social Club
426 S Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, 90048
Sunday, December 13, 2009
3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: At least one pack of disposable diapers, any size

Family Fun Mini Fair (in conjunction with 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 11 – Sunday, December 13, 2009
5 p.m. – 10 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

Disney On Ice – Worlds of Fantasy

Staples Center
1111 S Figueroa St., Los Angeles, 90015
Thursday, December 17, 2009 – Sunday, Deccember 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

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.

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

Hybrid-Ice Skating Rink Debuts at L.A. Zoo for Unique Holiday Outing

A more than worthy addition to the growing list of ice skating rinks around town will open tomorrow at none other than the Los Angeles Zoo!  And this is one rink you can feel good about skating on because it’s actually an eco-friendly “hybrid-ice” rink that is good for the environment.  The 1000 square foot hybrid-ice does not require the use of refrigeration units, generators, or electricity, and is made from a recyclable, polymer compound and feels 10-15% slower than skating on traditional rinks and more like “skating on a frozen pond” according to BH Skating Parks, manufacturers of the hybrid-ice.  The L.A. Zoo Skating Rink will offer 30 minute skating session and skate rentals for only $5.  You have to get into the zoo first, of course, but the zoo’s host of other holiday offerings will make this trip a worthwhile adventure for the whole family.  Go on the weekend and visit with Santa, partake in real reindeer romps and watch as some animals get their very own Christmas gifts!

The L.A. Zoo Hybrid Ice Skating Rink

Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027
10 a.m. – 5p.m. daily (closed December 25)
Ages: 5 and up
Cost: $5 skating fee (Zoo admission: Adults (ages 13 – up) $13; Seniors (age 62 and up) $10; Children (ages 2 to 12) $8; Children (under 2) FREE

‘Ozo’s for the Kids!’ A Conversation with Ozomatli

Plus a chance to win four tickets to their
Family Workshop at the Grammy Museum!

A little L.A. Kid Stuff factoid: During our BLAK (before L.A. Kid) days, this L.A. mom and her sister L.A. aunt, big fans of the group Ozomatli, were compelled during a Hollywood Bowl concert to start a conga line and pick up more than a handful of Ozo fans along the way. Ah, memories!! So, how excited we were to hear that Ozomatli, a group of former L.A. kids themselves, are bringing their brand of music, “a notorious urban-Latino-and-beyond collision of hip hop and salsa, dancehall and cumbia, samba and funk, merengue and comparsa, East LA R&B and New Orleans second line, Jamaican ragga and Indian ragas,” straight to the little ones!

Ozomatli will appear at the Grammy Museum in L.A. on Saturday, December 19 at Noon as part of the Grammy Family Musical Explorations Series. Kids will be invited on stage to learn one of their songs then the same kids will have an opportunity to perform at Ozomatli’s concert at Club Nokia. (Parents must purchase tickets to the evening concert)

L.A. Kid Stuff recently caught up with Ozomatli and found out they have some great advice for today’s L.A. kids!

L.A. Kid Stuff (LAKS): Ozomatli is intercultural and global in its reach, but also intergenerational. We see parents bringing their kids to concerts all the time, and we plan to bring our own L.A. kid as well. Do you have any plans to create music specifically for the younger set?

Ozomatli (OZO): It’s funny you ask that question because we’ve been talking recently about doing a cd specifically for kids and perhaps doing additional shows that are geared for kids. “Ozo’s for the kids!” is a common phrase that we use. Even if we don’t speak the same language, we have connected with and played music alongside children from places as far reaching as Myanmar and Madagascar. We’ve always invited kids onstage to play with us and we do workshops at schools and orphanages all over the world. You never know, we just might show up on Sesame Street or the like. And you’re right, our shows are inter-generational. We see everything from babies to senior citizens at our shows. We had a 98 year old woman tell us that she loves us and saw us on Dancing with the Stars!

LAKS: You were U.S. State Department Cultural Ambassadors on international tours in 2007. Does that label still resonate with your group today?

OZO: We are a group of kids (relatively speaking) from L.A. who love to play music, so it is still odd to be called ‘cultural ambassadors’. For Ozo, it is another avenue that lets us go to places that are off the beaten path and play our music and connect with people we would otherwise never meet. We really appreciate these opportunities. There are plans to do some trips in 2010 to China and Mongolia and we are always open to more.

