Grab & Go Kids Planner

We're back with this week's Grab & Go Kids Planner. Glad you are here!

What we aim to do with this is offer you some suggestions for things you can do with your children and even your teens in town or close by. We want to give you some ideas about what you can do as a family: a performance, a special event, a community happening, an outdoor hike and more. We'll give you suggestions about things to do locally and not too far away.  

Here's our five suggestions for this week.  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: 2380 Portola Dr., Santa Cruz; Sunday, 1-4 p.m. 

Why Go: On Sunday afternoons, the Live Oak Branch of the Santa Cruz Public Library invites you and your kids to its  Family Fun Crafts program. Drop in for some free arts-and-crafts projects with the library staff from 1-4 p.m. Materials will be provided. This is sure to be a fun activity for the whole family. For more information, contact the Live Oak Library.

Pricing: Free

Where/When: , 500 Harkins Slough Rd.; Sunday, 1:30 p.m.

Why Go: Because it's a really nice thing to do as a family. Meet at the Nature Center for a guided walk in nearby wetlands. All ages are welcome. Binoculars will be provided.

Pricing:  Free 

Where/When: Green Valley Cinema, 1125 S. Green Valley Rd.; Friday to Monday. Check for showtimes

Why Go: It's always a treat for the kids to go to the movies. Get some popcorn and settle in. And with the Monday holiday, you have another day as an option. There's a couple of kid-friendly films showing at the theater, so take your pick.

Pricing: Varies, depends on showing.

AMERICAN MENU

Where/When: Experimental Theater, UC Santa Cruz campus; Thursday to Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m.

Why Go: This production of UC-Santa Cuz's African-American Theater Arts Troupe takes an up-close-and-personal close at recent U.S. history. It's May 1968, shortly after the murder of Martin Luther King Jr. and a month before the assassination of President Robert F. Kennedy. Five black kitchen workers at a segregated lunch counter are forced to engage in painful self-examination brought about by yet another senseless death in their town. Go with your children and learn and enjoy at the same time.

Pricing: $15 general, $12 seniors and students

STUDENT DANCERS: RANDOM WITH A PURPOSE

Where/When: UC Santa Cruz campus, Theater Arts, Second Stage; Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m. 

Why Go: Student performances featuring contemporary, jazz, blues fusion, street, tap and hip-hop works. Something for everyone.

Pricing: $10-$11 for tickets