Archive for March, 2009
Science of Hockey at the Discovery Science Center
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Another experience sure to be a hit is the Skater Challenge. Your kiddos will be able to test their skating skills against a professional hockey player and skate through a NHL skating drill.
Autry National Center of the American West
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Shark Lagoon Nights- Free @ The Aquarium of the Pacific
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I hope you will visit soon!!
IrvinePark Railroad Easter Extravaganza Winner
Posted by: | CommentsThanks to all of you for entering the Irvine Park Railroad Easter Extravaganza Giveaway. I wish I had enough tickets to give to everyone but unfortunately I only have one 10 pack. I used Random.org to select a winner
True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 5 Powered by RANDOM.ORG
The winner of the giveaway is comment # 5
Celeste wrote:
sounds like the perfect spring activity! I am always searching for something fun to do with my 2 1/2 year old. thank you!
Thank you again for entering!! Stay tuned for more fun giveaways!!
Discovery Science Center Membership
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The Magic School Bus: Kicks Up a StormNow Through May 3
Scholastic’s The Magic School Bus Kicks Up a Storm offers interactive learning in the wacky Magic School Bus way. Create your own storm, predict the national weather forecast or build your very own thunder maker!
The Science of HockeyOpening April 2, 2009
Experience the colder side of science with The Science of Hockey featuring physics, physiology and flying pucks! No helmets required, but the icy interactives aren’t for rookies! Exhibition highlights include a Zamboni, Penalty Box and Broadcast Booth, among many others.
Bubblefest XIIIApril 4-19, 2009
The mysteries of bubbles are revealed as we explore the science behind the amazing and colorful world of bubbles. Hands-on bubble activities demonstrate a bubble’s science and math principles such as surface tension, elasticity, air pressure, molecular properties, and geometric properties, while Fan Yang’s Mega Bubble Show puts those theories to the ultimate test.
Robots and UsMay 23 – Sept 13, 2009
Robots and Us compares today’s technical realities with the pervasive robots of science fiction fantasy. Explore the sophisticated technology that underlies automated machines and gain a new appreciation for the multifaceted machine that is your own human body
Irvine Park Railroad Easter Extravaganza and10 Ticket Giveaway!!
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I love the Irvine Park Railroad. In fact everyone in my family is a big fan. Easter is fast approaching and The Easter Bunny is coming to the Irvine Park Railroad. The Easter Extravaganza starts on Saturday the 28th.
On Saturday, March 28th through Saturday, April 11th, Irvine Park Railroad will hold its annual Easter Eggstravaganza. Children and adults can ride the train through beautiful Irvine Regional Park. And, children ages 2 through 12 can participate in an Easter egg hunt. Each egg will be filled with candy or a prize.
Easter egg hunts begin daily at 10:00 AM and tickets may be purchased to participate in an egg hunt at a specific time. Please bring an Easter basket for each child that will be participating in the Easter egg hunt. Irvine Park Railroad will also offer Easter baskets for sale. Below are some of the activities offered.
Easter Egg Hunt
1 Ticket per Child
Weekends:
| Ages | Times |
| 2 – 4 years | 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00 |
| 5 – 7 years | 10:30, 12:30, 2:30, 4:30 |
| 8 – 12 years | 11:30, 1:30, 3:30 |
Weekdays:
Times: 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 1:00, 2:00
*Ages will be separated appropriately.
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Moon Bounce
Weekends: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Children can enjoy 15 minutes of jump time in the bounce house. This is an activity children of all ages enjoy as they tumble, jump, and hippity hop with excitement. |
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Hay Ride 1 Ticket per Person
The hay ride has fast become a favorite activity for both children and adults. Take a 15-minute ride through Irvine Regional Park and enjoy the beautiful scenery… including beautiful Spring flowers, oak trees sprouting new growth, baby wild life, lush green meadows, and more. |
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Picture Stands FREE for All Visitors
Use your own camera and take pictures at one of the many Irvine Park Railroad picture stands located throughout Locomotive Loop. Pictures are sure to create lasting memories of family and friends this Easter season. |
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Carnival Games 1 Ticket per Child Weekends: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm With 1 ticket, children can try their luck at two carnival-style Easter games. That’s a lot of fun AND two chances to win a prize. |
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Face Painting 2 Tickets per Person Weekends: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Always a favorite activity for children of all ages, a skilled face painter will turn a child’s face into something creative and fun… a bunny rabbit, chick, Easter egg, or other imaginative expression of Easter time. |
Most activities are one ticket and each ticket is $4.00. Food will be available for purchase or if you can bring a blanket and picnic with the family on the beautiful grounds. We always make a full day of it by visiting the OC Zoo($2.00 admission- great deal) and enjoying a pony ride or two.
