Weekday Event Picks for LA Kids: Coding Cups, Deep Space/Deep Sea, Last Grunion, July 13-17

7/12/15 - By Jacqueline Stansbury

Hard to believe, but we are halfway through the summer. The weeks are packed full of movies, concerts, and theater. Just take a look at our Event Calendar, if you don’t believe me. Minions opened this weekend; your kids are definitely going to want to see that. While “entertainment” has its place (especially here in Hollywood), we sometimes want our children engaged in activities that are educational: still fun, but maybe with a little learning thrown in. In Studio City, kids can learn about coding at the library; and in Santa Monica, the Pier Aquarium is hosting a live talk with a scientist from Pasadena’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, in honor of NASA’s flyby of our dwarf planet Pluto and its largest moon, Charon. Neil deGrasse Tyson would surely approve, especially since the connection between Deep Sea and Deep Space continues next week.

Teens may be interested in the Frontline Movie about Nelson Mandela that is screening for free at the California African American Museum. Race is a heated topic these days, and sometimes a movie is a good way to get the kids talking and thinking. And in case you haven’t made it to a Grunion Run yet, the Cabrillo Beach Marine Aquarium hosts its final program of the summer this week.

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1. Science Explorers’ Club – Monday
Not sure how, but the Studio City Library is explaining coding to kids using plastic cups.
See all Monday events

2. Deep Space! Deep Sea – Tuesday
The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium and Jet Propulsion Lab team up to discuss the similarities between data gathering in the cosmos and data gathering in the deep of the ocean. Folks who can't get out of Glendale for this will have to comfort themselves with a free evening screening of Goonies at the Americana.
See all Tuesday events

3. Once Upon a Time there was a Raven – Wednesday
Wednesdays are West Days at the Autry. While admission to the museum is not free, it does include a special program led by museum teachers and includes crafts and other activities.
See all Wednesday events

4. Family Film Days at CAAM – Thursday
Something to do with the teens (assuming yours ever wake up and get out of bed) this week is the Frontline documentary, The Long Walk of Nelson Mandela, which screens at the California African American Museum. Timely.
See all Thursday events

5. The Grunion – Friday
Last chance to catch the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium’s pre-run program this summer. Not to be missed! The fish are doing their thing through August, but the Aquarium program includes hands-on marine biology activities and a fun, informative movie. The grunions are one of my favorite childhood memories of Los Angeles and will be something your kids never forget.
See all Friday events

There are always plenty more activities on our daily events calendar and in our monthly GoList. And if you don’t receive our newsletters full of suggestions for family fun, you really should subscribe…it’s free!