All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
St. Patrick’s Day Hilltop Luncheon at Tanaka Farms
MARCH 19: Enjoy food and views of the farm while kids run and play on the lawn. For St. Patrick's Day, enjoy corned beef, bangers, fire-grilled chicken, cabbage, carrots, Irish soda bread, and lots more.
Public Open Farm Tour at Oasis Camel Dairy
SEPTEMBER 2, 9, 16: Visit camels at the Oasis Camel Dairy during this Open Farm Day which includes a 1-hour tour, plus an hour to enjoy farm attractions.
Tanaka Farms 25 Year Celebration
MARCH 11: Bring your quarters and celebrate Tanaka Farms' 25th year at University Drive. Enjoy 25¢ entry, 25¢ tractor-pulled wagon rides, 25¢ games, 25¢ arts and crafts, 25¢ items at the Tanaka Grill, and 25% off everything in the produce market stand!
Poppies Collage – Parent & Me Painting Class at Sherman Gardens
MARCH 11: Join local artist Erna Van Dyk as she teaches you how to use watercolor marker pens to create a poppy collage. Grandparents and favorite adults are welcome too! No experience is necessary.
Family Night Hike: Prehistoric Plants at LA Arboretum
MARCH 25: Families will be guided through different parts of the Arboretum at night to learn about different things during themed hikes. This month, learn about prehistoric plants make a "fossil" to take home.
Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea at South Coast Botanic Garden
APRIL 1 - SEPTEMBER 30: Sixteen giant creatures made from beach debris have washed ashore and landed at the Garden through September.
Turtle Trek Nature Walk at Los Cerritos Wetlands
APRIL 1: Go on a free, guided nature walk through the Los Cerritos Wetlands to look for turtles and other local wildlife.
Animals on the Bay Day at Living Coast Discovery Center
APRIL 2: Animals on the Bay Day is a reduced admission day full of education & conservation at the Living Coast featuring animal encounters, partner organizations, a craft market, food trucks, and more!
Birds of Prey at Muzeo in Anaheim
APRIL 8: Get up close and personal with a Red Tailed Hawk, Great Horned Owl, and a Kestrel in this talk and demonstrations with OC Birds of Prey.
Grunion Fish-tival at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
APRIL 21: A special evening to hatch grunion eggs, participate in grunion arts and crafts, watch a classic grunion video, touch tidepool animals, and observe the grunions.
Tidepool Walk with Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro
SELECT DATES, APRIL 1-29: Join Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Educators on a tour of the tidepools. Attend a brief informative orientation, then join a naturalist-led hike to see animals in their natural habitat
Oak Canyon Nature Center at Muzeo in Anaheim
APRIL 29: Join Oak Canyon Naturalists for a live animal demonstration and participate in a hands-on owl pellet dissection.
SOAR: Tropical Butterflies at South Coast Botanic Garden
MAY 1 - AUGUST 31: See hundreds of tropical butterflies that you wouldn't normally see in Southern California.
Flower Hour: Mother’s Day at California Botanic Garden
MAY 14: Enjoy native plant coffee and tea drinks, accompanied by sweet treats, live harp music , and Mother's Day themed activities for all ages.
Bioluminescence Night Cruise at Ocean Institute
SELECT DATES, MAY 20, JUNE 15-17, JULY 13-15, AUG 17-19, SEP 14-16, OCT 12-14: Come aboard the R/V Sea Explorer and join the Ocean Institute at night off the coast of Dana Point to explore the nocturnal world of marine birds, sea lions, and bioluminescent plankton.
“Catch the Wave” Community Celebration with Pacific Marine Mammal Care Center
MAY 20: Kick off the next exciting 50 years of the Pacific Marine Mammal Care Center. Enjoy complimentary food, activities, and prizes.
Grunion Runs with Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro
SELECT DATES, APRIL 7 - JUNE 19: Each event includes entry to the aquarium, short film on the grunion, hatching experience, and a staff-led observation of the grunion.
Hot Cocoa in the Park After Dark at Crystal Cove State Park
SEPTEMBER 30: Get up close to birds of prey and learn about everything owls. Park naturalists will be on hands with lots of animal evidence, taxidermy, fun activities, and a short family-friendly walk to learn about nocturnal animals.
Starry Night with the Sharks at Roundhouse Aquarium
OCTOBER 6: Drop the kids off for a shark-themed evening featuring story time, craft, games at the beach, scavenger hunt, Shark Jeopardy, watch the sharks eat, and pizza dinner (while watching a shark cartoon).
Eco Harvest Festival at Sowing Seeds of Change Urban Farm in Long Beach
NOVEMBER 12: Visit the urban farm where there will be loads of earth-friendly activities for the whole family, plus free food and school supplies giveaways! Activities include: a compost demonstration where you can bring your old carved pumpkins, flower crown making, succulent planting, dried fruit and herb garland making, clothes swap, and more.
