Before another week goes by I must remind you that Adventure Playground in Huntington Beach is open for the season! It is open June 22 – August 21, 2015 and is located in Huntington Central Park. It is a unique playground where kids (and adults!) can raft on a small pond, fly down a mud slide, and build forts with real hammers, nails and saws (saws for 8 and older). The rope bridge is down for repairs this season. Cost is $3 for kids and free for adults 16 and older. My boys have gone for the last several years and look forward to going again soon. See the website for details (http://huntingtonbeachca.gov/residents/parks_facilities/parks/huntington_central_park/Adventure_Playground.cfm). My best tip is to find a few open dates on your calendar and then call the playground and ask how many reservations they have for the open days. Try to go with the fewest reservations so there is little to no wait for hammers and for the rafting. Enjoy your week!
Ongoing / Week-long Events / Museum Happenings
Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way
Long Beach, CA 90802
aquariumofpacific.org
Discounted Late Nights: Enjoy the Aquarium of the Pacific with special extended hours. The entire Aquarium will be open, except Lorikeet Forest. Admission after 5:00 p.m. is just $14.95 for adults and seniors, and children (3-11). Watch the nighttime activities of our animals, touch a shark, and enjoy the beautiful evening lighting of the Aquarium’s architecture. Hours are 5:00pm – 8:00pm. Please note that Café Scuba may not be open on all nights but the Coffee Cart will be open in those cases. This week’s Discounted Late Nights are:
Monday, July 6
Wednesday, July 8
Thursday, July 9
Friday, July 10
Sunday, July 12
Bolsa Chica State Beach
17851 PCH
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
parks.ca.gov/bolsachica
Junior Rangers – Junior Rangers is designed for children ages 7 – 12. All programs begin at 10 am and end at 11 am at the Bolsa Chica Lifeguard Headquarters building. Junior Ranger programs are free to the public. These programs are designed to help children discover the rich natural and cultural heritage preserved in parks. Possible topics are: ecology, the wetlands, geology, marine mammals, beach animals, plants of the beach and more!
Monday, July 6: TBD
Wednesday, July 8: TBD
Friday, July 10: TBD
Campground Program – Campground programs are not just for campers! Join State park staff and other outside organizations for our weekly nighttime event at the Bolsa Chica Campground! Every other Wednesday at 7pm, join us for an evening of special interest topics such as: Huntington Beach History, Bolsa Chica Wetlands, Birds of the Beach, and more. These are free events for the public. Once you enter the beach, turn left and park at the south end of the first parking lot. The programs will take place in the Campground Center.
NO CAMPGROUND PROGRAM THIS WEEK
Crystal Cove State Park
8471 Pacific Coast Hwy.
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
crystalcovestatepark.com
Monday, July 6: Junior Rangers - Join a Park Ranger for a fun introduction to the ecology of Crystal Cove State Park in our weekly Junior Ranger programs. This children’s nature program is a favorite in State Parks and allows visitors ages 7-12 to earn a badge. Junior Rangers meets on Monday June 29 from 10-11am. Meet at the Berns Amphitheater (PCH inland at stoplight School-State Park, follow signs towards the campground.) Come for the program, stay for the day. $15 day-use fee.
Wednesday, July 8: Community Days – Crystal Cove Alliance is hosting Community Days in the Historic District’s Education Commons on Wednesdays July 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29 from 10-4. Step back in time as the Education Commons comes to life with fun, historical activities for the whole family. Learn to sketch or dance, try your hand at a traditional craft, enjoy a historic radio show, or explore the science of Crystal Cove State Park. Check out Cottage #13, the Film and Media Center, and Cottage #22, the Park and Marine Research Facility. Park in the Los Trancos lot (PCH inland at stoplight Los Trancos then walk across the street or take the shuttle.) $15 day use fee.
Friday, July 10: Campfire Program – Join a summer campfire program and learn about all the recreational fun available at Crystal Cove State Park and some of the unique plants and animals that call it home. Meet at the Berns Amphitheater (PCH inland at stoplight School-State Park, follow signs towards the campground) on Fridays, 7/3, 7/10, & 7/17, 7/24, & 7/31 at 7:00pm.
