Concert in the Plaza in Cerritos
September 3: Relax on a blanket or bring a picnic to enjoy while a live band jams at Liberty Park.

A listing of events for kids, teens and families throughout Southern California, including workshops, special events, exhibits, festivals, performances and every other sort of family-friendly fun you can think of. (Want these delivered to your inbox every week, for free? Get the Buzz!)
September 3: Relax on a blanket or bring a picnic to enjoy while a live band jams at Liberty Park.
September 3:In honor of the book of the day, Where the Wild Things Are, children (4+) will let their imaginations soar just like Max.
Every other Saturday, through September 4: Family night of music plus additional activities for the kids during the show.
September 4: Help maintain the Cabrillo garden by weeding, planting and learning about native plants and animals, and a beach clean-up.
through September 5: Frogs: A Chorus of Color introduces visitors to the amazing and sonorous world of anurans – over 150 live frogs!
June 15- September 5: Get set to blast into outer space as you ride the Space Shuttle to the Galaxy!
September 1-5: After years of planning, the BBC TV series, Walking with Dinosaurs comes to life in a stunning theatrical event with 15 life-size dinosaurs, including Tyrannosaurus-rex.
September 5: Celebrate families of Mexico at Bower’s Children’s Museum with music, food and arts and crafts.
Tuesdays: 1/2 and 3/4 day fishing trips and 2-hour whale watching excursions (January through April only) is half off the regular price.
Through September 6: Kids of all ages can enjoy a water playground with various structures with water features such as pelican showers and towering sprinklers.
September 4-5: Two days of Hawaiian solo artists, hula contests and the 7th annual Fire Knife Competition.
June 26 – September 6: Nighttime Zoo offers visitors a different perspective on the Zoo.
June 19-September 6: This festival will celebrate Africa with music and activities.
September 6: Pretend City hosts local authors and illustrators during our first Author’s Day!
September 4-6: Greek food and desserts, dancing lessons and performances, live music, full carnival, specialty shopping and more.
September 6: Throughout California, no fishing license is required at all local lakes today.
September 8: Teens (16+) can become a docent in the Aquatic Nursery at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium by attending this training.
September 10: Celebrate your heritage in the city with their “Passport to Health” while learning to better understand your child’s communication developmental milestones.
August 1 – September 11: View unique playhouses from whimsical to elegant.
September 11: Parents and children ages 7 and older travel aboard a 25-passenger pontoon boat to Shellmaker Island.
September 11: KIds (2-18) in attendance receive a free art kit.
September 11: Row, row, row you boat! Girls and boys (6-10) learn basic boating safety and rowing in this on-the-water introduction to rowing.
September 11: Boarding in Ventura, journey on an adventure to San Miguel Island, the most remote of the Channel Islands.
Weekends, through September 11: View unique playhouses from whimsical to elegant, that will be auctioned off as part of the HomeAid Orange County’s annual Project Playhouse.
September 11: Families (6+) can explore Ralph B. Clark Regional Park’s rich fossil history and visit the marine fossil site for hands-on fossil excavation.
Sept. 12: Parents and children ages 7 and older travel aboard a 25-passenger pontoon boat to Shellmaker Island.
May 29 – September 12: Sometimes it’s stinky; sometimes it’s crusty; and sometimes it’s slimy. Explore why your body produces mushy, oozy, crusty, scaly and stinky gunk.
September 12: The Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum hosts a day of music.
September 9-12: After years of planning, the BBC TV series, Walking with Dinosaurs comes to life in a stunning theatrical event with 15 life-size dinosaurs, including Tyrannosaurus-rex.
September 12: Families (8+) join Naturalist Mark Maeseele discover how to become “un-lost” without a GPS.
September 12: City of Westminster celebrates with entertainment, food and a vintage car show.
September 12: Gather the family’s gear-heads (big and small) and head over to 2nd St. in Long Beach.
