Connecting With Youth Nonprofits Through Community Activities

Gee, what could be more enjoyable than spring break with the kids? Those lovely kids getting on the couch, fighting with each other, making a mess everywhere they go. It suffices to drive a moms and dad wild. Get out of the home. Here's a list of things you can do with the rugrats for free, and they're fun, too.

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

on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Kids enjoy this place because it was created for them, and you probably will too. All permanent exhibits are totally free, but there's an extra charge for the IMAX theater programs and some destinations.

Transforming Everyday Moments Into Archival Fine Portraits

, 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach. Trails are open every day from 7 a.m. to sunset. It's a lovely drive to get there, 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 trip and parking are complimentary on Discovery Days, when "farmers" are stationed around the 3-acre working demonstration farm to answer concerns. Upon check-in, you will get a map to assist you in seeing all Centennial Farm needs to use.

Get ready 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 trails 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.

Discovering Quality Kid-Centric Outings for Children

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

33401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. Kids can pick from a variety of seeds available to take home and grow their own gardens (while supplies last). Search for hints inside your home at the Ronald J. Parks Community Entertainment Center at 7 p.m. to win rewards, then take pleasure in a photo booth, games, dodgeball, Karaoke and more up until 9 p.m. 30875 Rancho Vista Roadway, Temecula.

Transforming Special Photos Into Storybook Heirlooms

There will be a timed egg scramble for kids ages 10 and under, enjoyable art activities, a kids play zone, live student musical, dance performances, a neighborhood walking at 10:30 a.m. and more.

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

Consider beginning your weekend this Saturday by dealing with an art task with your kids at the Laguna Beach Library, or listen to a bagpipe performance later on in the day at the Cypress Library. This is just two of the lots of complimentary occasions and activities happening throughout Orange County moneyed by public tax dollars.

Keep cranking up the volume on what's happening behind the scenes in Orange County with the Early morning Report newsletter. Each week, Voice of OC reporters work hard to help locals stay linked to upcoming civic occasions, putting residents in a position to save tax dollars and hold leaders accountable. You can cut through the noise every morning by checking out the complimentary Voice of OC daily e-mail newsletter.

That exact same kind of guard dog reporting now fuels a lively weekend calendar, choc full of complimentary public services and properties your tax dollars finance. Here are a few noteworthy free occasions happening this weekend.

Transforming Everyday Photos Into Magical Fine Art

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

Kids ages 7+ and teens are welcome to the Oak View Branch Library to learn to play chess. Registration is required. March 14, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 17251 Oak Ln., Huntington Beach, CA 92647 Free For more details, get in touch with the library at (714) 375-5068 Enjoy exhibits, discussions and activities on Southern California history at the OC Archives Bazaar at the Great Park.

to 3:00 p.m. Hangar 244, 8000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine, CA 92618 Free For more information, contact Orange County Archives in Action at Volunteer to eliminate weeds and trim shrubs at Irvine Regional Park's Environment 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 safeguarding public interest in Orange County. Parking is totally free for volunteers. Participants must inform the park attendant you are volunteering when they get here for complimentary parking.