12 family-friendly weekend events for Jan. 17 to Jan. 19

Here's what's happening on the family fun front. As always, check WRAL.com's Out & About calendar for more ideas.

NC State's swimming and diving team will host a meet against Duke from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 18. These college events can be fun - and eye-opening - for young athletes. Admission is free. Light up batons will be given away to the first 500 fans.

Raleigh Little Theatre's production of "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" opens this week and runs on select days through Feb. 8. The show is based on the book of the same name about a 15-year-old, who is on the autism spectrum. The play is generally best for ages 13 and way up. Tickets start at $23 for students and seniors. They are $14 on Sunday, Jan. 19.

NC State women's basketball team plays Wake Forest at 2 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 19, at Reynolds Coliseum. Tickets start at $5.

And Marbles Kids Museum is collecting gently used books for Wake Up and Read through Feb. 15. Donate a book and receive $1 off your Corner Store purchase up to $10, according to the museum.

From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 18, at NorthStar Church of the Arts in Durham, the Liberation Station, which I featured this week, will host a book launch with noted children's book author Kelly Starling Lyons and her new picture book "Dream Builder" about acclaimed Durham architect Philip Freelon. Freelon, who is the architect of record for the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., died in July.

The Museum of Life and Science will host Discover DNA from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 19. The museum will offer a variety of hands-on activities across the museum. It's free with admission.

The town will host a variety of Martin Luther King Jr. events this weekend. Tellebration is 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center and features two African American storytellers. Cary Youth Theatre will present a staged reading of "Amazing Grace," based on the popular children's book. It's at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 18, at The Cary Theater. And Christ the King Lutheran Church will host a Virtual MLK Experience from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 19. It's a digital recreation of King's "Fill Up the Jails" speech. More information about these and other programs is on Cary's Dreamfest page.

Joseph-Kate Children's Boutique will celebrate its grand opening at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 18. It's at 351 Athletic Club Dr. The shop will feature children's clothes, shoes, toys and gifts.