Igniting the Minds of Children Giveaway

*Giveaway at bottom of post*

If you have ever driven down the freeway in the middle of Orange County, you can't miss the gigantic cube building. Inside this cube is more than just The Discovery Science Center. Inside this cube is a spectacular display of fireworks ingniting in the minds of our children as they develop a passion for learning about the world around them. For a little more than a decade, this center has brought the world of science to life for so many children and adults. They constantly create an exciting hands on opportunity for our children to experience Science in the real world. A few of the fantastic exhibts they have had and currently have are:

Bubblefest
Hands on bubble activities demonstrate a bubble's science and math principles (such as surface tension, elasticity, air pressure, molecular properties, and geometric properties) while, The sixteen-time Guinness World Record holder and Bubble Scientist, Fan Yang's Gazillion Bubble Show puts those theories to the ultimate test.


Secret of Circles
Circles are pretty amazing shapes, If you look around you will see that they are everywhere: wheels, clocks doorknobs, tortillas, Frisbees, tops and more! This exciting new exhibit celebrates the math, science and beauty of such a simple shape and helps children and adults alike to uncover the secrets of the many circles in the world.

Grossology Sometimes it's stinky; sometimes it's crusty; and sometimes it's slimy. Explore why your body produces mushy, oozy, crusty, scaly and stinky gunk at Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body.

Dino Quest
The World's first interactive dinosaur adventure that includes life-size dinosaurs. Visitors can walk inside the two story Argentinosaurus, manipulate the organs of the dinosaur and learn how body systems work and relate to each other. They can explore in the Fossil dig area (this is my daughter's favorite)
and see the giant T-Rex, an exact replica of an actual fossil names Stan.

Planetary Research Station

The Discovery Science Center has the only Planetary Research Station in California. This amazing educational tool is ab animated globe that can show dynamic, animated images of the atmosphere, oceans and land of a planet. It can display anything from real-time infrared satellite over land, to sea ice concentration and snow cover to the topography of Venus.

Through these various exhibits and many others during the year they are able to ignite science in the minds of our children. What an awesome way to learn about one of the most fundamental subjects in human nature!

There is also a FREE Rocket Launch your children can be a part of this Saturday, May 1st.

The event will take place from 9am-2pm. There is still time to register. You can register online with The Discovery Science Center here or by email to: rsvp@discoverycube.org or by phone 714-542-2823. Join the challenge to design, build and launch a rocket made from a 2-liter plastic soda bottle that uses a combination of pressurized air and water for propulsion. This event will be held at The Boeing Company in Huntington Beach. Click Here for a map. You will have the opportunity to Chat with a real astronaut! You won't want to miss this one!

Woo Hoo! The Discovery Science Center has offered one lucky winner of this OC Fun Guide giveaway a family 4 pack of tickets for General Admission to The Discovery Science Center! To enter, leave a comment telling us what your children's favorite exhibit is at The Discovery Science Center or an exhibit that you and your children are excited to see. The giveaway will run until Thursday, May 6th at 12 midnight. The winner will be chosen at random and announced on Friday, May 7th. To be eligible for this drawing you must reside in Southern California.

For more information on FREE and Low Cost activities in Orange County visit http://www.ocfunguide.com/ . Be sure to Sign Up for our Monthly Activity and Events Calendar so that you won't miss another great event and hear about it after!

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What's This Great Park All About?

I am sure that most of you have all seen that Great Big Orange Circle floating up in the air over Irvine. Well the OC Great Park is host to some great FREE activities, one of them being The FREE Balloon Ride. The calendar at the Great Park is filling up with some other cool stuff to do as well. Their most recent news is The OC Great Park will soon be the new home to the the former Fashion Island Carousel. This will be a year round attraction which will be a part of The Great Park's Kids Rock Playground projected to open late this summer.

