Weekend Plans: Museum exhibits open, Fossil Fair, Elf, Junie B., more

Here’s what’s happening on the weekend family fun front. As always, check WRAL.com’s Out & About calendar for more ideas. Also, check our Go Ask Mom Holiday Central page for information about Santa at the mall, Santa trains and Christmas light displays, which open very soon.

The Museum of Life and Science in Durham will open the new exhibit Springs, Sprockets & Pulleys on Friday. I got a preview of the exhibit last week. It’s a best of collection from artist Steve Gerberich, who got his start designing storefronts in New York and now has spent the last couple of decades building moving sculptures made with thrift store finds. There is so much to see here. And it is very interactive. Kids can push buttons and even ride a bike to make pieces move. This is the sixth time in the last decade that Gerberich has had an exhibit at the museum in Durham. I’ll have more about it on Friday. The exhibit is free with admission, which is $14 for adults and $10 for kids ages 3 to 12.

Marbles Kids Museum opened its new Ready, Set, School exhibit in the Around Town gallery on Wednesday. The exhibit focuses on getting preschoolers ready for kindergarten. Lots of simple activities here to help kids learn more about the kindergarten experience. There are some good lessons for parents too. The exhibit is free with admission, which is $5 per person. Read my earlier post for details.

The N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences will hold its annual Fossil Fair from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday. According to the museum’s website, this is the largest event dedicated to paleontology. There will be displays, activities and presentations from paleontologists from around the world. It’s free.

Elf, The Musical is playing at the Duke Energy Center for Performing Arts in Raleigh through Sunday.

The Raleigh Little Theater continues its run of “Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells,” a show adapted from the popular book series by Barbara Park. Three additional shows have been added on Nov. 22 and Nov. 23. This week, shows are scheduled Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $13 for adults and teens; $9 for kids 12 and under. These shows, featuring local kids, are a lot of fun.

The ArtsCenter in Carrboro will featured Transactors Improv: For Families. It’s 6 p.m., Saturday. The 45-minute show features short form improv with skits lasting about 5 to 10 minutes each. They’re based on suggestions from the audience. Tickets are $8; $6 for seniors; $5 for students. (The ArtsCenter also was scheduled to host Opera Express’ performance of The Three Little Pigs, but that has been canceled).

Bright Horizons at Harrison Park in Cary will host Triangle Truck Day, a fundraiser for the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children, from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday. Admission is $5 per child (adults are free). Kids can explore a variety of trucks and vehicles. There’s also face painting, games, food and more.

Wakfield High School in north Raleigh holds its annual Mistletoe Market Holiday Fair from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, at the high school. Admission is $5; kids under 12 are free. Get $1 off admission if you bring in a canned good.

And the Cary Moms Playgroup and Good Shepherd United Church of Christ are hosting an annual yard sale. Multiple families will be selling household items, baby items, children's clothing/shoes, maternity clothes, kitchen supplies, furniture, books, and more. It’s 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, in the church parking lot, 1050 NW Maynard Road, Cary.