LAKS: What is the purpose of your workshops at the Grammy Museum? We love how kids who attend the day show will be invited onstage at Club Nokia that evening. What will the kids do onstage that night?

OZO: The purpose of the workshops is to reach out to our younger fans and do something fun and exciting with them. The kids will get to play music, dance, have a good time, and hopefully learn something from the experience. We’ll teach them one of our new songs and have them perform it with us later that night. Sorry but I can’t divulge too much information about it here, you and you’re readers will have to come down to the Nokia!

LAKS: Any advice to kids or teens who want to get into music?

OZO: Follow your heart and Play Play Play! Know that anything you set your desire on is ABSOLUTELY possible, so follow your dreams!

LAKS: For band members who grew up in L.A., what were some of your favorite places to go as a kid?

OZO: Some of our favorite L.A. spots growing up were: (in no particular order) the train ride at Griffith Park/Travel Town, L.A. Zoo, Griffith Observatory, Placita Olvera, the Shriner’s Circus at the Shrine, MacArthur Park Peddle boats, Tommy’s, the Children’s Museum, Dodger Stadium, Elysian Park, Santa Monica Pier, La Brea Tar Pits, and Venice Beach, just to name a few. As you probably gather, we love our city!

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!)

TO ENTER the four-pack of tickets giveaway drawing to see Ozomatli at the Grammy Museum, become a member of L.A> Kid Stuff newsletter list if you aren’t already, then email us at info@lakidstuff.com Winner will be chosen Monday, December 14 and notified immediately. Good Luck!

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.
Website

Join beloved L.A. band, Ozomatli, as they explore various genres of music and teach children one of their favorite songs. Children who attend will be invited to join the band onstage at the band’s headlining Club Nokia show that evening. Adults buying tickets to both the Museum and Club Nokia shows on December 19 will be able to bring their children to the evening show free of charge (10 and under only).

Visually-Spectacular Animated Film
The Secret of Kells in Town for One Week!

Psst! Word on the street is that there’s a cool new animated film that is a likely Oscar contender and you have a chance to win four tickets to see it this Saturday, December 5 at 2 p.m.!

The Secret of Kells draws its story from the ancient The Book of Kells and offers fantasy, a magical adventure and visually-spectacular style inspired by Celtic Art and illuminated medieval manuscripts.

The Book of Kells is a beautiful manuscript and Ireland’s most precious medieval artifact. Journey with protagonist 12-year-old Brendan as he fights Vikings and a serpent god to find a crystal that will magically complete this magnificent book. The adventure will take Brendan outside of the abbey where he lives into an enchanted forest where a white faerie wolf/girl will befriend him and help him on his quest. In the process Brendan’s own extraordinary talents will be awakened and his courage fortified.

Extensive research into Irish fairy tales, legends and historic Irish locales and monuments went into developing the lavishly-detailed and colorful look of the film. And in a time when digital animation is becoming more and more standard, The Secret of Kells relies mostly on classic hand-drawn animation inspired by medieval art.

“Many of the most influential animation artists still insist that there are stories that are best told with traditional animation,” says Director Tomm Moore. “With our influences and subject matter concerning some of the greatest craftsmen and artists who ever lived we felt strongly that this film is one of those stories.” (Click HERE to see a film clip and the TRAILER)

Be one of the first to see The Secret of Kells at its one-week only Oscar-qualifying run at the AMC Burbank Town Center 8 Theatres starting this Friday. It won’t be back in theatres again until its general release in March 2010!

The Secret of Kells

AMC Burbank Town Center 8
201 E. Magnolia Blvd. #345, Burbank, 91501
Friday, December 4 – Thursday, December 10, 2009
Friday, Monday-Thursday: 7 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: 2 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: Kids $9; Adults $10-$12

If you pre-purchase your tickets ONLINE, you will have an opportunity direct $4 of each ticket you purchase to L.A. Kid Stuff’s favorite charity St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Just click HERE and look for the green drop down menu at the top of the page and choose St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, then purchase your tickets! You can also purchase tickets at the Box Office in Burbank, but the charity component applies only to online pre-purchased tickets ONLINE

TO ENTER the four-pack of tickets giveaway drawing, become an L.A. Kid Stuff member by signing up for the weekly newsletter then email us at info @ lakidstuff.com  Winner will be chosen Thursday, December 3rd and notified immediately. Good Luck!

