Kristin's Kickbacks List Week of 7-13

Activities
 
July 13. 12 p.m.-3 p.m. Starbucks is introducing a new drink on Friday called Refreshers made from Green Coffee Extract.  You can get a free 12 oz. Refresher, either Cool Lime, which includes real lime, or Very Berry Hibiscus, which features whole blackberries. There is a limit of one drink per person, and it is available while supplies last. (Thanks to my brother Rick for this Kickback!)

July 13. 6 p.m. Free weekly jazz concerts at LACMA. BP Grand Entrance. No reservations needed.

July 14. 10 a.m. Big!World!Fun! Family Series: Contra-Tiempo at the Frod Amphitheatre.  Families can learn about Contra-Tiempo, which combines sales, Afro-Cuban and modern dance into something fresh and fun.  Pre-show activities begin at 9 a.m. $5 for adults, free for children.  2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood. (Not sure if there is a fee for parking.)

July 14 (and every Saturday). 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Make a free craft at Lakeshore Learning Store. There is a store on Devonshire near Balboa and another in Pasadena. Check out their website for more information. www.lakeshorelearning.com

July 14. 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Latin Sounds in Hancock Park. (Free event every Saturday 5 pm–7 pm, May through September). This week: Louie Cruz Beltran. Dorothy Collins Brown Amphitheater at LACMA, in Hancock Park north of the museum.

July 14. 7 p.m. Movies on the Green at Warner Center Park.  Enjoy watching Hugo for free.  5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills.

July 15. 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. If you don’t make it there, you can also listen online for free at: http://www.lacma.org/programs/SundaysLive.aspx#audio

July 16. 10 a.m. Monday Morning Concert at the Madrid Theatre in Canoga Park. Admission is first-come, first-served basis. I usually go around 9:30 and bring coins for parking meters (the meters now accept credit cards as well).  21622 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA 91303 – 818-347-9938.

July 17. 10 a.m. Cinemark Theaters is once again doing their Summer Movie Clubhouse. You can enjoy 10 weeks of summer movies for kids on Tuesdays with a punch card for only $5 (purchased in advance – otherwise pay $1 per movie at the box office). There is a Cinemark in North Hollywood.  The address is 12827 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91606. 818-508-1943.

July 17. 6 p.m. Family Tuesdays at Descanso Gardens. These hands-on activities and performances are sure to entertain children of all ages (and grownups too!) Picnics are encouraged while kids and adults enjoy a variety of music, theater and garden events. All performances are free with admission and begin at 6 p.m. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission prices: General $8. Senior/Students $6. Children (5 to 12 years) $3. No cost for parking. 1418 Descanso Drive,La Cañada Flintridge, 91011.

July 17-18. 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. http://www.regmovies.com/summermovieexpress/

July 19. 6 p.m. Enjoy 10 cool Thursday evenings in the Gardens with live music from some of best jazz artists in the Southland. Descanso Gardens welcomes back some fan favorites from summers past, and some faces new to the Main Lawn. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring blankets, picnics and friends to savor the sounds of jazz! All concerts are free with admission and begin at 6 p.m. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission prices: General $8. Senior/Students $6. Children (5 to 12 years) $3. No cost for parking. 1418 Descanso Drive,La Cañada Flintridge, 91011.

Ongoing Deals

Here’s a bowling deal Brenda told me about. Children 16 and under get 2 free games a day, shoe rental is not included, from May to September (the dates are on the website). Also there is a plan for 17 years and older. Check out the details at www.freebowling.amf.com

Upcoming Events

July 20. 7 p.m. Dive-in Movie Night at Santa Clarita Aquatic Center. 20850 Centre Pointe Parkway. 661-250-3766. Enjoy Toy Story 3 (PG) on the big screen while you float in the pool or lounge on the deck. No outside food or drink allowed; concession stand will be open. $7 per person.

JC Penney has announced that it will be offering free haircuts to children (grades K-6th) during the month of August.  Make sure to call your local salon to confirm participation and set up an appointment. (Thanks to Common Sense with Money for this deal idea!)

Kristin's Kickbacks List Week of 6-29

Activities

June 29. 6 p.m. Free weekly jazz concerts at LACMA. BP Grand Entrance. No reservations needed.

June 29. 7 p.m. Dive-in Movie Night at Santa Clarita Aquatic Center. 20850 Centre Pointe Parkway. 661-250-3766. Enjoy How to Train Your Dragon (PG) on the big screen while you float in the pool or lounge on the deck. No outside food or drink allowed; concession stand will be open. $7 per person.

June 30. All day. Old Navy. $1 solid flip-flops for the family. In stores only.

June 30 (and every Saturday). 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Make a free craft at Lakeshore Learning Store. There is a store on Devonshire near Balboa and another in Pasadena. Check out their website for more information. www.lakeshorelearning.com

June 30. 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Latin Sounds in Hancock Park. (Free event every Saturday 5 pm–7 pm, May through September). This week: Louie Cruz Beltran. Dorothy Collins Brown Amphitheater at LACMA, in Hancock Park north of the museum.

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

July 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. If you don’t make it there, you can also listen online for free at: http://www.lacma.org/programs/SundaysLive.aspx#audio

July 2. No Monday Morning Concert at the Madrid Theatre in Canoga Park this week because of the holiday.

July 3. 10 a.m. Cinemark Theaters is once again doing their Summer Movie Clubhouse. You can enjoy 10 weeks of summer movies for kids on Tuesdays with a punch card for only $5 (purchased in advance – otherwise pay $1 per movie at the box office). There is a Cinemark in North Hollywood.  The address is 12827 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91606. 818-508-1943.

July 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.

July 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.

July 3. 6 p.m. Family Tuesdays at Descanso Gardens. These hands-on activities and performances are sure to entertain children of all ages (and grownups too!) Picnics are encouraged while kids and adults enjoy a variety of music, theater and garden events. All performances are free with admission and begin at 6 p.m. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission prices: General $8. Senior/Students $6. Children (5 to 12 years) $3. No cost for parking. 1418 Descanso Drive,La Cañada Flintridge, 91011.

July 3-4. 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.

July 4. All day. $2 ice blended drinks at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, with $1 of each drink going to Operation Homefront. Offer valid only participating retail locations. Not valid in Ralphs, airport and Hawaii locations. Valid only on July 4, 2012. Offer applies to one (1) 12oz Ice Blended drink only.

10th Annual Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza
Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (Exposition Park)
When: July 4, noon-10 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Parking: $10 (8 a.m.-5 p.m.), free after 5 p.m.
Details: Beginning at noon, KJLH will present live entertainment on stage at the east end of Christmas Tree Lane, just north of the Sports Arena. There will be food vendors and activities for kids of all ages. The fireworks show will get underway at around 9 p.m. and will feature a full 60 minute pyrotechnic display set to music.

18th Annual Hansen Dam Fireworks Spectacular
Where: Hansen Dam Recreation Center
When: July 4, 2 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Parking: $10
Details: A fun-filled, family-friendly event highlighted by the “Spirit of America” fireworks show. Includes a hometown hero award presentation for Ritchie Valens, Isaac Avila,Marie Harris, Lily Rodriguez and the Alfred Anthony Flores Jr. Scholarship. Cool off with a swim in the 1.5-acre lake, then enjoy music performances, military flyover, food vendors, exhibitors, waterslide kid zone, raffles and more. 

14th Annual 4th of July Spectacular presented by Shepherd of the Hills Church and Shapell Homes; one the largest 4th of July shows in all of Southern California. This event features an aerial fireworks presentation, inflatable "moon bounces" for the kids and a wide variety of local food vendors. Gates open at 4:30 p.m.

You can bring lawn chairs, blankets, sun umbrellas (taken down at dusk), food & drinks, cooler (will be searched) and sunscreen.  No alcohol, glass bottles or animals.

We have FREE ample parking all around the event. You may park your car in the lot on the NW corner of Rinaldi Street and Porter Ranch Drive or in the Town Center parking lot (where signs indicate). There is also parking along the East-side of Corbin Avenue.

July 5. 6 p.m. Enjoy 10 cool Thursday evenings in the Gardens with live music from some of best jazz artists in the Southland. Descanso Gardens welcomes back some fan favorites from summers past, and some faces new to the Main Lawn. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring blankets, picnics and friends to savor the sounds of jazz! All concerts are free with admission and begin at 6 p.m. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission prices: General $8. Senior/Students $6. Children (5 to 12 years) $3. No cost for parking. 1418 Descanso Drive,La Cañada Flintridge, 91011.

