Grab and Go Kids Planner: Pinocchio, a Party and Pets

This is our weekly calendar of kid-friendly activities and new places to try out with children and, yes, even teens! The idea is to offer you suggestions about things you can do as a family!

Each week, we give you the info on five of the best family activities or events for the week.

You're time-pressed enough, so we're happy to do the research and find the best things to do and places to go, both locally and within reasonable striking distance.

Look for the kids’ planner each Wednesday, and help us build the planner with your own suggestions and tips—just add them to the comment box. Even if you disagree with our picks, let us know. We want to hear from you!

Where/When: , 500 Castro St, Mountain View, Saturday, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 

Why Go: We all know the delightful tale of the puppet Pinocchio and his "papa," the toymaker Gepetto. Know you can see it come to life in more ways than one in this musical tale of the puppet-boy put on by Peninsula Youth Theater. It's won't be fun just for your kids, it will be fun for you, too! Trust us

Pricing: $10 to $20

Where/When:  , 585 Franklin St, Mountain View, Saturday, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. 

Why Go:  The Teen Zone at the Mountain View Public Library is having an after-hours party for teens. Kids in grades six through 12 who have a Mountain View Public Library card are welcome. Food, music, contests and games. 

Pricing: Free

Where/When: , 901 Ames Ave. Milpitas, Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

Why Go: If you are looking for a pet, specifically a small dog, this is your day to be able to adopt one.  This is the Humane Society Silicon Valley's small dog  adoption extravaganza. The focus will be on small dogs — Chihuahuas and small-breed dogs from Bay Area animal shelters and specialty breed rescue groups.

Pricing: Free.

Where/When: 201 S Rengstorff Ave., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Why Go: The community is getting together this Saturday for a sale in the park. Bring what you might have to sell; check out what your neighbors are selling. A day in the park, and who knows what else you might find.

Pricing: Free

Where/When:  2775 Embarcadero Way, Palo Alto, Wednesday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Why go: A chance for you and your child to spend time puttering outdoors and helping to restore a bit of habitat at the same time. Here, both you and your child can learn about habitat restoration, by transplanting or planting native seedling like sea lavender and meadow barley in the marshes surrounding the nursery.

Pricing: Free