L.A. Kid Stuff, Things to Do, Events, Activities this week:
Monday, November 30 – Sunday, December 6, 2009

Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles Tree Lighting

506 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, 90071; (213) 624-1011
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

Kids Yoga on The Green

The Americana at Brand
889 Americana Way, Glendale, 91210; (818) 637-8982
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Ages: 3-6 (parents too!)
Cost: FREE

Ms. Bits N’ Bobs Visits The Land of Imagination

Robertson Library
1719 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, 90035; (310) 840-2147
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

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

Travel Town Train Museum Train Rides to Santa

Travel Town
5200 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles
December 4, 5, 6, 11,12,13,14 and 16-23, 2009
5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $7.00 per person. Infants under 18 months free

The Secret of Kells

AMC Burbank Town Center 8
201 E. Magnolia Blvd. #345, Burbank, 91501
Friday, December 4 – Thursday, December 10, 2009
Friday, Monday-Thursday: 7 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: 2 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: Kids $9; Adults $10-$12

Light Up the Season with 94.7 The Wave and Brian McKnight

Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica, 90401
Saturday, December 5, 2009
5 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

Playhouse Disney Presents the Imagination Movers in Concert

Club Nokia
800 West Olympic Blvd., L.A., 90015
Saturday, December 5, 2009
1:30 PM and 4:30 PM
Ages: All
Cost: $31.50-$41.50
AND
Fred Kavli Theatre
2100 E. Thousand Oaks, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
11:30 AM
Ages: All
Cost: $31.50-$41.50

Magic of Tony Daniels

Northridge Library
9051 Darby Ave., Northridge, 91325; (818) 886-3640
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Noon – 1 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

State Street Ballet “The Nutcracker”

California State University, Northridge
Plaza del Sol Performance Hall
18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, 91330; (818) 677-2488
Saturday, December 5, 2009
2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $45.00/ each – L.A. Kid Stuff Discount: 10% off the ticket price when using the code LAK101

The Nutcracker Ballet (Presented by the California Dance Academy)

Madrid Theatre
21622 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, 91303; (818) 347-9419
Saturday, December 5 – Sunday, December 13, 2009
Saturdays, 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm
Sundays, 1:00 pm & 5:30 pm
Ages: All
Cost: General Admission: $18 and $22; Seniors & Students: $12 and $16

Holiday Treats for the Animals

Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way Long Beach, 90802; (562) 590-3100
Saturday and Sunday, December 5-6, 2009
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $23.95 adult (12+), $20.95 senior (62+), $11.95 child (3-11), and free for children under 3 and Aquarium members

Mama Doni and the Mama Doni Band – Chanukah Fever

Adat Shalom
3030 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 475-4985
Sunday, December 6, 2009
11:00 a.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $18 adults; $10 kids

It’s a Wonderful Life – Los Angeles Conservancy Holiday Matinee

Million Dollar Theatre
307 South Broadway, Downtown L.A.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
2 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $10 for adults and $5 for children age 12 and under

The Rainbow Harbor Holidays Tree Lighting Ceremony

The Pike’s Event Park
95 South Pine Ave., Long Beach, 90802 (corner of Shoreline Drive and Pine Ave.)
Sunday, December 6, 2009
6 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

Kids in the Courtyard: Round-Reed Baskets

Fowler Museum
UCLA
North campus, UCLA
Enter Campus at Westwood Blvd & Sunset Plaza, Los Angeles, 90095-1549; (310) 825-4361
Sunday, December 6, 2009
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

Holiday Champagne and Dessert Tea at Greystone Mansion

Greystone Mansion
905 Loma Vista Drive, Beverly Hills, 90210
Sunday, December 6, 2009
2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $50/person – they may be purchased by calling (310) 285-6850

