Fun & Free Events This Weekend for LA Kids: Railfest, Teaching Zoo & Grunion, Mar 24 - 25

3/21/12 - By Toby B

Ah, Spring has sprung in the City of Angels. This season always fills me with a sense of anticipation: for the flowers that will bloom, the longer days and sweeter weather, and the hours that will need to be filled while school is on break.

Luckily, Mommy Poppins has you covered, whether you're looking for some awesome spring break camps, or for fun activities you can do as a family. 

What's that ...at the Discovery Science Center? I sense something; a presence I've not felt since... well, since we visited the Jedi Academy at Disneyland. I'm talking of course about the Star Wars exhibit that runs through April 15. The fun and educational exhibit offers great family bonding opportunities over spring break.

Do your vacation plans involve leaving on a jet plane? Boy, do we have a game changer for you. Mommy Poppins has found a service that can match you with nannies or babysitters who are taking the same flights you are. It's worth it just to have someone to answer the 500th iteration of "when are we going to get there?"

For those planning farther ahead we have the latest installment in our LA school series: a primer explaining all the what-when-where-whys of Charter Schools.

And finally, if all this planning is making you hungry, may we suggest a shopping trip to Santa Monica Whole Foods? 5% of all purchases made on Thursday, March 22 will be donated to the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, (which is an awesome place to take your kids, and worth every penny of our support).

Read on for our favorite picks for this weekend.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

ALL WEEKEND

Railfest - Fillmore    
Fillmore & Western Railway celebrates trains, with a free festival and a variety of train rides to suit every passenger.

America's Teaching Zoo Spring Spectacular - Moorpark
Moorpark College Teaching Zoo presents its annual spring spectacular, with animal shows, up close encounters and a kids zone, (and a check mark for number 67 on your list of 100 things to do with LA kids).

Cherry Blossom Festival - La Cañada Flintridge
The delicate and lovely cherry blossom heralds the arrival of spring. Families can learn more about these beautiful trees on guided walks and get a taste of Japanese culture with numerous activities throughout the weekend.

SATURDAY MARCH 24

Star Wars Exhibit Fan Day: Feel the Force - Santa Ana
The Force is especially strong this weekend at the Discovery Science Center, as young costumed Jedis gather to explore Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination.

Hermosa Beach St. Patrick's Day Parade - Hermosa Beach
Last week’s rain is this week’s gain: enjoy the Hermosa Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the sunshine, the way St. Patrick intended.

Swallows' Day Parade - San Juan Capistrano
The Swallows are welcomed back to Capistrano with the nation's largest non-motorized parade.

Venice Oceanarium Grunion Party - Venice
The grunion are spawning on Venice Beach. True, it’s a bit past everyone’s bedtime, but you get to knock number 100 off your list of 100 things to do with LA kids.

Are You My Mother? - Malibu
Toddlers will delight to seeing their favorite picture book come to life onstage.

Mirror Mirror Day - Los Angeles
Who’s the Fairfax one of all… The Grove celebrates the release of the film Mirror Mirror with an afternoon of activities.

Radio Disney Phineus & Ferb Spring Break Party - Burbank
Spring Break may only be one week, but no doubt Phineas and Ferb can think of some ingenious ways to spend it, such as this afternoon shindig at the Burbank IKEA.

Free Family Festival - Pasadena
Families can enjoy free admission to Pacific Asia Museum, plus hands-on activities, crafts, performances and more tied to the special exhibition 46 North Los Robles: A History of Pasadena Art Museum.

4GOOD Family Day - Studio City
It’s never too early to teach kids the value of helping others. The whole family can work together on hands-on volunteer activities. Plus, kids can earn rewards such as face painting and music lessons through their participation.

SUNDAY MARCH 25

Complete Whalewatch - San Pedro
This whale adventure starts at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium and ends up on the high seas.

Sugar Free Allstars - Santa Monica
Sugar Free Allstars performs their first LA concert at McCabe's Guitar Shop.

Hammer Kids: Sunday Afternoons for Kids: Heroes and Villains - Westwood
Holy creativity, Batman! Kids use their own experiences to create their own comic books.

Sunday Funday - Santa Monica
Mom and Dads can get pampered while the kids enjoy an afternoon of entertainment just for them at Bubbles Indoor Playground.

Kids in the Courtyard: Letters, and Numbers, and Boetti! Oh My! - Westwood
The off-kilter letters and numbers of the artist Boetti inspire kids to make collaged drawings at the Fowler Museum

Autism Families Night - Long Beach
The Aquarium of the Pacific hosts a special evening exclusively for families with adults or children with autism.

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