Ongoing Deals

Here’s a bowling deal Brenda told me about. Children 16 and under get 2 free games a day, shoe rental is not included, from May to September (the dates are on the website). Also there is a plan for 17 years and older. Check out the details at www.freebowling.amf.com

We are members of the L.A. Zoo.  We received an email with a promo code for anyone who is interested becoming a member. Offer expires June 30, 2012.  You can save $10 on the cost of the membership by using this code:  11203FFW  

Coffee Deals

At Target Starbucks locations, buy a Frappuccino and get one free for your friend. Offer good through July 2nd at participating locations.

Get $1 off each Frappuccino at Starbucks when you buy 2 or more at once. Good thru July 1st!

 

Kristin's Kickbacks List Week of 6-22

Activities

June 22. 6 p.m. Free weekly jazz concerts at LACMA. BP Grand Entrance. No reservations needed.

June 23. 8:45 a.m.-10:15 a.m. Free used children's clothing at WellSpring Church. From infant to kids size 16 (boys and girls). We have hundreds of pieces. Pants, shorts, shirts, blouses, shoes, and jackets. Come by and take what you need. If you have kid's clothing you would like to donate, that would be great. 11451 Woodley Avenue, Granada Hills, CA 91344.

June 23 (and every Saturday). 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Make a free craft at Lakeshore Learning Store. There is a store on Devonshire near Balboa and another in Pasadena. Check out their website for more information. www.lakeshorelearning.com

June 23. 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Latin Sounds in Hancock Park. (Free event every Saturday 5 pm–7 pm, May through September). This week: Louie Cruz Beltran. Dorothy Collins Brown Amphitheater at LACMA, in Hancock Park north of the museum.

June 23. 10 a.m. FREE Build and Grow Clinic at Lowes. Bring your child to Lowes 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. Lowes has changed their policy.  If you do not sign up ahead, you’ll need to wait until 10:15 and then if there are projects left you can make one.  Also, you need to make the project there. 

June 24.  2 p.m. Lowes has added a day to their free Build and Grow Clinics! Bring your child to Lowes 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. Lowes has changed their policy.  If you do not sign up ahead, you’ll need to wait until 10:15 and then if there are projects left you can make one.  Also, you need to make the project there. 

June 24. 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. If you don’t make it there, you can also listen online for free at: http://www.lacma.org/programs/SundaysLive.aspx#audio

June 25. 10 a.m. FREE Monday Morning Concert for children at the Madrid Theatre in Canoga Park.  Admission is first-come, first-served basis. I usually go around 9:30 and bring coins for parking meters.  21622 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA 91303 – 818-347-9938.

June 26. 10 a.m. Cinemark Theaters is once again doing their Summer Movie Clubhouse. You can enjoy 10 weeks of summer movies for kids on Tuesdays with a punch card for only $5 (purchased in advance – otherwise pay $1 per movie at the box office). There is a Cinemark in North Hollywood.  The address is 12827 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91606. 818-508-1943.

June 26. 6 p.m. Family Tuesdays at Descanso Gardens. These hands-on activities and performances are sure to entertain children of all ages (and grownups too!) Picnics are encouraged while kids and adults enjoy a variety of music, theater and garden events. All performances are free with admission and begin at 6 p.m. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. This week: A Faery Hunt Theater. Story telling, singing, games and more with a whole cast of colorful faeries. Admission prices: General $8. Senior/Students $6. Children (5 to 12 years) $3. No cost for parking. 1418 Descanso Drive,La Cañada Flintridge, 91011.

June 26-27. 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. are playing at the Civic Center Stadium 16 in Simi Valley at 2751 Tapo Cyn Road. are playing at the Canyon Country Stadium 10 at 18800 Soledad Canyon Road in Santa Clarita. are playing at the Grand Palace Stadium 6 at 4767 Commons Way in Calabasas.

June 28. 6 p.m. Enjoy 10 cool Thursday evenings in the Gardens with live music from some of best jazz artists in the Southland. Descanso Gardens welcomes back some fan favorites from summers past, and some faces new to the Main Lawn. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring blankets, picnics and friends to savor the sounds of jazz! All concerts are free with admission and begin at 6 p.m. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. This week: Tony Guerrero, performing funk music. Admission prices: General $8. Senior/Students $6. Children (5 to 12 years) $3. No cost for parking. 1418 Descanso Drive,La Cañada Flintridge, 91011.

