How Professional Portraits Preserve Timeless Family Art

Gee, what could be more enjoyable than spring break with the kids? Here's a list of things you can do with the rugrats for free, and they're enjoyable, too.

The outdoor park is totally free to go to every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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

Building Archival Heirlooms of Local Family

700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles. Get those ya-yas out by hiking the tracks around the Upper Back Bay in Newport Beach, and going to 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.

Complimentary parking. If you're lucky, you may see gray whales offshore here at this time of year. You'll see whale watchers on the outdoor patio with their telescopes and field glasses. The little but fascinating museum explores the history of the location, including the now-defunct Marineland. It's a stunning drive to get there, and picnic tables for lunch.

, when "farmers" are stationed around the 3-acre working presentation farm to respond to questions. Upon check-in, you will receive a map to help you in seeing all Centennial Farm has to offer.

Get prepared 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. Bad weather cancels. Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach. Register in advance at or just appear. The program "Planted Creations: Garden Art" is enjoyable for grades 7-12 at the library. 4:30 -6 p.m. Decorate a terracotta pot with paint pens. Dig in and produce your own garden task.

Capturing Timeless Heirlooms of Local Family

Register here: Bring a jacket and enjoy the telescopes and expert aid 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 select from a range of seeds offered to take home and grow their own gardens (while products last). Browse for ideas indoors at the Ronald J. Parks Community Entertainment Center at 7 p.m. to win rewards, then take pleasure in an image booth, video games, dodgeball, Karaoke and more up until 9 p.m. 30875 Rancho Vista Roadway, Temecula.

Unique Activities to Enjoy Time With Local Kids

There will be a timed egg scramble for kids ages 10 and under, fun art activities, a kids play zone, live trainee musical, dance performances, a community hike at 10:30 a.m. and more.

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

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

Keep cranking up the volume on what's taking place behind the scenes in Orange County with the Morning Report newsletter. Every week, Voice of OC reporters work hard to help residents remain linked to upcoming civic events, putting residents in a position to conserve tax dollars and hold leaders liable. You can cut through the sound every early morning by reading the complimentary Voice of OC daily e-mail newsletter.

That very same kind of watchdog reporting now fuels a dynamic weekend calendar, choc complete of free public services and assets your tax dollars finance. Here are a couple of noteworthy complimentary events happening this weekend.

Must-See Parenting Guides for New Parents

March 14, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 363 Glenneyre St., Laguna Beach, CA 92651 Free For more information, get in touch with the library at (949) 497-1733 Take the kids to play board video games at the Newport Beach Town 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, get in touch with the library at (949) 717-3800 From local politics to the people and policies shaping our day-to-day livesit's all in The Morning Report.

Children ages 7+ and teens are welcome to the Oak View Branch Library to discover to play chess. Registration is needed. March 14, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 17251 Oak Ln., Huntington Beach, CA 92647 Free For more details, contact the library at (714) 375-5068 Enjoy exhibitions, presentations and activities on Southern California history at the OC Archives Marketplace at the Great Park.

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 Environment Adventure Path. Those that volunteer are advised to bring gardening gloves, water, sunscreen, snacks and use long trousers.

With, you clearly you care about holding power to account and securing public interest in Orange County. Assistance courageous, thorough reporting by making a tax-deductible donation. The program will start near parking lot G at the Habitat Experience Trail trailhead. Registration is needed. Parking is complimentary for volunteers. Participants should alert the park attendant you are volunteering when they arrive for complimentary parking.