VALLEY WEEKEND : FOR THE KIDS : Making a Resolution to Get Off the Couch : Gaze at the sky, soar over the clouds, check out a bookstore--it’s fun and it’s free.

When you look back on the last year, do you remember too many Saturday cartoon mornings that turned into lost cartoon weekends?

Might this be the year for a New Year’s resolution aimed at getting everyone more involved in educational, recreational or social activities? Or, just getting everyone off the couch and out of the house could be worth a try.

Following are some ongoing activities culled from recent columns:

The Los Angeles Astronomical Society conducts frequent stargazing events called “star parties” on various nights throughout the year. Amateur astronomers can gaze upward at locations in the San Fernando Valley, in the Frazier Park and Lancaster areas and at Griffith Observatory. Call (213) 727-7909 for membership and schedule.

Young Eagles is a national program that encourages kids from ages 8 to 17 to consider flight-related careers. Operated by aerospace industry professionals who are members of the Experimental Aircraft Assn., Young Eagles are invited on weekends to go on free flights in small planes from Whiteman Airport in Pacoima. Call (818) 725-4247.

A converted Studio City movie theater, now outfitted as a Bookstar retail location, holds free Saturday story events for kids, plus Sunday readings by children’s book authors. For a schedule, call (818) 505-9528.

Year-round day camps are among the dozens of programs detailed in a 100-item chart and map available from the Valley Region of the City of Los Angeles’ Department of Recreation and Parks. For information, call (818) 756-9404

For seriously film-struck kids, a compelling experience might be watching their neighborhood being immortalized by a movie company. A free schedule of location shoots is available business mornings at the County and City of Los Angeles Entertainment Industry Development Corp. office at 6922 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 602, Hollywood. For information, call (213) 957-1000.

For high school kids interested in more nuts-and-bolts experience, an apprentice program is offered weekends and after school at the cable TV studio at United Artists, 15055 Oxnard St., Van Nuys. The program, which has only limited openings, is free but requires a 20-week commitment. Call Larry Jones at (818) 781-1900.