Ongoing Deals

Here’s a bowling deal Brenda told me about. Children 16 and under get 2 free games a day, shoe rental is not included, from May to September (the dates are on the website). Also there is a plan for 17 years and older. Check out the details at www.freebowling.amf.com

We are members of the L.A. Zoo.  We received an email with a promo code for anyone who is interested becoming a member. Offer expires June 30, 2012.  You can save $10 on the cost of the membership by using this code:  11203FFW  

 

 

 

Kristin's Kickbacks List Week of 6-15

Activities

June 15. 6 p.m. Free weekly jazz concerts at LACMA. BP Grand Entrance. No reservations needed.

 June 15. 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.

 June 16 (and every Saturday). 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Make a free craft at Lakeshore Learning Store. There is a store on Devonshire near Balboa and another in Pasadena. Check out their website for more information. www.lakeshorelearning.com

June 16. 12 p.m.-8 p.m. LACMA’s  Free annual ArtWalk invites art aficionados of all kind to a day and night filled with exciting programs. ArtWalk includes live music, dance performances, and interactive art projects at LACMA and in neighboring galleries along the Miracle Mile.Admission to LACMA, the Architecture+Design Museum, and the Craft and Folk Art Museum is free during ArtWalk, plus more than twenty galleries and businesses on Wilshire Boulevard and La Brea Avenue are participating. Take part in the ForYourArt aMUSEment Hunt—an activity to encourage families, neighbors, artists, and ArtWalkers to visit all of the participating Miracle Mile destinations! Walkers receive a sticker for all the museums and galleries they visit to place on their map, redeemable for prizes of original prints, catalogues, tote bags, foot massage gift certificates, museum admission tickets, and memberships from the ForYourArt space at 6020 Wilshire Blvd.

June 16. 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Latin Sounds in Hancock Park. (Free event every Saturday 5 pm–7 pm, May through September). This week: Louie Cruz Beltran. Dorothy Collins Brown Amphitheater at LACMA, in Hancock Park north of the museum.

June 17. 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. If you don’t make it there, you can also listen online for free at: http://www.lacma.org/programs/SundaysLive.aspx#audio

June 18. 10 a.m. FREE Monday Morning Concert for children at the Madrid Theatre in Canoga Park.  Admission is first-come, first-served basis. I usually go around 9:30 and bring coins for parking meters.  21622 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA 91303 – 818-347-9938.

June 19. 10 a.m. Cinemark Theaters is once again doing their Summer Movie Clubhouse. You can enjoy 10 weeks of summer movies for kids on Tuesdays with a punch card for only $5 (purchased in advance – otherwise pay $1 per movie at the box office). There is a Cinemark in North Hollywood.  The address is 12827 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91606. 818-508-1943.

June 19-20. 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.

 Jun 21. 4 p.m.-5 p.m. - Bubblemania! At the West Valley Regional Library.
19036 Vanowen, Reseda, CA 91335. (818) 345-9806. Bubblemania is here to kick-off the children's summer reading club! Bubblemania offers an educational, entertaining program on the science and fun of soap bubbles for children of all ages! Enjoy the program and sign up for the Summer Reading Club! This is usually busy so come early.  (Thanks to Nikki for this kickback!)

Ongoing Deals

Here’s a bowling deal Brenda told me about. Children 16 and under get 2 free games a day, shoe rental is not included, from May to September (the dates are on the website). Also there is a plan for 17 years and older. Check out the details at www.freebowling.amf.com

We are members of the L.A. Zoo.  We received an email with a promo code for anyone who is interested becoming a member. Offer expires June 30, 2012.  You can save $10 on the cost of the membership by using this code:  11203FFW  

 

 

 

Kristin’s Kickbacks: Free and Inexpensive Summer Ideas

Bowling

● Kids bowl free program.  Select bowling centers and schools around the country are participating in the Kids Bowl Free program. Children are eligible to register for 2 free games a day, all summer long.  Check out the website to find a participating bowling alley near you! http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/

●Brunswick offers free bowling for kids during the summer! Students 18 and younger get one free game of bowling every day in June, July and August when you sign up for the bowling zone on their website.  They will also send you coupons throughout the year for discounted bowling. http://coupons.bowlbrunswick.com/ballpass/

Concerts

● LACMA has several free concerts throughout the summer.  Check their website for more details. http://www.lacma.org/

● Free Concerts in the Park in Santa Clarita at Central Park on Saturday nights at 7 p.m. from July 7 to August 25. 27150 Bouquet Canyon Rd., Santa Clarita.   http://www.santa-clarita.com/arts/concerts/

● Free Concerts in Park at Warner Center Park on Sundays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Woodland Hills.

