Free and Low Cost Activities
for Kids and Families in south Orange County
(please let us know of other upcoming events so we can join you and you can always email me for more details). If you want to be notified when new items are added, join our mailing list by filling in the subscribe box below.

Family Fun:
Los Angeles Natural History Museum. FREE the 1st Tuesday of each month. Parking? may be $5. Three floors of permanent exhibits enthrall the entire family with minds-on exploration. The towering "Dueling Dinosaurs," complete skeletons of a Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops in battle, greet visitors in the majestic Grand Foyer. In addition to special exhibitions, the Museum boasts magnificent permanent halls that feature grand dioramas of African and American mammals, rare dinosaurs and fossils, marine animals, Native American and Pre-Columbian cultures, and historical artifacts from California and Southwest history, as well as early Hollywood memorabilia. The exquisite Gem & Mineral Hall features the largest collection of gold in the United States. The kid-friendly Discovery Center welcomes children and families with hands-on, interactive education. Children can make fossil rubbings, dig for fossils, observe live animals such as snakes, fish and lizards and touch animal pelts. The accompanying Insect Zoo, the largest in the West, presents live insects from around the world.

At Carbon Canyon Regional Park. All ages can go on a ranger-led hike through groves of redwood trees. 8:30 a.m. Saturdays. Free. $4 parking. 4442 Carbon Canyon Road, Brea. 714-973-3160.

A the Orange County Courthouse. Includes fossils of a Desmostylus dinosaur, a hadrosaur and a grizzly bear, as well as samples of 20,000 fossils discovered during construction of the toll roads. For all ages. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon.- Fri. Free. 211 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana. 714-834-3703.

Northwood Park: Ages 12 and under can enjoy a climbable castle, pirate ship and twisting slide. Open daily, dawn to dusk. Free. 4531 Bryan Ave., Irvine. 949-552-4352.

At Irvine Regional Park. The park also features a zoo, bicycle and paddleboat rentals, pony rides, horse rentals, food and more. For all ages. Open daily, call for hours. Parking: $2 to $4. Train ride: $3. 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange. 714-997-3968.

7/17 Farm Explore: touch and feed farmyard animals when the Crean Family Farm opens at the Santa Ana Zoo. Opening day activities feature live entertainment, docent tours, educational programs, train rides and interaction with more than 60 farm animals. For all ages. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Special admission today: $6 ages 13 and older, free for ages 12 and under. 1801 E. Chestnut Ave., Santa Ana. 714-835-7484.

California Science Museum, Los Angeles Exposition Park, free admission, $6 parking

Special library programs for children, kindergarten and up.
Toddler storytime, music, magic programs.
A t RSM library 459-6094

Mainly Moms:
~~ Mountain Bike with the Trail Angels Fridays 9am (focus is on beginners but all levels are welcome)
~~Kayaking at Lake Mission Viejo. $2 entrance, $2 kayak. Contact Cheri. For experienced or brand new paddlers. It's just for fun and a little bit of exercise!

Do you need more details on one of these events? Email me.