"Dora the Explorer Live!"

ONSTAGE / DORA THE EXPLORER LIVE!

May 15-May 17: 'Dora the Explorer Live! Search for the City of Lost Toys' stops for six performances in Minneapolis. In the interactive musical show, Dora and her friends use numbers, language, reasoning and help from the audience to find her missing teddy bear. 7 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday; State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; $19-$39; 800-982-2787 or HennepinTheatreTrust.org.

THEATER / PUPPETRY

May 16-May 17: The puppet theater at St. Paul's Central Library celebrates its 60th birthday with the Loki Puppet Players, comprised of librarians and volunteers, presenting a retelling of 'The Three Little Pigs' (Saturday, 11:15 a.m.). Also, past puppeteers will talk about their experiences on stage and perform two nursery rhymes, 'Three Little Kittens' and 'Old Mother Hubbard,' with a reception to follow. (Sunday, 2 p.m.) St. Paul Central Library, 90 W. Fourth St., St. Paul; free; 651-266-7034 or stpaul.lib.mn.us.

FITNESS / KID FUN RUN

May 16: Engage in some family fitness and sign up for one of the kid fun runs at Como Park organized by Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. This year, there is a two-mile distance in addition to the half-mile and mile. With 1,000 kids expected to run, the emphasis is on having a fun time. Kids run on grass and receive a T-shirt,

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a medal and lunch. Parents can pay and run with their children. Registration opens at 8:15 a.m., first race starts 9:15 a.m.; Como Park, Horton Avenue and Midway Parkway; $15 per person; kids.mtcmarathon.org.

AMUSEMENT RIDES / COMO TOWN, CAFESJIAN'S CAROUSEL

Through October: Two attractions, Como Town and Cafesjian's Carousel, just opened for the season at Como Park, Midway Parkway and Kaufman Drive, St. Paul.

  • Como Town offers outdoor amusement rides, including the new Tornado! that sweeps riders off their feet and lets them control the spin. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, with later hours to start May 22; 75 cents per ticket (rides one to four tickets), unlimited ride wristband $16.95; 651-487-2121 or comotown.com.

  • If you favor a slower pace, mount one of the 68 horses on the antique Cafesjian's Carousel. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed most Mondays; $1.50; ourfaircarousel.org..

    STAGE / 'THE PAPER BAG PRINCESS'

    Through May 17: In this musical comedy adaptation of Robert Munsch's book, feisty Elizabeth sets off to rescue her prince from a fire-breathing dragon. Stages Theatre, Hopkins Center for the Arts, 1111 Main Street, Hopkins; $15 adults, $11 children, lap passes free for children younger than 2 and $5 for children ages 3-4, $5 seniors; 952-979-1111 or stagestheatre.org.

    FILM / FREE FAMILY FLICKS

    Ongoing: The Theatres at Mall of America shows free family flicks every Saturday at 10 a.m. Arrive early to get a seat. See www.theatresmoa.com. to find out what's showing.

    NATURE / BIRDING

    Ongoing: See songbirds up close and watch experts band birds as part of an ongoing effort to help scientists learn more about bird migrations and habits. All ages welcome. Carpenter Nature Center has been capturing, banding and releasing birds for 26 years. 9 a.m. to noon every fourth Friday of the month, Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, 12805 St. Croix Trail, Hastings; free; please call ahead to let them know you're coming; 651-437-4359 or CarpenterNatureCenter.org.