It’s a Wonderful Life – Los Angeles Conservancy Holiday Matinee

Million Dollar Theatre
307 South Broadway, Downtown L.A.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
2 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $10 for adults and $5 for children age 12 and under

Holiday Block Party

The Shops at Woodman and Ventura
Sherman Oaks, CA
Sunday, December 6, 2009
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE admission

ONGOING THIS WEEK AND BEYOND

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

Holidays Around the World – Featuring Putamayo’s A Family Christmas Artist Johnny Bregar

800 West Olympic Blvd., L.A., 90015; (213) 765-6800
Saturday, December 12, 2009
10 a.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $8 (Free with paid museum admission and to members. RSVP necessary at 213.765.6800 ext. 6)

32nd Annual Santa Monica-Venice Christmas Run

2600 Barnard Way (at Ocean View Park, Venice 90291
Saturday, December 12, 2009
10K 7:30 am, 5K 9:15 am, Kids Fun Run at 10:15 am
Ages: All
Cost: $35-$55 (Kids Fun Run $15) Go to website to register. Can register day of event.

Help a Mother Out Holiday Playdate

Treehouse Social Club
426 S Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, 90048
Sunday, December 13, 2009
3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: At least one pack of disposable diapers, any size

Disney On Ice – Worlds of Fantasy

Staples Center
1111 S Figueroa St., Los Angeles, 90015
Thursday, December 17, 2009 – Sunday, Deccember 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

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

Holiday Block Party

The Shops at Woodman and Ventura
Sherman Oaks, CA
Sunday, December 6, 2009
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE admission

Spend a day shopping filled with fun and entertainment for the whole family! Meanwhile, help the local schools in the community thrive. When you shop at “The Shops” and all of the participating stores on Sunday, 10% of the day’s sales go back to local schools; Dixie Canyon Elementary and Sherman Oaks Elementary.

Tough Cookies Children’s Boutique will have a glitter tattoo artist on site offering free tattoos, the ARC Bell Choir will be performing courtesy of Abundance, UPS will be offering free child photo id’s and fingerprinting, Roni B. for the fashionista will have holiday storytelling by Miss Sherman Oaks USA, Steamer Cleaners will have popcorn and hot dogs, Vitello’s Express will host live jazz, Sweetharts will have a face painter, Sylvan Learning Center will host a crafts table for the kids and Lene’s place will be offering mini facials. “The Shops” will also be providing bins in order to continue collecting unwrapped toys for the Sherman Oaks Home Owner’s Association’s 11th annual toy drive benefiting the LA County Department of Children and Family Services. Chabad will be present with their giant Hanukkah Menorah as well as Santa and Mrs. Claus for photo ops.

There will also be food, fun, a raffle to raise money for WeSPARK and LIVE music courtesy of the “Xoebean” bands, carolers and the “Playdates” throughout the day.

The Shops at Woodman and Ventura are a collective group of stores and restaurants all privately owned and operated and serve the local community by hosting events such as the Annual Holiday Block Party.

Magic of Tony Daniels

Northridge Library
9051 Darby Ave., Northridge, 91325; (818) 886-3640
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Noon – 1 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE
Website

Magic show for children of all ages, courtesy of Read to Me L.A.

Ms. Bits N’ Bobs Visits The Land of Imagination

Robertson Library
1719 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, 90035; (310) 840-2147
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE
Website

Ms. Bits N’ Bobs lives in the Land of Imagination where all the toys and stories are alive. Through singing, dancing, and magic, Ms. Bits N’ Bobs will show you how she brings stories to life

Holiday Late Nights at the Aquarium of the Pacific—Everyone Gets in for the Kid’s Price

Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way Long Beach, 90802; (562) 590-3100
Saturday, December 26, 2009 – Saturday, January 2, 2010
5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $10 per person after 5 p.m
Website

This holiday season the public can treat their loved ones to an evening at the Aquarium of the Pacific while enjoying special savings and the ambiance of the Aquarium at night. During its Holiday Late Nights, admission will be., and the Aquarium will remain open until 9 p.m. Holiday visitors will have the opportunity to journey through the Pacific Ocean to meet over 11,000 animals, including more than 150 sharks they can touch. Please note: the Lorikeet Forest aviary closes at 4:30 p.m. during the winter.