Springtime of Events

Spring break events for children, including details on the programs mentioned in the cover story beginning on F6:

Autry Museum of Western Heritage: “Art in Nature, Nature in Art” celebrates Earth Day on April 22 with a nature walk, the drawing of scenes of nature and recycling of paper into art. Adults must accompany children under 11. $10 adults, $7 children. Preregistration required.

4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles. (323) 667-2000.

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium: Beach cleanup begins at 8 a.m. followed by an Earth Day Fair with more than 30 educational booths with hands-on activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 15.

Visitors can attempt to “Meet the Grunion” from 10:55 p.m. to 12:55 a.m. April 20. Aquarium opens at 8 p.m., auditorium program begins at 9. $2 adults, $1 children.

Weekend tide pool walks are planned from 1:30 to 3 p.m. April 16; 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 29. $1.

3720 Stephen White Drive, San Pedro. (310) 548-7562.

California African-American Museum: Rasheed Ali helps families create stringed instruments and discusses the evolution of the banjo in African American music. 1 p.m. April 22. Parental supervision required. Free.

600 State Drive, Exposition Park. (213) 744-2060.

California Science Center: “Take Me Out to the Ballgame!” explores the physics of baseball and includes a Dodgers game. 9 a.m. to about 5 p.m. April 16. Recommended for ages 8 and up; children must attend with adults. $64 includes game and bus transportation.

“Garbage-ology” teaches first- and second-graders how to turn pieces from the scrap heap into art. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 15. $50.

700 State Drive, Exposition Park. (213) 744-7422.

Descanso Gardens: “Bug Love” explores crawling and winged creatures. For “entomologically inclined kids of all ages” from 10 a.m. to noon April 15. $15. Reservations required.

1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada Flintridge. (818) 952-4401.

Discovery Science Center: Festival of Bubbles April 15 to 23 features bubble-making activities and 30-minute performances by “bubble-ologist” Casey Carle at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. daily with an extra 4:30 p.m. show on weekends; no 11:30 a.m. or 4:30 p.m. show April 15. Carle’s “Bubble-Mania” is $1 plus museum admission. $9.50 adults, $7.50 ages 3 to 17, free for 2 and under.

2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana. (714) 542-2823.

Kidspace Museum: Sixth annual Eco-Arts Butterfly Festival culminates at 1 p.m. April 29, when children return to the museum to release 1,000 butterflies that were adopted two weeks earlier as caterpillars. Adoption workshops from 1 to 4 p.m. April 14 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 15 and 16. Non-adopters also welcome to participate in the festival from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 29.

390 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. (626) 449-9144.

Aquarium of the Pacific: Ongoing Pacific Explorer program offers a patch upon completion of each of three classes: “Crafty Creatures” examines how animals adapt to their surroundings, for ages 6 to 8; “Shark-rrific!” observes sharks; and “Travel Trackers” investigates a variety of animals and their habitats, for children 8 to 11. 1 to 3 p.m. Saturdays. $15 includes aquarium tour and admission; adult chaperon and preregistration required.

100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach. (562) 951-1630 or (888) 826-7257.

Los Angeles Children’s Museum: Reader’s Theatre Project brings children’s books to life through song, dance and storytelling at noon and 2 p.m. April 15, 16, 18 and 19.

Theater artist Todd Lowe gives a kazoo performance at noon and 2 p.m. April 20 followed by kazoo-making out of recycled materials.

Events free with $5 admission; younger than 2 free. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 17 to 21 and 24 to 28. Closed April 23.

310 N. Main St. (213) 687-8800.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art: “Saturday Gallery Experiences for Kids” includes making rubbings of Egyptian-style hieroglyphics or composing a label for works of contemporary art. Sessions from noon to 4 p.m. April 15, 22 and 29 are for ages 11 to 18. Free with $1 museum admission.

Boone Children’s Gallery provides hands-on activities for children on Saturdays and Sundays. In “Make the Connection!” at 2 p.m. April 16 and 30, artist June Edmonds explores the design and pattern of African musical instruments. “Listen to, Learn About, and Play African Music” is presented by dancers and musicians of Yoruba House at 2 p.m. April 22. Free; no museum admission required.

5905 Wilshire Blvd. (323) 857-6000.

Los Angeles Zoo: “Sundown Safari” zoo camp-out. Dinner, breakfast and an after-hours tour. Bring a tent or rent a six-person one for $56 from the zoo. 5 p.m. April 15 to 9 a.m. April 16. Preregistration required. $75, $50 for 3 to 12, younger than 3 free. (323) 644-4253.

“Birds of a Feather,” for children 5 and 6, presents fun facts about bird beaks and feet. 9:30 a.m. to noon April 22. $20.

“Zoo Babies,” for ages 7 to 10, shows how the zoo cares for its offspring. 9:30 a.m. to noon April 15. $20.

5333 Zoo Drive. (323) 644-4294.

Museum of Television & Radio: At ongoing Saturday 90-minute workshops, kids from 9 to 14 produce old-time radio dramas using authentic scripts, sound effects and music. “Rick Lowell, Private Eye” will be produced from 10 to 11:30 a.m. April 15; “Hawk of the West” April 29. $5 tickets must be purchased in advance. Group rate to reserve entire workshop is $125.

465 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 786-1014.

Natural History Museum: “Butterfly Dreams” sleepover will be held from 7 p.m. April 28 to 9 a.m. April 29. Participants must be at least 5 and must be accompanied by adults. Preregistration is required. The $40 cost includes evening snack, light breakfast and advance admission to butterfly pavilion and museum after sleepover.

900 Exposition Blvd., Exposition Park. (213) 763-3534.

Skirball Museum: A “Don’t Pass Over Passover” puppet-making and art project are planned at 2 p.m. April 23 for children age 4 and up. Cost is $5 per child and reservations are encouraged.

2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4636.