Grab & Go: Fun Things to Do March 24-28

There are lots of great things to do starting Thursday, so why not get going early with your family on your first weekend of spring? Get out and enjoy your time together.

1. Thursday, March 24:  Magnificent Mammals—Toddler Program at the Orange County Zoo, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.  Find out all about animals with fur!  Children ages 3-4 can learn fun facts about small and large animals.  Class includes hands-on learning and fun crafts.  The event fee is $5 per child and includes one parent.  Parking at Irvine Park is $3 during the week.  Phone registration is required.  Call Marcy Crede-Booth, education coordinator at 714-973-6846.  Orange County Zoo,  1 Irvine Park Road, Orange,  714-973-6847.

2. Thursday, March 24: Head over to the 15th Annual Taste of Dana Point, 5:30 to 9 p.m.  Grab your jacket and gloves and get a true taste of Dana Point at Salt Creek Beach!  There will be 25 restaurants providing specialty drinks, dinner and desserts from their menus. Participants include Brio, Mahe, Luxe and Chronic Tacos.  An emcee and deejay will be on hand for entertainment and music, and there will be a silent auction and raffles. Tickets are $20 in advance at tasteofdana.com or $25 at the door. 

3. Saturday, March 26:  Lowe's Build and Grow Program at 10 a.m. in Aliso Viejo.  From project basics to giving your child the opportunity to say "I built it!," the Lowe's Build and Grow kid's clinics are a great way to build confidence.  Each participant also receives a free apron, goggles, a project-themed patch and a certification of merit upon completion of the project. Bring the kids into Lowe's and build a free fortuneteller.  Register at lowesbuildandgrow.com. 

4. Sunday, March 27:  Caspers Nature Hike, from 9 to 10 a.m.  Join the Caspers park rangers on Sunday morning for a free and easy 1-mile hike on the nature trail.  The trail takes visitors through grassland, oak, woodland, riparian and sandy cactus scrub communities.  A wide variety of plant and animal life is found in these areas.  Wear comfortable clothing, hiking shoes, suncreen, water and insect repellant.  This is a great event for all ages.  Caspers Wilderness Park  33401 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano,  949-923-2210.  Call in advance for program cancellation due to rain. 

5. Wondering what to do if it's raining and you have to get out of the house?  Then check out Jump 'N Jammin, Laser Quest, Howie's Game Shack or Saddleback Lanes, all in Mission Viejo.  The first three are at the Kaleidoscope shopping center on Crown Valley Parkway.  You can always grab lunch at Islands or Rocco's Pizzeria, or go to Color Me Mine and spend hours creating a work of art.