September 12: An intriguing blend of music and storytelling designed for kids ages 10 and under, presented by the Pasadena Symphony.
September 10-12: A combo-night of Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream and music of the 50s.
September 12: KIds (2-18) in attendance receive a free Angels binder.
September 11-12: The festival features a spectacular array of family activities, including maritime displays and presentations.
September 13: Discover the wonders of the ocean through literature.
September 15: Stories, crafts, touch tank and music geared for pre-schoolers (age 2-5).
September 15: Stories, crafts, touch tank and music geared for pre-schoolers (age 2-5).
Wednesdays, September 15 – October 13: On four consecutive Wednesday afternoons kids (K-2) join the education staff for a series of hands-on, after-school marine science adventures.
September 1: Stories, crafts, touch tank and music geared for pre-schoolers (age 2-5).
September 26: Come to the Skirball with your own picnic dinner and dine al fresco in the tradition of Sukkot, the Jewish harvest holiday.
September 17-18: Steam locomotive Ventura County No. 2 operates on the third weekend of every month, September through May (except November).
September 18: Nurture your natural curiosity with help from Inside the Outdoors’ naturalists while hiking.
September 18: Look through a large variety of professional and home-built telescopes to view the sun, planets, the moon and deep sky objects like double-stars, star clusters, and nebulae.
Through September 19: Sculptor Charles Long invites people to pick up any block of clay that’s on display and mold, sculpt, and play.
August 6-September 19: Follow the adventure of Bilbo Baggins on his unexpected journey.
September 16-19: A family-friendly event to meet reptile keepers, have a close encounter with reptiles and learn about the important role reptiles play in the environment.
September 19: At this inaugural event, benefitting seven Southern California dog rescue organizations, “man’s best friend” takes on the challenge of surfing!
September 18-19: Festival celebrates the independence days of several Latin and South American countries that coincide with Mexican Independence Day.
September 19: Join your adventure guide as they explore The Arboretum.
Through September 19: Sculptor Charles Long invites people to pick up any block of clay that’s on display and mold, sculpt, and play.
September 18-19: The Aquairum of the Pacific celebrates Native American culture.
September 21: The first 50,000 receive a Dodgers fleece blanket (with paid admission).
September 22: Celebrate the changing of the seasons with telescopes and an explantation of what takes place during the equinox
September 24: Kids (3-4) learn about the zoo’s animals with hands-on learning and fun crafts.
September 23-24: Kids (grades 5-8) invited for open auditions.
September 24: Kids (5-12) explore with flashlights on our Nature Center Trail, pig out on pizza, munch on popcorn, and watch a movie.
September 25: For one night only, the Bowl is transformed into a movie theater!
September 25: Join the arboretum as they celebrate Oktoberfest.
September 25: Canoe around Upper Newport Bay with the family (10+) and an experienced naturalist on a three-hour tour that includes a barbeque dinner.
September 25: Learn about research opportunities at CMA during this one-day open house where staff demonstrate laboratory techniques and discuss project options.
September 25: Spend the morning with the Surfrider Foundation by volunteering to pick-up trash at your local beach.
September 25: The Ocean Institute invites you take part in a beach cleanup to help celebrate California?s annual Coastal Cleanup Day.
September 25: Join the coastal cleanup, 9 a.m – noon.
September 4-25: The festival aims to help educate the community about the programs benefiting the children of Orange County.
September 25: Kids (2-18) in attendance receive a free Angels camouflage military hat.
September 25: The 17th annual National Public Lands Day, which brings together tens of thousands of volunteers to work on and clean up public lands.
September 25: Make everything you’ll need to throw a doll-sized party that’s full of girl-sized fun for kids 8 years and up.
September 25: Pack a snack and join a walk guided by CMA’s Education staff.
September 25: A festival of pet-related activities including vendors, food, entertainment, pet contest, silent auction and a walk around Woodbridge Lake with your family’s dog(s) to raise funds for homeless animals.
