Get ready for weekend family fun that includes free food, skating and broomball on the Polar Ice House in Garner, a fun scavenger hunt for families in Cary and the free Durham Bulls Family Fun Fest in Durham.

The Polar Ice House in Garner will offer free skating, free food from its snack bar, complimentary face painting and hockey lessons this Saturday from 1-4 p.m. At 3 p.m., get ready for the Broomball Play-off. “What’s that,” you say? Read my blog for details on this event. If you’ve been missing your brooms, your kids may already be playing this game.

In Cary, this weekend you can tout your knowledge of the town and win great prizes in a scavenger hunt. The game celebrates Koka Booth Amphitheatre—Cary’s home for entertainment on the banks of Symphony Lake—turning 10 this summer. The first Cary Scavenger Hunt runs Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Discover what you can win and where to get clue packets on Carolina Parent’s Calendar Highlights page.

Head to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park for free family fun Sundayfrom 2 -5 p.m. to enjoy the world’s largest traveling baseball celebration. You’ll find 20 family-themed attractions that include everything from batting and pitching cages to giant slides and bounce houses at the Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest. The baseball game begins at 5:05 p.m., but tickets to the game are not required to enjoy the festival attractions. See Carolina Parent’s Calendar Highlights for more details what you’ll find at the festival.

If you’re interested in taking part in Hillsborough’s Handmade Parade, there will be a free workshop for adults or ages 14 and older on Saturday from 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.to learn how to make costumes and giant puppets. You’ll need to register before you go. 

These events are just highlights of what’s happening around the Triangle. For even more kid-friendly fun, visit www.CarolinaParent.com’s Daily Calendar and our Long-Running Events page, where you'll find performances, including Annie, which opens on Saturday at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, Progress Energy Center in Raleigh.

— Written by Odile Fredericks, Carolina Parent Web Editor

(Photo at right courtesy of The Hillsborough Arts Council)

Looking for a great place to shop for kids' clothing, dine out or ride a bike?  See Triangle parents' top picks to shop, eat, play and more in our 2010 Family Favorites.

(photo at left courtesy of the N.C. Zoo.)