OC Moms Guide – August 2018

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August 2018
Photo courtesy of Brittani Ehrhorn (@brittehrhorn on Instagram)

We’re entering the final month of summer and let’s be honest, we’re all kinda looking forward to school starting again. If this heat has got your brain melting and you can’t think up anything to do with your kids this month, don’t despair! There’s still a ton of fun things to do around Orange County before the first bell of the year rings. Here’s our picks for the most interesting activities going on this August 2018!

 

“Dinosaurs Around The World” at the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana 

Now – Sept 3

From their website: “In this immersive exhibit, Dino-lovers of all ages will experience a time before the continents existed, bringing to life the 172 million year reign of the dinosaurs. Through a multi-layered narrative, visitors will learn about the dispersion of dinosaurs during the splitting of Pangea. The exhibit features a variety of dinosaurs from various regions, such as the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex of North America or the swift Velociraptor of the Gobi Desert. Visitors will experience the Age of Reptiles through Advanced animatronics, Fossils, Authentic Casts” and more!

Included with admission to the Discovery Science Center. $19.95 adults, $14.95 children 3-14, free for children 2 and under. Check online and local magazines for discounts/coupons since they are offered frequently. 

 

Outdoor Movie Nights At Huntington Harbor Mall

August 3 – JUMANJI

August 17 – COCO

Enjoy movie night under the stars next to the boat docks at the Huntington Harbor Mall. Bring a blanket and chairs, and play the prize wheel.

Free. Movies start at sunset. 

 

Click here to see a complete list of $1 discount kids movies being offered this summer in Orange County!

 

Bookworm Bookend Workshop at Home Depot – Anaheim (and other locations)

August 4

From their website: “Celebrate your child’s devotion to reading in our book lover’s hands-on workshop. Together you and your child can build a set of bookworm bookends to add personality, organization and excitement to bookshelves in any playroom, family room or bedroom. Once your bookends construction is complete, you and your child can decorate it with paint and stickers.

All Kids Workshop attendees must be accompanied by a parent or adult at all times. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last. Children must be present at the store to participate in the workshop and receive the kit, apron and pin.”

Free.

 

National Night Out – Mission Viejo

August 7

From their website: “Mission Viejo joins thousands of communities nationwide for the annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event. In celebration of this safe City, Mission Viejo Police Services is teaming up with Target to host an interactive community safety fair at 25601 Jeronimo Road. National Night Out celebrates our safe community while fostering positive relationships between law enforcement and the community. Enjoy free hot dogs (while supplies last), entertainment provided by live DJ “The Mad Platter,” contests, prizes, face painting, crafts and fun activities for all ages!”

Free. Located in the Target parking lot. South County Outreach will be collecting non-perishable food items at their booth for the food pantry, please consider bringing a donation.

 

Puppet Show Storytime at Barnes & Noble – Huntington Beach

August 8

Enjoy the strong A/C this summer at your local bookstore! Craft your own paper bag puppet and introduce them on stage. Don’t despair if you miss this specific story time. They have weekly story time events every Wednesday and Saturday, as well as more events throughout the month. And if you don’t live near this location, there’s over half a dozen other Barnes & Nobles throughout Orange County, all with a full schedule of events which you can look up by clicking here

Free! Recommended for ages 4 to 10, but all are welcome.

 

Summer PlantFest at Tanaka Farms – Irvine

August 11+12

From the SoCal VegFest website: “What better place to celebrate the plants we eat than on the farm that grows them? Come spend the day on a real, producing, local farm! (And eat lots of yummy vegan food while you’re there!). Vegan Food – Food Trucks – Cooking Demonstrations – Speakers – Yoga – Cruelty Free Shopping – Fresh Produce – Farm Tours – Kid’s Activities – Music – Fun! … 20+ vendors!” 

Free admission and free parking. Food and products for sale. A portion of all proceeds go towards SoCal VegFest.

 

1st Annual Surf City Swell Fest – Huntington Beach

August 11

Water lovers from all over the OC are invited to gather at Huntington State Beach for a beach party hosted by OC Coastkeeper to benefit our local Waterkeeper Organization. Families can participate by paddling out for surf lessons, doing a beach clean up scavenger hunt, entering the sand castle competition, being part of a giant drone photo in the ocean, or taking part in a water bucket race to win prizes. Spend a day in the sun enjoying your local ocean while also helping to protect our coast for future generations. This event will be a morning full of music, surfing, boogie boarding, family games, food, and more! 

Tickets are $20 dollars a person and include: a surf lesson from Wavehuggers, lunch from Chipotle, a beverage from Suja Juice, a group float drone picture and the chance to participate in family-fun games to win prizes in all the activities listed above! Also, the city of Huntington Beach has 2-hour max metered parking along the beach. It is $1.50/an hour but has the potential to be at most $1.75 because of the summer season. 
 

Party on the Patio and Artwalk at MainPlace Mall

August 11th

MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana is hosting its Back to School Party of the year! MainPlace Mall will be hosting its free Party on the Patio and Artwalk from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, August 11. Friends and family will be able to join us for live music, refreshing mocktails, and delicious food samples from Applebee’s, Lucille’s, Panini Kabob Grill, Starbucks, Mrs. Fields and Hot Dog on a Stick.

Guests will also have the opportunity to be entered in a raffle to win exclusive gifts and prizes, in addition to watching live art demonstrations, workshops, a live backpack fashion show and makeover opportunities from MAC and The Makeup Shop. Kids will also have the chance to create their own art journals using recycled materials and pastels.

 

The Compassion Experience – Angel Stadium

August 17-19

From their website: “This free event features an interactive journey through the true stories of children living in developing countries like the Philippines, Kenya, Uganda and the Dominican Republic. In over 2,000 square feet of interactive exhibit space, visitors will step inside homes, markets and schools — without getting on a plane. Each child’s story starts in poverty but ends in hope.”

Free.

 

Colin’s Crew & McKenna Claire Foundation Lemonade Stand at Mama’s on 39th – Huntington Beach

August 19

Join Colin’s Crew HB outside Mama’s on 39 restaurant for some delicious organic lemonade, animal crackers, and other little goodies! All proceeds benefit the McKenna Claire Foundation and groundbreaking pediatric brain cancer research. Colin and McKenna are both local children who passed away from DIPG, a rare inoperable brain stem tumor that is currently terminal upon diagnosis. Help us change that! Donations of any amount are appreciated, and bring hope to everyone affected by DIPG and other pediatric brain cancers!

Come out and have a nice brunch by the beach, or just stop by for a cup of lemonade and support a good cause!

 

Celebration In The Park at Irvine Ranch – Orange 

August 19

This fundraiser for a good cause celebrates the possABILITIES of people with disabilities. From their website: “The Event will provide family fun and community gathering for those in the special needs community, local community and beyond including the headlining musical entertainment, Grilled Cheese Soundwhich. Soundwhich is a 6 piece band performing Rock and Pop favorites from the 80’s to today. 100% of the proceeds from this event will go to support RAD Camp and Hoops Stars general operating costs to provide services to those with developmental disabilities.”

Tickets start at $15 for adults, but are free for anyone with special needs. Children 7 and under are also free. 

 

CHOC Walk Rock’N Luau at Splitsville Luxury Lanes of Downtown Disney – Anaheim

August 25

If you’re unable to participate in the actual CHOC Walk, consider showing your support by attending or playing in this bowling fundraiser the evening before! From their website: “…a fun filled afternoon for the entire family. This “1950’s Polynesian” themed event will feature activities for kids (and kids at heart), a Rock’N raffle, bowlin’ buffet, mini-bowling tournament and authentic Polynesian entertainment – all to help raise awareness and funds to support CHOC Children’s Hospital. Guests are encouraged to rock their favorite vintage Hawaiian shirts or fabulous 50’s gear. The CHOC Walk Ambassadors’ Rock’N Luau is hosted by the CHOC Walk Ambassadors, grateful CHOC patients and their families who coordinate this incredible fundraiser! These courageous kids represent the children we “Luau” for, past, present, and future.”