Saturday, July 11: Bird Walk - Love birds, but need help with identification? Join Crystal Cove State Park birders on a guided summertime bird walk on both the inland and coastal areas of the park on Saturday, July 11 at 8am. Meet at the Berns Amphitheatre (PCH inland at stoplight School-State Park, follow signs towards the campground.) $15 day use fee.
Saturday, July 11: Fun in the Sun Art Show – Join Crystal Cove Alliance for a Fun in the Sun Art Show, featuring the Plein Air artists of Crystal Cove State Park, on Saturday and Sunday, July 11 & 12 from 10am-4pm. Meet the artists and view the artwork available for sale. Park in the Los Trancos lot (PCH inland at stoplight Los Trancos then walk through the tunnel or take the shuttle.) Day-use fee: $5/per hour (max. $15).
Saturday, July 11: Beachside Chat - Learn about some of the fun and interesting animals that live at Crystal Cove State Park on Saturdays,7/11 & 7/25 from 11-2pm at the Historic District Education Commons where Ranger Jenn will host a Beachside Chat. Park in the Los Trancos lot (PCH inland at stoplight Los Trancos then walk through the tunnel or take the shuttle.) Day-use fee: $5/per hour (max. $15).
Sunday, July 12: Family Hike - Summer is a wonderful time to learn about our local nature. Join a park naturalist on a family hike at Crystal Cove State Park to learn about the plants and animals living in the park on Sundays, 7/12, & 7/26 at 9am. Meet at the Berns Amphitheater (PCH inland at stoplight School-State Park, follow signs towards the campground.) $15 day-use fee.
Sunday, July 12: Fun in the Sun Art Show – Join Crystal Cove Alliance for a Fun in the Sun Art Show, featuring the Plein Air artists of Crystal Cove State Park, on Saturday and Sunday, July 11 & 12 from 10am-4pm. Meet the artists and view the artwork available for sale. Park in the Los Trancos lot (PCH inland at stoplight Los Trancos then walk through the tunnel or take the shuttle.) Day-use fee: $5/per hour (max. $15).
Sunday, July 12: Guided Sunset Hike - Join Crystal Cove State Park docents for a 2-mile guided Sunset Hike on Sunday, July 12 at 7:30pm. Enjoy the rising moon over Moro ridge on this moderate one hour hike. Meet at the Berns Amphitheater (PCH inland at stoplight School-State Park, follow signs towards the campground.) Wear sturdy shoes, bring water, and dress in layers.
Mission San Juan Capistrano Family Activities
26801 Ortega Hwy.
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
missionsjc.com
Summer Crafts for Kids offered July 6 through August 28, 2015, 11:00am – 1:00pm. $5 non-members, $1 members.
Mondays: Gold Panning
Tuesdays: Adobe Brick Making
Wednesdays: Cornhusk Dolls
Thursdays: Mini Coiled Clay Pot
Fridays: Arrowhead Necklace
Gold Panning, Adobe Brick Making, and Arrowhead Necklace is offered every Saturday and Sunday, 11:00am – 3:00pm. $5 non-members, $1 members.
Sawdust Festival
935 Laguna Canyon Rd.
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
sawdustartfestival.org
A Laguna Beach tradition for 49 years, the Sawdust Festival’s Summer Show serves as a showcase for more than 200 local artisans. Come and see all the diverse artwork as well as check out the art demonstrations and workshops. Admission is $8.50; $4 children 6-12. Festival runs Friday, June 26 – Sunday, August 30, 2015.
There is a Children’s Art Spot with art fun for the little ones, free of charge. Although most are complimentary, some classes and workshops may require a materials fee. There is also a Ceramic Center with one-on-one instruction at the potter’s wheel for all ages. Free of charge to take home as greenware; $8 to glaze, fire and pick up; $16 to glaze, fire and ship to your home. Please see website for class schedule.