I can’t wait to take my kids and I’m hoping you will too!! Almost forgot- I’m giving away a 10 pack of tickets, a $40.00 value, compliments of the Irvine Park Railroad, for one lucky reader and their family to enjoy. All you have to do is leave a comment- any comment and you will be automatically entered to win. Winner will be chosen on random on Wednesday night. Good luck!!
Daytrippingmom picks- Things to do this weekend- 03/21-03/22
Posted by: | CommentsHere are my top picks for the weekend of 03/21/09-03/22/09.The events listed below are perfect for your family and most importantly that the kiddos will enjoy. The best part is that most of the events listed are free or almost free. Enjoy!!
Saturday March 21, 2009
- Return of the Swallows- Mission San Juan Capistrano
- http://www.musiccenter.org/events/aa_tasteofdance.html- Downtown Los Angeles- Dance classes only $1.00!!!
- Samuel Oschin Planetarium@ Griffith Observatory- Griffith Park
- Free Train Rides- Southern California Live Steamers- Torrance
- Free Train Rides- Goat Hill Junction- Costa Mesa
- Caterpillar Adoption Days @Kidspace Museum- Pasadena
Sunday March 22, 2009
- Return of the Swallows - Mission San Juan Capistrano
- Free Train Rides- Southern California Live Steamers- Torrance
- Free Train Rides- Goat Hill Junction- Costa Mesa
- The Great Train Expo@ OC Fair Grounds- Costa Mesa
- Sesame Street Presents The Body@ Hollywood and Highland- Los Angeles
- Visit Centennial Farms- OC Fairgrounds- Costa Mesa
Orange County’s Great Park Balloon – now open
Posted by: | Comments,Have you heard of the Great Park In Irvine? If you live in Orange County you probably have. It’s the new park that has been developed over the old El Toro Military Base. There hasn’t been much open to the public except for The Great Park Balloon ride. It was closed for a bit but it’s back and it’s open!! The Great Park Balloon is the first major attraction of the Orange County Great Park. It’s a pretty cool little ride and a treat that your kiddos will love!! The best part of the whole thing is that it’s free!! We love free around here!!
From the I-5 Freeway Heading South 1. Exit Sand Canyon Ave and turn left 2. Turn right on Marine Way 3. Turn left at the T intersection onto Perimeter Rd 4. Follow the orange signs to the Balloon The parking lot opens 30 minutes before regular operating hours. Registration begins 15 before the first flight. (Tip: Wind conditions for flying are best between the hours of opening and 12:30 pm.) And did I mention, it’s free!
The Carlsbad Flower Fields
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A little-known attraction in the San Diego area is the Carlsbad Flower Fields. They are easy to spot as you travel along the San Diego freeway. These fifty acres of flowers have been blooming in the hills above the Pacific Ocean for around fifty years. Visitors can walk the fields or take an open-air tractor ride through the flowers.
Prices: $9.00 for Adults, $8.00 for Seniors 60+, $5.00 for Children 3 – 10, Children 2 and under are Free Wagon Rides: $4.00 for Adults, $3.00 for Children 3 – 10.
Information Line: (760) 431-0352
To get there fom
from Los Angeles and Orange County: Head south on Interstate 5 to Palomar Airport Road exit. Head east (left turn) on Palomar Airport Road to Paseo Del Norte and turn left. Make an immediate right into parking lot.Seaside Lagoon – Redondo Beach
Posted by: | CommentsHere is a little known treasure in the Los Angeles beach area to try out this summer, The Seaside Lagoon. The Seaside Lagoon opens for public use beginning May 23, 2009 and is open daily through September 4, then weekends of September 5-6, only. Situated on the southwest corner of Harbor Drive and Portofino Way in Redondo Beach's King Harbor, the Lagoon operates from 10:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. daily throughout the summer months. The large saltwater lagoon, offers trained lifeguard supervision. Besides swimming, the Lagoon offers a large sand area for sunbathing, children's play equipment, snack bar facilities provided by Ruby's Restaurant , and volleyball courts. There is also a grassed area and luau shelter for day and evening events.
The Seaside Lagoon is a salt water facility. Water for seaside lagoon comes from the other side of the breakwater, at about 50 feet deep, travels to the near by steam generating plant where they use it to cool the turbines. The water then travels under the street in large pipes to the Seaside Lagoon where it is chlorinated when entering the lagoon and de-chlorinated when leaving the lagoon back into the harbor. The Seaside Lagoon has approximately 1.5 million gallons of water and has a flow through rate of approximately 200,000 gallons per hour.
Thanks to reader Gaby for the tip!
