The cherry trees at Schabarum Park in Rowland Heights are still relatively young, but their blossoms are no less stunning.  The first blooms have already started to appear along both sides of the mile-long walkway in the pristine park.  Pack your kids, your family and a picnic and hurry to the park to take a storybook stroll alongside the iconic beauties.  The cherry trees bloom for just a teeny bit of time, maybe two weeks, each year, and once they are at their peak, only mother nature and her winds and rain will determine how long they will stay.  If luck and nice weather are on your side, you may have until April to enjoy the views.

Schabarum Regional Park

17250 Colima Road Rowland Heights, CA 91748;(626) 810-4229
Hours: October through March 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
April through September 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Parking: FREE on weekdays; $6 on weekends

Pajama Storytime

Hastings Branch Library
3325 E Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena, 91107
Monday, March 8, 2010 (and every Monday at the same time)
7 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

Kids Yoga on The Green

The Americana at Brand
889 Americana Way, Glendale, 91210; (818) 637-8982
Wednesday, March 10, 2010 (Call to confirm re. weather conditions)
11 a.m.-11:45 a.m.
Ages: 3-6
Cost: FREE

Critters ‘N Kids: Loveable Lemurs

Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, 90027; (323) 644-4200
Wednesday – Saturday, March 10-13, 2010
10 a.m. (one class each day)
Ages: 3-4, with an adult (limit one)
Cost: Members: $18 per child/adult pair; Nonmembers: $23 per child/adult pair (For more info and to register call (323) 644-4211. Confirmation letter required for class admission.)

Kids Rhythm Club

REMO Percussion Center
7308 Coldwater Canyon. North Hollywood 91605
(1/2 block North of Sherman Way)
Saturday, March 13, 2010
11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Age: 2-12 (but all are welcome; parents must stay with children)
Cost: FREE

Norooz Celebration & Workshop

Craft and Folk Art Museum
5814 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, 90036; (323) 937-4230
Saturday, March 13, 2010
2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Ages: 3-12
Cost: $10/child; Members $5 (RSVP required. Please call 323.937.4230 x50 or email workshops@cafam.org)

Target Free Family Saturday: Wear This!

Japanese American National Museum
369 East First Street, Los Angeles, 90012; (213) 625-0414
Saturday, March 13, 2010
11 a.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE (all day)

Waters of the Earth: Multicultural Tales of the Sea

Geffen Playhouse
10886 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles, 90024
Saturday, March 13, 2010
11 a.m.
Ages: 5 and up
Cost: $15

Dig It! Archaeological Adventures

Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A.
Saturday and Sunday, March 13 & 14, 2010
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Drop in anytime – Weather permitting)
Ages: All (Must be accompanied by adult)
Cost: FREE with museum admission ($10 General; $7 Seniors 65+ and Full-Time Students; $5 Children 2-12;
Free to Children under 2 and Skirball Members)

The Science of Saving Daylight

Hammer Museum
10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, 90024; (310) 443-7000
Sunday, March 14 , 2010
Noon
Ages: All
Cost: FREE (Reservations are encouraged. Contact workshops@826LA or call (310) 305-8418.)

Let’s Make History! Quilt Blocks

Museum of the American West at Griffith Park
4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, 90027; (323) 667-2000
Saturday, March 13, 2010
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: Museum Admission ($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)

Gold Rush!

Museum of the American West at Griffith Park
4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, 90027; (323) 667-2000
Saturday & Sunday, March 13 & 14, 2010
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: Museum Admission ($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)

Kids in the Courtyard: Little Boxes, None the Same

Fowler Museum
UCLA North Campus
405 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles, 90024 (Directions after jump)
Sunday, March 14, 2010
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

Passover Festival!

Zimmer Children’s Museum
6505 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 100, Los Angeles, 90048
Sunday, March 14, 2010
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $3.00 per child for non-members in addition to the entrance fee. Entrance fee: $8.00 adults; $5.00 ages children 3+. FREE for children ages 2 and under and grandparents.

Art of the Ancient Americas – Andell Family Sundays

Los Angeles County Museum of Art
5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, 90036
Sunday, March 14, 2010
12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE 

ONGOING THIS WEEK AND BEYOND

The Emperor’s New Clothes

Theatre West in Association with Storybook Theatre
3333 Cahuenga Boulevard, Los Angeles, 90068; (323) 851-7977
Saturdays, March 4 – July 10, 2010
1 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: Adult $12; Children $10

Salt Marsh and Sand Dunes Tours

Ballona Wetlands
211 Culver Blvd., Ste. K, Playa Del Rey
303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey, 90293 (This is the meeting place)
Every Second Sunday of each month (call to confirm) (310) 306-5994
Sundays, February 14, March14, April 11, 2010
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

Farm Animal Friends Exhibit

The Children’s Museum at La Habra
301 South Euclid Street, La Habra, 90631; (562) 905-9793
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 – June 30, 2010
Museum Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Fridays open at 9 a.m. for CMLH Members; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Closed Mondays and all Major Holidays
Ages: All
Cost: Museum Admission ($7/person; $6/La Habra residents; Children under 2 FREE)

