From a Family Weekend Workshop at one of our favorite LA museums to a street party (plus Pinewood derby!) in Los Feliz, we’ve rounded up all the fun and free things to do with kids in October. Read on for all the details on what to do with kids this month—besides visiting a pumpkin patch, of course.
Sat., Oct. 5: Franklin Ave. Elementary School is opening its yard and shutting down Commonwealth Ave. in Los Feliz for a massive fall celebration. In addition to food trucks and live music, there will be a 250 ft. zip line, mini go-carts, bungee jumping, inflatables and carnival games for kids of all ages. And all for free!
Sat., Oct. 5: Head to downtown LA's oldest street to discover unique artwork, jewelry and decor, along with and Dia de Los Muertos-themed pieces from local artisans. The family-friendly event will also offer face painting, food from nearby restaurants and music and dance performances throughout the day!
Sat. & Sun., Oct. 5 & 6: The museum's popular workshops are back this month. Kids ages 3 and up can make their own souvenirs, inspired by works in the Broad collection. There will be fun printmaking and collage crafts inspired by Andy Warhol, Jenny Holzer, Takashi Murakami and Mark Bradford. Walk-up entries available on a first-come, first-served basis; reservations recommended.
221 S. Grand Ave. Los Angeles Online: thebroad.org
Sun., Oct. 6: This special edition of CicLAvia takes you along the popular Heart of LA route to explore downton neighborhoods including Chinatown, Little Tokyo and the Arts District. You can scoot, stroll, bike or board as much or as little of the stretch as you want. Along the way, there will be a kids bike safety skills course and free helmets (while supplies last), vintage board games, arts and crafts and so much more.
Sat. & Sun., Oct. 12 & 13: Stop by the Original Farmers Market for a down-home fall festival right near The Grove. There will be a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, arts and crafts, a pie-eating contests and live music. Yeehaw!
Sun., Oct. 13: All aboard! The popular Griffith Park train museum (a fave of train-obsessed kids) is hosting a special celebration for the 150th anniversary of the transcontinental railroad. In addition to exploring all of Travel Town's historic engines and train cars, little ones can hear live music, see demos by woodcarvers and blacksmiths and checkout fire trucks, police cars and police ranger vehicles. Transportation at its finest!
Sat., Oct. 19: It's a party for LA's favorite big cat, the famous P-22 mountain lion who calls Griffith Park home. Join thousands of Angelenos at Shane's Inspiration where there will be live music, a rock-climbing wall, art activities, a chance to meet Ranger Rick and P-22 (the costumed versions) and more. It's going to be wild!
Sun., Oct. 20: With a $5 donation per person, your little do-gooders can join Project Giving Kids for an afternoon of hands-on service curated especially for kids and families. Help put together hygiene kits for people in need, craft no-sew blankets for shelter animals, decorate lunch bags for hungry Angelenos and much more. Kids as young as 3 are invited to #CreateTheChange. Get the details here.
Sat., Oct. 26: Pop over to The Broad Stage for POP, free hour-long gatherings, highlighting local artists, bands, community groups and flavors, following select matinee performances. The first POP event will be at 4p.m. on Sat., October 26, following a performance of Gravity & Other Myths: Backbone.
Tues., Oct. 29: It's a Halloween Hootenanny courtesy of Bob Baker's marionettes. Prepare to see witches, skeletons and Dracula, all on strings. Come in costume and get ready for a not-too-scary good time! Get more event details here.
One Colorado Courtyard 41 Hugus Alley Pasadena Online: onecolorado.com
Looking for more fun things to do with kids in LA? Check out our entire event calendar.
