Triangle Weekend Fun for Kids!

It's going to be a fabulous fun weekend for kids in Raleigh, Durham and Cary, whether they're into science, local history, dance, politics, arts and crafts or the environment. They can meet birds at a science museum, delve into Raleigh history, watch a kids' African dance performance, make their own political button, fight hunger while they watch art in action and more. Many events are free.

In Durham at the Museum of Life and Science, Birdapalooza lands on Saturday, Jan. 10, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., a family event where you can meet some of the museum's most majestic fine-feathered friends. Demonstrations help visitors understand bird habitats and the role of predators. Birdapalooza is free with museum admission. For details, click here.

Kids will discover why Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina and where the city got its name at the Cameron Village Library on Saturday, Jan. 10, at 2:30 p.m. That's when the Cameron Village Library and the Raleigh City Museum present Raleigh 101 for Kids, a fun educational program about Raleigh history. The free program lasts roughly one hour at The Cameron Village Library at 1930 Clark Avenue in Raleigh's Cameron Village. Kids will create an Oak leaf bookmark to remind them of their library visit and get their own “Raleigh Past & Present” coloring book to take home! For details, click here.

In Raleigh, at Marbles Kids Museum on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m, watch as design teams create giant-sized can structures in an event designed to fight hunger, can by can. The "Canstruction 2009: Garden of Eatin'" exhibit opens Jan. 17, when Cantastic awards will be presented and visitors receive one free museum admission for every five canned food items donated that day. All collected cans will be donated to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. Donations will be accepted throughout the run of the exhibit. Visit http://www.marbleskidsmuseum.org/goingon/index.aspx  for details.

Also in Raleigh, the North Carolina Museum of Art, is featuring a Children’s Performance: Celebrating African Dance, Music, and Song at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m on Saturday, Jan. 10. Traditional African culture comes alive in this visual extravaganza of dynamic rhythm and movement, recommended for children ages 5 and up. Sponsored by WakeMed Children’s and Crabtree Valley Mall. Tickets available through the Box Office: (919) 715-5923 or www.ncartmuseum.org. A ticket costs $3. The art museum is also featuring Drop-In Crafts, from 11 a.m.–3 p.m., a free event appropriate for all ages.

In Cary, the Dream of Inspiration Musical Celebration kicks off Jan. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Herbert C. Young Community Center, 101 Wilkinson Ave. For details and ticket information, visit www.townofcary.org/mlk or call 919-460-4963.

Kids can get ready for inauguration day by making their own political button at the North Carolina Museum of History, in Raleigh, on Saturday, Jan. 10, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., The Make It, Take It: Political Buttons drop in program as well as the museum's Elected to Serve: North Carolina Governors exhibit offer a way to learn more about politics and campaigning in the state. On Sunday, Jan. 11, also at the history museum, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., discover Bangladesh Music and Dance, a high-energy, colorful cultural celebration presented by the Triangle Bangladesh Society of North Carolina’s youth group. For details, visit http://www.ncmuseumofhistory.org/wgo/Programs.html#january. 

For more fun family events any day, visit the Calendar at www.carolinaparent.com. Have fun!