Kristin's Kickbacks List Week of 7-1

Activities

July 1-4. Brunswick is giving away a FREE game of bowling to every person in America, every day of the July 4th weekend! July 1st - July 4th. No coupon necessary, just come in for your FREE game each day of the weekend! (I’m guessing shoe rental is not included, but still a good deal!)

July 2. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. (Every first Saturday of the month). Home Depot's Free Kids Workshop. The workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while at the same time helping to instill a sense of accomplishment. In addition to the newly constructed project kit, each child receives a kid-sized orange apron, similar to The Home Depot associates' aprons, and an achievement pin.

July 2. 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Latin Sounds in Hancock Park. (Free event every Saturday 5 pm–7 pm, May through September). This week: Freddie Ravel at LACMA, in Hancock Park north of the museum.

July 3. 6 p.m. FREE weekly concerts at LACMA. (Los Angles County Museum of Art). This week: The Encore Saxophone Quartet with pianist Bryan Pezzone

These one-hour concerts are presented free to the public on Sundays in the Leo S. Bing Theater. If you don’t make it there, you can also listen online for free at: http://www.lacma.org/programs/SundaysLive.aspx#audio

July 4. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Annual San Fernando Valley Independence Day Celebration at Hansen Dam. This 4th of July Celebration at Hansen Dam is in its 17th year and celebrates “hometown heroes.” Check out gourmet food trucks, music, raffles and prizes, free water slide, kid zone and other entertainment. Take a swim in the 1.5-acre swim lake which is available for use during the day (there may be a small charge for the swimming).The fireworks show is orchestrated with patriotic music.Hansen Dam Recreation Area, 11770 Foothill Blvd., Lake View Terrace.

July 4. 4:30 pm – 10 pm. The FREE festival and fireworks show at Shepherd of the Hills Church in Porter Ranch includes moon bounces and face painting for the children, an outdoor stage show as well as optional food purchases from over a dozen local food vendors; all capped off with a twenty-one minute aerial fireworks display. Shepherd of the Hills Church , 19700 Rinaldi Street, Porter Ranch, CA 91326. www.theshepherd.org/events/4th-of-july-spectacular

July 4. Concert begins at 6 p.m., fireworks at 9:08 p.m. Councilman Dennis P. Zine’s July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza at Warner Park. Music by Los Angeles Pierce Symphonic Winds and Taylor Made, the James Taylor Tribute Band. 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Woodland Hills. Free event.

July 5. 10:30-11:30 a.m. FREE. Toddler story time at Borders at the Northridge Mall.

July 5. Free day for La Brea Tar Pits and the Natural History Museum.

July 5. 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Free evening at Kidspace Museum. This museum in Pasadena is a lot of fun for children and normally $10 a person, so this is a great deal! (It offers free admission the first Tuesday of the month from 4-8 p.m.) 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, 91103. (626) 449-9144. www.kidspacemuseum.org.

July 5. 5 p.m. FREE LEGO^® mini model build at the Glendale Galleria LEGO store, the first Tuesday of each month. One free per child. Event is open to children ages 6 to 14 only. (I brought my 5 year old and he was able to complete the build without a problem). 2148 Glendale Galleria, Glendale, 91210. (818) 549-0733. Make sure to get there early (we arrived around 4:30) and bring snacks and things to do while you wait in line.

July 5. 5:30 p.m. Summer Family Series at Descanso Gardens. For six Tuesday evenings, enjoy family-friendly music, theater and fairies. Bring a picnic (normally not allowed in the Gardens) and get ready for fun. Concert included with Gardens admission: $8 adults, $6 seniors/students, $3 children 5-12, free for children 4 and younger. No reciprocal gardens admissions. Free parking. This week: “A Midsummer Night's Eve," presented by Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum. 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011. (818) 949-4200.

