TUSTIN CHILI COOK OFF Where/When: El Camino Real and Main Street, Old Town Tustin. Sunday, June 5, 11-5:30 p.m. Why Go: The 27th annual Tustin Chili Cook Off is one of the most anticipated family events in Orange County. Kick off the summer by tasting chili from professional and amateur cooks fromo all over the area and then vote for your favorite. Street fair also includes craft booths, vendors, entertainment, kids carnival, live music, a watermelon eating contest, wine booths, sports zone and more. Pricing: Free admission; $1 per cup of chili, other food available for nominal fee. FREE …

LOWES BUILD AND GROW WORKSHOP Where/When: Lowes Department Store, 30481 Avenida De Las Flores, Rancho Santa Margarita. Saturday, May 7, 10 a.m. Why Go: Dad can browse the store while kids participate in this fun and free event. This weekend, kids can make a heart flower vase for Mom this Mother’s Day. Workshops run every other week. Pricing: FREE THRONE OF FIRE RELEASE PARTY Where/When: Borders bookstore, 22372 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita. Saturday, May 7, 2 p.m. Why Go: Move over Harry Potter! This new series by Rick Riordan, author of the popular Percy Jackson and the Olympians series…

YMCA’S KIDS HEALTHY DAY Where/When: YMCA of Mission Viejo, 27341 Trabuco Circle, Mission Viejo, CA. Saturday, April 16, 10-1 p.m. Why Go: Families all over the nation can participate in Kids Healthy Day at their local YMCA. Sports, games, giant inflatables, face painting, healthy snacks, an interactive DJ show, open swim and water safety classes will be available at this fun and educational event. Pricing: FREE PET EXPO Where/When: OC Fairgrounds, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. Friday, April 15, 10-6 p.m., Saturday, April 16, 10-7 p.m., Sunday, April 17, 10-6 p.m.. Why Go: This is the largest pet…

LOWE'S BUILD AND GROW CLINIC Where/When: Lowe's Department Store, 30481 Avenida De Las Flores, Rancho Santa Margarita. Saturday, April 9, 10 a.m. Why Go: Both boys and girls will enjoy this free kids’ clinic. This weekend, they will have a chance to make their very own Sports Pinball game by hand. Pricing: FREE BORDERS SPRING CHARITY DAY Where/When: Borders bookstore, 22372 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita. Saturday, April 9, noon. Why Go: This is a great opportunity for kids to give back to their community. In honor of Spring Charity Day, Borders is offering a Charity Drive for Kids, where …

COLOR ME MINE Where/When: 22312 El Paseo Plaza, Suite F, Rancho Santa Margarita. Kids Day: Wednesdays. Open 11 -6 p.m. Why Go: Color Me Mine is a unique ceramic art studio where kids and adults alike can escape to create. Choose from over 500 pieces and paint your own, one-of- a-kind piece, then leave it to be glazed, fired and packaged. Wednesdays are Kids Days, where children ages 12 and under can paint for just a $4 studio fee. Pricing: $4 studio fee on Wednesdays. Ceramic pieces vary in price. TODDLER AND PRESCHOOL STORY TIME Where/When: Rancho Santa Margarita Public Library, 30902 La …

Finding a few family-friendly activities to do this week is now a slightly easier task. Each week, Patch provides you and your family with a great list of festivals around town, interesting outdoor treks and fun, educational classes. We'd love to hear about your family’s adventures, so if you’re planning something different from what we have listed, just leave it in the comment box! It may help out one of your neighbors who has heard “I'm booooooored” from their 7-year-old a few too many times. OMAR'S EXOTIC BIRDS Where/when: 23507 El Toro Road, Lake Forest. Open daily at 10 a.m. Why Go: Kids…

Finding a few family-friendly activities to do this week is now a slightly easier task. Each week, Patch provides you and your family with a great list of festivals around town, interesting outdoor treks and fun, educational classes. We'd love to hear about your family’s adventures, so if you’re planning something different from what we have listed, just leave it in the comment box! It may help out one of your neighbors who has heard “I'm booooooored” from their 7-year-old a few too many times. SCREENING OF RACE TO NOWHERE: THE DARK SIDE OF AMERICA'S ACHIEVEMENT CULTURE Where/When: St. John's…

This week's Grab 'n' Go brings you an assortment of family fun, including a birthday party for everyone's favorite resident of Sesame Street. Whether you're toting around toddlers or teens, we have something for you.  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! START SMART: TEEN DRIVING EVENTWhere/When: San Juan Hills High School Library, 29211 Vista Montana, San Juan Capistrano; 6:30 to 8 p.m. WednesdayWhy go: Teen …

This week's calendar brings us a valuable handful of kid-friendly activities. We give you the scoop on great activities to try with your children that are in Rancho Santa Margarita or within a reasonable 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! (Ed. Note: Slot car racing has been canceled.) SLOT CAR RACINGWhere/When: Bell Tower Regional Community Center, 22232 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita; 6:30 p.m. …

Glad you clicked on our new Grab & Go Kids Planner! We've assembled a weekly calendar of kid-friendly activities and new places to try out with children. Each week, we'll give you the info on 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. 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! Lots of big air this …