Supporting City Charities Through Family Activities

Gee, what could be more fun than spring break with the kids? Those beautiful kids leaping on the couch, combating with each other, making a mess everywhere they go. It's enough to drive a parent wild. So, get out of your home. Here's a list of things you can do with the rugrats free of charge, and they're fun, too.

The outdoor park is complimentary to check out every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Kids enjoy this place since it was created for them, and you most likely will too. All irreversible exhibitions are totally free, but there's an additional charge for the IMAX theater shows and some destinations.

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700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles. Get those ya-yas out by treking the routes around the Upper Back Bay in Newport Beach, and visiting the kid-friendly Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach. Paths are open every day from 7 a.m. to sunset. The center is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 a.m.

Free parking. If you're fortunate, you may see gray whales offshore here at this time of year. You'll see whale watchers on the patio with their telescopes and binoculars. The little however interesting museum checks out the history of the location, including the now-defunct Marineland. It's a beautiful drive to arrive, and picnic tables for lunch.

to 5 p.m. 31501 Palos Verdes Drive West, Rancho Palos Verdes. Bring the kids to the Centennial Farm at the OC Fair & Event Center. The tour and parking are free on Discovery Days, when "farmers" are stationed around the 3-acre working demonstration farm to respond to questions. Upon check-in, you will get a map to aid you in seeing all Centennial Farm needs to use.

Get all set for a Nature Scavenger Hunt at the Upper Newport Bay from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Look for special interpretive tables and posts along tracks around the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive.

Free parking. Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach. 4:30 -6 p.m. Decorate a terracotta pot with paint pens.

Artistic Activities to Enjoy Moments With Local Kids

Register here: Bring a jacket and enjoy the telescopes and specialist assistance at a "Starr Party" at Caspers Wilderness Park from 7-9:30 p.m. Free admission, but parking is $5.

Harsh weather condition cancels. Call 949-923-2210 to confirm the party's on. 33401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. Reserve here: The "Little Sprouts Seed Library" opens for the season today. Kids can pick from a range of seeds offered to take home and grow their own gardens (while supplies last). Discover it in the kids's department of the Temecula Library, open 10 a.m.

30600 Pauba Roadway, Temecula. How about a scavenger hunt for teenagers at the Teen Egg-Venture? Look for clues inside your home at the Ronald J. Parks Neighborhood Entertainment Center at 7 p.m. to win prizes, then take pleasure in an image cubicle, video games, dodgeball, Karaoke and more up until 9 p.m. 30875 Rancho Vista Road, Temecula.

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to 2 p.m. at William S. Hart Park. There will be a timed egg scramble for kids ages 10 and under, fun art activities, a kids play zone, live student musical, dance efficiencies, a community walking at 10:30 a.m. and more. 24151 N. Newhall Ave., Newhall Easter Egg Hunts at 3 parks, for children as much as 12 years of ages.

Events begin at 9:30 a.m. and the hunting begins at 10 a.m. sharp. The hunts will be divided by age and there's also a special needs location. Places: Temeku Hills Park, 31367 La Serena Method; Patricia H. Birdsall Sports Park, 32380 Deer Hollow Method, Harveston Community Park, 28582 Harveston Drive. .

This is just two of the lots of complimentary events and activities taking place throughout Orange County moneyed by public tax dollars.

Keep cranking up the volume on what's occurring behind the scenes in Orange County with the Morning Report newsletter. Weekly, Voice of OC press reporters strive to help citizens stay linked to upcoming civic events, putting locals in a position to save tax dollars and hold leaders accountable. You can cut through the noise every early morning by checking out the totally free Voice of OC day-to-day email newsletter.

That same kind of watchdog reporting now fuels a lively weekend calendar, choc complete of complimentary public services and assets your tax dollars financing. Here are a few notable totally free events happening this weekend.

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March 14, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 363 Glenneyre St., Laguna Beach, CA 92651 Free For more details, call the library at (949) 497-1733 Take the kids to play board video games at the Newport Beach Public Library's main branch. March 14, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 1000 Avocado Ave, Newport Beach, CA 92660 Free For more details, call the library at (949) 717-3800 From regional politics to the individuals and policies forming our everyday livesit's all in The Early morning Report.

Registration is required.

to 3:00 p.m. Hangar 244, 8000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine, CA 92618 Free For more details, contact Orange County Archives in Action at Volunteer to remove weeds and trim shrubs at Irvine Regional Park's Habitat Experience Trail. Those that volunteer are recommended to bring gardening gloves, water, sun block, treats and wear long trousers.

With, you clearly you care about holding power to account and protecting public interest in Orange County. Support brave, extensive reporting by making a tax-deductible donation. The program will start near parking area G at the Environment Experience Path trailhead. Registration is required. Parking is totally free for volunteers. Attendees should inform the park attendant you are volunteering when they show up free of charge parking.