Kids Weekend Events — Get Out and Discover!

Glad you clicked on our new Grab & Go Kids Planner! Each week, we'll give you the info on the five best family activities or events for the week.

You're time-pressed enough, so we're happy to do the research and find the best things to do and places to go, both locally and within reasonable striking distance.

Look for the kids’ planner each Wednesday, and help us build the planner with your own suggestions and tips — just add them to the comment box. Even if you disagree with our picks, let us know. We want to hear from you!

• OK this is a Thursday night, but it is pretty cool and I think it is something fun to try and get out to. The Golden Dragon Acrobats will perform on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. at the brand spanking new Green Music Center at Sonoma State University. First, the Green Center is amazing. Second, this will be a spectacular show of acrobatics, dance and theatrical techniques. Tickets are available only at Sonoma State's Student Union, so you will probably need to bribe a college student to get them!

• Rainy days are never a problem when you find a great indoor event. Why not take a trip to the Bay Area Discovery Museum with the family? The Museum is designed to help nurture childhood creativity via hands on exploration and discovery. One of the delights of being a parent is enjoying them learning through play. They are open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost is $10 for adults, $8 for children. There is a café as well in case you get hungry during your exploration. You can visit them at www.baykidsmuseum.org for more information.

• We can’t mention great indoor wonders in San Francisco without including the Exploratorium. There, kids and adults can partake in brain-teasing tours about stars, Mars and geometry — plus more! It's also a great place for teachers to get ideas about lesson plans. While there is not as much for the toddlers at the Exploratorium compared to the Discovery Museum, it is great for the kindergarten and up kids. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for kids 4-12, $12 for youths 13-17, and $12 for students and seniors. Kids three and under are free! You can visit www.exploratorium.edu for more information.

• Perhaps you are looking for a discovery center to take the family but without the drive to the city? Look no further than the Spring Lake Environmental Discovery Center. This is an outdoor adventure and a lot of fun. You get to do some exploring and science activities right in our own backyard (more or less). Admission is free with paid parking at Spring Lake Regional Park. They are open from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

• Spring time is a great time to adventure outdoors for some hiking (or just walking if that is your pace). We are lucky enough to have the beautiful just a stone’s throw away, which is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon. Take a stroll, take a hike, have a picnic or just explore the woods. Getting outdoors and some exercise with great scenery is always fun. They are open on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (as well as Monday-Friday).

‘Teaching kids to count is fine, but teaching them what counts is best’          

~Bob Talbert