Firstly, for those of you who are not petrified of heights, if you have not yet had the opportunity to soar in this Great Orange Balloon 400 feet above the ground to see OC at its finest, I would highly recommend you hop on over. This is the largest helium tethered balloon and the first of its kind in the entire United States, according to the OC Great Park. The balloon can hold up to 30 passengers at once in its gondola which takes you soaring into the sky but don't worry, you won't fly away because it stays tethered to the ground with very strong steel wires that can hold much more than the estimated 99,000 lbs.

Once you have experienced the Great Orange Balloon, you will be able to now enjoy an array of FREE activities, lessons and events offered at the OC Great Park in the coming weeks.


Saturday, April 25th and May 1st two FREE Self Defense classes will be offered each day. One at 12:30 and another at 1:30pm each lasting an hour. This is a beginners basic martial arts of Kook Sool Kwan. This class is not just for self defense but the focus will also be on the concept of balance, equilibrium in mental, physical and spiritual traits. The classes will take place in Hanger 244.

Starting May 1 FREE Admission and Parking for Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi and Real Fitness Boot Camp classes are being offered. The recommended ages for each of these classes is 7 years old and up with the exception of the Boot Camp which is 12 and up so bring your kids and start toning up for the summer. No excuses here. You can't beat FREE! Head over to The Great Park's website for the full schedule with times and dates.


May 1st & 15th 10am - 12pm Spring Garden Workshops
are being offered FREE. This is for all of us who need some help because our green thumb is in need of some advice. They will cover topics like what gardening tools you need in your garden to what type of irrigation, soil and pest control is best to create the healthiest garden. Now that Spring is in full bloom the gardening hobby is a bit contagious. Visit The Great Park's website for more information on these Garden Workshops.



Sunday, May 9th at 10 & 11am FREE Guitar Lessons will be offered. This is recommended for ages 8 and up. Just bring your guitar and the instructor will teach you the basics. Space is limited and pre-registration is required so be sure to visit The Great Park's website for all the info and to register. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.




Friday, May 14th 7:45-945pm FREE Star Gazing led by Astronomy4U will be hosted at The OC Great Park. Spend the evening learning about the solar system through the informational star maps and have a chance to view Saturn and the Moon through a telescope. This is recommended for ages 9 and older so bring the family and enjoy a night under the stars. Be sure to visit the Great Park's website for more information.

There are so many fun activities to choose from and best of all they are FREE. For address and directions visit The OC Great Park's website.

Fore more information on FREE and Low COst Fun in Orange County please visit http://www.ocfunguide.com/ . Be sure to Sign Up for our monthly activities and events calendar so you won't miss another great event and hear about it after.

Happy Exploring!

Celebrate Earth Day OC Style

Earth Day is officially Thursday, April 22nd but the celebrations are well underway in the OC. Some of the events for the next two weeks of celebrations and festivals kicking off this great day of awareness are listed below.

Saturday, April 17th @ UCI 10am - 6pm
Aldrich Park hosts carnival style games, multicultural foods, a car show and multiple stages featuring student performances.

Saturday, April 17th @ Huntington Beach Wetlands 10am - 4pm
This educational and exciting family event will feature interactive booths and a touch tank. The goal is to educate families on how our local wetlands affect our everyday lives. A highlight for this day will feature a release of rehabilitated Pelicans.

Saturday, April 17th & Sunday, April 18th @ San Clemente Park 1:00- 8:30pm
Featuring family fun and educational booths, this affordable carnival and expo will be host to several live performances. Enjoy the day and on into the evening with this fun-filled event.

Earth Day Thursday, April 22nd
Visit the official Earth Day website to find events in your local area to participate in. You can search for events that will be in your city or search by zip code. The website is also filled with ways to reuse, recycle and reduce for greener living.


Sunday, April 25th @ Peter & Mary Muth Upper Newport Interpretive Center
This family friendly day will include the Sharkmobile touch tank, science discovery booths, event scavenger hunt, and arts and crafts. It is a fabulous way to discover the natural resources and beauty of our great planet.

For more information on FREE and Low Cost activities in Orange County visit OC Fun Guide.

Be sure to sign up for our monthly OC Activities and Events Calendar so you won't miss another great OC event and hear about it later.

Happy Earth Day!