Weekend Fun for LA Kids: Dreamworks, Sid Science Kid, Family Guy Sings, November 14 - 15

11/12/15 - By Toby B

I admit, last weekend I was sort of freaking out about the whole "November isn't Christmas" thing, but it's cool now. We met Santa,  hung with a few elves; there's red cups all over town, and we're even thinking of meeting up with Santa again (because we'll have lots of opportunities).

Stuff may not be over 'til the fat lady sings, but the holidays ain't even started until the Family Guy (creator) gets his croon on. Twice. But you can also do science by way of animation, twice, and I don't think it has anything to do with the holidays. We've got Smurfs, Giant Robot, Sir Topham Hatt, and the Peanuts; we've got stunt dogs and Okee Dokee Bros, all of it non-denominational.

Yes, you can start your holiday shopping now. Yes, you can skate and play in the snow. And break out the pecans because we've got Nutcrackers, twice. And if there is one lesson that this weekend in November can teach us, it is that the holidays are there for you if you want to find them. Me, personally, I look in those red cups. Twice.

Keep reading for our most down for the season picks for this weekend....

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

ALL WEEKEND

Dreamworks Weekend - Sylmar
Dreamworks visits Discovery Cube Los Angeles for green screen photo ops, special screenings of the Mr. Peabody and Sherman show, and animation workshops.

Day Out with Thomas - Perris
Chug on over to Orange Empire Railway Museum for a ride with Thomas, photos with Sir Topham Hatt, Thomas & Friends storytelling, a viewing station for Thomas & Friends videos, temporary tattoos, and an Imagination Station.

Repticon - A Reptile & Exotic Animal Expo - Costa Mesa
The cold blooded need love, too. Learn all about our reptilian friends, and maybe buy a few to take home.

Bob Baker’s Nutcracker - Downtown
It must be the holidays: The Nutcracker is on at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 14

Cavalcade of 80s Cartoons - Santa Monica
Were you a child of the 80s? Vidiots screens favorite cartoons of the era, including Smurfs and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Free milk and donuts!

Target Free Family Days: Pop Mania - Little Tokyo
Japanese American National Museum celebrates Giant Robot, with drawing workshops and demonstrations, funky crafts, and a bounce house.

Debbie Allen Dance Academy Presents: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker at Baldwin Hills CrenshawBaldwin Hills
Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza previews Debbie Allen’s modern spin on the holiday classic. While you’re there, make a Thanksgiving place mat with BHCP Kids Club.

A Hollywood Christmas Celebration & Tree Lighting at The Grove - Fairfax
Noted crooner Seth McFarlane headlines the Grove’s treelighting ceremony. He’s joined by Meghan Trainor and Katharine McPhee (I hear they sing as well). 

"Fall into Winter" FestivalGlendale
Ten tons of snow grace the Glendale Community College campus.

Say No To Drugs Race Holiday Classic - Universal City
Participants run through the Universal Studios Backlot for this fundraising event that includes a Kiddie Fun Run.

NOAA and Our Planet Day - Long Beach
Aquarium of the Pacific celebrates the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and all it does for our oceans.

Musical Performances & Canopic Jar Art Workshop - Exposition Park
The Natural History Museum offers some mummy-themed extras on Saturday: an Egyptian shadow puppet show and a canopic jar art workshop. Plus the Junior Scientist program turns kids into junior archaeologists, while younger ones can go back in time with the Critter Club to discover the animals of ancient Egypt and Peru.
 
AMC Theatres Sensory Friendly Films - Participating Locations
Participating  AMC Theatres  show The Peanuts Movie in sensory-friendly screenings, with lights up, the sound turned down, and the freedom to move around.

Woodland Hills Ice Opening Ceremonies - Woodland Hills
Opening day fun at Woodland Hills Ice includes a bounce house, face painting, performances by champion skaters, and a RAVE night on ice.

Pauline Tso's Book Launch & Signing - West LA
The author visits Children's Book World to share Whispers of the Wolf, a beautiful picture book set 500 years ago among the Pueblo Indians. 
 
