Weekend Plans: Children's theater, family science events, puppet show

Happy weekend! Here’s what’s happening this weekend in the family fun department. As always, check WRAL.com’s Out & About calendar and our Summer Fun Guide.

Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary will screen “Despicable Me 2” as part of its outdoor summer movie series. Tickets are $3 and free for kids under 12. Gates open at 7 p.m. The movie begins around 8:30 p.m., Friday.

The Museum of Life and Science in Durham opens its doors for some after hours fun from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, during Science at Sunset. The evening includes a water fight in the outdoor Into the Mist exhibit, a giant slip 'n slide and more.

Snow Camp Outdoor Theatre in southern Alamance County will present “Robin Hood,” at 10 a.m., Saturday, as part of its summer series of children’s performances. Tickets are $5. You also can tack on lunch.

The Raleigh Concert Band will perform marches, Broadway show tunes and more at a special concert at 6 p.m., Saturday, at Pullen Park. Play at the park, ride the rides, and set up your picnic dinner while you listen to the music.

Raleigh Little Theatre will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Gaddy-Goodwin Teaching Theatre with a family event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The day includes games, music, storytelling, costume relay races, food trucks and an ice cream social. It’s all free and open to the public. It’s also a great way to learn all about the youth and educational performances and programs they have here at this fantastic Raleigh resource.

Paperhand Puppet Intervention will open its 15th summer puppet show on Friday at the Forest Theatre at UNC-Chapel Hill. The show, a tradition for many around here, will be performed on select days through Sept. 7 in Chapel Hill. It then moves over to the N.C. Museum of Art in Raleigh from Sept. 12 to Sept. 14.

We have consignment sales in Clayton and Rocky Mount this week. Read my earlier post for details.

Can You Find Camie?, a new series of programs at the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday. Search the gardens for Camie, the garden’s summer intern, who will have fun, educational activities for kids. You don’t need to register for this one. Just drop in anytime between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The program fee is $3 per child.

Marbles Kids Museum hosts a Family Science Olympiad from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday. Families can compete in games such as building pasta towers and egg drops. It’s free with admission, which is $5 per person.

Duke Homestead, a state historic site in Durham, has its annual Summer Children’s Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday. The free event includes music, games, arts, crafts, emergency vehicles and historic activities. Children’s band Baron Von Rumblebuss will perform.

Wake Forest’s Renaissance Center will host a storytelling festival on Saturday with programs for kids and adults. It begins with a 10 a.m. Children’s Storytelling Concert, followed by workshops for kids of all ages. A free open mike session for children’s workshop participants is at 12:30. Tickets for the children’s concert are $5. 

The N.C. Museum of History in downtown Raleigh will offer an informal scavenger hunt in its 1920s pharmacy gallery. Visitors also can make a period toy to take home. It’s a drop-in program from noon to 3 p.m., Saturday.

Finally, downtown Raleigh will host another food truck rodeo from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday, along Fayetteville Street and many of its side streets. More than 50 trucks are expected to be there. My recommendation if you’re going with kids: Get there early, make your plans and order as soon as you can!