7 things to do with your kids this weekend in NC (Jan. 14-16)

RALEIGH, N.C. — We have some fun ideas for family activities this weekend!

Explore volunteer ideas for MLK Day - Lots of families are turning this three-day weekend into a chance to volunteer in their community. We have a few volunteer ideas to share.

Under the Silver Moon Lantern Parade (Downtown Cary, Academy St., Cary) - Gather with your lantern ready at Fidelity Plaza in downtown Cary on Saturday at 6 p.m. to march along Academy Street for this lantern parade. Enjoy live music and entertainment afterwards at the old library site. If you missed the workshops to make your own lantern, check out the tutorial on the event website.

Check out this new StoryWalk (Prairie Ridge,1671 Gold Star Drive, Raleigh) - Visit Prairie Ridge for this new StoryWalk featuring When Winter Comes, by Nancy Van Laan and Susan Gaber. The StoryWalk runs through Jan. 31. The story begins just inside the entry gates and will take you on a short trail to learn how the prairie and forest change during winter. Be sure to wear closed-toed shoes that can get muddy!

It's Space Weekend at Marbles - In partnership with NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and Nisenet, Marbles will be holding an event that will explore "Our Universe" and give guests the opportunity to learn more about the James Webb Space Telescope that recently launched on Dec. 24. Activities this weekend include special pricing on space-themed IMAX 3D Documentaries like Journey to Space and A Beautiful Planet and astronomy activities in Curiosity Square to celebrate the launch of the telescope. On Saturday, the Our Universe Learning Lab  includes astronaut training, light sciences, stomp rockets and exploring the surface of Mars.

Marvelous Music Family: Linda Gorham presents "African American Heroes and Sheroes" (Cary Arts Center , 101 Dry Ave, Cary) - Linda Gorham will bring to life the stories of Rosa Parks, Ruby Bridges, The Little Rock Nine, Young Barack Obama, and Young Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during this show at Cary Arts Center on Saturday.

See storyteller Donna Washington (Carolina Theatre, 309 West Morgan St, Durham) - Part of the Family Saturday Series, this show is Saturday morning at 11 a.m. Tickets are $5. Donna Washington is an amazing storyteller. She is animated and inspiring. The Carolina Theatre of Durham is requiring all fans over the age of 12 to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours or full vaccination for entry. The City of Durham is requiring face coverings to be worn while at the theater except while eating or drinking.

NCMA To Go Activity Kits: Colors of Kente (NC Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh) - Get creative with NCMA art and artists at home. These kits include materials to design and assemble a collaborative cut-paper collage inspired by the colorful patterns of Ghanaian kente cloth. Kits are first come, first served and are available for pickup at the Museum until they run out. Kits are free. NOTE THIS EVENT HAS BEEN MOVED TO JAN. 22.