Friday Fun at Madrona Marsh Preserve, Oct 9

If your preschooler asks a hundred questions about bugs, seeds and puddles, Friday Fun at Madrona Marsh Preserve is made for them. It's one of the easier things to do with kids LA families can plan around: a two-hour morning session in Torrance that repeats every Friday. This post covers the October 9 meeting, the week after the October 2 session.

When: Friday, October 9, 2026, 10 a.m. to noon Where: Madrona Marsh Preserve and Nature Center, 3201 Plaza del Amo, Torrance Ages: 3 to 6, with a parent or guardian Cost: No charge, per the organizer, but registration is required

What Friday Fun Covers

The program is built for children ages 3 to 6, and every child comes with a parent or guardian. The listing describes it as a hands-on morning of storytime, science and art, followed by a tour of the Preserve. Expect the first part to happen indoors at the Nature Center and the walk to move outside into the marsh itself.

The organizers frame the whole morning around stewardship. Kids hear why you leave the plants in the ground and give the wildlife its space, and they get shown what to look at instead. For a small child it's a gentle first lesson in taking care of a place, and it comes without a lecture.

Some weeks add an extra activity, so don't count on one in particular. Treat anything beyond the basics as a bonus.

Registration Is Required

Space is tight. Each session is limited to 20 participants, and you need to register ahead of time by calling (310) 782-3989. The line is staffed Tuesday through Thursday, so call earlier in the week if you want the October 9 slot. If your plans change, call back and cancel so another family can take the spot.

Getting There

The Nature Center is at 3201 Plaza del Amo in Torrance, in the South Bay. Arrive a few minutes early so your kid can settle in before storytime. Since half the morning is outdoors, dress everyone for it: closed-toe shoes, a hat, and clothes that can handle a little dirt.

If you're sketching out family events Los Angeles has on the calendar this month, a quiet, no-cost morning like this pairs well with a bigger weekend outing. Schedules can change, so check the Local Anchor listing before you leave the house.

More Like This

Browse the family category for more kid-friendly plans, or see what else is happening around Los Angeles. Friday Fun is small and unhurried, and that's the appeal: a morning, 20 kids, and a marsh full of things to point at.