September 25: Songs! Stories!! Poems!!! Come along on a journey through all the important subjects: math, science, entomology, international finance, and more!
through September 26: Artist and author Kip Fulbeck returns with his newest collection of works based on his new book Mixed: Portraits of Multiracial Kids.
through September 26: A forest of “tree-mendous” family fun has planted its roots in time for the summer.
July 9 – September 26: Join the cast of Tibbies to celebrate the hottest hits of Broadway.
September 26: Dance opportunities include family dance, creative dance, hip hop, ballet, broadway and hula dance.
September 26: The West Hollywood Book Fair schedule includes a full day’s worth of programming for 15 Stages.
September 26: Little Scientists of all ages are encouraged to observe, explore and investigate with a hands-on visit.
September 26: A Zany entomology expo for kids, with hundreds of bug, spider and butterfly species, outrageous edible insects, scientists and specialists!
Through September 26: Tinkertoys are a favorite of the young and old alike!
September 25-26: In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month and Mexican Independence Day, the Aquarium of the Pacific will host its seventh annual Baja Splash Cultural Festival.
September 26: Spark your imagination with flowers, fruits, and lush plants!
September 26: The Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum hosts a day of music.
September 26: Gather the kids (4-8) for an afternoon of movement, music and merriment that helps children and parents rejuvenate, relax and bond as a family through the practice of Kundalini yoga.
September 25-26: The S.S. Lane Victory, a historical merchant marine vessel, offers a full day cruise featuring a World War II battle simulation at sea with spies and a mock aerial attack.
First Sundays: A day full of family programs.
through September 6: Stroll through the outdoor, landscaped butterfly enclosure to discover hundreds of free-flying butterflies of more than 30 different species.
September 27: A national effort promoting involved families as a simple and effective way to reduce substance abuse by children and teens and raise healthier children.
September 29: Petey the Parrot must find the treasure before Captain Funny-Face does.
Sundays: At most Sunday games, families can enjoy an afternoon at the ballpark and take part in the activities in the Family Picnic Zone.
Third Wednesdays: Gather the family for a night of playing a variety of new games, including Wii, at the library!
Mondays: This program is for all those moms and dads who haven’t been to the theatre since the turn of the century.
Sundays: Dana Wharf Sportfishing offers a dockside experience for young fisherman.
Last Saturdays: Three hours of fun for kids while parents enjoy a night out.
Every Thursday: Kids and their parents can create take-home crafts together.
Second Saturdays: Pumping demonstrations, antique displays and tours of old Fire Station No. 10.
Sundays: At most Sunday home games, kids (2-18) can stick around after the games to run the same bases the Angels do
Third Sundays: Families learn about a piece of art on display, then create a related craft.
Ongoing: A unique program that offers golf instruction to kids as young as preschool (2-7).
Sundays: Hands-on family arts workshops for all ages are led by visual artists every Sunday, 1-4 p.m.
Third weekend: Special interactive elements, talks with animal care staff and toys for animals to enjoy are scheduled.
Third Thursdays, through August 19: Explore culture through music at the Nature Center. Bring chairs and an earth-friendly picnic dinner.
Third weekends: Free model train rides are offered by Orange County Model Engineers.
First Saturdays: Guides will point out the common plants, animals and birds and discuss history, endangered species, ecology and restoration.
First Saturdays: Kids can make unique creations such as pop-up cards, wooden racers and Frisbees
Tuesdays: With purchase of any Chick-fil-A combo meal, receive a Kids Meal free.
Ongoing, most weekends: Take a Family Caravan tour (6+) for an up-close encounter with exotic animals and a giraffe feeding.
Ongoing: Families (8+) can “Roar and Snore,” on an overnight tent-camping experience that overlooks the plains of “East Africa.”
Ongoing: The audience is always part of the show when the world famous Bob Baker Marionettes perform in-the-round.
Saturdays: Craft classes where kids learn to make things from recycled items and alternative materials that are too good to put in the trash, along with hand-sewing class (8+).