Children’s Museum at La Habra
301 South Euclid St.
La Habra, CA 90631
lhcm.org
Our mission
is to encourage enthusiasm about learning in a hands-on environment that opens the world even to the youngest child. Our museum features 7 galleries and 14 different hands on exhibits, many of which remain unique to the field today. In addition to these exhibits, an outdoor dinosaur topiary and historic 1942 caboose, the Museum features an exhibit which changes 3 times a year. The Children’s Museum welcomes local, national and international visitors. Children can ride a kid-size carousel, take a walk in T-Rex’s footprints, pet an Arctic fox, pump gas, drive a bus, dress up and perform, and dig for fossils all in one afternoon! Admission: Kids and Adults $8, La Habra residents $7, Kids Under 2 Free).
The spring/summer exhibit is California Full of Life and it opens Tuesday, March 31 and runs through August 24, 2015. This exhibit introduces guests to the ecosystem diversity found in our beautiful Golden State. Visit the deserts, beaches, mountains, and redwoods and learn about the life cycles of plants and wildlife. Have fun on a mini camping trip at the Museum. Learn about living in a tent, camping foods, camping gear, and California state parks & wildlife. Get a taste of our great outdoors with the Children’s Museum at La Habra’s Spring 2015 Changing Gallery Exhibit, California: Full of Life!
Monday, June 29: MUSEUM CLOSED
Tuesday, July 7: Reading Circle – Event begins at 11:15am. “Did you feed your baby’s brain today?” There is no better source of brain food than reading aloud! Bring you eager listener to our weekly reading session in the Nannie’s Travels gallery and get your fill!
Tuesday, July 7: Summertime Shark Craft - Did you know that sharks do not have a single bone in their bodies. Instead they have a skeleton made up of cartilage! Event runs 11:00am – 3:00pm in the Family Art Center. Free with Museum admission.
Wednesday, July 8: Little Picasso Family Art Center – Make a “paint” date every Wednesday (11:00am – 3:00pm) at the Museum for lots of messy time exploring color and texture! There are easels, washable paints, brushes and paint smocks ready for little artists to use. This is a drop in art studio and subject to change. Free with paid admission.
Thursday, July 9: Summertime Shark Craft - Did you know that sharks do not have a single bone in their bodies. Instead they have a skeleton made up of cartilage! Event runs 11:00am – 3:00pm in the Family Art Center. Free with Museum admission.
Friday, July 10: What To Do When Your Child Has Asthma - An interactive discussion with tools to help families with typical parenting issues. Participants will receive a free copy of book discussed. Workshops are presented by the La Habra Resource Center and offered in English and Spanish. Free, Museum admission is an additional $8. Event runs 10:15am – 11:15am.
Friday, July 10: Creative Capers - Bring out your inner artist this summer! Explore the lives and works of these famous artists and create a work of art in the styles they were most noted for. Today’s artist is Anton Pavlenko.
Saturday, July 11: Summertime Shark Craft - Did you know that sharks do not have a single bone in their bodies. Instead they have a skeleton made up of cartilage! Event runs 11:00am – 3:00pm in the Family Art Center. Free with Museum admission.
Sunday, July 12: Family Art Sundays: Ocean Fun – Join us for a step by step class exploring various art mediums. Class is limited to 10 students, please call (562) 383-4236 to reserve your spot. Today’s theme is Paper Seahorses.
Discovery Cube Orange County
2500 N Main St.
Santa Ana, CA 92705
discoverycube.org
We INSPIRE and EDUCATE young minds through engaging SCIENCE-BASED programs and exhibits to create a meaningful IMPACT on the COMMUNITIES we serve. Our mission to inspire, educate, and impact is brought to life through the cornerstones of our core initiatives (STEM Proficiency, Early Learning, Healthy Living, and Environmental Stewardship. Explore over 100 hands-on, interactive exhibits as you adventure throughout Discovery Cube’s first and second floors. All of our exhibits teach science concepts using fun and engaging activities.