Journeys: The Silk Road

Pacific Asia Museum
46 North Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena, California 91101 (626) 449-2742
Ongoing Exhibit
Museum Hours: Wednesdays-Sundays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: Museum Admission (General Admission $9; Students, Seniors $7; Children Age 11 and Under FREE)

SKATEBOARD: Evolution and Art in California

The California Heritage Museum
2612 Main Street, Santa Monica, 90405; (310) 392-8537
NOW through Sunday, May 10, 2010
Museum Hours: Wednesday through Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: General Admission $8; Seniors, Students $5; Members, Children under twelve FREE

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

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

Habitat Restoration Volunteer Days

Ballona Wetlands
7740 West Manchester Avenue, Playa Del Rey
303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey, 90293 (This is the meeting place)
Every Fourth Sunday of each month (call to confirm)
Sundays, February 27, March 27, April 24, 2010
9:30 a.m. – Noon
Ages: All (Kids under age 15 must be accompanied by adult but are welcome)
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 Ark 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

Wonderworld Puppets

Kids Club at Del Amo Mall
21712 Hawthorne Boulevard, Torrance; (310) 542-4352
Thursday, March 18, 2010
10:30 a.m.-11 a.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

Zoo Explorers: Pigs Aplenty

Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, 90027; (323) 644-4200
Saturday, March 20, 2010
9:30 a.m.- 11 a.m.  (one class each day)
Ages: 7-10 (child only)
Cost: Members: $18 per child; Nonmembers: $23 per child (For more info and to register call (323) 644-4211. Confirmation letter required for class admission.)

Jazz Playground with Putumayo Kids

Kidspace Children’s Museum
480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, 91103
Saturday, March 20, 2010
11 a.m.
Ages: All
Cost: Museum admission ($10 per person; children under 12 months FREE)

Butterfly Brigade

Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens
301 North Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, 91007; (626) 821-3222
Saturday, March 20, 2010
10 a.m. – Noon
Ages: All
Cost: $10 per family for members; $12 per family for non-members (Pre-registration required by 5 p.m. Monday before the class. Call (626) 821-4623 or (626) 821-5897 to register

Flower Power

Zimmer Children’s Museum
6505 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 100, Los Angeles, 90048
Sunday, March 21, 2010
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $3.00 per child for non-members in addition to the entrance fee. Entrance fee: $8.00 adults; $5.00 ages children 3+. FREE for children ages 2 and under and grandparents.

Family Flicks: Watership Down

Hammer Museum
10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, 90024; (310) 443-7000
Sunday, March 21 , 2010
11 a.m.
Ages: 11 and up
Cost: FREE (Reservations are encouraged. Contact workshops@826LA or call (310) 305-8418.)

Fools, Magicians, and more!

Craft and Folk Art Museum
5814 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, 90036; (323) 937-4230
Saturday, March 27, 2010
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Ages: 3-12
Cost: $6/child; Members Free (RSVP required. Please call 323.937.4230 x50 or email workshops@cafam.org)

Fly Me to the Moon — from J.S. Bach to Mr. Spock (Family Concert)

Alex Theatre
216 North Brand Boulevard, Glendale, 91203; 818 243 7700 x 123
Sunday, March 28, 2010
2 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $10 and $16/person (Buy Tickets Online HERE)

Bird House Mobiles

Zimmer Children’s Museum
6505 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 100, Los Angeles, 90048
Sunday, March 28, 2010
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $3.00 per child for non-members in addition to the entrance fee. Entrance fee: $8.00 adults; $5.00 ages children 3+. FREE for children ages 2 and under and grandparents.

Beauty and the Beast

Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza
2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard at Dallas Drive, Thousand Oaks;
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
10 a.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $14 individual tickets; $9.00 Groups of 10 or more (call (805) 496-1233 to purchase tickets or order tickets online HERE)

Americas and Americans: A Celebration of Dance – Toyota Symphonies for Youth

Walt Disney Concert Hall
111 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, 90012; (323) 850-2000
Saturday, April 10, 2010
11 a.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $20

Travel Town

Hammer Museum
10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, 90024; (310) 443-7000
Sunday, April 11 , 2010
Noon
Ages: 8-13
Cost: FREE (Reservations are encouraged. Contact workshops@826LA or call (310) 305-8418.)