● Jazz at Descanso Gardens. Enjoy live jazz on Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. from June 21-August 23. Concerts are free with paid admission to the Gardens and free for members. 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, 91011. (818) 949-4200.

● FREE Monday Morning Concerts for Children are back from June 18th – August 13^th at the Madrid Theatre! 21622 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA 91303. 818-347-9938. Show time 10 AM until 11 AM. Recommended for children 6 to 9 years old. Monday Morning Concerts consist of a performance, a brief history lesson on the musical and cultural style being presented, and a question and answer session with the performers. Often children are invited on stage to be part of the experience.

● Thursday night summer concerts at the Autry Museum from 6-9 p.m. July 5-August 30 (across from L.A. Zoo). The taco bar opens at 6 p.m., and the museum and museum store close at 8 p.m. Complimentary dance lessons and a separate dance floor for kids guarantee fun for all! Free for Autry members / $10 for adults, children 3-12 are $4. 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, 90027.  http://theautry.org/programs/music-festivals/sizzling-summer-nights

● The Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts-Pasadena is proud to present its 10th annual 50 summer concert series. All concerts are FREE to the public beginning June 16 to August 25, Wednesday through Sunday. Enjoy an evening under the stars at Memorial Park in Old Pasadena while listening to quality entertainment ranging from Grammy winners and nominees, to international touring artists, and local favorites! 323-667-2000. http://www.levittpavilionpasadena.org/

Gardens

● Admission to The Huntington is free to all visitors on the first Thursday of every month with advanced tickets.  Get tickets June 1^st for July free day at 9 a.m.  Call 800-838-3006 or get tickets online at http://www.huntington.org/default.aspx. 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, 91108. 626-405-2100.

● Los Angeles Arboretum.  Free parking.  Admission free on the third Tuesday of the month. 301 North Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, 91007. (626) 821-3222.

● Descanso Gardens in La Canada.  Open daily from 9 to 5.  Adults $8, Children 5 to 12 $3, under 5 free.  Parking is free.  They also have musical events, some of which are free with admission. 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, 91011. (818) 949-4200.

Movies

● Free Movies in the Park at Warner Center Park on Saturday evenings from 7-10 p.m., July 14-August 25. All movie start times are at dusk. Pre-feature entertainment begins at approximately 7 PM. 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Woodland Hills.

● $1 movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at the Regal Theatres in Simi Valley, Calabasas and Santa Clarita.  Older G and PG movies.  Check their website for schedule. http://www.regmovies.com/SummerMovieExpress2012.aspx

Museums

● Kidspace Museum in Pasadena—free admission on first Tuesday of the month from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. 480 N. Arroyo Boulevard, Pasadena, 91103. (626) 449-9144.

● Noah’s Ark at the Skirball Museum.  Free on Thursdays.  Advance tickets required. 2701 North Sepulveda Boulevard, Los Angeles, 90049. (310) 440-4500.

● California Science Center.  Free admission. Open from 10 to 5.  Parking is $8. 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, 90037. (323) 724-3623.

● Getty Museum in Brentwood and Getty Villa near Malibu.  Admission is free.  Villa requires reservations.  Parking is $15. Getty Center is at 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 440-7300. Getty Villa is at 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades. (310) 440-7300.

● Natural History Museum in Exposition Park is free on the first Tuesday of the month. Parking is $10. 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles. (213) 763-3466.

● La Brea Tar Pits is also free on the first Tuesday of the month. Parking is $6.00 with Page Museum validation (Page Museum parking lot only), $9.00 without Page Museum validation. Be sure to bring your parking ticket into the museum to receive your validation and get $2 off the cost of parking. 5801 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles. (323) 934-7243.

● LACMA is free on the second Tuesday of the month, as well as Holiday Mondays. Parking is now available in the new 6th Street parking garage, located just east of Fairfax Avenue. The charge is $10 and may be prepaid at all Welcome Centers, with credit cards now accepted.  5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles. (323) 857-6000.