Admission is $16.95 for Adults, $12.95 for Children 3-14, and Free for Children 2 and Under. Memberships also available. Check website for details.
June 11, 2015 – September 7, 2015: The International Exhibition of Sherlock Homes - This interactive experience combines science with history and culture to bring to life the historic underpinnings of author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories. Visitors will learn how Sherlock Holmes, a scientific expert, used seemingly trivial observations of clues others missed to solve the most puzzling of mysteries! This exhibition features original manuscripts and artifacts, investigative tools, and crime-solving opportunities. Visitors will be transported back into Victorian London and given a detective’s notebook to use throughout the exhibition to help solve a riveting crime! Exhibit is included in price of general admission.
Kidseum (art-based children’s museum operated by the Bowers Museum)
1802 N Main St.
Santa Ana, CA 92706
bowers.org
The newly renovated Kidseum is high-tech and interactive with a focus on its new mission, “Igniting imagination through exploration,” stressing the excitement of art and archaeology. Be sure to check out the new “Glow Cave” with its fun art making activities, ride the magical Wells Fargo stagecoach through time in the “Green Screen Time Machine,” and explore archaeology like never before in our new Archaeology Lab. There will be a lot of visual stimulation and engaging education with new smart tables, smart boards and computers.
Special Weekend Programs for children and adults! (included with admission). Admission is $6 for Ages 2 and Up, Under 2/Members are Free. Adult free admission with current Bowers Museum ticket stub.
Face painting all day
Drop in Art Studio all day
Live Storytelling in the Story Room – 11:00am – 11:30am and 1:30pam – 2:00pm (Saturdays & Sundays)
Glow Cave Paintings – 11:30am – 12:00pm and 2:00pm – 2:30pm (Saturdays & Sundays)
Archaeology Lab Coin Impressions – 1:00pm – 1:30pm and 2:30pm – 3:00pm (Saturdays & Sundays)
Sunday, July 12: Junior Archaeologist
Become an archaeologist for a day – think, learn, explore and get your hands dirty! Participate in an Egyptian archaeological dig, learn how to record your findings and create an artifact to take home. Event runs 10:30am – 12:30pm. Spots are limited and advance reservations are recommended at least 3 days prior to event date. Fee: Admission, plus $10 for every participating child ages 4 and up. Members: Free admission; $6 for every participating child. To purchase your reservation tickets please follow this link:
https://7827.blackbaudhosting.com/7827/sslpage.aspx?pid=196&tab=2&txobjid=249667e9-4ecf-4b02-84fd-ed401c77e29c
Muzeo
241 S Anaheim Blvd.
Anaheim, CA 92805
muzeo.org
The MUZEO engages the community by exploring and celebrating our diverse heritage, culture and arts through creative programming. The MUZEO hosts three traveling exhibitions per year which would otherwise not be displayed in the region. Every exhibit is enhanced with special programs, events and activities. You don’t want to miss a moment of them. Admission fees: Adults $10 and children $6. Parking is available in the structure on the corner of Center Street Promenade and South Lemon Street.
Cougars and Grizzlies: Sharing Their Path – Exhibit runs April 18, 2015 – September 13, 2015. Most Southern California families are unaware that grizzly bears ever roamed what has now become bustling cities like Irvine and Corona. The extinction of the California grizzly bear (Ursus Californicus) in 1924 serves a cautionary tale for those wanting to protect and preserve California’s fragile mountain lion (Puma concolor) species. Cougars and Grizzlies: Sharing Their Path will educate and raise environmental awareness by juxtaposing the fate of the California grizzly bear with the future of the state’s mountain lion. Docent tours start in the box office and last approximately 45 minutes. Tours are complimentary with admission to Cougars and Grizzlies: Sharing Their Path. See website for details.
