I have a son and a daughter with four years between them, which means they don’t always want to do the same thing in the same place at the same time. Siblings! That said, one destination they can always agree on is the California Science Center in Exposition Park. This immersive, interactive exhibition space engages all ages, preschool to high school, and we rarely leave without the feeling that there was more to see and to do. As a parent I love this museum, because, while science is a universal topic, the California Science Center finds many ways to connect us with our own state of California and has exhibits highlighting our ecosystems, earthquakes, and industry.

Space belongs to everyone, but much of the Aerospace Industry is housed here in California. LA's free science museum recently acquired the Space Shuttle Endeavor, currently displayed in a temporary location but ultimately planned as the centerpiece of the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center. As thrilling as that big ticket item is, there are many smaller permanent installations that my kids love to revisit—and believe you me they know how to find them. Rotating exhibits also capture their attention: my daughter was so eager to get to last year’s Pompeii that she ended up going without me. I won’t make that mistake again!

Here is a too short list of ten things you gotta love about the California Science Center.

It was a dark and stormy night when wanderlust got the better of my son's bear Rusty. We were driving home from Northern California, but the bear decided to extend his stay. Grandma was able to recover and return Rusty the next day, and we kept my son's blues at bay by imagining the fluffy rogue’s exploits. (To this day Rusty has never satisfactorily accounted for all of his time away.) This week intrepid bears are offered a similar adventure at the Santa Monica Public Library. Tykes are invited to put on their jammies and bring their teddies down for story time—but when it's time to go, the plush pals stay behind for a sleepover. Kids pick them up the next day, along with a memento of their friends' nocturnal adventures.

Kids with special needs and their families have some fun options this week, from Pretend City’s monthly Family Autism event to Seeds2Sprouts’ Winter Wonderland at the Westside Pavilion to an AMC sensory friendly screening of Ride Along 2 for teens with autism.

But the biggest news? The most expensive grocery store in the “Whole” world is giving away free bags of samples and advice on entertaining at the soon to open Brea store.

Though perhaps not as renowned as January’s Rose Bowl Parade, the Kingdom Day Parade on Martin Luther King, Junior Blvd. in Los Angeles has three times as many floats and annually attracts one million people. If you enjoy a parade and want to celebrate this great man’s dream of peace and freedom for all, DTLA is the place to do it. Volunteering is another way to honor Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy, and our MLK Day guide has many other celebrations around town as well as several camps for working parents who find themselves surprised by a school-free Monday so close to the recent winter break.

Gymnastics aficionados won’t want to miss LA Lights at Culver City’s Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium. This is an Olympic caliber competition with gymnasts from all over the world who may be headed to the games in Rio.

Friday night is for comedy. If your kids have never seen an “old” or “classic” movie, there is no better place for this introduction than the Old Town Music Hall in Old Town El Segundo. Sing along to the live organ and guffaw at the comedy shorts. It’s a fine mess worth getting into.

Find lots more to do on Mommy Poppins’ Daily Events Calendar or January Go List.