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This Week's Picks: A celebration of Red Hot Marshmallow Squirters, October 20 – 24

10/20/14 - By Jacqueline Stansbury

Here we are halfway through October. Are your costumes ready? Halloween is just around the corner, and there are several spooky activities to check out this week. The Los Angeles Public Library continues its exploration of Homer’s Odyssey with many events for kids, teens, and adults in multiple locations across the city. On Tuesday stay home or go out, but be sure to take a few minutes to “Read for the Record” – Jumpstart’s annual promotion of child literacy. The book selected for this year’s event is Rosemary Wells’ Bunny Cakes. Siblings Max and Ruby have different ideas about Grandma’s birthday cake; Ruby wants buttercream frosting and roses, but for Max it’s all about the red hot marshmallow squirters. For these and other fun weekday ideas, read on...

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

1. Mystery of Homer’s Numbers – Monday

At Valley Vista Library, Dr. Gary Stickel decodes the numeric mysteries hidden in The Iliad and The Odyssey. This event is best for teens and adults, especially those who are fans of The DaVinci Code.

2.  Read for the Record Day – Tuesday

Once a year, Jumpstart sponsors this nationwide reading event to promote literacy. Children and adults all across the country pledge to read the same book. This year’s selection, Bunny Cakes by Rosemary Wells, is a classic tale of struggling siblings and the magical thinking of children everywhere. For 24 hours the book will be available to read free online in English and Spanish. If you want to celebrate with your community, be sure to check our calendar for local events. 

3. Boney Island – Wednesday

Homeowners in Sherman Oaks host this free Halloween extravaganza every year, taking over their large lawn with an army of skeletons, watery light shows, mind readers, and magical interactive illusions. It's all free, except the optional view from the tree house - which collects $10 for the local elementary school that the owner's kids attended.

4. Walker and Bowes Glass Pumpkin Patch – Thursday

A one-of-a-kind art installation of more than 1000 glass pumpkins is scattered across the gardens at South Coast Botanic Garden.

5. Halloween Ghost Train – Friday

The Halloween season isn't complete without a trip to Zoo Drive in Griffith Park, where LA’s own Live Steamers creates a kid-friendly, but still spooky nighttime ride. There is nothing too scary, but it’s still fun for the older ones. Picnic early or arrive late; the lines are long.

Find more seasonal tricks and treats in our Halloween Guide!