SoCal kids & families, April 18-25: Bob Baker Day, Earth Day, ‘Animaniacs’ and more
SoCal kids & families, April 18-25: Bob Baker Day, Earth Day, ‘Animaniacs’ and more
Encourage your children to learn and grow with our curated list of fun, artsy and engaging events and activities in LA and OC this coming weekend and beyond
Welcome to a new edition of TV or Not TV’s curated guide to fun, artsy, kid-centric and family-friendly events, activities and happenings all around LA and OC this weekend and beyond. I’m Matt Cooper, former listings coordinator for the Los Angeles Times’ Calendar.
Let’s have some fun!
‘The Little Mermaid’ Princess Ariel ditches the ocean for love as Disney’s 1989 animated musical based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale returns to the big screen for a limited engagement. El Capitan Theatre, 6838 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m., 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Friday-Sunday thru April 21. $12. (800) 347-6396. elcapitantheatre.com
‘Animaniacs in Concert’ Veteran voice actors Rob Paulsen, Maurice LaMarche and Nancy Cartwright and composer Randy Rogel share songs from and behind-the-scenes stories about the beloved cartoon series. Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu. 8 p.m. Friday, April 19. $25-$55. (310) 506-4522. arts.pepperdine.edu
Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Easy Mornings “Chilax” with the “fam” at the return of this Saturday morning happening featuring arts & crafts, fun and games, gardening demos, dance lessons, a marketplace for local vendors and more. Gloria Molina Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, April 20 & 27. Free. RSVP at grandparkla.org
Earth Day The Natural History Museum marks the occasion with eco-themed hands-on activities and educational opportunities, plus a scavenger hunt, musical performances and more. Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., Exposition Park, L.A. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 21. Free with museum admission ($8-$17; ages 2 and younger are free; advanced, online tickets recommended. nhm.org
Earth Day Celebration and Blessing of the Animals “Sustainability” is the watchword in this offering that includes education stations, eco-friendly activities and more. First United Methodist Church, 500 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, April 21. Free. fumcpasadena.org
CicLAvia – Venice Blvd. You can walk, you can jog, you can bike, you can skate — you just can’t drive, and what is more eco-friendly than that? — in a new edition of this open streets event that also features hubs for bathroom breaks, water refills, bike repairs, etc. plus hands-on activities and live entertainment. Venice Blvd./Grand Blvd., from National Blvd. to Windward Ave., L.A. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 21. Free. (213) 355-8500. ciclavia.org
10th Annual Bob Baker Day Bob Baker Marionette Theater and the whole city of L.A. celebrate the beloved local institution’s namesake with a full day’s worth of puppetry, live performances, art & crafts, face painting, tasty treats and more, plus appearances by David Arquette, Kate Micucci and this year’s grand marshal, legendary kids’ TV producer Sid Krofft (“H.R. Pufnstuf”). Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 N. Spring St., downtown L.A. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 21. Free; RSVP required. bobbakerday.com
Doktor Kaboom! He’s got a fever — and the only prescription is … more science! — in this kid-friendly and demonstration-filled exploration of the scientific method intended to inspire your child’s inner STEM student. James R. Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday, April 21. $25-$35. (310) 378-8100. torrancearts.org
14th Annual LACLA Student Film Festival Aspiring young filmmakers put their best flicks forward in this showcase presented by the Latin American Cinemateca of Los Angeles. Richard A. Grant Theater, Cathedral High School, 1253 Bishops Rd., L.A. 2 p.m. Sunday, April 21. Free; RSVP at eventbrite.com
‘Wild Things Are Happening: The Art of Maurice Sendak’ Let the wild rumpus begin! The beloved illustrator of such classic children’s books as “Where the Wild Things Are” and “In the Night Kitchen” is celebrated in the West Coast debut of this super-sized survey of paintings, drawings, toys and more opening April 18. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. Closed Monday. $8-$13; 2 and under, free; free on Thursdays. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org
‘Dinosaur Encounters’ Tremble in terror — or delight — with this series of educational and interactive performances featuring life-size dinosaur puppets. Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., Exposition Park, L.A. 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Thursdays-Fridays; 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays; sensory friendly performances, 11:30 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month. $6 per person plus museum admission ($8-$17; ages 2 and younger are free; advanced online tickets recommended). nhm.org
‘Cinderella’ This long-running, kid-friendly take on the classic fairytale returns in a new multimedia-enhanced staging. Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Santa Monica. 2 p.m. Saturdays, 12:30 p.m. Sundays, thru April 28. $12.50, $15. (310) 394-9779. santamonicaplayhouse.com
‘Dining with the Sultan at Charles White Elementary School’ LACMA serves up a kid-sized companion to the exhibit “Dining with the Sultan: The Fine Art of Feasting.” Also included: monthly hands-on arts & crafts workshops (RSVP required). Charles White Elementary School, 2401 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays, through Aug. 10. Free. lacma.org
Butterfly Pavilion This exhibit featuring hundreds of butterflies flitting about in an outdoor netted enclosure returns for another season. Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., Exposition Park, L.A. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily thru Aug. 25 (museum closed the first Tuesday of each month). $8 plus with museum admission ($8-$17; ages 2 and younger, free). nhm.org