Grab & Go Kids Planner

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

Our Grab & Go calendar focuses on five kid-friendly events, one from each city in the Tri-Valley. We've also added a day trip for a quick weekend getaway.

Pick and choose from this week’s array of events: Enjoy the St. Patrick's Day Festival in Dublin; "Wild West Day" in San Ramon; music from around the world in Danville; free author event for kids in Pleasanton; and family game day in Livermore. 

Family Best Bets of the Week

• 
  Where/When: Towne Center Books on Thursday at 2 p.m.
  Why Go: Popular children's book author Jennifer Fosberry will read from her books "My Name Is Not Alexander" and the new "My Name Is Not Isabella." The event is perfect for families with young children in preschool and early elementary school.
  Price: Free

• 
  Where/When: Dublin Civic Center on Saturday and Sunday
  Why Go: Dublin's popular St. Patrick's Day celebration has something for everyone in your family, from a Shamrock "Fun Run,"carnival rides and an Irish Tea Cottage to traditional Irish foods, music and dance. Visit www.dublinstpats.com for details.
  Price: Free

• 
  Where/When: Forest Home Farms Historic Park in San Ramon on Saturday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
  Why Go: Go back in time at "Wild West St. Patrick's Day" at Forest Home Farms, which includes gold panning for kids. Forest Home Farms Historic Park and the Glass House Museum also will be open.
  Price: The event is free. Tours cost $5 each or $8 for both tours.

• 
  Where/When: Livermore Public Library Civic Center on Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  Why Go: Learn to play popular new board games with members of the family gaming club KublaCon (www.kublacon.com). Don't forget to enter the contest to win a board game prize (sponsored by Livermore's Cooleykatz Toys).
  Price: Free

• 
  Where/When: East Bay Fellowship Church in Danville on Saturday at 11 a.m.
  Why Go: Enjoy classical and folk songs in different languages from around the world during the Danville Girls Chorus performance of "Songs the World Sings."
  Price: $10. Click the link for ticket information.

Need a quick getaway? Here’s this week’s family day-trip pick:

Your first stop for St. Patrick's Day entertainment should be in Dublin at its St. Patrick's Day Festival this weekend. If you're looking for more family-friendly fun after that, you can head to San Francisco on Saturday for its 160th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade & Festival at the Civic Center Plaza. The event includes live performances, children's rides and arts and crafts exhibits. Find out more at www.sresproductions.com/sfstpatricksday.html.

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.