Discovery Science
Center
(714) 542-CUBE
www.discoverycube.org
Masters of the Night:
The True Story of Bats
October 4 - January 4: Discovery Science Center is
bringing the mystery surrounding bats out of the dark! This
exhibition dispels popular misconceptions about bats, describes
their ecological importance and gives visitors an appreciation
of the true wonders of the bat world. Special effects, multi-sensory
interactive displays, a Gothic castle and environmentally
lifelike settings such as caves and rain forests present
bats in mythic and real-life settings.
Children’s Museum of La Habra
301 S. Euclid St., La Habra
(562) 905-9793
www.lhcm.org
SenseSurround
September 23 – January 25, 2009: Explore the five senses of sight, hearing,
touch, smell and taste through a variety of hands-on interactive and oversized
sensory organs! Free with museum admission.
First Week
Bolsa Chica Wetlands Tour
First Saturdays: Free guided
tours of the Bolsa Chica Wetlands in Huntington Beach.
Guides will point out the common plants, animals and birds
and discuss history, endangered species, ecology and restoration.
No reservations required. Private tours for groups are
also available. Warm clothing and closed-toe shoes are
recommended; binoculars are encouraged. 9-10:30 a.m.; tours
depart every 15 minutes. Meet at the south lot of the Bolsa
Chica Ecological Reserve, across the street from the main
entrance to Bolsa Chica State Beach. (714) 840-1575. www.amigosdebolsachica.org
Autry National Center Storytime
First Saturdays: Kids (3-8) can listen to tales of pioneering women and discover
the tricks of the coyote during story time. 1:30-2 p.m. (323)
667-2000. www.autrynationalcenter.org
Home Depot Kids’ Clinics
 First
Saturdays: Free kids’ (5-12, with adult) craft workshops the first
Saturday of the month, 9 a.m. - noon, at all locations. Projects range from
toolboxes to frames. (800) 553-3199. www.homedepot.com
Native
Garden Cleanup at Cabrillo
First Saturdays: Help maintain the Cabrillo Native Garden while learning about
its plant and animal inhabitants. Saturday, 8-10 a.m. Free. Cabrillo
Marine Aqaurium. (310) 548-7562. www.cabrilloaq.org
LA Arboretum's Family Adventure
 First
Saturdays: The whole family can participate in a variety of activities such
as a short story or talk, a walk to a special part of The Arboretum and a
take-home nature craft, focusing on a different aspect of nature or the environment
each month. $20 per family, free parking. 2 p.m. Arcadia. (626) 821-3222. www.arboretum.org
Second Weekend
LB Firefighters' Museum Open House
Second Saturdays: Pumping demonstrations, antique displays and tours of old
Fire Station Number 10. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. 1445 Peterson Ave., at Anaheim and
Alamitos. (562) 570-2500. www.lbfdm.org
Living History at Mission San Juan Capistrano
Second Saturdays: The costumed volunteers of the Living History Society help
history come alive, while sharing their love of history through drama, stories,
demonstrations and crafts. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. (949) 234-1322. www.missionsjc.com
"Let's Make History" at the Autry
 Second
Saturdays: “Let’s Make History” family tours feature hands-on
workshops that allow kids to explore the museum while learning about Western
culture. 1-2:30 p.m. (323)
667-2000. www.autrynationalcenter.org
Creativity Labs in Long Beach
Second Sundays: Families (all ages) can study a different
element of art each month with an exciting, hands-on project led by artists.
Sundays, 2-4 p.m. Free. Long Beach Museum of Art. (562) 439-2119. www.lbma.org
Natural Wildlife Nature Hike at Cabrillo
Second and fourth weekends: A naturalist-led hike through the Point Fermin
Marine Life Refuge to see animals in their natural habitats. Young children
must be with an adult. Call for times. $1 per person. Cabrillo Marine Aquarium.
(310) 548-7562
www.cabrilloaq.org
Third Weekend
Free Train Rides at Fairview Park
Third weekend: Free rides are offered by Orange County
Model Engineers on the third full Saturday and Sunday each month. 10 a.m. -
3 p.m. Fairview
Park, 2400 Placentia Ave., Costa Mesa. (949) 54-TRAIN.
30-Minute Beach Cleanup in Long Beach
Third Saturdays: Volunteer with your family; all ages welcome.
Bags, gloves and refreshments are provided. Saturday, 10-10:30 a.m., rain or
shine. 1 South Granada Avenue at Ocean Blvd., Belmont Shore. www.beachcleanup.org
Last Weekend
Family Playhouse at the Autry
Last Sundays:
In “Family Playhouse,” kids can experience a step back in time
to discover what life was like for a Chinese-American family in the 1930s,
explore the family’s antique store, restaurant, and home and draw comparisons
to their own family, plus make a craft. 1-2:30. p.m. (323)
667-2000.