Extreme Canines: Stunt Dog Experience - Glendora
Canine daredevils aim to thrill the entire family with doggone amazing tricks, big air stunts, and comic antics.  
 
Free Family Movie Night - Gardena
Gardena-Torrance Baptist Church invites the community for two free screenings: Fireproof (a faith-based drama) for adults and Inside Out for kiddoes.

Junior Chef Classes - Multiple Locations
Need a Thanksgiving helper? Williams-Sonoma teaches kids to make some tasty side dishes.

Family Program: A Celebration of Stories - San Marino
The Huntington lives up to the Library portion of its name, bringing classic children’s books and authors to life with readings, actor portrayals, and story-themed arts and crafts

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 15
 
VPAC Playdate: The Okee Dokee Brothers - Northridge
The childhood friends share stories, play folk music, and celebrate nature.  

Hanukkah Boutique - Santa Monica
The Santa Monica Synagogue’s holiday boutique features visits from children’s authors and plenty of holiday gift ideas.
 
Temple Menorah's First Annual Holiday Boutique - Redondo Beach
Temple Menorah’s holiday boutique offers amusements for the kids (like My Gym, face painting, and balloon animals) and shopping for the parents.
           
Sid the Science Kid - Pasadena
The PBS Kids star visits Kidspace Children's Museum for meet-and-greets. 
 
Burbank Celebrates America Recycles Day - Burbank
How do you celebrate America Recycles Day?  The Burbank Recycle Center does it with recycle center tours, a compost workshop, food trucks, movies, talks, crafts, and games.
 
Faery Hunt Family Series - Redondo Beach
A Faery Hunt continues its indoor series at Sunset Theatre Company with The Mermaid’s Tale.

Mosaic Craft Fair - Alhambra
In addition to a wide assortment of handmade goods, the crafts fair at the Alhambra has a beer garden, arts and crafts workshops, activities for kids, a kids’ book shop, a DJ and live music, and a cash raffle.

Children's Garden Workshops - Irvine
The children’s garden workshop at Orange County Great Park has a math theme. I wonder how that adds up…
 
Heidi Swedberg & the Sukey Jump Band - Santa Monica
Heidi Swedberg and the band bring old folk songs (and fresh ones!) to life on ukulele, magical musical saw, big ol' bass, and who knows what else at McCabe's biweekly kids concert series.

Family Flicks at the Hammer - Westwood
On earth, one sees all kinds of things. Like a free screening of The Little Prince at the Hammer Museum.

Sundays in the Park! - Simi Valley
Families are invited for a fun-filled day of rock climbing, nature exploration, campfire cooking, playground activities, and horse corral rides.

Santa Monica Family Bike Festival - Santa Monica
This free event features a bike rodeo, skills course, demonstrations, special bike bank track, a free giant slide, free raffles, a free rock climbing wall, DJ entertainment, games, craft booths, bike companies booths, test rides accessories, route planning and information, and food.

Andell Family Sundays - Art Feast - Mid-Wilshire
This Sunday’s family program has a bonus musical storytime featuring the new children’s album This Record Belongs To:__ .
 
L.A. Parent’s Special Needs Resource Fair West LA
This free resource fair at the Skirball offers information on resources available for families with special needs. Admission is free.
 
Kids in the Courtyard: Digital Disguise: Lights, Camera, Action! - Westwood
What’s your disguise? Kids can create their own avatar at the Fowler Museum.
 
Zimmer Sunday Family Programs - Mid-Wilshire
Kids can bring empty egg cartons, cereal boxes, coffee tins, toilet paper rolls, and other recyclables to the Zimmer to learn simple ways to reuse materials for play and learning.
 
Seth MacFarlane and The Ron Jones Jazz Influence Orchestra - Santa Monica
The Family Guy creator can’t stop singing! His concert at the Moss Theater benefits Musicians at Play Foundation.
 

As always, there are many more activities listed on our Event Calendar, and if you didn't receive this info as a newsletter, you should sign up for our weekly events updates. Whatever you choose to do this weekend, we hope you have a terrific time!