LAGUNA HILLS : City Plans Holiday Events, Activities

The city’s Parks and Recreation Department has planned numerous holiday events and activities.

Santa Claus will answer letters from children that are dropped off or mailed to City Hall through Sunday. The City Hall address is 25201 Paseo de Alicia, Suite 150, Laguna Hills, Calif. 92653.

Wrapped presents for children are also being collected at City Hall through Sunday. The presents will be forwarded to Saddleback Community Outreach for distribution. Presents should be labeled whether they are for girls or boys.

On Saturday, the city will celebrate Christmas from morning until night.

The day starts with a pancake breakfast with Santa at City Hall. The breakfast, from 9 to 11 a.m., includes a photo with Santa, crafts and a holiday goodies bag. Cost is $8 for children, $4 for adults.

After breakfast, residents of all ages can participate in the making of chocolate houses and other treats. The chocolate lovers’ holiday runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at City Hall. Participants are asked to bring an apron or smock. Those under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Cost is $25 for each project.

Later in the day, the city is sponsoring an old-fashioned hay ride at Clarington Park. The event, from 3 to 7 p.m., will include holiday activities and a visit from Santa Claus. The park is at 24711 Clarington Drive. Cost is $7 a person, or free for children under 4.

More holiday activities follow at City Hall in the next two weeks.

On Monday and Wednesday, the city will hold a “little hands” two-day workshop, teaching children ages 4 and 5 how to make holiday gifts, ornaments and decorations. Workshop classes will be from noon to 3 p.m. Cost is $20.

On Tuesday, residents of all ages are invited to make gingerbread houses decorated with candies, fruit and frosting from 4 to 6 p.m. Those under age 7 must be accompanied by an adult. Cost is $20 for each house.

The Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring “holiday drop-ins” for children at the city’s neighborhood parks beginning Dec. 20. Children will be able to participate in games and craft-making and sample goodies at no charge.

All the activities will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the following parks: Costeau Park, Monday; Stockport Park, Tuesday; Mandeville Park, Wednesday; MacKenzie Park, Dec. 27; Knotty Pine Park, Dec. 28; Mendocino Park, Dec. 29; Clarington Park, Dec. 30; and El Conejo Park, Dec. 31.

For more information about any of these activities, call Kimberlyn Mahoney, (714) 707-2680.