Top Picks For Families: January 3-10

Woah, did you say January? While many kids will be back at school this week, all of Los Angeles Unified School District students are still off. Here are some activities for families looking for something fun to do this week.

John Lithgow – Stories By Heart

Mark Taper Forum at the Music Center

135 N. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 628-2772
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Tony Award-winning actor John Lithgow stars in this one man show that the New York Times called "…a hilarious, 45-minute tour de force. Lithgow acts out all of the parts while telling several different stories. The show isn't for younger kids, but those who are ages 10 and up and love theatre are sure to be entertained.

Date: Jan. 4 through Feb. 13
Time: 8 p.m. Weeknights with matinees and evening shows on the weekend
Admission: $25 to $40

La Brea Tar Pits and Natural History Museum

The Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits

5801 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 934-7243
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The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

900 Exposition Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 763-DINO
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The first Tuesday of the month is free at the Tar Pits and Natural History Museum. The Natural History Museum has a story time from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Discovery Center, a children's area with hands-on exhibits. Or, families can learn The Amazing Story of Mammals, the museum's newest exhibit. It's amazing and months later my son is still talking about it. The Tar Pits has more than 3 million fossils from the last Ice Age and visitors can catch a glimpse of scientists working on a few in the Page Museum Laboratory.

Date: Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for both museums
Admission: Free the first Tuesdays of the month

Tykes on Trails – Children's Nature Institute

Franklin Canyon Park

2600 Franklin Canyon Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(213) 746-2966
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Tykes on Trails is a weekly program through the Children's Nature Institute and one that my kids loved. In the Wednesday class, parents and their children ages 2 to 4 can learn about birds native to the Franklin Canyon area. The 2 hour class includes a nature hike through Franklin Canyon. If a daytime adventure doesn't fit into the schedule, the Children's Nature Institute is also hosting a Moonlight Stroll at Malibu Lagoon State Beach on Saturday, Jan. 8.

Date: Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011
Time: 10 a.m. to noon
Admission: $25 for the first child and $10 for each additional child.

Fiesta de Los Tres Reyes

Avila Adobe

5801 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 934-7243
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Every year, families gather on Olvera Street to celebrate the Three Kings arrival in Bethlehem and the last day of Christmas. The celebration starts with a candlelight procession and a short play. After the procession, everyone can feast on Rosca de Reyes, a Mexican bread that is traditionally baked with a baby Jesus inside. Those who find the toy will win prizes.

Date: Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Admission: Free

Downtown on Ice – Soul Fire Community Chorus Singalong

Pershing Square

532 S Olive St.
Los Angeles, CA 90189
(213) 847-4970
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There are only 2 more weeks to pretend like LA has a real winter and go ice skating outside. The ice rink is open every day, but on Sunday the Downtown Los Angeles Soul Fire Community Chorus is hosting a community singalong. It was rescheduled after rain canceled the Dec. 21st scheduled performance. It's free and it's fabulous.

Date: Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011
Time: Skating, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sing-along, 5 p.m.
Admission: $6 skate session, $2 skate rental, Singalong, Free