Vroom Vroom! Does the sound of the garbage truck coming down the street send your kids running to watch? Spring kicks off city yard open houses and recycling fair season, and these events are hugely popular with kids of a certain age. If your kiddos have any curiosity about what goes on in a garbage truck, this is their chance to satisfy it, at one of the most eagerly awaited free activities in LA. Public tours (also detailed below) are often available throughout the year (call first); but the spring open houses are a must-do for little one who live for the roar of the garbage truck.

Look, I can vamp for three paragraphs about all the amazing stuff going on this weekend, but as far as I’m concerned, it’s all Book Fair, all the time. The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books has favorite authors showing up for meet and greets, readings on the free stages, ticketed panels if you can spare two bucks, books books books, and then some more books. It's one of the few times when my kid says, “Mommy may I buy that?” and I say “Why not get two?!”

The Book Fair is mostly in the daytime hours, so if you want to attend a movie or see a show, your nighttime is totes clear. And I suppose there are a few other happenings that are worthy of your attention, such as the rootin', tootin-est Cowboy fest this side of the Mississippi, egg hunts at Kidspace, Pershing Square, and the Point Fermin Lighthouse, a Whale of a day, and a tribute to first responder heroes, a tribute to the Great Spirit and Torrance's sister city, a Jamboree, multiple egg-stravaganzas, an arty open house, and celebrations of spring time and mother Earth.

Oh, and it’s also like a day before your taxes are due so, if you haven’t done them: yikes, and er, get on it? Maybe you can find a book on taxes at the Book Fair (if you're looking for something to do).

Book it to the rest of this post to check out our book-marked events....

I hope you've planted your eggs, because Holy Peeps! It's Easter this weekend! Or maybe it's just... April Fools! Or maybe, to extend this prank, it's Not Even April yet—but in the ultimate unexpected double switcheroo plot twist, Easter is starting, at least as far as the plethora of spring/ egg/ bunny activities that come our way this time of year.

Starting now, you can ride the rails, work the fields, ride the rides, and most importantly meet the bunnies—all in the name of vernal appreciation.  

For other fun, be sure to check our calendar for some berry fine opportunities. You can round the bases with the boys of spring or find your Irish side with the mujeres mariachi, Wonder of wonders, you can see an elephant fly, explore the space between heaven and earth, and perhaps the greatest wonder of all: you can see your world.... unplugged.

For the record, Easter is April 21. You've got time. Ish.

Keep reading for our springiest picks for this weekend.....