Is your kid a stargazer? A budding poet? An actor or just a fan of plays? Catch a number of kid-friendly fun events to cater to these and other interests around Raleigh, Durham, Cary and Chapel Hill this weekend. Many events are free.

In Chapel Hill on Saturday, the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center celebrates the International Year of Astronomy with an exploration of our night sky. The planetarium’s first family science night offers activities for ages from tots to adults, and some events are free.

In Raleigh, a free kids program looks at poetry written by George Moses Horton at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at the N.C. Museum of History. The “Make It, Take It: Acrostics” program shows kids how to write their own acrostic poem to take home. Details below.

In Cary, you’ll find “The Very Great Grandson of Sherlock Holmes” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, a spoof of classic Film Noir. The family-friendly play features local teen actors, and puts the master detective’s grandson Sherwood Holmes in the middle of a marvelously complex murder mystery. For details, click here.
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Here is detailed line-up of what’s fun for kids this weekend in your town. You'll find even more family-friendly events, in CarolinaParent.com's calendar. 

Band Night (Middle School and High School)
Date: Friday, Feb. 27
Time: 7-11 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
Phone: (919) 460-4965.
Location: Cary Senior Center, 120 Maury O’Dell Place, Cary
Summary: Bands from around the area will be performing! $7 at the door.
Phone: (919) 460-4965.

Applause! Cary Youth Theatre’s The Very Great Grandson of Sherlock Holmes
Date: Saturday, Feb. 28
Time: 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
Phone: (919) 465-4792
Website: www.townofcary.org
Location: Cary Senior Center, 120 Maury O'Dell Place, Cary
Summary: See talented teens present a spoof of the classic film noir that finds young Sherwood, the grandson of the master detective, reluctantly in the middle of a marvelously complex murder mystery. Admission is free, but bring some extra cash for concessions!

Children's Performance Series: "Go, Dog, Go!"
Date: Saturday, Feb. 28
Times: 11a.m., 1 p.m.
Location: N.C. Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh
Cost: $.
Phone: 715-5923.
Website: www.ncartmuseum.org.
Summary: Enjoy a musical world of doggy fun starring a colorful cast of canines. Ages 5 and up.

Drop-in Crafts
Date: Saturday, Feb. 28
Time: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location: N.C. Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh
Phone: 664-6795.
Website: www.ncartmuseum.org.
Summary: Fun for all ages.

Kids ROCK! Basketball Edition
Date: Saturday, Feb. 28
Time: 10 a.m.-noon.
Location: Rams Head Recreation Center, UNC-CH campus, Chapel Hill
Phone: 843-6784.
Website: www.unc.edu.
Summary: Sharpen basketball skills with a variety of games and contests

Make It, Take It: Acrostics
Date: Sat., February 28, 2009
Time: 1-3 p.m.
Location: N.C. Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh
Phone: 807-7900.
Website: www.ncmuseumofhistory.org.
Summary: Poetry has many forms, from nursery rhymes to haiku. Learn about George Moses Horton, an enslaved African-American, who became North Carolina's first professional poet and then create an acrostic poem. Drop-in program.

Raleigh Little Theater Storytellers to Go
Date: Saturday, Feb. 28
Times: 2:30 p.m.
Location: Cameron Village Regional Library, 1930 Clark Ave., Raleigh
Phone: 856-6723.
Website: www.wakegov.com/libraries.
Summary: Teens from Raleigh Little Theater will perform Red vs. the Wolf, a short play retelling the story of Little Red Robin Hood from the wolf's side. Ages 4 and up.

An Evening of Entertainment
Date: Sunday, March 1
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 Vivian St., Durham
Cost: $.
Phone: 680-2787.
Website: www.dpacnc.com
Summary: Features the talents of Durham Public School students. Proceeds benefit the DPS Scholarship Foundation. Purchase tickets online.

Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration
Date: Sunday, March 1
Time: 3-5 p.m.
Location: The Storyteller's Book Store, 100 Roosevelt Ave., Wake Forest
Phone: 554-9146.
Website: www.storystorewf.com.
Summary: The Cat in the Hat drops by. Hear other Dr. Seuss stories and play games.