The Festival of Children Foundation is a nonprofit organization that serves to bring together and coordinate the efforts of charities, companies and individuals who actively work to improve the lives of children. This year marks the 15th Annual Festival of Children®, a community-wide charity outreach event held every weekend in September, in conjunction with National Child Awareness Month, at South Coast Plaza. Children of all ages are invited to enjoy the month-long Festival offering free family activities and events, including live music and dance performances, a grand scale back-to-school fashion show by South Coast Plaza retailers, arts and crafts, animal shows, face painting, and more, while showcasing over 75 youth-serving charitable organizations.
Charities in attendance range from larger organizations such as CHOC Children’s Hospital, CASA, Make-A-Wish Foundation and Childhelp to smaller charities including Project Hope Alliance, Casa Teresa, and Western Youth Services.
While visiting the charities’ booths and learning about their programs, guests can enjoy free family activities every weekend in September. Activities include:
Canstruction OC: September 1-26- Guests will be astonished as they view 13 amazing structures made entirely out of canned goods. At the conclusion of the Festival, the structures are disassembled, and over 60,000 canned food items will be donated to the Orange County Food Bank for distribution to needy families in Orange County.
Back-to-School Fashions: September 4 at 11:30am in Carousel Court – Children of all ages will model the latest back-to-school fashions from South Coast Plaza retailers.
LEGO: Every Saturday from 2:00-4:00 pm in Carousel Court, experience amazing craft activities.
Sanrio: September 3 at 12:00 & 2:00 pm in Carousel Court – The Hello Kitty mascot will be on hand for meet & greet and photos.
Care Bears Plush Drive: September 10 & 11 shoppers can “Share Your Care” with Care Bears™ by donating a plush stuffed animal to the We Care Bears organization. Bring a NEW plush donation and meet Share Bear from 12-2 pm on Saturday & Sunday in Carousel Court.
Puzzle Zoo: September 10 from 12:00-2:00 pm in Carousel Court – Calico Critters Arts & Crafts. Enter to win drawings.
Coffee, Tea, Mommy & Me: Every Friday in September at 11am – Educational talks about home safety, vehicle seat safety, nutrition, water and safety, will be followed by arts & crafts activities, and music. Coffee and Tea is hosted by Corner Bakery.
As part of its 15th Year Anniversary, Festival of Children Foundation is partnering with Care Bears™ to celebrate their national holiday “Share Your Care Day” on September 9. Shoppers can join the #ShareYourCare movement on September 10 & 11 by donating a NEW plush item for donation drive benefitting We Care Bears, a nonprofit organization that was started four years ago by 13 year old Jessica Carscadden. We Care Bears supplies stuffed animals to first responders in order to help children in unbearable situations. Jessica will be honored with the 2016 Festival of Children® “FRED Award” at the Opening Night Event on August 31 at 5:30pm.