Beach and Tidepool Walk at Crystal Cove State Park
NOVEMBER 12: Join a guided beach and tidepool walk. The tides are lowest during the day and the receding tide leaves a potluck of animals and seaweed to explore.
Lightscape at LA Arboretum
NOVEMBER 17 - JANUARY 2, 2024: The reimagined Lightscape merges nature and art in the Fire Garden, Arch of Light, Feast of Light, Dancing Palms, and other installations. Fan favorite, the Winter Cathedral, returns!
Christmas at the OC Zoo
DECEMBER 9, 2023: See the animals receive treat filled "gifts" hidden inside Christmas Trees. Visit with Santa and Mrs Claus and enjoy crafts for the kids!
Thomas Dambo Trolls: Save the Humans at South Coast Botanic Garden in Palos Verde
NOW - JANUARY 14: Journey through the gardens and encounter larger-than-life troll sculptures created by Thomas Dambo.
Christmas at Barnyard Buddies in Lakewood
DECEMBER 15: Enjoy the holidays with animals, photos with Santa, and crafts! Admission for children also includes a petting zoo, a cup of goat feed, and glow in the dark pony ride!
Family Adventure Day at the Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center
JANUARY 21: Gather the whole family (ages 6 and up) and get ready for fun day of ziplining, rock wall climbing and archery.
King Tide Watch with Roundhouse Aquarium
JANUARY 12: Join the Roundhouse Aquarium at Manhattan Beach Pier, nature enthusiasts, and scientists to document the King Tide of 2024.
Environmental Education Day Celebration at Living Coast Discovery Center
JANUARY 27-28: Join the Living Coast Discovery Center to celebrate Environmental Education Day with animal presentations, encounters, discovery tables, and crafts.
Butterfly Season & Caterpillar Adoption at Kidspace in Pasadena
MARCH 14 - MAY 19: Bring your family to a celebration of the habitat and life cycle of butterflies and other pollinators. Go on a bug safari, dress up like a butterfly, view live insects, create your own caterpillar out of clay, and adopt a caterpillar.
Sheep Shearing Day & Fiber Arts Festival at Hana Field in Costa Mesa
April 5: Watch and learn as demonstrators shear sheep and goats. Learn about spinning, creating, and crafting with wool and other fibers.
Toddler Treks in Newport Beach
EVERY FRIDAY, MARCH: Bring your little ones to learn about Upper Newport Bay, includes story time, age-appropriate hike, and a themed craft. Each week will focus on a different topic.
Sheep Shearing Festival at 123 Farm in Cherry Valley
MARCH 30-31: Get a close-up view of how sheep are shorn and how wool is processed. Guests can learn about natural dyes, how to wash wool, visit the farm to feed the sheep, see sheep dog herding demos, make crafts, and enjoy lamb-themed dishes.
Grand Reopening at Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro
APRIL 6-20: Discover exciting free events for all ages, explore our renovated gift shop and visitor center, dive into our interactive exhibits, and meet our 50+ seal and sea lion patients.
Garden Adventure & Spring Fling in Long Beach
APRIL 6: Join Adventures to Dreams Enrichment for a free garden adventure with hands-on gardening enrichment activities Lunch & snacks will be provided.
Wild for the Planet – Celebrating Earth Day at LA Zoo
APRIL 20-21: Celebrate Earth Day with fun, inspiring activities, entertainment, and presentations. Enjoy nature-inspired entertainment such as musical and dance performances, book readings, and art demonstrations with our community cultural partners.
Peacock Day at the Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanic Garden
april 20: Celebrate the beautiful peacock at the LA Arboretum. Enjoy interactive activities including discovery tables, guided peacock walk, colorful crafts, DIY face painting, complimentary photo booth, and more.
Bugs, Bees, and Butterflies Day at The Muckenthaler
MARCH 20: Stroll the ground and gardens, create free bug art projects, speak with local beekeepers and entomologists, shop the artist vendor village, and learn about amazing insect friends.
Zoo Block Party at the Los Angeles Zoo
JUNE 1-2: Show off your best moves at the Zoo Block Party! Play games, draw nature-inspired chalk art, listen to the music, and join in on the fun before a fun-filled day at the Zoo.
Sharks After Dark at Ocean Institute
EVERY TUESDAY, JUNE - AUGUST: Visit Ocean Institute after hours to learn about sharks, bioluminescence, plus create a glow-in-the-dark craft, enjoy a tide pool touch tanks, and more.
Cerritos Kids Fishing Derby
JUNE 15: Children (ages 5-15) are invited to participate in free fishing and angler safety lessons, plus receive a free t-shirt and breakfast.
Disclaimer: The Kidsguide team does their best to keep event details accurate at the time of posting, but information can change without notice! Be sure to double-check with the event organizer before heading out. Kidsguide is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or changes on our calendar—we’re just here to help you find the fun!
