A ‘Winter Wildland’ at the L.A. Zoo

The Los Angeles Zoo’s festive “Winter Wildland” continues through New Year’s Day with special shows and holiday crafts.

Children can make their own paper reindeer antlers, and for those who want to look just like Rudolph, there’s a “red-nose” painting booth. There also is a herd of live reindeer.

Merrick Hamer will tell the Maurice Sendak story, “Where the Wild Things Are,” today and Sunday at 11:30 a.m., 1 and 2:30 p.m. At the World of Birds show, held in the Wildlife Theater, birds will do tricks with candy canes in a holiday-themed show. Show times are 11:30 a.m., 1:30 and 3 p.m.

Santaphant (a cross between Santa and an elephant) will be on hand to joke around and pose for pictures. All activities are included in the price of admission: $4.50 for adults, $2 for ages 2-12 (except for photos with Santaphant, of course). Zoo hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: (213) 666-4090.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Kidspace Museum, 390 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena, will be closed today and Sunday but will open for a special session on Monday afternoon for families who don’t want to call it a day after the Rose Parade in Pasadena. All the museum’s regular exhibits will be open during the 2-5 p.m. session, plus there’s a Tournament of Roses exhibit featuring memorabilia with kid-appeal. There are photos of Shirley Temple during her first stint as grand marshal 50 years ago, a model of the King Kong float, a soccer ball that former Grand Marshal Pele carried on the parade route and crowns worn by Rose queens over the years. Admission: $2.50; seniors 65 and older and groups, $2.25; children 2 and younger, free. Information: (818) 449-9143.

Santa Monica Playhouse ends its run of “The Great Fair, Sholom Aleichem on Tour” with performances at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. tonight. Suitable for families with children ages 7 and up, the early New Year’s Eve show includes hors d’oeuvres before the show and a buffet dinner during intermission. This musical is performed by a six-member troupe and depicts the life and stories of the famous storyteller. Tickets are $25 (including dinner). The playhouse is located at 1211 4th St., Santa Monica. Reservations are essential: (213) 394-9779.

OUTDOORS

Start the new year with a brisk family outing, scheduled for New Year’s morning at Topanga State Park. With no parade or bowl games to plan around, early risers should grab their binoculars and meet in the parking lot at 8 a.m. for a two-hour “birding” walk sponsored by the Sierra Club. Bring water and snacks. At 10 a.m., a park ranger will lead a 1 1/2-hour walk through the oak woodland and chaparral. To reach the park, take Estrada Drive east from Topanga Canyon Boulevard to the park entrance. Entrance to the park is $3. Walks are free. Information: (818) 888-3770.

Send items at least two weeks before event (Saturday or Sunday events only) to Family Spots, View section, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053. Phone calls will not be accepted. All items must include dates, times, exact address, phone number and ticket prices.