Discovering the World on a String for Go-Fly-a-Kite Day

The Discovery Museum of Santa Ana is celebrating June as “Old-Fashioned Fun and Games” month and today is Go-Fly-a-Kite day. Families are encouraged to bring kites from home or join in an informal workshop in making kites the old-fashioned way. The museum staff will supply newspapers and sticks but visitors should bring their own string and tails.

The kite fly and workshops run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. At 1 p.m. Steve Kent of Kites Etc. will put on a performance of stunt kite flying. Pray for wind.

The museum is housed in the historic Kellogg House, 3101 W. Harvard St., Santa Ana, a restored Victorian home. The exhibits and displays are designed to show visitors, especially children, what life was like in Southern California at the turn of the century. Kids can participate in hands-on activities such as churning cream into butter and washing clothes with a scrub board and ringer.

Guides are on hand in the house to explain the displays and talk about the old days. The grounds contain one of the last orange groves in Orange County; there are many types of oranges to examine.

This month, visitors can also play some old-fashioned games: croquet, checkers, pick-up sticks and marbles. For kids who are unfamiliar with the rules (and for parents who are a bit rusty), the museum staff will be available to answer questions. Centennial Park, available for picnicking and playing before and after the museum visit, is adjacent to the museum. Weekend hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $1 for adults, 50 cents for children 18 and under. Information: (714) 540-0404.