Grab & Go Kids Planner

Liquid-Nitrogen Ice Cream. CSI Meets CSU. Dolphins and You. Intrigued?

Have a child who might be too? Then a big festival kick-off this weekend might be for you.

Your choices, near Imperial Beach and in San Diego, include the San Diego Science Festival, a jam-packed week of activities celebrating every aspect of science you could imagine. The ice cream, CSI and dolphin questions all will be tackled at San Diego State Saturday.

Other events include an anniversary, a plethora of plays and some skilled extreme-sports stars.

Click the links for more details.

BEST BETS CLOSE TO HOME 

• Where/when: Pier Plaza, Imperial Beach, 2 p.m. Friday.

• Why Go: The community marks the one-year anniversary of its farmers market with music, a raffle, art demonstrations and vendor specials. 

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: Southwestern College, Chula Vista, 9 a.m. Saturday.

• Why Go: If someone in your family has lovingly restored that hunk of junk that sat in dad's garage for years, by all means, show it off at the Classic Car Show, to benefit the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. And take a break to look around at all the other cars that have been given new life.

• Price: $20 to register a vehicle for the event.

BEST BETS, A LITTLE FARTHER OUT

• Where/when: Casa del Prado Theater, Balboa Park, San Diego, Thursday through Sunday.

• Why Go: San Diego Junior Theatre wraps up two productions this weekend: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and The Fantastic Mr. Fox.

• Price: $8-14.

• Where/when: Balboa Park, San Diego State and various sites, San Diego, 9 a.m., Saturday.

• Why Go: To encounter all manner of science demonstrations and experiments at the sprawling San Diego Science Festival, which continues through March 26 at several area venues. To begin, San Diego State hosts a day of engineering feats, at 9 a.m. Balboa Park's Science Family Day, at museums and other areas in the park, starts at 11 a.m.

• Price: Free at San Diego State, varies at other sites.

• Where/when: YMCA Krause Family Center Skate & Bike Park, San Diego, 11 a.m. Saturday.

• Why Go: Join with the top names in skateboarding and BMX riding at the Clash at Clairemont, a benefit for cancer patients and their families. Watch pros and amateurs try tough stunts and pick up some freebies to boot. 

• Price: Minimum $10 donation.