Target Free for Families- Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA)

The Orange County Museum of Art is offering free admission on the second Sunday of the month thanks to a generous contribution from Target.
The Target Free Second Sunday of the month is a great way for families to explore art together. The Target Free Sunday’s will offer all day family friendly activities and offer a unique opportunity to spend time as a family.

Here is a calendar of the upcoming family events.

TARGET FREE SECOND SUNDAYS 2009 CALENDAR

Sunday, March 8, 2009
11-4 pm
California Dreaming
View contemporary artwork by California artists and create hands-on projects that explore the symbols and images of California culture. Stay and enjoy live entertainment by Razzle Bam Boom – a musical performance that teaches children how the art form of Rock n’ Roll has developed and changed through the decades. Free tours of the of the 2008 California Biennial will also be available.

Sunday, April 12, 2009
11-4 pm
Art in Motion
Experience art through motion! Activities include kinetic sculptures, action art, and live performances. Stay for family-friendly entertainment and free tours of Moving Images: Scan to Screen, Pixel to Projection.

Sunday, May 10, 2009
11-4 pm
Color, Form & Flora
Create expressive and colorful representations of the natural world inspired by works in the exhibition Illumination: The Paintings of Georgia O’Keeffe, Agnes Pelton, Agnes Martin, and Florence Miller Pierce. Stay for live entertainment and free guided tours of the current exhibitions. This event is held in conjunction with the annual Orange County Imagination Celebration.

Sunday, June 14, 2009
11-4 pm
Art & Animation
Discover the world of animation as you build your own kinetic sculptures, create simple animation and more! Entertainment includes animated children’s films and free tours of the exhibition Moving Images: Scan to Screen, Pixel to Projection.

Sunday, July 12, 2009
11-4 pm
Fun with Flowers
Create abstract and colorful floral representations inspired by works in the Illumination exhibition. Stay for family-friendly entertainment and free tours of Illumination: The Paintings of Georgia O’Keeffe, Agnes Pelton, Agnes Martin, and Florence Miller Pierce.

Sunday, August 9, 2009
11-4 pm
Sizzling Summer Fun!
Create cool projects inspired by the summer heat. Take a free guided tour of Illumination: The Paintings of Georgia O’Keeffe, Agnes Pelton, Agnes Martin, and Florence Miller Pierce and stay for the live entertainment.

Sunday, September 13, 2009
11-4 pm
The Learning Curve
Make fun and funky projects just in time to get back into the school groove! Create unique journals, bookmarks and other academically-inspired art. Don’t miss the free guided tours of Moving Images: Scan to Screen, Pixel to Projection.

Target Free Second Sundays is generously sponsored by Target.

This is an excellent way to spend a Sunday and the best part is that you can enjoy all of it for free. For additional inf0rmation click here

Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA)
Museum Hours & Information 850 San Clemente Drive
Newport Beach, California 92660

Phone | 949-759-1122
Admissions Desk: ext. 243

Fax | 949-759-5623

info@ocma.net

Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center- Free

I’m going to make it my special mission to bring to you at least once a week a post about a place where you can take the kiddos for free and sure to be a good time.
This week you have to check out the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center in the Newport Beach Back Bay.
This 10,000 square foot educational facility has been built into the side of one of the bluffs on the north side of the Bay. It offers panoramic views of the Bay yet is nestled so unobtrusively that few people are aware that the Interpretive Center is there.

Visitors learn about life in and around an estuary and why Upper Newport Bay is such an important estuary. The knowledge and understanding gained here will give people an even greater appreciation of the Bay when they take guided walking and water tours or explore the Bay on their own.
Watch the award-winning “Saltmarsh Seasons” in the Ray and Elsa Watson Theater. This innovative short film has different wildlife scenes shown simultaneously on three separate screens. Or check out the live reptile and amphibian displays in the classrooms. The classrooms are also open to the public when programs are not being conducted in them and your kiddos will be able to play around and make themselves at home.

The center is home to exhibits and a butterfly garden. The center also offers a program for 2-5 year olds every Wednesday from 10;30 am to 11;15 am with storytime and activities. This program is 5 dollars per child

There is also a program for 5-8 year olds- basyside buddies- every other Tuesday from 3:30 to 4:40 pm. The program features crafts, hands on activities and nature walks.

The center is open from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM Tuesday through Sunday. Admission and parking are free. Find out about Program and Events. For more information, call (949) 923-2290.
The best park like I said is that this place offers free admission and free parking. Can’t beat that!!

Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center
2301 University Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949)923-2290

Balboa Island Ferry-one of only two Southern California’s ferries

I can’t remember what my daughter was watching last week that mentioned a ferry ride- I think it was Dora the Explorer, but I’m not to sure. As soon as the show was over she started asking me about ferries. I explained to her what a ferry was and told her that this weekend I would take her on a ferry ride. There are only two ferries (I’m not counting the Catalina ones) in operation in Southern California. One is the ferry that runs between Coronado Island and San Diego and the other is the one that connects Balboa Island and the Balboa Peninsula. It’s a fun five minute ride that you and your children will enjoy. We always make a day trip out of it by exploring Balboa Island, one of my favorite places in Southern California.
I know you might be asking why would she start blogging about the beaches when summer is almost over? It just so happens that I think the best time to explore the Southland beaches is after Labor Day. September and the beginning of October are always warm and the crowds have dwindled down across the beach cities. It is the perfect time to visit. The ferry ride is fun and totally inexpensive. Adults are $1.oo , children 5-12 ,are 50 cents and cars with drivers are $2.oo(each passenger is additional) and children under 5 are free. Your kids will love it and you will love exploring Balboa Island. For additional info click here.