Grab & Go Kids Planner: Five Ways to Enjoy The Weekend

1. Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

Where/When: 1001 Fairgrounds Dr., Vallejo/10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. (until 9 p.m. Saturday)

Why Go: From little ones to teens, the local theme park entertains kids of all ages and combines an exotic zoo with a carnival. Hourly animal shows, roller coasters and guilt-inducing food. Wear your sunscreen.

Pricing: Everyone pays kids’ price of $15.99/day with a Coke can

2. Recreation Public Swim

Where/When: , 2001 Refugio Valley Rd. (swimming pool deck); Friday and Saturday, 1:30 p.m.-5 p.m.

Why Go: Come cool off in the pool.

Pricing: Hercules residents: $3 youth and seniors, $4 adults. Non-residents: $4 youth and seniors, $5 adults

3. Tilden Regional Park

Where/When: Grizzly Peak Road, Berkeley; open daily, 8:30 a.m.-dusk

Why Go: Tilden is a family favorite for kids on both sides of the Caldecott Tunnel. It’s open all summer, and the little ones can ride the steam train and the merry-go-round, or feed the animals at the Little Farm.

Pricing: Free admission; $2 per ride  

4. Barnes & Noble Children’s Storytime

Where/When: Barnes & Noble, El Cerrito; Fridays, 11 a.m.

Why Go: A story and a craft for little kids. Every week is a different theme.

Pricing: Free

Where/When: Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley; daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Why Go: Explore their world like never before in Dinosaurs Unearthed. Scientists, engineers, and artists designed these creatures to be as lifelike as possible. The gigantic animals open their jaws, blink their eyes, move their limbs … and more. You will walk among roaring, stomping, realistic-looking animatronic  dinosaurs, such as the Tyrannosaurus rex, Stegosaurus, Apatosaurus and many more.

Pricing: $11 kids, adults $17; discounts apply