Grab & Go Kids Planner: Wildflower Nature Hike, Student Chess Tournament and More

Looking for something fun to do with the kids this week?

Our weekly Grab & Go calendar focuses on five kid-friendly events in the Tri-Valley. And we've added an out-of-town outing for an easy weekend getaway.

Pick and choose from this week’s array of events: Farmer's Market opening day in Dublin, Rock and Roll Recital in Danville, "A Taste of the Garden" in San Ramon, student chess tournament in Pleasanton and a wildflower hike in Livermore.

Family Best Bets of the Week

• 
  Where/When: in Dublin on Thursday from 4 to 8  p.m.
  Why Go: Take the family to Dublin's grand opening celebration to launch its new weekly Farmer's Market. In addition to finding fresh local fruits and veggies, you'll also enjoy live music by the Dublin High School Jazz Band, a student Middle Eastern dance performance, a Boy Scout flag presentation for the national anthem and more.
  Price: Free

• 
  Where/When: in San Ramon on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  Why Go: Families are invited to tour an organic garden, learn about composting, sample organic vegetables and even take home free rosemary cuttings during a special "A Taste of the Garden" event. Optional tours of the 16-acre park and Glass House Museum also available.
  Price: Free (optional tours of the farm and Glass House cost $5 for one and $8 for both)

• 
  Where/When: in Livermore on Sunday at 10 a.m.
  Why Go: Take a meandering hike into the hills to enjoy the last flowers of spring, such as Mariposa lily, elegant brodiaea and clarkia. The slow-paced hike will last two or three hours. Families with young children looking for a shorter hike can start with the group and head back whenever they want.
  Price: $2 donation

• 
  Where/When: in Pleasanton on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  Why Go: Chess players in grades 1 - 8 are invited to a tournament in which players are progressively matched with competitors close to their level. The event is sponsored by the Thomas Hart Chess Club and Carden West School.
  Price: $7 in advance or $10 at the door, space permitting.

Need a quick getaway? Here’s this week’s pick: Take a short trip Saturday to Central Park Meadow in Fremont for its annual Kids 'n Kites Festival, where you'll find a "Kids Fun Zone," game booths, live music, dance performances, snow cones and cotton candy. Free kites will be distributed to the first 3,000 children. If the weather is warm, take advantage of the "Aqua Adventure Pre-Season Splash" at the nearby water park with 40-foot water slides and a 700-foot lazy river. Admission to the festival is free. The water park charges a $5 entrance fee.

Looking for more? Browse Patch's events calendar for other family-friendly activities near you.

Is our calendar missing anything? You can add an event by clicking on the "add your own event" link on your city's Patch site.