● Did you know your children can get a free membership to LACMA?  NexGen offers free general admission to anyone 17 and under as well as one accompanying adult. To join, visit the LACMA box office or print the enrollment form and mail it in. Here’s the link for the enrollment form: http://www.lacma.org/programs/pdfs/NewEnglishNexGenForm.pdf

Water Fun

● New pool and aquatic center at Northridge Park. 10058 Reseda Blvd. Northridge, CA 91324. 818-709-7475. Call to find out hours and prices, as they do not have a great website. Bring a library card for discounts! 

● Aquatic center in Santa Clarita. $4 for adults, $3 for kids, 2 and under free.  (These were last year’s prices.  Hopefully the same this summer). Family Movie Nights at Aquatic center-- $7 a person, various dates. 20850 Centre Pointe Parkway, Santa Clarita. 661-250-3766.

● Rancho Tapo Community Park—Water & Climbing Playground.  3700 Avenida Simi, Simi Valley. (Also known as Lemon Park)

Other Discounts

● Miniature golfing at Castle Park in Sherman Oaks.  Weekend Early Birds $3 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. 

● Griffith Observatory.  Open Wednesday-Friday 12 noon to 10 p.m., Sat. and Sun. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Free admission.

Kristin’s Kickbacks 5-4

Activities

May 4-May 13. 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. Starbucks Happy Hour.  You’ll be able to get your Frappucino for 50% off! (Thanks To Frugal Girls for this kickback!)

May 4-12.  Various Mother’s Day crafts events at Michaels arts and crafts store.  Some are free, some require a purchase.  Check out the link for details.  http://www.michaels.com/Store-Events/store-events,default,pg.html

May 5. 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 5. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. CAAM’s Free Annual Celebration of National Children’s Book Week.  There will be celebrity readers, local authors and storytelling, along with live music, art activities and other things for families. California African American Museum. 600 State Drive, Exposition Park, L.A. 213-744-2024. (You probably have to pay for parking, which I believe is $10 now).

May 5 (and every Saturday). 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Make a free craft at Lakeshore Learning Store. There is a store on Devonshire near Balboa and another in Pasadena. Check out their website for more information. (Next week on May 12 the children are making a handprint keepsake that looks cute!) www.lakeshorelearning.com

May 5-6. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sesame Street Live Weekend at the L.A. Zoo.  Bert, Ernie and Grover will be there to take pictures with you.  Admission to zoo: $16 adults, $11 children ages 2-12 (or get a discount on membership using the code below).

May 6. 12 noon-2 p.m. Sunday Afternoon for Kids: All That Can Live ON a Page. Writer/illustrator Lee-Roy Lahey shows kids how to create genre-based comics. Ages 8-13. Free event at the Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 310-305-8418.

May 10 (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.

May 10. 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Participating Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf locations will be selling 12 oz. Cookies & Cream Ice Blended or Mocha Mudslide Ice Blended for just $1 each.  (Note: I have seen a flyer posted on a deal site I follow, but I have not been able to verify it directly.  Hopefully it’s happening near us! I would call ahead before going.)

On May 11th, you can get free admission to a garden near you! Descanso Gardens is one of the beautiful gardens nearby, in La Canada. You need to follow the directions to get a coupon ahead of time. Here’s the link. http://www.bhg.com/gardening/celebrate-national-public-gardens-day/

Ongoing Deals

We are members of the L.A. Zoo.  We received an email with a promo code for anyone who is interested becoming a member. Offer expires June 30, 2012.  You can save $10 on the cost of the membership by using this code:  11203FFW  

Upcoming Events

May 20. 12 noon-5 p.m. MOTA Day!  The five MOTA institutions (Museums of the Arroyo) will all offer a free day of activities and free entrance!  Shuttle service will be provided, offering one way to get to all of the locations. Great interest in MOTA Day is expected, so visitors are advised to arrive early.  For more information, got to www.museumsofthearroyo.com  This includes The Gamble House, Heritage Square Museum, The Los Angeles Police Museum, The Lummis Home and Garden and the Pasadena Museum of History. 

Kristin's Kickbacks List Week of 4-20

Activities

March 17 to April 29. Kidspace guests can adopt a live caterpillar and purchase a caterpillar care kit for $4.00 each at the Busy Bee Learning Store. Kidspace admission cost is not required to purchase a caterpillar and care kit. Children can create their own habitat for their adopted caterpillar, and while caring for it at home, they can watch the magic of metamorphosis as the caterpillar grows, forms a chrysalis, and then emerges as an adult Painted Lady butterfly. Here’s a coupon for $3 off admission. http://readysetgrowla.org/coupons-partners/kidspace.html

April 21. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free Earth Day Expo in Deukmejian Park. The whole family can enjoy nature crafts, exhibits, displays and short hikes, while exploring nature. 3429 Markridge Road, La Crescenta.

April 21-April 22. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Zoo open until 5 p.m.) Earth Day Expo Weekend @ LA Zoo. Join the L.A. Zoo and K-EARTH101 FM for two days of music, entertainment, and education that celebrates California wildlife. Visit the Zoo’s featured animal booths, including harbor seals, California condors, California brown pelicans, California desert tortoise, Channel Island foxes, and bighorn sheep. Have your face painted, create a tie-dye t-shirt, and meet your favorite disc jockey at the K-EARTH 101 FM activity booths. Learn about healthy minds, bodies and living in an interactive family-friendly environment! Receive a FREE activity book and learn to make recycling part of your everyday life.5333 Zoo Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90027. Free with paid admission to the Zoo. (Or become a member. See code above to save $10 off a family membership!) For more info: http://lazoo.org/calendar/index.html (Thanks to Macaroni Kid for this kickback!)

April 21-22. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.(until 6 p.m. on Saturday). Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at USC. The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is a free, public festival celebrating the written word. It features vendors, authors and publishers. There is storytelling and performances for children as well. Parking at the USC campus will be $10. http://events.latimes.com/festivalofbooks/

April 22. 12 noon-4 p.m. Free Family Festival at the Pacific Asia Museum. Salute the centennial of Japan’s gift of more than 3,000 cherry trees with a day filled with craft-making, performances, demonstrations and other activities. 46 N. Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena.

April 22. 11:30 a.m. Earth Day Celebration. Adults can learn about water conservation, smart gardening, comp9sting and other sustainability topics while kids can enjoy children’s activities or find something to buy at a plant sale. Free. Legacy Park, 23500 Civic Center Way, Malibu, 310-317-1364.

April 26. Pretzelmaker freebie – National Pretzel Day is April 26. Visit your local Pretzelmaker, sing a snippet from a song of or show off your latest dances moves and receive a free soft pretzel (standard salted or unsalted) while supplies last. Don’t want to sing or dance? Just say “National Pretzel Day” to receive your free pretzel. There are stores at the Burbank Town Center, the Sherman Oaks Galleria, and the Fashion Square at Sherman Oaks, to name a few.

http://www.nationalpretzelday.com/

April 26 (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

We are members of the L.A. Zoo. We received an email with a promo code for anyone who is interested becoming a member. You can save $10 on the cost of the membership by using this code: 11203FFW

Check out the following website to SAVE up to 50%on LA's best arts and culture. Now through April 30, 2012. This includes discounts to Zimmer Children’s Museum, Aquarium of the Pacific, and many more! http://www.discoverlosangeles.com/thearts/#1

Upcoming Events

April 28. 6 p.m. Christian Performing Arts Center’s Spring Concert. Tickets are $10 for adults, free for children ages 6 and under. Features the CPAC singers, guitar classes and solo vocal performances. Hope Chapel, 7930 Mason Avenue, in the city of Winnetka, between Roscoe and Saticoy. (Thanks to Randi for this kickback!)

April 28. 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. I would recommend trying to sign up online and getting there early.

April 28. World City. 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. This performance offers a passage to India with the Ragamala Dance company. Free tickets will be distributed starting at 10 a.m. for the 11 a.m. show and and 11 a.m. for the 12:30 show. Kick Amphitheatre, Disney Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. www.musiccenter.org/worldcity

April 28- April 29. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Heritage Days @ Pierce College. The Civil War springs to life at Pierce Farm Center. Hundreds of re-enactors will recreate the epic conflict of the American Civil War on the broad fields of Pierce College. Visitors will view exciting cavalry charges, artillery barrages, and infantry assaults that were part of America's watershed event, one that transformed a mere union of states into a nation! Pierce College - 20800 Victory Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA 91367. Admission - $8-$12. For more info or to buy tickets: http://www.piercefarmcenter.com/ (Thanks to Macaroni Kid for this kickback!)

L.A. County Junior Golf is a wonderful and free program and signups are happening now for the summer! They are offering summer weeklong program for children 18 and under at various golf courses. It is very well organized, with the children grouped by age and plenty of instructors. My boys (ages 6 & 8) love 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 2012 Summer Schedule available in February 2012 Northern Section.