Here are our picks for great events and activities for children and families this Memorial Day weekend. Find more events for the whole week in Marin and beyond in our Family Events Calendar.

Friday, May 25

• Hullabuzoo!
  San Francisco Zoo
  Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 11 am–4 pm
  What's a Hullabuzoo? It's what you get when you bring a performing circus group, an inflatable obstacle course, and a climbing wall challenge to your favorite zoo! Stop in at the Pachyderm Building to blow off a little steam in the free inflatable playhouse, where kids can climb, play, and shoot baskets. Then gather your strength with a picnic on the Patas Lawn as you watch the performing circus group before you test your skills on the climbing wall ($3). Every time someone rings the bell at the top of the wall, we'll donate $1 to animal conservation programs. For more info, visit their website.
• American Crown Circus
  St. Vincent's, Marinwood
  Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday (see times below)
  This family run, bilingual circus is centered around acrobats, performers, and clowns, with no exotic animals. Performances are on Friday, May 24 at 6:30 pm; Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26 at 1:30, 4, and 6:30 pm; and on Monday, May 27 at 1:30 and 4 pm. Advance tickets are $12; two children under 12 admitted free per paid advance adult ticket. Advance tickets available until noon on Friday, May 24. Parking fee $5. For more info or to order tickets, vist their website.
• Kiddo Family Carnival
  Mill Valley Community Center
  Friday, 4–10 pm, Saturday & Sunday, noon–10 pm & Monday, noon–5 pm
  Bring the family for a four-day real old-fashioned carnival. There will be rides for all ages, plus food and games. The littlest ones in your family will love the Berry-Go-Round and the Tune Train, while your teenagers will be thrilled with the Sizzler, Zipper, Tilt-A-Whirl and the Texas Tornado, among many more. Advance discounted ticket books will be available in the Kiddo! office through Friday, May 24 from 9 am–4 pm. Books are $20 advance and $30 once the carnival begins. Books may be turned in for a one-day wrist band for unlimited rides. Food and games extra. Location: 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley. For more info, visit their website.
• Sunset/Full Moon Walk to the Point Bonita Lighthouse
  Marin Headlands, Sausalito
  Friday, 7–8:30 pm
  Watch the setting sun and greet the rising moon at this wild edge of the continent. The half-mile trail is steep in places. Dress warmly and bring a flashlight. Meet park staff and docents at the Point Bonita Lighthouse trailhead.The new suspension bridge is now open to the public. Limited to 50 people. Program fills quickly; make required reservation by calling (415) 331-1540. For more info, visit their website.

Saturday, May 26

• Marin Country Mart Farmers Market
  Marin Country Mart, Larkspur Landing
  Saturday, 9 am–2 pm
  Pony rides and a petting zoo for the kids from 10 am–2 pm adjacent to the farmer's market. The farmer's market takes place on the south site of the shopping center closest to Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. For more info, visit their website.
• Salmon Kiss & Release
  Blackie's Pasture, Tiburon
  Saturday, 10 am–noon
  The 9th annual Salmon Kiss & Release will take place in Blackie's Pasture in Tiburon. Sponsored by the Tiburon Salmon Institute, Salmon fingerlings will be carried into the Bay and released by children and parents at high tide. The Tiburon Volunteer Fire Department will be barbecuing and the Beautiful Losers will be playing music, exhibits by Trout Unlimited, California Fish and Game, National Marine Fisheries, Romberg Center, Redwood Cheerleaders, and the Marin Highlander Rugby Team. Free. For more info, visit their website.
• Family Science Day for "Sprouting Scientists"
  Lake Lagunitas Picnic Area
  Saturday, 10 am–2 pm
  MMWD and the California Academy of Sciences invite families to a special citizen science day to learn about Mt. Tamalpais and its plants and animals. There will be family-friendly, hands-on, science-based activities. The family science day event is free, but please register in advance (and purchase a day parking pass for $8 if you don't have an annual pass). For more info, visit their website.
• The 35th Annual San Francisco Carnaval
  Harrison Street, San Francisco
  Saturday, 10 am–6 pm
  As one of the Bay Area’s most beloved two-day events, the free, family-friendly San Francisco Carnaval Festival showcases a diverse array of food, live music and activities for all. The parade starts at 9:30 am at the corner of 24th and Bryant streets where it will proceed west to Mission Street. For more info, visit their website.
• Marin Greek Festival
  Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church, Novato
  Saturday and Sunday, 11 am–10 pm
  Come celebrate the culture of Greece with fabulous authentic Greek cuisine, live Greek music and dance, children's activities, cooking demonstrations, and more. Adults $6, seniors 65+ $5, children 12 and under free. The Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church is at 1110 Dickson Drive in Novato. For more info, call (415) 883-1998 or visit their website.

