Fun & Free Activities with LA Kids this weekend: Human Abilities, Zimmerpalooza, and Museums Free-for-All Jan 26 - 27

1/24/13 - By Toby B

Oh, how lucky we are to live in Southern California. At a time when the rest of the country is dealing with temperatures represented in numbers you need an advanced degree in mathematics to understand, our biggest concern is the possibility of rain. But never fear; we have plenty of indoor adventures awaiting us in the event of such utterly inclement weather. You can hunt for faeries, meet time-traveling artisans, enjoy the films of animation master Miyazaki, and visit more than a dozen area museums for f-r-e-e. Or, if it's nice out, you can play in the snow.

I'm not normally one to name drop (just ask Justin and KPat), but this is a big weekend for celebrity sightings. Your kids will have stars in their eyes after sharing storytimes with such literary luminaries as Madeline and the Wild Thing (and perhaps a friendly sea squid). They can sing alongside a cast of princesses, or watch future rock stars strut their stuff. They can build with Bob. The Bob, of building fame.

And, of course, it wouldn't be a weekend without a few holidays to celebrate. This weekend, families can join together in recognition of Tu B'shevat, the Lunar New Year season, and, that most reverent of days, Zimmerpalooza.

Keep reading for our favorite picks for the weekend...

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

ALL WEEKEND

The Castle Returns: Miyazaki, Takahata And The Masters Of Studio Ghibli 2013 - Santa Monica & Hollywood
The films of
Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli (Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away) take center stage over the next few weekends at both the Aero and the Egyptian Theaters.

Festival of Human Abilities - Long Beach
The Aquarium of the Pacific celebrates the talents of people with various physical challenges.

Build It Weekend with Bob the BuilderSanta Ana
Bob the Builder is on hand as kids explore their own building abilities at the Discovery Science Center.

Peter Pan - Hollywood
This is your last weekend to see Cathy Rigby at the Pantages before she packs it up for Neverland.

Museums Free-for-All - Multiple Venues
Culture on the cheap? Priceless! Select museums all across the Southland let you in for FREE this weekend.

Last Weekends of the Month at the Skirball - West LA
For the last weekend in January, the Skirball has invited a few visitors from Colonial times (including Poor Richard himself: Ben Franklin!).

SATURDAY JANUARY 26

TSFY: The Composer is Dead (Nathaniel Stookey, text by Lemony Snicket) - Downtown
How to get your kids interested in orchestral music: throw a little Lemony Snicket in the mix!

Where the Wild Things Are Storytime - Pasadena
The Wild Thing pays a visit to Vroman's for a special storytime.

Santa Monica Pier Aquarium Storytime - West LA
The Aquarium’s wildly popular story hour pays a visit to Children's Book World.

RockSTAR Winter RockFest on the Sunset Strip - Hollywood
More than 130 RockSTAR kid bands take over the Sunset Strip with performances at The Key Club, The Roxy, and The Whisky A Go-Go. Rock on!

Lake Forest Snow Day - Lake Forest
The whole family can go sledding at Pittsford Park during the annual day of snow play.

Snow Day - Fullerton
Fullerton's Brea Dam Park offers another snowy option, with three 75-foot snow runs and separate play areas for kids under 5.

Character Sing-Along Party - Santa Monica
Favorite characters from Creating Arts Company's shows return for a fun, 50 minute sing-along party show. You never know who might show up!

Family Program: We shall Overcome - Downtown
The Central Library welcomes musician and storyteller Makinto, who presents a theatrical and interactive show covering the history of African-Americans from Africa through slavery, emancipation, the civil rights movement, and modern times.

Kitchen Kid Parents' Night Out Cooking Event - Santa Monica
Parents can go out for dinner and a movie while kids enjoy… dinner and a movie.

Monster JamAnaheim
Monster trucks smash, crash, and battle their way through Angel Stadium.

SUNDAY JANUARY 27

Zimmerpalooza - Mid-Wilshire
The Zimmer’s biggest fundraiser is also the party of the year. Kids of all ages can create costumes, sew animal pillows,  and otherwise build, create, and engineer while enjoying face painting, glitter tattoos, live music, and marionettes.

Whale Fiesta - San Pedro
You’re in for a whale of a time (sorry!) at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, as it celebrates whale-watching season with puppet shows, origami, make your own scrimshaw, expert speakers, and music. Creative urges can be satisfied constructing a whale out of duct tape or sand.

Auntie Angelica Root's Fairy Garden - Studio City
Wondering where the fairies go in wintry weather? Inside, of course! Don your wings and spot a few at A Faery Hunt’s indoor interactive theater experience.

Welcoming the Snake: Chinese Cultural Arts Celebration - San Marino
The Huntington celebrates the beginning of the lunar new year season with a day devoted to the music and folks crafts of China.

Kids in the Courtyard: Tu B'Shevat, Trees, and Me - Westwood
The Fowler Museum celebrates the Jewish “New Year for Trees.” Visitors can feast on fruit, make leaf rubbings, learn about trees, and plant saplings.

Meet Madeline at Barnes & Noble Storytime at The Grove - The Grove
In a store at the Grove/ that is  filled  with books/ about twelve little girls in two straight lines… comes to visit the smallest and bravest of all. Madeline drops by for storytime at Barnes & Noble at The Grove .

Stories in the Afternoon: Rembrandt van Rijn - Pasadena
Kids 4 to 8 can imagine themselves transported back in time to become students in Rembrandt’s workshop. Let the creativity begin! 

As always, there are more activities listed on our daily events calendar. Whatever you choose to do this weekend, we hope you have a wonderful time!