SoCal kids & families, Jan. 25-Feb. 1: LEGOs and tumblers and bears — oh my!
Encourage your children to learn and grow with our curated list of fun, artsy and engaging events and activities in LA and OC this week
Welcome to another 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!
‘Brick Convention: LEGO Fan Event’ People will be lined up for blocks — Get it? Blocks? — at this celebration of the popular plastic construction sets. There’ll be large-scale displays, professional LEGO builders, vendors, hands-on activities and more. OC Fair and Events Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. Entry times: 8:30 and 11:30 a.m., 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27; 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28. $15, $18; children 2 and under, free; advance tickets recommened. brickconvention.com
‘The LEGO Batman Movie Stop-motion Workshop’ and ‘The LEGO Batman Movie’ Speaking of LEGOs (see above), the Academy Museum’s “Calm Mornings” series presents a sensory-friendly and hands-on exploration of the process of stop-motion animation, followed by an accommodative screening (separate admission) of the hit 2017 film with open captions and lowered lighting and volume. Academy Museum, 6067 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Workshop: 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27. $15-$19; children free with paying adult. Screening: 11 a.m. Saturday. $5. academymuseum.org
The Peking Acrobats Prepare to “ooh” and “aah” as they defy gravity in this family friendly stage spectacular featuring tumblers, aerialists, jugglers, dancers, musicians and so on. Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 E. Atherton St., Long Beach. 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27. $40. (562) 985-7000. carpenterarts.org
‘Paddington 2’ The plucky and ever-so-polite bear from the beloved children’s books is back on the big screen in this 2017 sequel. With Hugh Bonneville, Hugh Grant, Sally Hawkins and the voice of Ben Whishaw. UCLA Hammer Museum, Billy Wilder Theater, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 11 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 28. Free; no advance reservations; first come, first served. cinema.ucla.edu
‘Pinkalicious’ Morgan-Wixson’s young-persons theater program stages this musical based on Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann’s popular children’s book about a little girl who loves the color pink perhaps a bit too much. The Morgan-Wixson Theatre, 2627 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. 11 a.m. Saturdays-Sundays, Jan. 20 thru Feb. 4. $12, $15. (310) 828-7519. morgan-wixson.org
‘The Wizard of Oz’ Judy Garland is Dorothy, a simple Kansas farm girl swept up by a twister and deposited in a magical land, in 85th anniversary screenings of Victor Fleming’s beloved 1939 musical fantasy based on the writings of L. Frank Baum. Various theaters, 1 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28; 7 p.m. Monday & Wednesday, Jan. 29 and 31. $18, $20. fathomevents.com
‘Magic Strings’ Bob Baker’s classic family-friendly puppet show gets a multimedia-enhanced makeover that explores the history of the beloved local institution. Bob Baker Marionette Theater, 4949 York Blvd., Highland Park. Various showtimes, Jan. 20 thru April 7. $25; under age 2, free. bobbakermarionettetheater.com