One of the best things about spring is knowing that you can get fresh, sweet, locally grown organic strawberries at the farmer's market or grocery store. To celebrate, we love to make this easy and delicious strawberry shortcake dessert. This simple combination of lightly sweet shortcake, fresh strawberries, and vanilla flavored whipped cream is a hit with just about everyone, and is suitable for every occasion, from a fancy dinner to a kids' tea party.

These shortcakes are kind of like sweet buttermilk drop biscuits, and don't take very long to put together. If you're really in a hurry, you can use whipped cream from a can, but it doesn't take too much time or effort to make some fresh whipped cream with your electric mixer, and it tastes so much better, too.

You can make the shortcakes and whipped cream in advance and let diners assemble their own strawberry shortcake creations at the table, if you like. It's fun for both children and adults. Whipped cream keeps fine in the refrigerator for a few hours, and you can make it extra-thick and rich by putting it in a strainer over a bowl and letting some of the water drain out.

McNear's Beach Park is one of those special places that I hold close to my heart. I grew up literally around the corner from it, and spent a lot of time there as a child. It's still one of my favorite places to spend the day in Marin, especially now that I have kids of my own. McNear's Beach is a 55-acre county park located on the shores of San Pablo Bay. It's the a perfect place to go on a warm day to wade in the bay, swim in the pool, picnic, fish, take in spectacular views of the San Francisco Bay Area, and more.

McNear's Beach has been popular with Bay Area residents since the 19th century, when the McNear family owned most of the property in what eventually would become San Rafael's Peacock Gap neighborhood. The McNears operated a beach resort at the present location of the park, as well as a nearby quarry and brickyard.

McNear's Beach offers a variety of things to do for visitors of all ages. The beach itself is a somewhat rocky affair, with lots of broken shells and interesting stones to pick over. You can wade and splash in the shallow and gentle San Pablo Bay waters, but the biggest attraction is the swimming pool, which gets pretty busy on a hot day. In addition to the popular main pool, there's a toddler pool, too. The McNear's Beach pool opens to the public this Memorial Day weekend (May 25–27), and stays open through Labor Day.

Marin families now have yet another place to get their burger fix: Smashburger in Novato. The Novato location is the Denver-based chain's first Bay Area location, and it serves up a variety of innovative burgers, chicken sandwiches, and salads using fresh ingredients.

I had the opportunity to attend a media preview of the Novato Smashburger last week, where I tried a selection of their food. Smashburger offers an array of specialty burgers, including the Bay Burger (with arugula, mushrooms, Swiss cheese, and truffle mayo); BBQ, bacon and cheddar; and spicy Baja.

Each burger is also available as a grilled chicken sandwich—my favorite of Smashburger's offerings was the chicken avocado club, with avocado, applewood-smoked bacon, and ranch dressing. You can also create your own burger or sandwich from the variety of toppings, sauces, and add-ons ranging from grilled onions and "Smash sauce" to guacamole and a fried egg.

