PlayMap Picks
Seven anchors for October 9–11: Depot Day at Travel Town, CicLAvia’s open streets, the Culver City Arts Festival, a free Sunday-morning kids’ concert, a sensory-friendly puppet show, a Faery Hunt worth the drive, and a Halloween musical you can still book for either day.
Date: Sun Oct 11, 10 AM–3:30 PM
Area: Travel Town Museum, Griffith Park
Price: Free
Best for: Train-obsessed toddlers and preschoolers who want real locomotives, free activities, and room to run.
Why we picked it: Free, outdoors, and in Griffith Park — west of the CicLAvia route, so Sunday road closures shouldn’t touch your drive.
Parent tip: Arrive near 10 AM; Travel Town’s lot fills on event days. The miniature train ride is paid separately, so bring a card.
Date: Sun Oct 11, 9 AM–4 PM
Area: Downtown, Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Arts District, Boyle Heights & Echo Park
Price: Free
Best for: Families with bikes, scooters, balance bikes, or a stroller who want to see Downtown with zero cars.
Why we picked it: 6.5 miles of open streets with hubs along the route — you pick the stretch, ride until legs quit, then turn around.
Parent tip: Take Metro in — driving near the route Sunday is the hard part. Pick one hub as your meet-up spot, and bring helmets, water, and sunscreen.
Date: Sat Oct 10, 11 AM–6 PM
Area: Washington Boulevard (Helms Ave to La Cienega), Culver City
Price: Free admission
Best for: Westside families who want a free street festival with hands-on art, music, and food trucks.
Why we picked it: All ages, walkable, and easy to cut short — the family art-making is the draw, not the beer gardens.
Parent tip: Parking is very limited. Take the E Line to Culver City Station or bike in, and go early before the afternoon crowd.
Date: Sun Oct 11, 9:30 AM
Area: The Culver Steps, Culver City
Price: Free, no registration
Best for: Toddlers who want to dance hard for 45 minutes and leave before lunch.
Why we picked it: “Half rock show, half baby rave” — free, outdoors, and early enough to fit before naps.
Parent tip: It’s on the steps, weather permitting. Bring ear protection for little ones who sit near the speakers.
Date: Sat Oct 10, 10:30 AM
Area: Bob Baker Marionette Theater, Highland Park
Price: Ticket required
Best for: Kids who want Halloween puppets without the jump scares — and parents of sensory-sensitive kids.
Why we picked it: The sensory-friendly performance keeps the house lights up and the sound down, inside LA’s classic marionette theater.
Parent tip: Book this specific 10:30 AM show — other Spooktacular performances are standard. Kids sit on the carpet up front; bring a layer.
Date: Sat Oct 10, 10:30 AM
Area: Corriganville Park, Simi Valley
Price: $20–$40 per person; children 23 months and under free
Best for: Kids ages 2–9 who want to be part of the story, not just watch it.
Why we picked it: Interactive outdoor musical theater on real trails — costumes encouraged, and every kid gets a job in the hunt.
Parent tip: Buy tickets ahead at afaeryhunt.com. Wear real shoes; Corriganville trails are dirt. Bring sunscreen and water.
Date: Sat Oct 10, 2 PM · Sun Oct 11, 12:30 PM
Area: Santa Monica Playhouse
Price: $15 children 12 and under; $17.50 adults
Best for: Preschool and early elementary kids who want a not-scary Halloween musical where they help cast the spells.
Why we picked it: Two weekend times, a small theater, and audience participation built for young kids.
Parent tip: Book online or call 310-394-9779 ext. 2. Downtown Santa Monica parking structures are the easy move.