Grab & Go Kids Planner: Bird Watching, Cooking and Jazz Music

We've assembled a weekly calendar of kid-friendly activities and new places to try out with children. You're time-pressed enough, so we're happy to do the research and find the best things to do and places to go.

And help us build the planner with your own suggestions and tips — just add them to the comment box. Even if you disagree with our picks, let us know. We want to hear from you!

1. Backyard Bird Count
Where/When: Saturday at Nature Center 8 to 11 a.m.
Why Go: The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual event that engages bird watchers of all levels in counting birds and reporting their results to create a mid-winter snapshot of the numbers, kinds, and distribution of birds across the continent.
Pricing: Free.

2. Michelle Nick, Executive Chef of Bahama Breeze
Where/When: noon Saturday at Market District in Robinson Township.
Why Go: Chef Nick will demonstrate recipes made with real sugar cane including mojitos, salad dressing and more.  She will teach customers how to crush sugar cane on-site.
Pricing: Free.

3. The
Where/When: TIME Friday at the Center for the Arts.
Why Go: The Olga Watkins Band is well known in Pittsburgh, and will be performing as part of the Clearview Federal Credit Union Sweet Jazz Series
Pricing: Members: $8 advance/ $10 day of event. Non-members: $12 advance/$15 day of event.

4. Monster Jam Trucks
Where/When: Consol Energy Center
Why Go: Monster Jam is the premiere North American monster truck touring circuit that usually feature truck races and a free-style competition. Some events have special features, including car jumps and demolitions.
Pricing: Tickets from $40.

5.
Where/When: Sewickley Public 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Why Go: This event benefits the Sewickley Public Library, and gives patrons the opportunity to purchase books for low prices. Everyone wins! Sunday is "Bag Sale Day."
Pricing: Books are individually priced. Sunday is "Fill a Bag" day with  for $5.