Here is a the 2013 summer movie schedule for Film Night in the Park, which presents free outdoor movies on a giant screen in various parks throughout Marin and San Francisco. Show time for all the movies is 8 pm, but arrive a little early for music, a raffle, and a cartoon. Reminiscent of the drive-in movies of yesteryear, Film Night in the Park is noted for its audience participation, with cheers for heroes, boos and hisses for villains, sing-a-longs, and hearty applause.

This season's offerings are a fun mix of recent hits like Pixar's Brave, Lincoln, and Moonrise Kingdom and classics including The Princess Bride, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Hitchcock's The Birds. There's definitely something for everyone.

Grab your blanket, pillow and pack the picnic basket—because Film Night in the Park is coming soon to a park near you. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Popcorn, candy, and sodas will be available for sale. For more information call (415) 272-2756 or visit www.filmnight.org.

The Mountain Play makes musical magic once again in its 100th anniversary production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music. Featuring classic songs that you surely know by heart, including Do-Re-Mi, My Favorite Things, Climb Ev'ry Mountain, and Edelweiss, this year's play is directed by Bay Area theater veteran Jay Manley and features a superb cast, especially the local kids in the roles of the Von Trapp children.

The Sound of Music tells the familiar story of Maria Rainer, sent from Salzburg's Nonnberg Abbey as governess to the seven children of widowed naval officer Georg von Trapp, all under the shadows of the 1938 Nazi takeover of Austria. The Sound of Music is probably most familiar in its 1965 movie form, starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer.

Great tickets are still available for Mountain Play performances on May 26 and June 2, 8, 9, and 16. All shows begin at 2 pm.

Marin Mommies presents this week's guest recipe from Nicole Cibellis, Marin mom and author of the blog A Family that Eats Together, where she shares meal plans and recipes that will please foodies and children alike. Nicole is also the creator of the new Little Froglet line of children's activewear. Here's Nicole's meal plan for this week.

We were craving a creamy pasta dish but since we are cutting back on our calories I needed to look at the creamy craving a little differently. This recipe makes a creamy sauce without the cream using feta cheese to trick your palate into thinking you are eating a decadent pasta dish but without all the fat. The jarred roasted red peppers make this a snap to put together on a weeknight. My son couldn’t get enough of it and we all loved the sweet yet smoky pepper taste.

Recipe adapted from Ellie Krieger.

Servings: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes

Summer's almost here, and one of the season's time honored traditions for children is swimming lessons. Not only are swimming lessons a fun way to get some exercise and cool off on a hot summer day, but they're essential from a safety standpoint.

Below is our list of local Marin County providers of swimming lessons for children. Although many of the facilities listed are private clubs, unless otherwise indicated, all locations offer public lessons open to all. Most programs require pre-registration; follow the links or call to sign up or for more information. As always, if you have a favorite swim class or teacher that you think should be added to the list, let us know by leaving a comment or contacting us.

Kentfield:

• Bay Club Ross Valley
  235 Bon Air Road, Kentfield
  (415) 461-5431

Larkspur:

• Mt. Tam Racquet Club
  One Larkspur Plaza Drive, Larkspur
  (415) 924-6226 x55

Mill Valley:

• Mill Valley Community Center Pool
  180 Camino Alto
  (415) 383-1370

This puffed pancake is a favorite in our house for breakfast. We make this puffy, custardy pancake with apples since we usually happen to have some on hand, but it's equally good made with fresh berries, too. This big pancake is also called a "Dutch Baby", which my kids think is funny. The kids love to watch this pancake cook through the oven window, since the batter puffs up dramatically as it bakes.

It's actually quite easy to forget to put on your oven mitt when you're moving the hot pan in and out of the oven—I know this from painful experience—so always make sure you have one on you hand before you reach in to grab the skillet handle. Needless to say, this probably isn't a recipe for little ones to help with, other than with mixing the batter.

Here's what you'll need:

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour