Family-friendly things to do: Read in the park, support the Marlins

Details: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, running through Sept. 4, at Flamingo Gardens, 3750 S. Flamingo Rd., Davie; www.flamingogardens.org; $19.95, $12.95 kids 3-11, free for 2 and under.

MIAMI CHILDREN’S MUSEUM DINO ISLAND

Ever wonder what life would be like if the dinosaurs never became extinct? Check out this new, hands-on, interactive exhibit that takes the dinosaur experience in a new direction, one that will amaze, entertain and spark curiosity as robotic creatures come to life. How would they have evolved? What would they be like today?

Details: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, running through Jan. 7, at Miami Children’s Museum, 980 MacArthur Cswy., Watson Island, Miami; www.miamichildrensmuseum.org; $20, $15 for Florida residents, free for kids under 12 months.

ART EXHIBIT WALTER WICK

Museum retrospective titled “Games, Gizmos, and Toys in the Attic” features a selection of early photographs, installation models and large-format color photographs by the award-winning author and illustrator of “Can You See What I See?” and co-creator of the famed “I Spy” book series. Together these works provide a behind-the-scenes look at his creative process and a window into the puzzles and illusions for which he is so well known.

Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily and noon-4 p.m. Sunday (closed Monday), running through Sept. 24, at the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami, 1301 Stanford Dr., Coral Gables; www.lowemuseum.org; $12.50, $8 for senior citizens and non-UM students, and free for Lowe members, UM students, faculty and staff, and children under 12.

JUNGLE ISLAND FREE JUNGLE PASS UPGRADE

Visitors to Jungle Island who buy a 2017 annual pass will be automatically upgraded to a 2018 Jungle Pass, which includes unlimited park admission and free private beach access, plus entertaining animal shows including Winged Wonders, Wild Encounters and Wild Adventures.

Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily at Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami; 305-400- 7000 or www.jungleisland.com; $59.95 adults, $52.95 kids 3-10.

WINGS OF WONDER BIRDS OF PARADISE

Stunning new exhibit developed by National Geographic and The Cornell Lab of Ornithology captures all 39 known species of birds-of-paradise – it’s a science exhibition, art show and natural history display all rolled into one exhibit that encompasses sound bites, videos, photographs and artifacts from research expeditions.

Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday, running through Sept. 5, at the Museum of Discovery and Science, 401 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale; 954-467-6637 or www.mods.org; $16, $13 kids 2-12.

Friday

KIDS’ HAPPY HOUR FUNTASTIC FRIDAYS

Enjoy a DJ, face-painting, games and bounce houses and see why Local 10 (WPLG) viewers ranked this event No. 8 on their “Top 10 Places to Take the Kids in South Florida” list. Bring a blanket and stick around for the hilarious 2014 film “Alexander and theTerrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day,” starring Steve Carell and Jennifer Garner. Film is from 8-10 p.m., weather permitting.

Details: 5-8 p.m. Friday at Arts Park at Young Circle, Hollywood Boulevard and US 1, Hollywood; 954-921-3500 or www.visithollywoodfl.org; free.

DIVE-IN MOVIES “MOANA”

Every last Friday of the month, enjoy a family film after a day of pool fun. At 7:30 p.m., the slides close down and everyone moves to the recreation pool (Captain’s Lagoon) to grab a float tube or lounge chair for movie time. This month it’s the 2016 instant Disney classic starring the vocal talents of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Auli’I Cravalho and Jemaine Clement, plus an incredible soundtrack by Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Hamilton”).

Details: Park opens for swimming at 5:30 p.m. Friday; movie begins at 8 p.m.; at Grapeland Water Park, 1550 NW 37th Ave., Coral Gables; 305-960-2950; $5, under 2 free.

SOUTHLAND MALL FESTIVE FRIDAYS

Kick off the weekend with entertaining cultural performances and activities. This week, get your kicks as the the students from Genesis Jiu-Jitsu show off their skills.

Details: 6-8 p.m. Friday at Southland Mall, 20505 S. Dixie Hwy., Cutler Bay; www.mysouthlandmall.com; free.

FEEL THE BEAT FREE FRIDAY DRUM JAM

Help make a joyful cacophony and express yourself, as everyone is invited to try out all the percussion instruments, learn from each other, and jam!

Details: 7-9 p.m. Friday at the South Florida Center for Percussive Arts, 12600 SW 130th St. #9-10, Miami; www.thesfcpa.org; all ages; free.

Saturday

OPEN HOUSE ROSE MINIACI ARTS EDUCATION

Was your kid born to perform? The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is hosting an open house for singing, dancing and acting classes for all ages. Families can tour the facilities, observe or participate in a sample class, meet teaching artists, have refreshments and even win prizes.

Details: 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Rose Miniaci Arts Education Center, 201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale; www.browardcenter.org/classes; free.

FAIRGROUND FOR FREE! CARNIVAL AT LUDLAM TRAIL

Inaugural carnival by the Miami Association of Realtors and Ludlam Trail offers all your favorite rides, games, fairground foods such as elephant ears and cotton candy, and beer for Mom and Dad. Plus, there’s a car show featuring the hottest wheels around.

Details: 3 p.m. Saturday at A.D. (Doug) Barnes Park, 3401 SW 72nd Ave., Miami; eventbrite.com; free.

Sunday

MIAMI BEACH BOTANICAL GARDENS ART IN THE PARK WITH MARIE

Swedish pre-school teacher Marie Kolbert, who came to the U.S. on a soccer scholarship, helps kick-start your littleones’ creativity with this free program out on the lawn under the shade of the banyan tree. Art supplies included.

Details: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens, 2000 Convention Center Dr., Miami Beach; 305-673-7256 or www.mbgarden.org; free.

VEGGING OUT KIDS’ FOOD PLAY

Fun, interactive event for children ages 3-12 playfully brings tasty, organic vegetables of all sizes and textures to their hands for them to arrange, build and create art masterpieces. Kids are encouraged to munch and parents can enjoy lunch and adult beverages while watching or helping the children create. Then, create a ”’Food Play Character” to take home.

Details: 1-3 p.m. Sunday at Wynwood Yard, 56 NW 29^th St., Miami; www.eventbrite.com; $25.

MIAMI MARLINS BARK AT THE PARK

Cheer on the Fish against the San Diego Padres along with your precious pooch. Best of all, dog ticket sales benefit the Humane Society of Broward County.

Details: Game time is 1:10 p.m. Sunday; Marlins Park West Plaza, 501 Marlins Way, Miami; www.marlins.com; humans $16, dogs $10.

Free For All

GULFSTREAM PARK FAMILY FUN FRIDAYS

Weekly series of free family fun in Champions Plaza features kid-friendly games, music by a DJ and an appearance by Dora the Explorer.

Details: 7 p.m. Friday at Gulfstream Park, 901 S. Federal Hwy., Hallandale Beach; www.gulfstreampark.com; free.

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