Ongoing: The park features a “mother’s beach” with calm waves and fun toys for kids (4 and under) or novice swimmers.
Ongoing: Enjoy the world’s most unique whale watching experience with Captain Dave’s Dolphin and Whale Safaris on their specially equipped sailing catamaran.
Wednesdays: Mini Chefs (16 months – 4) and their grown-up sing, play, and participate in hands on cooking.
Ongoing: Visit an old-fashioned feed store with small barn animals.
Weekends: Strawberry Tours, through the end of June; and Watermelon Tours, July and August; Plus, sign-up for for the two-hour Cookout Tour.
Second Saturdays: Come and explore Asian American and Japanese American books.
Fridays: Angels’ Friday home games feature a post-game big-bang fireworks extravaganza.
Third Sundays: Watch 16 short-legged but swift Dachshunds race, like nothing you’ve seen before!
Saturdays: Build community pride and help make a difference for the environment with a volunteer clean-up.
Last Saturdays: Parent’s Night Out at SCATS Gymnastics. Kids have a great time in a safe environment while parents get some time together.
Wednesdays: Join the museum every Wednesday for a “paint date” in the Family Art Center.
Tuesdays: Pee Wee Art is for kids ages 2-3 and Preschool Picassos is for kids ages 3-5.
Ongoing: Go along on an naturalist led ramble on the rocks to see animals in their natural habitat.
September 30: Kids (3-4) learn about the wild animals of North America with hands-on learning and fun crafts.
Ongoing: See an Oscar statuette, visit the VIP room, learn where this year’s nominees sat and gain an insider’s view of behind-the-scenes production.
Second and fourth Saturdays: Free Build and Grow kids’ clinics offered monthly with a range of projects.
First Fridays: Parents can drop off their kids (5+) from 6:30-9:30 p.m. for ceramic crafts, pizza and fun!
First Fridays: On the first Friday of every month, Averyboo Arts makes it special for all the little ones out strolling with their grown-ups in Bixby Knolls, Long Beach.
Second Sundays: Admission is free on the second Sunday of every month.
Ongoing: New to the water park this year is Buccaneer Bay- An exciting children’s play area featuring a 45 foot pirate ship with four water cannons and tipping buckets as well as a two-story water tower pouring out 300 gallons water each minute!
Sundays: During 10 O’clock Sundays, admission will be just $11.95 per person after 6 p.m.
Saturdays: Families (5+) work together on artistic creations each week guided by professional art instructors. Work in different medias each week.
Thursdays: Kids (5-12) prepare and take home dinner for their entire family.
Saturdays: Kids (3+) can create crafts like a stick puzzle, collage mirror or a royal crown.
August 20 – October 3: Enjoy a humorous spoof of Twilight where the audience boos the villain and cheers the hero.
September 4 – October 3: Visit the fair where “Pure Fun” is the theme and everyone is bound to have a good time!
August 4- October 6: Calling all toddlers, preschoolers and their grown ups to the Fullerton Museum Center for docent led games, stories, puzzles and crafts.
September 17- October 16: One of Shakespeare’s beloved tragedies, Othello revolves around four central characters.
September 23 – October 17: Adapted from Gaston Leroux’s classic novel of mystery and suspense.
June 1 – October 30: Enjoy the world’s most unique whale watching experience with Captain Dave’s Dolphin and Whale Safaris on their specially equipped sailing catamaran.
September 24 – October 31: For 38 years, Knott’s Berry Farm had transformed into Knott’s Scary Farm, with Halloween decorations throughout the park.
September 18 – October 31: Pick the perfect pumpkin, ride the train or the ponies, jump around on haystacks, wander through the maze or the haunted house or just play games and make crafts
September 9 – October 31: An annual event that lets families enjoy Oktoberfest, featuring wiener dog (dachshunds) races, plus carnival games and Bobo the Chicken.
Through November 5: Check out downtown Fullerton: Orange County’s most haunted city.