Tickets start at $85 and include Aloha Reception & 1950’s Buffet, Bottomless Sodas and Iced Tea, Hula Experience, Live Polynesian Entertainment and Family Style Seating. Top 2 bowling teams win special CHOC Rock’N Luau trophies. 5 hours free parking with Splitsville validation.

 

CHOC Walk In The Park at the Disneyland Resort – Anaheim

August 26

This is a really fun family event for an excellent cause and lots of Disney magic along the route! From their website: “Upon arriving at the Disneyland® Resort, you’re greeted with magic and wonder. As you walk through Disneyland® Park and Disney California Adventure® Park, you’ll be joined by your favorite Disney friends – cheering you on and providing unique photo opportunities. You have the opportunity to see the Parks as you may have never seen them before! At the end of the 5K Walk, the celebration continues in Downtown Disney® District where shops and restaurants have special offers for Walk participants. The CHOC Walk is a time when families express their thanks to the doctors and nurses that cared for their children, and share their memories with other families. It is a fundraiser that provides for the care, services, education and research at CHOC Children’s Hospital.”

Each participant is responsible for raising or donating a minimum of $85 (ages 2 and under are free). Please note that late registration is $95 per person after August 13th. Free parking and event tee shirt plus hotel discounts. Also, there are fabulous prizes for top fundraisers. CHOC Walk participants will also have an opportunity to purchase specially priced Disneyland® Resort Park Tickets on the day of the CHOC Walk! 

 

Also, don’t forget about these ongoing FREE summer concert and movie events hosted by OC Parks!

 

OC Parks Summer Concert Series

August 2 and every Thursday during the summer until August 23

From their website: “The County of Orange and OC Parks welcome back the annual outdoor summer concert series with 10 free concerts at Craig Regional Park, Mason Regional Park, Mile Square Regional Park, Irvine Regional Park and Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach. Each event will offer free live music and food trucks under the summer sky on Thursday evenings….” August performances will be at Mile Square Park and Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point. Should be a fun time! 

Admission and parking are free. Open to the public of all ages. Concertgoers 21 and over can purchase beer and wine at the beer tent. Doors will open at 5 p.m. for guests to enjoy the beer garden, food trucks, and to save their spot on the grass for the concert. All concerts are from 6 to 8 p.m.

 

OC Parks Sunset Cinema Series

August 3 – THE KARATE KID (PG) at Irvine Park

August 10 – SECRET LIFE OF PETS (PG) at Yorba Park

August 17 – A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN (PG) at Yorba Park

August 24 – COCO (PG) at Laguna Niguel Park

August 31 – RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (PG) at Laguna Niguel Park

Free admission. 6-10pm. 

 

 

 

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Hilary Feldstein Ratner
Follow me on Instagram @EcoFriendlyMama, Twitter @EcoFriendlyMa, and Pinterest @EcoFriendlyMama! Though I was born and raised in New York City, I've lived in SoCal for over ten years now and am proud to call this beautiful and diverse place my home. My husband and I have a son and baby daughter (whom I was 9 months pregnant with when this photo was taken!). Prior to becoming a mommy I spent several years in feature film publicity and acquisitions for Miramax and later as the Creative Executive for Hilary Swank Productions before seguing to the music industry where I did Online Communications for the GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares. In my ample pre-parenthood free time, I also freelanced as a script analyst and screenwriter. I am fortunate now to be able to devote all my time to my family, but I still love to write so am thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of this blog! I am a foodie, avid traveler, environmentalist, preschool board member, and unabashed Disney nut. I can also be found writing about green parenting and eco-conscious living on my personal website, https://ecofriendlymama.com.