Saturday, July 11: Kid’s FREE Day – Children ages 12 and under receive free admission to Cougars and Grizzlies: Sharing Their Path. Must be accompanied by 1 paying adult (limit 2 free admissions, July 11 only). Fun for all ages!
self-guided & docent-led tours
exhibit scavenger hunt
hands-on crafts
storytelling
Pretend City
29 Hubble
Irvine, CA 92618
pretendcity.org
Pretend City Children’s Museum features a small, interconnected city designed to “build better brains” through purposeful play, hands-on learning experiences, role playing, and educational programming. As a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization serving all children, it depends on community-based funding and guest support. Through 17 interactive exhibits and activities guided by a highly trained professional staff, children learn foundational math, reading and science skills, while fostering curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, organization, teamwork, self-confidence and socialization. The museum is a unique community resource offering developmental screenings and tools for families, educators and community agencies working to ensure that each child gains the experiences needed to discover their potential and build toward a productive and fulfilling future.
Admission is as follows: Infant to 12 months: FREE, Children: $12.50, Adult: $12.50, Military and Family Members: $9.50. Pretend City’s Art Studio has new art projects daily! See the Art Calendar for details. Pretend City’s Real Café is located between the Home and Construction Site. Our vending Machines contain healthy choices like sandwiches, salads, fruit snacks, milk, bottle water, and other healthier snack options for your family. Take a break in our Real Cafe seating area while you fill up on much-needed fuel before going back on the floor for more play! We ask that all eating be in the Real Café seating area, or on the outside tables to side the building (next to the Front Entrance). Pretend City Children’s Museum is a nut-free facility.
Tuesday, July 7: Partner in Play Day: All Aboard! - Climb aboard for a journey along our California coast! This “boat” will take you above and below the surface to look at the undersea creatures which inhabit our coast with a special focus on whales. Children will get to grab a pair of binoculars to understand their use on the high seas while using their imaginations to spot various whales in the ocean. Real ocean artifacts will connect their imaginations to reality. Fun take home activities will let the learning continue! Activities run 11:00am – 12:00pm. RSVP: Not required. Fee: Included with museum admission.
Wednesday, July 8: Bring a Bear Day! - Today we celebrate the iconic children’s teddy bear with a very special picnic and other events. Pretend City will be hosting “Bring a Bear” day in honor of the upcoming Teddy Bear Picnic Day that is celebrated on July 10th. Today’s activities will include:
Smart Art: Bear-y Cute. What type of bear-y cute bear will your little one decide to turn into? Children will learn about the different types of bears and then create their very own bear to become.
Partner In Play: Choco the Bear. Choco will be stopping by for a visit to take pictures and share his experience at CHOC.
Sensational Story Time: The Teddy Bears’ Picnic – is a fun story and song that children will love to sing. A yummy teddy snack will make sure the picnic is complete!
Activities run 10:00am – 5:00pm. RSVP: Not required. Fee: Included with museum admission.
Friday, July 10: Way to Play Day, A Package of Learning! Play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth. Play also offers an ideal opportunity for parents to engage fully with their children. Join us for a fun Way To Play Day, which is specially designed to assist parents in finding answers to questions about their child’s development through play.
Free ASQ Developmental Check-ups from 10:00a.m. to 12:00p.m.:
Specifically for: Children 0 – 5 ½ years old. (first come, first served; limited spaces available)
On Way to Play Days, Pretend City also hosts ASQ Developmental Screenings. The screenings will assess your child’s speech, motor, cognitive and social areas utilizing the Ages and Stages Questionnaire. Early diagnosis and treatment of developmental delays can help give a child the best opportunity to reach his/her full potential.
Use our Way To Play Adventure Guide, there are activities to enhance your play at Pretend City. Try these fun activities during your visit to help keep your family on the healthy lifestyle track. Build your babies muscle skills by letting him or her baby wiggle their hands and toes in the sand at our Pretend City beach! While he or she does this, hide small toys in the sand. Your 7 – 12 month old will have fun searching for them with your help. Complete each Way to Play activity sheet during your visit for your chance to spin and win! RSVP: Not required. Fee: Check-ups and activities are included with museum admission. Activities run 10:00am – 3:00pm.
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