Weekend Plans: Science Fest, theater for families, Touch a Trucks, more

Happy weekend! Here’s what’s happening on the family fun front. As always, check WRAL.com’s Out & About calendar for more great ideas!

The N.C. Science Festival continues at venues across the state, bringing fun, hands-on science and technology activities to all. This weekend, kids can code, audiences can enjoy some “animal music,” and families can become citizen scientists - among many other activities, which I highlight in this post from the other day.

Raleigh Little Theatre’s "Charlotte’s Web" continues through April 23. My kindergartner, especially, loved this show when we saw it last weekend. It is faithful to the classic story and mixes young actors with more experienced ones.

Cary Players opens “The Wizard of Oz” with shows this weekend and next weekend, along with a variety of special events and activities that are part of it. It’s at the Cary Arts Center.

Fuquay-Varina’s Teen Day, which teaches teens about the dangers of drunk and distracted driving, is Saturday.

Also safety-related: Saturday is Safe Kids Day in Apex. From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Super Target Parking Lot, 1201 Beaver Creek Commons Dr., Apex, you’ll find a teddy bear clinic, helmet fittings, tours of emergency vehicles, music and visits from local mascots. There also will be demonstrations on child passenger safety, water safety, gun safety, sports safety and more.

Nab some great deals on women’s clothing and accessories at Designer Consignors’ sale at Cary Towne Center through Saturday.

The annual East Meets West Festival in Morrisville is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, at Town Hall Drive. The festival features food, culture and music from around the world - celebrating the town’s status as the most diverse community in Wake County.

Brooks Avenue Church of Christ in Raleigh will host its annual special needs carnival from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, for kids with special needs. The day will include games, food, a petting zoo, crafts and prizes.

Horton Grove Nature Preserve will host an Earth Day Celebration from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday. It’s at 5000 Jock Rd., Bahama, in Durham County. The Triangle Land Conservancy and other groups will mark the day with nature scavenger hunts, supplies for making leaf and bark rubbings, a recycled planter craft table and more. Every child will leave with a planted seed. Registration is free, but required.

Outdoor movies! Pullen Park has one slated for Friday. And Garner’s Lake Benson Park (921 Buffaloe Road) will screen “Penguins of Madagascar,” at 8 p.m., Friday.

The Carolina Ballet will perform “Macbeth” this weekend at the Duke Energy Center for Performing Arts. The performance is part of a pilot program that provides high school students with free tickets (with some rules and restrictions).

The Scrap Exchange in Durham celebrates 25 years of creative reuse with a Do-It-Yourself Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, at 2050 Lakewood Ave., Durham. You’ll find something for all ages. It’s free. The day includes kids’ activities, free demos, artist and maker vendor booth, food, music and more.

Boy Scout Troop 39 in Chapel Hill hosts its long-running and popular event this year from noon to 4 p.m., Sunday, at University Place. Admission is $6, but no more than $25 per family. Kids under 2 are free. The event benefits the troop’s programs, service, projects and activities, along with the North Carolina Children’s Hospital.

And Apex will host a Touch a Truck from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Apex Community Park. From 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., the event will be horn free for kids who might have sensory issues or don’t like loud noises.

Finally, the Raleigh Times 3rd Sunday Children's Carnival returns on Sunday, April 17. They’ll close down Hargett Street at 11 a.m. for bouncy houses, arts and crafts, face painting, games and balloon art by Cotton the Clown.