Grab and Go Kids Planner: Game Night, Bikes, and Monster Trucks

Where/When: , 1301 Main St. (at the Family Center), Friday, 6-8 p.m. 

Why Go: This is a perfect way to spend a Friday night, with the family. You won't even recognize the center; it will be transformed into a mini carnival for an evening of fun and games.exciting games. Prizes and snacks will be available for everyone, too. The evening's entertainment is perfect for kids ages 6 and up.

Pricing: Free

Where/When:  , 215 E Beach St, Watsonville, Sunday, 2 p.m.

Why Go: Check out what the kids at All the Right Steps Dance Studio have to offer in their presentation of ""From Screen to Stage."  You are bound to be impressed and it may make you want to put on your dancing shoes, too!

Pricing: $10

Where/When:  119 Center St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (Depot Park, far west end of Pacific Ave.) Sunday, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Why Go: This is a fun and safe way to go out for a family bike ride and get to ride the train, too! You can take your bike on the Roaring Camp Train from Santa Cruz to Felton then ride together down Highway 9 with a California Highway Patrol  escort back to Santa Cruz. And if you get there early, you can take the bike safety class or have you kids take part in the kids do the bicycle safety skills obstacle course (that's for children age 4-12.)  If you like, you can stick around for the fun and fitness fair when you return at 1:30 p.m.

Pricing: $10 adults, $5 children 12 and under. You can purchase tickets in Watsonville at Watsonville Cyclery.

Where/When: 1034 N Main St, Salinas, Sunday, 12-5 p.m.

Why Go: Come see the monsters, the monster trucks that is. They will be in action all day at the Salinas Sports Complex for the Advanced Auto Parts Monster Jam. If you are really enthusiastic (or your kids are) you can come Saturday for an autograph signing outside frm 2-5 p.m. Monster trucks will be on display there, too.

Pricing:  (for the Sunday show) $30 for Gold Circle Box Seats, $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 2 to 12. Prices will go up $2 for each ticket on the day of the show if tickets are still available

Where/When: , 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz, Saturday, 5 p.m.

Why Go:  James Durbin, the Santa Cruz singer who at this writing is one of four finalists in American Idol will sing at the Board Saturday night—if he makes the semi-finals on Idol after Wednesday night's show. Offically May 14 is "Durbin Day," in honor of Santa Cruz's James Durbin. If Durbin makes it to the top three Wednesday night,  "Idol" will come to Santa Cruz with Durbin Saturday. If he comes Durbin is scheduled to be on the bandstand at 5 p.m. and sing four sings. Other scheduled performers are White Album Ensemble, who are also on the program to be Durbin's band.

Pricing: Free, but seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis.