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Family Fun Planner: Tales from China, birds, trains and llamas fill weekend

"The Magic Pot: Three Tales From China," at SteppingStone Theatre

THEATER / THE MATIC POT

May 7-23: What is the greatest power on earth? Money? Might? Beauty? This is the question the fictional Emperor Chuan asks his subjects in the new musical play "The Magic Pot: Three Tales From China." The young girl Mei Lin doubts the answer is so easy and embarks on a journey through tales and legends of the past to discover that true power may lie in a different place altogether. Minnesota native Dane Stauffer wrote the script. 7 p.m. May 7 (check website for complete schedule); SteppingStone Theatre, 55 N. Victoria St., St. Paul; $11-$7; 651-225-9265 or steppingstonetheatre.org.

NATURE / INTERNATIONAL MIGRATORY BIRD DAY

May 8: Learn how to tell a warbler from a woodpecker at the Kids' Bird Watching Fair organized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Audubon Minnesota. Get tips for identifying common birds, try out binoculars, help band migratory birds, see raptor demonstrations and find out how to attract birds in your back yard with plantings and birdfeeders. Complimentary lunch provided. The free event is held in conjunction with International Migratory Bird Day, designated in 1993 to draw attention to the decline of migratory bird species. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, 3815 American Blvd. E., Bloomington; free; 952-854-5900 or

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EVENT / SPRING FARM FESTIVAL

May 8: Experience spring on a farm with a wagon ride, games in the haystack and a chance to meet lots of baby animals. There will also be live music, bread baking, pony rides, field games and a chance for kids to do real farm chores. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Thomas Irvine Dodge Nature Center, 1701 Charlton St., West St. Paul; $18 family, $5 per person; 651-455-4531 or dodgenaturecenter.org.

EVENT / NATIONAL TRAIN DAY

May 8: Bring your train buff to the Amtrak Station's first official National Train Day to see engines, vintage cars and model trains. Several railroad companies are sending equipment, including a Burlington Northern Santa Fe locomotive, and employees will be on hand to talk about how the trains work. Peek at the vintage observation car "Gritty Palace," owned by a local collector; buy snacks in a restored lounge car; and see an object lesson — a train car that was smashed in a railroad crossing crash. There will also be magicians, a ventriloquist and model train displays. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Amtrak Midway Depot, 730 Transfer Road, St. Paul; free; 651-644-6012 or nationaltraindaytwincities.weebly.com.

EVENT / SHEPHERD'S HARVEST AND LLAMA MAGIC

May 8-9: Shepherd's Harvest started as a gathering for people who raise sheep and people who use wool. But you don't have to knit to have fun. Think of it as a slice of the Minnesota State Fair, where fine arts meets the animal barns. Watch demonstrations of sheep shearing, knitting, spinning and herding dogs at work. Pet exotic rabbits, make felted finger puppets or explore a Kazakh yurt with a felted wool roof. Vendors will sell yarn and an array of clothing, rugs and other finished products. Then head next door to Llama Magic, the annual sale and gathering for regional llama owners. You might catch the llama obstacle course or get to take a llama for a walk. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 8, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. May 9; Washington County Fairgrounds, 12300 N. 40th St., Lake Elmo; free; shepherdsharvestfestival.org.

RIDES / COMO TOWN

May 8-Sept. 6: Spin into spring on the Tilt-A-Whirl, the new attraction at Como Town. The retro ride joins the Screamin' Dragon roller coaster, bumper cars and other rides at the amusement park. On Memorial Day weekend, Como Town will open a new splash zone where kids can get soaked with jets, fountains and water buckets. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily May 8 through Labor Day; Como Town, 1301 Midway Pkwy., St. Paul; most rides between $4 and $1.50, unlimited ride wristbands $18.30; 651-487-2121 or comotown.com.

THEATER / PINOCCHIO-CHAN

Through May 16: The tale of Pinocchio moves from Italy to Japan in an original kabuki-style adaptation of the classic children's book. In "Pinocchio-chan," the puppet that wants to become a real boy meets up with two shady kabuki actors who teach him about life on stage and then trick him out of his money. Lessons about honesty and hard work are mixed with music, dance, jokes and audience participation. 7 p.m. Thursdays, 7 p.m. Fridays, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays; Mixed Blood Theater, 1501 South Fourth Street, Mpls.; $11-$9; 715-246-3285 or www.greentproductions.org.

THEATER/ CLICK, CLACK, MOO

Through May 16: Farmer Brown's herd of typing cows bring their list of demands to the stage in a new adaptation of "Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type." The 2001 Caldecott Honor Book by Doreen Cronin tells the story of cows that get their hooves on an old typewriter and use it to tap out a list of requests, beginning with an electric blanket to keep them warm at night. Farmer Brown's mishandling of the situation triggers a milk strike, but the disputing parties resolve their differences by the end of this hour-long play directed by Melanie Salmon-Peterson, written by Jennifer Kirkeby and with music by Jake Rowan. See website for schedule; Stages Theatre, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins; $15-$12; 952-979-1111 or stagestheatre.org.

EXHIBIT / DINOSAURS: LAND OF FIRE AND ICE

Through May: Staff at the Minnesota Children's Museum used up-to-date research to design an interactive exhibit where kids can explore two distinct climates — the land of fire and the land of ice. Kids can walk through a bog, meet the animatronic T-Rex, climb icy steps and pretend to be a paleontologist by uncovering fossils with brushes. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Minnesota Children's Museum, 10 W. Seventh St., St. Paul; $7.95; 651-225-6000 or mcm.org.

THEATER / DISNEY'S MULAN JR.

Through June 13: Anyone who saw the 1998 Disney animation knows the storyline. Mulan, a girl in ancient China, disguises herself as a young man and joins the Imperial Army to protect her old and frail father, who otherwise would have been drafted to fight the invading Huns. With the aid of some ancestor spirits and a friendly if inept dragon, Mulan manages to save China and impress a handsome army captain. This stage adaptation, directed by David Mann, follows the basic movie script and includes the musical hits "Reflection" and "Honor to Us All." See website for schedule; Children's Theatre Company, 2400 Third Ave. S., Mpls. $40-$15; 612-874-0400 or childrenstheatre.org.

THEATER / BIGGEST LITTLE HOUSE

Through June 20: Children's Theatre Company opens its second original show for one of the toughest audiences around — squirmy preschoolers. This adaptation of "Biggest Little House in the Forest" by Djemma Bider features Bernice the Butterfly, who moves into an abandoned house in the woods and is soon joined by a host of animal friends. 10:30 am.; Children's Theatre Company, 2400 Third Ave. S., Mpls.; $16-$6; 612-874-0400 or childrenstheatre.org.

HISTORY EXHIBIT / MINNESOTA'S GREATEST GENERATION

Ongoing: The Minnesota History Center exhibit uses recorded interviews, photographs, film footage and hundreds of artifacts to document the experiences of an entire generation, from childhood in the 1920s through World War II and into the present. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday; Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul; $10 adults, $8 seniors and college students, $5 children ages 6-17, free for children ages 5 and younger. 651-259-3000 or mnhs.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 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.-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.

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