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Hiking in Irvine
Weekly: Throughout the year, the Irvine
Ranch wildlands and parks offer a wide variety of guided hikes almost every
day for a range of ages and skill levels, including full moon hikes, family
hikes and nature hikes. Pre-registration required for all hikes and many fill
up. (714) 508-4757. www.irvineranchlandreserve.org
Little Picassos in La Habra
Wednesdays:  Little
Picassos, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Lots of creative and messy play, with a weekly theme.
There are easels, washable paints, brushes and paint smocks ready for little
artists to use. Free with museum admission. 301 S. Euclid St., La Habra. (562)
905-9793.www.lhcm.org
Ocean Investigations
at Cabrillo
Wednesdays: An investigation of the ocean
through art, stories, science experiments and music, on the first, second,
third and fourth Wednesdays, respectively. 3-5 p.m. Free. (310)
548-7562
www.cabrilloaq.org
Clay Time for Families in Irvine
Saturdays: The whole family (3+) can create sculptures, hand-build bowls or
even just play with the clay at this on-going, drop-in program. Limited to
20 people, reservations recommended. Saturday, 3 p.m. $15 per person (includes
clay and firing). Not offered November 3, 24, December 22 or 29. Irvine
Fine Arts Center. (949) 724-6610.
Oak Nature Center Family Hikes
Saturdays:
Enjoy an easy, one-hour hike led by a naturalist, who will address various
topics each week such as insects, plants and mammals. Each hike will be tailored
to the skill level of the individuals hiking that day. Free. 10-11 a.m. Anaheim.
(714) 998-8380. www.anaheim.net/ocnc
Lakeshore Learning's
Free Craft Workshops
Saturdays: Kids (3+) can create items such as a craft stick puzzle, collage
mirror or a royal crown. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Free, no reservations necessary.
2649 E. Dominguez St., Carson, (310) 537-4778 or 18679 Brookhurst St., Fountain
Valley, (714) 963-8255. www.lakeshorelearning.com
Storytelling in Long Beach
 Wednesdays,
Thursdays and Saturdays: Once Upon a Story, a unique children's bookstore
holds story time for preschool-age children three times a week at 11 a.m.
3740 E. 4th St., Long Beach. (562) 433-6856. www.onceuponastorybooks.com
Sundays: Enjoy stories for all ages at this neighborhood coffeehouse. 10 a.m.
Free. 2300 E. 4th St., Long Beach. (562) 434-2486. www.portfoliocoffeehouse.com
Captain Dave’s Safaris
Thursday - Sunday: 10% off when you mention Kidsguide! Talk
to the dolphins and gray whales (December to April). Enjoy the sights and sounds
of dolphins, up to 5,000 strong. Learn how they eat, sleep and live. Children
will hear the underwater sounds on a hydrophone, see the dolphins underwater
on a video monitor and have the opportunity to talk
to them using an exclusive underwater speaker system. $45 adults; $35 ages
12 and under. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. (949) 488-2828. www.dolphinsafari.com.
American Girl Place Theater
in LA
Friday - Sunday: The American Girl Revue is
a 75-minute musical celebrating the spirit of American girlhood,
yesterday and today, with the characters from the American Girl
books. Friday, 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 12:30 and 2:00 p.m., 4 p.m.;
and Sunday, 12:30 and 2:00 p.m. $30 per person. Bitty Bear’s
Matinee: The Family Tree is a participation theater production
for kids and families (3+). Fridays, 11:30 a.m. and Saturdays,
10 a.m; $18 per person. Reservations required for all shows.
(877) 247-5223. www.americangirl.com
Panning for Gold at the Autry National
Center
Weekends: Kids can get their hands dirty in the rush for gold, then buy food
and supplies with their earnings in the general store. The 30-minute program
runs Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. (323)
667-2000.
www.autrynationalcenter.org
Getty Museum Family Room
Daily: Make a mask, build a sculpture, draw an insect, or play with
camera lenses and a wall of mirrors in the Family Room. This innovative space
is geared toward families with children ages 4 to 14, and encourages family
members to collaborate on fun, hands-on activites designed to help them explore
art in the Getty's collection. Not available on Mondays. Los Angeles. (310)
440-7300. www.getty.edu
Art Odysseys at the Getty Museum
Weekends: Art Odyssey for Families. A 45-minute journey through the galleries
featuring a fun, activity-filled visit for kids (5+) and adults to enjoy together.
Saturdays and Sundays, 2 p.m. (310) 440-7300. www.getty.edu
Family Programs at MOLAA
Sundays: First Sundays feature hand-on family art workshops relating to a different
Latin American county. On second Sundays, family admission is free and a hands-on
family workshop is followed by creative or performing art sessions. Third Sundays
host a studio art workshop for adults, while children have a  creative
workshop of their own, and the fourth Sundays also feature free admission,
and workshops, film screenings or live music. Museum of Latin American Art
Family Programs. Sundays, 1-3 p.m. (562) 437-1689. www.molaa.org
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