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Geffen Playhouse
10886 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles, 90024
Saturday, April 24, 2010
11 a.m.
Ages: 5 and up
Cost: $15

Children’s Earth Day

STAR ECO Station
10101 Jefferson Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 • 310 842 8060
Sunday, April 25, 2010
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE

Artichoke: 26 Animals

Geffen Playhouse
10886 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles, 90024
Saturday, May 1, 2010
11 a.m.
Ages: 3 and up
Cost: $15

Jokin’ Baroque (Family Concert)

Alex Theatre
216 North Brand Boulevard, Glendale, 91203; 818 243 7700 x 123
Sunday, May 2, 2010
2 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $10 and $16/person (Buy Tickets Online HERE)

Jambo

Geffen Playhouse
10886 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles, 90024
Saturday, May 1, 2010
11 a.m.
Ages: 3 and up
Cost: $15

Story Pirates

Geffen Playhouse
10886 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles, 90024
Saturday, May 22, 2010
11 a.m.
Ages: 4 and up
Cost: $15

The acclaimed Storybook Theatre will open a four-month run of The Emperor’s New Clothes at Theatre West, 333 Cahuenga Boulevard, beginning Saturday, March 4, 2010. An audience participation musical for children and their families, there’s plenty of adventure, laughs, songs and interactive fun in cheering on the princess, laughing at the inept robbers as they make invisible clothes, marching in the fashion parade, and in warning the emperor that he’s not wearing anything except his funny underwear! Free parking is available across the street.

Book and lyrics by Lloyd J. Schwartz and David Wechter. Music by Phil Orem. Directed by Elliot Kevin Schwartz. Produced by Barbara Mallory Schwartz. A Storybook Theatre production. Theatre West executive director: John Gallogly.

The Emperor’s New Clothes

Theatre West in Association with Storybook Theatre
3333 Cahuenga Boulevard, Los Angeles, 90068; (323) 851-7977
Saturdays, March 4 – July 10, 2010
1 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: Adult $12; Children $10
Website

Museum of the American West at Griffith Park
4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, 90027; (323) 667-2000
Saturday & Sunday, March 13 & 14, 2010
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: Museum Admission ($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)
Website

Eureka! Discover the myths and realties of the California Gold Rush and try your hand at panning for gold at an outdoor recreation of a miner’s panning station.

Museum of the American West at Griffith Park
4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, 90027; (323) 667-2000
Saturday, March 13, 2010
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: Museum Admission ($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)
Website

Learn about the long tradition of quilt making while you create a unique quilt block all your own.

If anyone makes plastic look good, it’s Barbie, and at 51, she looks fabulous! In celebration of Barbie’s 51st birthday on March 9, 2010, select retailers are offering the 1977 Barbie for the 1959 price of just $3!  Decked out in a pink satin mini-dress with matching boa and platform shoes, this Barbie is appropriate for any decade.  Be sure to call the store first to save yourself a trip to a sold-out location.  We’re checking Target and Toys r Us and crossing our fingers.  The offer will only last three days, so find your Barbie before midnight on Saturday, March 13th.

For more information on Barbie’s 51st birthday, click HERE.

Kidspace Children’s Museum
480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, 91103
Saturday, March 20, 2010
11 a.m.
Ages: All
Cost: Museum admission ($10 per person; children under 12 months FREE)
Website

From bebop and swing to Latin and African jazz, this multicultural musical performance celebrates the vibrant diversity and global influence of jazz and will get the whole family grooving. Musician Barbara Morrison will perform as part of a five-date Putumayo Kids Jazz Playground tour of children’s museums nationwide. Free with admission.

Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A.
Saturday and Sunday, March 13 & 14, 2010
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Drop in anytime – Weather permitting)
Ages: All (Must be accompanied by adult)
Cost: FREE with museum admission ($10 General; $7 Seniors 65+ and Full-Time Students; $5 Children 2-12;
Free to Children under 2 and Skirball Members)
Website

Experience the history of the ancient Near East hands-on at the Skirball’s outdoor simulated archaeological dig. Participants will learn methods of excavating a site and the importance of preserving archaeological artifacts.

New activities added! And now, there’s much more to see and do at the dig! In the lab, sift and sort through sand to find hidden artifacts; weigh and examine your findings; analyze clues; or sculpt your own own artifact to take home.

Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, 90027; (323) 644-4200
Saturday, March 20, 2010
9:30 a.m.- 11 a.m.  (one class each day)
Ages: 7-10 (child only)
Cost: Members: $18 per child; Nonmembers: $23 per child (For more info and to register call (323) 644-4211. Confirmation letter required for class admission.)
Website

Pigs Aplenty
The Zoo is home to pigs of all shapes, colors and sizes.  Wallow your morning away and root through the Zoo examining peccaries, babirusa, red river hogs and more. Go hog wild with games, stories, art projects, and lots of porcine fun.

For more information, call (323) 644-4211.

These classes are offered every other month.  The next Zoo Explorers class is scheduled for May.

Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, 90027; (323) 644-4200
Wednesday – Saturday, March 10-13, 2010
10 a.m. (one class each day)
Ages: 3-4, with an adult (limit one)
Cost: Members: $18 per child/adult pair; Nonmembers: $23 per child/adult pair (For more info and to register call (323) 644-4211. Confirmation letter required for class admission.)
Website

These hour-long interactive programs include live animal encounters, a variety of age-appropriate, fun, hands-on activities such as stories, games and crafts, and adventures on Zoo grounds. (Strollers are not provided.)

Loveable Lemurs

Madagascar is home to more than 40 different species of lemur—from ring-tailed to red- ruffed. Join the L.A. Zoo and investigate the Zoo’s lemur population and gather fun facts about this fascinating furry creature.