Spring break should be a week of fun with friends and family, but what can you do if your budget’s on a break before you are? Catch spring fever rather than cabin fever with these fun and free ideas.
California Science Center: Open Year Round
The science center in LA has always been a field trip favorite. It’s free, it’s fun, and open from 10am-5pm. What could be better? New exhibits are always going in, including one on the spacecraft the Endeavour. And there’s over 100 hands-on activities. There’s a beautiful garden right outside. And don’t neglect the other free or cheap museums nearby such as the Natural History Museum and California African American Museum. If you’ve got the time and the cash you can check out the center’s IMAX theater now showing “Island-Lemurs Madagascar,” “Flight of the Butterflies,” and “Hubble” all in 3D.
700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90037
California African American Museum: Open Year Round
Right down the way from the California Science Center is the CAAM. With art galleries and exhibitions the museum, although usually quiet, isn’t a boring one. The museum is currently featuring five exhibits with other art galleries around the halls. But don’t bother taking your camera, the art is supposed to be admired on the wall, not on an LED screen. No cameras allowed.
600 State Drive Exposition Park, Los Angeles, CA 90037
Historic Southwest Museum Mt. Washington Campus: Saturdays
Griffith Park isn’t free to the public, but the Historic Southwest Museum is! Check out the exhibits: Four Centuries of Pueblo Pottery and Highlights from the Southwest Museum Collection. From 10am-1pm you can join UCLA students and the American Indian Family Partnership to learn about gardening and healthy living.
234 Museum Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90065
FIDM Museum: Open until April 26
From 10am-5pm Tuesday through Saturday, FIDM’s museum of costumes from a plethora of 2013 films and the Christie Romero jewelry collection are on display. If fashion’s your thing, FIDM’s fabulous museum is for you.
919 S. Grand Ave, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Venice Arts Youth Workshops: Available until May 3
Enjoy workshops on photography, filmmaking, comics, animation, and more for low income families (proof of income i.e. bank account statement, 2012 taxes, or pay stub may be required) or for a minimal fee. Registration can be done in person or online to join a class you’re interested in, but hurry, they fill up fast! Check out their website for a list of class schedules and to see if you qualify for free classes. Ages 8-18 only.
1702 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, 90291 For more info call (310) 392-0846 or visit http://www.venicearts.org/index.php?view=section&id=7915
Spring Festival at St. Christopher’s Church: April 11-13
At St. Christopher Church’s spring festival, you can play games, go on rides, or check out the array of food booths. If you’re strapped for cash there’s free entertainment with concerts every night featuring Cold Duck, The Answer to Classic Rock, and Rhythm Jukebox. Check out the festival 5pm-midnight Friday, noon-midnight Saturday, and noon-10pm Sunday.
629 S. Glendora Ave, West Covina
The Spring Citrus Fair: April 11-13
Head “Back to the Farm” at the La Habra Spring Citrus Fair including rides, hands-on activities, exhibits, live entertainment, food, and vendors. Bring your own snacks and lunch to save on cost or splurge a bit on the delicious fair-style grub being sold. Open Friday 5pm-11pm, Saturday 2pm-11pm, and Sunday 2pm-9pm.
321 E. La Habra Boulevard, La Habra 90631 For more info call (562) 697-1704
West Covina’s Annual Egg Hunt Celebration at the Cameron Community Center: April 12
This annual egg-citing event includes photos with the Easter bunny, a petting zoo, crafts, games, and of course the egg hunt. It’s all free! Just bring your egg-hunting skills and a basket. This isn’t just an event for your younger siblings, you can hunt for eggs too, people of all ages are welcome. The event is from 10am-2pm. Hunt times are 10:30am for ages 2-3, 11:00am for ages 4-5, 11:30am for ages 6-7, and 12:00pm for ages 8 and up. Lucky hunters may find the golden egg for a special prize. If you come an hour early you can enjoy the pancake breakfast- $5 a person.
1305 E. Cameron Ave, West Covina 91790
Glendora Village Chalk Festival: April 12
From 10am-4pm watch the sidewalks come to life as chalk artist demonstrate their skills. Walk around, shop, and explore the Glendora Village. You can interact with the artists, take pictures, and vote for your favorite masterpiece. The art will be on display until the first rain April 19, so you can check the street art out all break!
Village Goldsmith 158 N. Glendora Ave, Glendora 91741 For more info call (626) 335-2723 or visit www.villageglendora.com
Free Movies at La Fetra Center: April 15
The La Fetra Center will be showing “Machine Gun Preacher” on this particular day, but the center shows movies every Tuesday at 1pm. The movie is free and no reservation is required, however the center provides lunch at noon for $3.75 if you call two days ahead. Come full and bring your own snacks from home to cut costs.
333 E. Foothill Blvd, Glendora 91741 For more info call (626) 914-0560
The Golden Age of Piano at Mt. Sac: April 19
No tickets are required for this 7:30pm piano recital in the Feddersen Recital Hall. Just pop on by and enjoy the music. It’s sure to be a blast
1100 N Grand Ave, Walnut, CA 91789
This article was originally posted by Newsbytes Online.
