Grab & Go Kids Planner: March 4-10

Thursday evening's here and it's time to look forward to the weekend and beyond.

Each week the Grab & Go Kids Planner brings you five family activities or events for the days ahead.

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 week and help us build the planner with your own suggestions and tips—just add them to the comment box below this feature. Even (and especially) if you disagree with our picks, let us know. We want to hear from you!

This week's planner offers a chance to get out into nature, learn about one of the area's historic homes, take in art and music by young artists and "Laissez les bon temps rouler!"

Where/When: Croydon Creek Nature Center, 852 Avery Road, Rockville. 2-4 p.m. on Friday.

Why Go: Hints of spring this week make this one timely. A naturalist leads as children, age 10 to 14, learn how to decipher tracks and investigate animal behavior for signs of spring. 

Pricing: $12 for Rockville residents/$14 for non-residents.

Where/When: , 100 Gibbs St., Rockville. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Why Go: A family-friendly parade, live music, masks, beads, arts and crafts, a moon bounce and much more. The parade begins at 10 a.m.

Pricing: Festival attendance is free.

Where/When: , 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Why Go: Hear stories and learn about the architectural features of the Mansion at Strathmore on a guided historical tour. For children age 5 and up.

Pricing: Free. Registration required. Call 301-581-5109.

Where/When: , 603 Edmonston Dr, Rockville.  Reception from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Why Go: A chance to see 2-D and 3-D works of art by Rockville students—and maybe even your own students. The City of Rockville and the Rockville Art League host the art show each March for students in fourth through 12th grade. The exhibit runs through March 29.

Pricing: Free. 

Where/When: , 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. 7 p.m on Wednesday. 

Why Go: Hear classics by Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Holst, Puccini and Stravinsky. The Maryland Classic Youth Orchestra presents "Romantics and Beyond" performed by the Young Artists Orchestra with special guests Baltimore’s Tuned-In Wind Ensemble, Symphony and Philharmonic, featuring its Rachmaninov piano competition winner.

Pricing: $20.