Weekend Plans: Giant puppets, First Friday, professional soccer, baseball and fireworks

Happy weekend! Here’s what’s happening on the family fun front. Because it’s Labor Day weekend, there aren’t as many events as usual, but we have a few. And, as always, check WRAL.com’s Out & About calendar for more weekend activities.

Paperhand Puppet Intervention’s 18th annual summer show continues this Friday through Sunday at Forest Theatre and runs on select days through Labor Day. Then, it moves over to Raleigh for shows at the N.C. Museum of Art. The show, a family favorite for years, is new each year and features puppets of all kinds and sciences, live music and story.

Friday is the first Friday of the month, which means that it's First Friday in downtown Raleigh when museums, galleries and restaurants are open for extended hours or with special deals. Some highlights for families:

Marbles Kids Museum is open until 7 p.m. on the first Friday of each month. Admission is $5 per person.

The City of Raleigh Museum is open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday. Admission is free.

CAM Raleigh is open until 10 p.m. Admission is free on first Fridays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The Big Muddy Challenge is at Hill Ridge Farms in Youngsville on Saturday. The obstacle challenge is designed for families with kids ages 6 and up. Registration is still open.

SproutFest Kids Appreciation Day is 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, at the Holly Springs Farmers’ Market. The free event includes a bounce house, music and puppets, crafts, balloon animals, face painting and more.

North Carolina FC, the professional men's soccer team, has a game at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary.

And in Zebulon, the Carolina Mudcats has games through Monday, including fireworks after the Friday and Sunday night games.