Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Long Beach, CA

Wondering what to do this weekend? Here is a sampling of activities for children in and around Long Beach:

Go fishing. El Dorado Park is hosting a fishing derby on Saturday, November 2 from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. The park will lend fishing equipment to kids, free of charge, on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking is $7.00.

Make rain. The Aquarium of the Pacific's new watershed exhibit is open to the public. It's a miniature version of the San Pedro Watershed. With the push of a button, kids can make it rain in Southern California (if only we could do that for real!), then watch the water flow to the ocean. The interactive exhibit educates children about water conservation.

Get crafty. The Orange County Museum of Art will hold Family Arts Day on the afternoon of Sunday, November 24th from 12:00 to 4:00 PM. Kids can tour the 2008 Biennial, watch cultural performances and create holiday-themed crafts.

Give back. It's the holiday season, and I've been thinking a lot about how I want to teach my daughter to give to others. Many of our local food pantries are empty at a time when demand is higher than ever. You can stop by and drop off some canned goods at the food drive at the Long Beach Marketplace on Pacific Coast Highway and Second Street from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. on Saturday, November 22. For more ideas on teaching children to reach out, read this post from Being Savvy San Fernando.