Kids Stuff

Kids Stuff

Compiled by Jason Gelt Adventure Base 100 Boy Scouts of America celebrates its 100th anniversary with Adventure Base 100, a 10,000 square foot campus of immersive Scout-related activities. including a ropes course, digital interactives, hands-on exhibits and a multi-sensory Imax-like Go! Dome. ww2.scouting.org. The Post Parade, Sierra Madre and Washington boulevards, Los Angeles. Today, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (626) 351-8815 Ext 227.

The Science of Gingerbread How many gumdrops can a frosted cookie hold? Why do some recipes call for baking powder instead of baking soda? Find out at this tasty exhibition, featuring hands-on kitchen science activities, decorating demonstrations and award-winning gingerbread houses on display. www.discoverycube.org. Discovery Science Center, 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana. Today-Mon., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Adults $12.95, children $9.95. (714) 542-2823.

Reindeer Romp Santa’s Reindeer flew into the L.A. Zoo for Thanksgiving and are staying until after the New Year. www.lazoo.org. Los Angeles Zoo, 5333 Zoo Drive Griffith Park, L.A. Ends today, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free with paid zoo admission: $13 Adults $8, children (2-12). (323) 644-4200.

Dig It! Archaeology Adventures Slip on an archaeologist’s vest and experience the ancient Near East at a simulated outdoor archaeological dig and field laboratory. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. Sat.-next Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free with museum admission. (310) 440-4500.

Gold Rush Visitors may experience elation similar to that of the miners of 1849 when they pan for gold at the museum. Autry National Center, 4700 Western Heritage Way, L.A. Sat.-next Sun., 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free with museum admission. $3-$9; 2 and younger, free. (323) 667-2000.

Kids Adventure Garden Children learn about the beauty and wonder of nature. Features include a tree house, a dinosaur garden, a zoo garden, and more. Docents are available. Conejo Valley Botanic Garden, 1175 Hendrix Ave., Thousand Oaks. Today, next Sun. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. (805) 494-7630.

Oshogatsu Family Festival Celebrate 2010, the year of the tiger. Learn all about the Japanese New Year with fun arts and crafts, exciting cultural performances and cooking demonstrations. www.janm.org. Japanese American National Museum, 369 E. 1st St., L.A. Today, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (213) 625-0414.

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The L.A. premiere of the hit holiday musical fable stars John Larroquette as Old Max and Stefan Karl as the Grinch. See www.ticketmaster.com for schedule exceptions. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Today, 11 a.m., 2 p.m. $23-$90. (323) 468-1770. (213) 480-3232.

Shark Sundays at Heal the Bay Learn all about the ocean’s most misunderstood predator at this weekly celebration of sharks, featuring fun feedings, films, craft projects and more. Visitors also get a chance to see sharks in action in the aquarium’s tank, including horns and swells. Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, 1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica. Today, next Sun. 12:30-5 p.m. $2-$5. (310) 393-6149.

Mary Poppins This musical adaptation of P.L. Travers’ classic invention tries to reconcile the sharp edges of the original stories with the cheerier Walt Disney film. The high-flying spectacle, running on the rocket fuel of such memorable movie numbers as “A Spoonful of Sugar” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” can’t help being delightful. It’s a pity that the contrasting tones between Travers and Disney aren’t easily blended, but don’t let that put you off a buoyant holiday entertainment alternative (C.M.). Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A. Today, 1 and 6:30 p.m.; Tue.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m. $25-$92. (213) 628-2772.

Art Odyssey for Families Guided tours through galleries and art activities for ages 5 and older. Getty Villa, 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades. Sat.-next Sun., 2 p.m. Free, advance tickets required. Parking is $8. (310) 440-7300.

Escape Reality Steve Spill and Bozena Sparrow perform classic illusions with sketch comedy, drama, romance and audience participation. Suitable for the whole family. Magicopolis, 1418 4th St., Santa Monica. Today, 2 p.m.; Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m. $22-$27. (310) 451-2241.

Giggle Gaggle and Detention Span Stand-up, improv and sketch comedy by young performers. Presented by Joy Theatre. Raven Playhouse, 5233 N. Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Sat.-next Sun., 2 and 5 p.m. $8. (818) 505-9355.

Bob Baker’s Holiday Spectacular The historic puppet theater presents a winter wonderland marionette musical extravaganza for children of all ages. Bob Baker Marionette Theater, 1345 W. 1st St., L.A. Today, 2:30 p.m.; Tue.-Fri., 10:30 a.m.; Sat., 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m.; next Sun., 2:30 p.m. $20. (213) 250-9995.

Comedy Improv for Kids by Kids Performers ages 5 to 13. L.A. Connection Comedy Theatre, 13442 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Today, next Sun. 3:30 p.m. $7. (818) 784-1868.

Discovery Labs Learn about marine science through art, stories and hands-on activities. Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen White Drive, San Pedro. Wed., 3-5 p.m. $1-$5. (310) 548-7562.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Championship Konami Digital Entertainment presents the largest and most prestigious competitive Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG tournament series in North America. Hundreds of players will face off duels using cards that represent powerful monsters, magical spells and surprising traps, but only one will be crowned the winner. www.yugioh-card.com. Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St., L.A. Sat.-next Sun., 8 a.m.-9 p.m. $20 registration.

Dunley Rabbit, P.I. and the Case of the Mysterious Noise This family concert is the perfect way to introduce children to classical music and instruments. Jennifer Stevenson’s interactive musical adventure follows Dunley, an inquisitive rabbit who learns that using his ears to listen to his friends is just as important as using them to find the source of a mysterious sound. Newport Beach Central Library, 1000 Avocado Ave., Los Angeles. Sat., 11 a.m. Free. (949) 717-3830.

Kids’ Drum Circle Children and parents can beat on provided drums. Remo Percussion Center, 7308 Coldwater Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood. Sat., 11-11:45 a.m. Free. (818) 982-0461.

Alice and the Wonderful Tea Party Audiences help Alice set a topsy-turvy Wonderland aright in this zany, internationally acclaimed Rudie-DeCarlo musical comedy for kids of all ages. www.santamonicaplayhouse.com. Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Los Angeles. Sat.-next Sun., 12:30 and 3 p.m. Adults $12.50, children $10.50. (310) 394-9779.

The Princess and the Frog A musical with audience participation for children and their families. Based on the the fairy tale about the prince who became a frog. Music and lyrics by Hope and Laurence Juber. Directed by Elliot Kevin Schwartz and Lloyd J. Schwartz. Ages 3-9. Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. W., L.A. Sat., 1 p.m. Adults $12, children $10. (818) 761-2203.

South Coast Storytellers World legends and myths. Bowers Kidseum, 1802 N. Main St., Santa Ana. Sat., 1:30 p.m. Free with $5 museum admission; 16 and younger, free. (714) 480-1520.

Let’s Make History at the Southwest! Silhouette Picture Frame Kids are invited to stop by the oldest museum in Los Angeles, the Southwest Museum of the American Indian, to create their own decorative picture frame based on inspiration taken from the exhibits. Autry National Center, 4700 Western Heritage Way, L.A. Next Sun., 1-2 p.m. Free with museum admission. (323) 667-2000.