July 5-6. 10 a.m. $1 summer movies at select Regal Theatres. Selected G or PG movies start at 10 am every Tuesday and Wednesday during the festival. Tickets and seating are first-come, first-served and are limited to theatre capacity. KIT KITTREDGE & SPY NEXT DOOR are playing at the Civic Center Stadium 16 in Simi Valley at 2751 Tapo Cyn Road. CATS AND DOGS: REVENGE & SHREK FOREVER AFTER are playing at the Canyon Country Stadium 10 at 18800 Soledad Canyon Road in Santa Clarita. CHARLOTTE'S WEB &YOGI BEAR are playing at the Grand Palace Stadium 6 at 4767 Commons Way in Calabasas. Here’s the link for the full summer schedule: http://www.regmovies.com/summermovieexpress/default.aspx

July 7. 10:30 a.m. Free Kid's Club at the Northridge Fashion Center in the Food Court. Comedy Magic Show! Jersey Jim brings some of the funniest magic you will ever see. Entertainment the young and old will enjoy. (Thanks to Janice for the deal!)

July 7. 5:30 p.m. Music on the Main jazz series at Descanso Gardens.Gonzalo Bergara headlines a concert of jazz with Gypsy and tango influences. Bring a picnic (usually not allowed in the Gardens.) Concert included with Gardens admission: $8 adults, $6 seniors/students, $3 children 5-12, free for children 4 and younger. No reciprocal gardens admissions. Free parking. 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011. (818) 949-4200.

July 7. 6-9 p.m. Thursday night summer concerts at the Autry Museum (across from L.A. Zoo). See top Latin bands in a fun, casual, energetic setting on the Autry plaza. The taco bar opens at 6:00 p.m., and the museum and museum store close at 8:00 p.m. Complimentary dance lessons and a separate dance floor for kids guarantee fun for all! Adults: $10 / Students and Seniors: $6 / Children (3–12): $4 / Children under 3: Free. Purchase membership on-site and enjoy all nine Sizzling Summer Nights for free. This week: Octavio Figueroa and La Combinacion Salsa Band. 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027. 323.667.2000.

Coffee Deal

Sonoma Coffee Cafe on Tampa has a free coffee coupon on their website that is good through 7/6. Their coffee is really good, locally roasted and much fresher than average. They also have live music on Friday and Saturday nights and of course free Wifi. (Thanks Rick for the deal!) Here’s a link to the coupon: http://www.sonomacoffeeshop.com/promo/Free%20coffee%20coupon.pdf

Upcoming Events

July 8. 7-9:30 p.m. Keyes Lexus of Valencia has free Jazz and Blues concert series every Friday night thru Aug. 27. This week: Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps. Food & Beverages for sale (No outside food or beverages; no pets allowed.) Activities for the kids. Downtown Valencia in the street on Town Center Drive at McBean Parkway in Santa Clarita. www.valenciajazzandblues.com (Thanks, Kristi!)

Kristin's Kickbacks List Week of 4-29

Activities

April 30. 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Held in conjunction with the Day of the Child and National Child Abuse Prevention, this open-air street festival is free for everyone. A city block is closed down for the day and filled with music, laughter and color as children and families come together to interact, learn and play. Over 20 activities include: face painting, bubble bonanza, drum-circle, Aztec dancing, climbing wall, crafts for kids, and more. The Echo Center (Formerly the Center for Non Violent Education) provides education and support for all parents and families. For all ages. FREE. Echo Parenting and Education Center, 1226 N. Alvarado St., Los Angeles (Echo Park) (Thanks to Family Finds for the idea!)

April 30- May1. (April 30 10am – 6pm, May 1 10am – 5pm). The free annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books! This event includes celebrity appearances, live music, cooking demos, author reading, an area especially for kids and much more! It will be at USC this year. To locate USC on Yahoo! Maps or similar mapping software, you may use the intersection of Exposition Blvd and S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90089. Parking at the USC campus will be $10. Find out more at http://events.latimes.com/festivalofbooks/

May 1. 9 a.m. Get tickets for March free day for Huntington Gardens. Call 800-838-3006 or get tickets online at http://www.huntington.org/default.aspx.

May 1. 6 p.m. FREE weekly concerts at LACMA. (Los Angles County Museum of Art). These one-hour concerts are presented free to the public on Sundays in the Leo S. Bing Theater. This week:Young Musicians Foundation Chamber Ensembles perform works by Beethoven, Brahms, Dvorák, Hindemith, Berkeley, and Adrienne Albert’s New York Gardens. If you don’t make it there, you can also listen online for free at: http://www.lacma.org/programs/SundaysLive.aspx#audio

May 3. Free day for La Brea Tar Pits and the Natural History Museum.

May 3. 5 p.m. FREE LEGO^® mini model build at the Glendale Galleria LEGO store, the first Tuesday of each month. One free per child. This month make a lego flower. Event is open to children ages 6 to 14 only. 2148 Glendale Galleria, Glendale, 91210. (818) 549-0733.

May 3. 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Free evening at Kidspace Museum. This museum in Pasadena is a lot of fun for children and normally $10 a person, so this is a great deal! (It offers free admission the first Tuesday of the month from 4-8 p.m.) 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, 91103. (626) 449-9144. www.kidspacemuseum.org.

May 3. 10:30-11:30 a.m. FREE. Toddler story time at Borders at the Northridge Mall.

May 5 (and subsequent Thursdays). 9:30-11:30 a.m. Free Mommy and Me Class at The Church on The Way for children under 5 years of age. Please bring a snack for your child. King’s Kid’s Building, West Campus, 14800 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, 91405. Call 818-779-8000 for more information.

Ongoing Events

Now is the time to register for the free L.A. County Junior Golf Program for the summer. Children 18 and under are welcome. Here’s the link to the form: http://www.lacountyjuniorgolf.com/norsumv1.pdf

Select Wendy’s locations are doing the Frostys keychain promotion again this year. Purchase the keychain for $1 (donated to charity), and get a FREE Junior Frosty (the small kids size). On each returning visit to Wendy’s present the keychain and you’ll get a FREE Junior Frosty with any purchase. Valid at participating Wendy’s for the whole year!

During April, kids eat free at IHOP daily from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. One free kid’s meal with each adult entrée purchase.

Chipotle is also offering a deal for families in April! On Saturdays and Sundays in April (including Sunday, May 1^st) buy a burrito, bowl, salad or order of tacos; get one kid’s meal free! This offer is good in L.A. and Orange County. (Thanks to my friend Mercy for the deal!)

Upcoming Events

On May 6th, you can get free admission to a garden near you! Descanso Gardens is one of the beautiful gardens nearby, in La Canada. Here’s the link. http://www.bhg.com/gardening/celebrate-national-public-gardens-day/

Click on get coupon. Follow the instructions to sign up, then click on ‘Download Now’ to print your Free Admission voucher! (Thanks to Frugal Girls for the deal!)

May 7. 10 a.m. FREE Build and Grow Clinic at Lowes. Bring your child to Lowe's and they can build a project. The kids get goggles and an apron and a kit to build an item. They use hammers their size and get a patch afterward for completing the project.

May 7. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. (Every first Saturday of the month). Home Depot's Free Kids Workshop. The workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while at the same time helping to instill a sense of accomplishment. In addition to the newly constructed project kit, each child receives a kid-sized orange apron, similar to The Home Depot associates' aprons, and an achievement pin.

May 7. 2 p.m. The Throne of Fire Release Party and Pharaoh's Quest LEGO Giveaway at Borders in Northridge (other Borders also participating. Call your local store to see if they are holding this event). Put on your favorite pharaoh gear, brush up on your hieroglyphics and get ready to party with Rick Riordan's The Kane Chronicles and free LEGO's Pharaoh's Quest building set! Space for this event is limited, call the store to RSVP. 818.886.5443. 9301 Tampa Ave., Northridge, CA 91324.

May 10. 4 p.m.-7 p.m. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is giving away free ice blended drinks during their open house! The freebie applies to mocha mint chip, cookies and cream and expresso cream ice blended drink; no substitutions. There’s a limit of one free drink per customer, and it excludes all Ralphs stores, casinos, campus or airport locations.

May 21. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free Lego Club for Kids at The Burbank Central Library. Open to kids from ages 2-14 and their families! Specially sized larger blocks will be available for toddlers. 110 N. Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank, 91502. For more information call (818) 238-5600.

June 11. 3-5 p.m. Christian Performing Arts Center’s Dance Production. $15 for adults, $8 for children. Tickets on sale now 818-921-4430. www.cpacstudio.com Birmingham High School Theatre. 17000 Haynes Street, Lake Balboa.

Kristin's Kickbacks List Week of 3-11

Activities

March 11-12. 2-5 p.m. Free Starbucks Petites dessert when you buy any handcrafted drink.

March 12. 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Large garage sale at 7953 Aldea Ave., Van Nuys, 91406.

March 12. 10 a.m. FREE Build and Grow Clinic at Lowes. Bring your child to Lowe's and they can build a project. The kids get goggles and an apron and a kit to build an item. They use hammers their size and get a patch afterward for completing the project.

March 12. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free admission to Japanese American National Museum. 369 E. First Street, Los Angeles. 213-625-0414. This month’s theme is building and architecture.

March 13. 6 p.m. FREE weekly concerts at LACMA. These one-hour concerts are presented free to the public on Sundays in the Leo S. Bing Theater. This week: UCLA Philharmonia performs Bartók: Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta and Miraculous Mandarin Suite. Neal Stulberg, conductor.

March 15. 10:30-11:30 a.m. FREE. Toddler story time at Borders at the Northridge Mall. This week learn about St. Patrick’s Day.

March 17 (and subsequent Thursdays). 9:30-11:30 a.m. Free Mommy and Me Class at The Church on The Way for children under 5 years of age. Please bring a snack for your child. King’s Kid’s Building, West Campus, 14800 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, 91405. Call 818-779-8000 for more information.

Upcoming Events

March 19. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Huge used book sale at Mid Valley Regional Library. Children’s books are generally 25 cents each! 16244 Nordoff Street, North Hills. 818-895-3650.

April 22 - April 24. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Big Bunny’s Spring Fling at the Los Angeles Zoo. This event features bunny related crafts and activities including the Be-A-Bunny Ear Craft and Funny Bunny Face Painting. Children can also pet bunnies and plant their own carrot seeds to take home. In addition (for a nominal fee), Big Bunny will be available for souvenir photos. 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027. (323) 644-4200.

Kristin's Kickbacks List Week of 2-11

Activities

February 11. 6 to 9 p.m. Free admission to the Aquarium of the Pacific’s Friday Shark Lagoon Nights. The aquarium is free from 6pm to 9pm select Friday nights. Please note that while it is almost every Friday, some Fridays are excluded. Check the dates for availability before you go. Shark Lagoon Nights can be canceled due to poor weather. 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802.

February 12. 10 a.m. FREE Build and Grow Clinic at Lowes. Bring your child to Lowe's and they can build a project. The kids get goggles and an apron and a kit to build an item. They use hammers their size and get a patch afterward for completing the project.

February 12. 10 a.m. Free Glendale Snow Day at Brand Park. Over 60 tons of man-made snow will be brought into Brand Park! Children are invited and encouraged to make snowmen, toss snowballs, make snow angels, and play in the snow. Plastic discs are provided for the four downhill snow slides. There are two snow play areas: one for children under 5 and one for youngsters older than 5. Community display booths, hands-on-activities, entertainment, and refreshments will be available. This family fun event is for all ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult. There's no admission cost; however, there is a minimal charge for some of the day's activities. 1601 West Mountain Street, Glendale, CA 91201. For more information, call (818) 548-2792.

February 12. 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Free World City at W.M. Keck Foundation Children's Amphitheatre. New Orleans' Hot 8 Brass Band infuses their performances with the funk and energy that makes New Orleans music loved around the world. All tickets are free and are distributed on Grand Avenue at 2nd Street. Tickets for 11:00am performance distributed beginning at 10:00am. Tickets for 12:30pm performance distributed beginning at 11:00am. All performances subject to change. Walt Disney Concert Hall - W.M. Keck Foundation Children's Amphitheatre.111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012.

February 12. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free weekly crafts at Lakeshore on Saturdays! On the 12th, your child can make a Valentine's Day Bouquet.

February 12. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free Candy Land Day at Japanese American National Museum. This month’s Target free family Saturday is all about celebrating candy. Enjoy some sweets for your little sweets right before Valentine’s Day. The museum and exhibits are free all day, along with some special treats including a candy buffet, making a candy lei, folding an origami candy dish, mochi making (and tasting) and more! For all ages. 369 East First St., Los Angeles (Little Tokyo).

February 12. 2 p.m. Free. Wonderworld Puppets-Animal Tails at the Central Library. Enjoy a comical adaptation of “The Race of the Tortoise and the Hare,” followed by a presentation on making puppets at home with items found around the house. For kids in preschool - 6th grade. Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., Los Angeles (Downtown).

February 13. 6 p.m. $25 per couple. Marrieds Valentine Dinner at the Church on the Way in the Living Room, East Campus. Come to a wonderful dinner with special musical guests and touching stories and child care for birth through 6^th grade. Call 818-779-8095 for more information.

February 13. 6 p.m. FREE weekly concerts at LACMA. These one-hour concerts are presented free to the public on Sundays in the Leo S. Bing Theater. This week: The UCLA Virtuosi: Guillaume Sutre and Movses Pogossian, violins; Richard O'Neill and Alison Spieth, violas; Antonio Lysy and Jasmine Lau, cellos, perform Zeisll: Suite for String Quartet, and Brahms: String Sextet in B-flat major, Opus 18.

February 15. 10:30-11:30 a.m. FREE. Toddler story time at Borders at the Northridge Mall.

February 17 (and subsequent Thursdays). 9:30-11:30 a.m. Free Mommy and Me Class at The Church on The Way for children under 5 years of age. Please bring a snack for your child. King’s Kid’s Building, West Campus, 14800 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, 91405. Call 818-779-8000 for more information.

Ongoing Deals

February 15, 21, 22. Kids Eat Free at Chili’s restaurants on February 15th, 21st and and 22nd with the purchase of any adult entree. Kids 12 and under. 2 free kid’s meals per adult entree purchased. Not valid with any other offer or discount. I would call first to make sure your Chili’s is participating.

During the month of February, all regular footlong sandwiches at Subway are $5!

Upcoming Events

February 24-27. Valley Kids Consignment Premiere Event. Friday and Saturday, 9am-7pm, Sunday February 27th 2011 (50% off) 9am-5pm. 9660 Cozycroft Avenue, Chatsworth, CA 91311.

March 1. 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Free pancakes at IHOP! Receive one free short stack per person, no purchase necessary. Donations go to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities.

Kristin’s Kickbacks List Week of 12-31

Activities

December 13-January 9. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Science in Toyland at the California Science Center. In this exhibit, kids can play games while learning science concepts, like how to make bridges stronger or why tops spin. FREE! 700 Exposition Park Dr., L.A.

January 1. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Autry Museum is open and free for everyone! 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027. (323)667-2000.

January 1. 9 a.m. Get tickets for January free day for Huntington Gardens. Call 800-838-3006 or get tickets online at http://www.huntington.org/default.aspx.

January 1. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (different time because of the holiday). Home Depot's FREE Kids Workshop to make a battery organizer. The workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while at the same time helping to instill a sense of accomplishment. In addition to the newly constructed project kit, each child receives a kid-sized orange apron, similar to The Home Depot associates' aprons, and an achievement pin.

January 2. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. FREE ADMISSION to Japanese American National Museum. Ring in the New Year with fun arts and crafts, cooking workshops, and exciting performances. 369 East First Street, Los Angeles, 90012. 213-625-0414.

January 4. 10:30-11:30 a.m. FREE. Toddler story time at Borders at the Northridge Mall.

January 4. Free day for La Brea Tar Pits and the Natural History Museum.

January 4. 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Free evening at Kidspace Museum. This museum in Pasadena is a lot of fun for children and normally $10 a person, so this is a great deal! (It offers free admission the first Tuesday of the month from 4-8 p.m.) 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, 91103. (626) 449-9144. www.kidspacemuseum.org.

January 4. 5 p.m. FREE LEGO^® mini model build at the Glendale Galleria LEGO store, the first Tuesday of each month. One free per child. Event is open to children ages 6 to 14 only. 2148 Glendale Galleria, Glendale, 91210.
(818) 549-0733.

Ongoing Deals

L.A. County Junior Golf is a wonderful and free program! They are offering an afterschool weeklong program for children 18 and under starting in January at various golf courses. It is very well organized, with the children grouped by age and plenty of instructors. My boys (ages 4 & 7) participated this summer and loved it! (I got to sit and read a book, so I loved it too!) Here’s a link to the website: http://www.lacountyjuniorgolf.com/applications.htm Click on 2011 After School Free Programs Northern Section.