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THIS WEEK: Aug. 19 to 25, 2016

A Mother Goose Comedy, an outdoor presentation by Take the Stage theater group examining how Mother Goose got her ideas for her nursery rhymes. Back Mountain Memorial Library, 96 Huntsville Road, Dallas. 6 p.m. Aug. 19 and 20. $5, $3 children. 570-675-1182.

Cinemark Community Day, free showings of DreamWorks animation movies including “Shrek,” “Kung Fu Panda 3,” “Home,” “How to Train Your Dragon 2” and “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted.” Cinemark, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 20. Discounted concession items. 570-961-5943.

Back-to-School Pep Rally, with interactive games, retailer demos, vendors, samplings, fashions, Curious George character, Keystone Kids Starmakers Dance Troupe, juggler Rob Smith, martial arts, Reaper’s Revenge (doing a “Thriller”-like performance), Perfect Harmony and singer Jack Avery. Center Court, Wyoming Valley Mall, Wilkes-Barre Township. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 20. 570-822-9944.

Back-to-School Pep Rally, with performances by local students, regional businesses with free activities and craft stations and a live radio broadcast. Viewmont Mall, Scranton. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 20. 570-346-7655.

Insect Safari, searching for insects, spiders and other “mini beasts.” All equipment provided; age six and older. Campground Amphitheater parking lot, Frances Slocum State Park, 565 Mount Olivet Road, Wyoming. 1 p.m. Aug. 20. 570-696-9105.

Children’s Fun at Ricketts Glen, an afternoon of activities for age 3 and older at Ricketts Glen State Park, 695 Route 487, Benton. Aug. 20 with an Animal Tracks Table at the Beach House 1 to 3 p.m.; Animal Tracking at the Visitor Center 4 to 4:30 p.m., followed by a game “Animal Tracks Bingo” from 4:30 to 5 p.m. and an Animal Track Walk at 5 p.m. 570-477-7780.

Back-to-School Bonanza, with family-oriented activities, educational games, refreshments and prizes, hosted by the University of Scranton’s Class of 2020. Lackawanna Courthouse Square, downtown Scranton. 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 21. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free. 570-941-4419.

Bird Basics. Stop by the amphitheater to learn about birds commonly found in the park. Then play the game “What Bird Am I?” to test your knowledge. Ricketts Glen State Park, 695 Route 487, Benton. 10 a.m. Aug. 23. 570-477-7780.

Wilderness Scavenger Hunt. Ricketts Glen State Park, 695 Route 487, Benton. 10 a.m. Aug. 24. 570-477-7780.

Animal Tracks. Stop by the amphitheater to learn about common animal tracks found in the park. Then play the game “Animal Tracks Bingo” to test your knowledge. Ricketts Glen State Park, 695 Route 487, Benton. 10 a.m. Aug. 25. 570-477-7780.

FUTURE

Ecozone Discovery Room. Climb into a bald eagle’s nest, crawl into a bat cave and dig in a fossil pit in this room of hands-on exhibits. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 27 and Sept. 18. $2. 570-828-2319.

Bird Basics. Stop by the amphitheater to learn about birds commonly found in the park. Then play the game “What Bird Am I?” to test your knowledge. Ricketts Glen State Park, 695 Route 487, Benton. 10 a.m. Aug. 30. 570-477-7780.

Kidz Bop, the platinum-selling children’s album group on its “Life of the Party Tour.” Allentown Fair, 302 N. 17th St. 6:30 p.m. Aug. 30. $32, $18. 610-433-7541 or allentownfairpa.org.

Wilderness Scavenger Hunt. Ricketts Glen State Park, 695 Route 487, Benton. 10 a.m. Aug. 31. 570-477-7780.

Hide-n’-Seekers, stories, activities and crafts about the natural world for ages 3 to 5. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 10 a.m. Sept. 7. Free. Registration: 570-403-2006.

Romping Radishes, a healthy living session for kids, geared toward kindergarten to second grade but all ages welcome. The Cooperage, 1030 Main St., Honesdale. 4 to 5 p.m. Sept. 7 and Oct. 6. Held in conjunction with the Farmers Market. 570-253-2020.

Elmo Makes Music, a children’s stage show with all the Sesame Street characters sharing their love of music as they help a new music teacher create lots of new instruments. Mohegan Sun Arena, 255 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre Township. 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sept. 9; 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sept. 10; 2 p.m. Sept. 11. $25, $18. 800-745-3000.

Tea, Tips and Treasures, an interactive fairy-tale-themed tea party with activities and a short workshop for age 3 and older. Wyoming Free Library, 358 Wyoming Ave. 11 a.m. to noon Sept. 10. Registration: 570-693-1364.

Ravenous Readers, a discussion of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl for children in grades two to six. Also: making lickable wallpaper, designing a candy-bar wrapper and inventing your own candy. Wyoming Free Library, 358 Wyoming Ave. Noon on Sept. 10. Free. Registration: 570-693-1364.

Minecraft Arts and Crafts. Make a Creeper bank, Pick Axe and more. Wyoming Free Library, 358 Wyoming Ave. 11 a.m. to noon Sept. 24. Free. Registration: 570-693-1364.

Mickey and Minnie’s Doorway to Magic, a “Disney Live!” presentation with 25 favorite cartoon characters including Goofy and Donald, Snow White, Rapunzel, Tinker Bell and many more. Mohegan Sun Arena, 255 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre Township. Noon and 3 p.m. Oct. 29. Tickets start at $15. 800-745-3000.

The Octonauts and the Deep Sea Volcano Adventure, a children’s musical show with Disney’s Octonauts’ eight-member crew including Captain Barnacles, Lieutenant Kwazii and Medic Peso, who take the audience on an underwater quest through a world of adventure, interactivity and tons of sea-life surprises. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. 6 p.m. Nov. 16. $44.50, $39.50, $27.50. 570-826-1100.

‘A Mother Goose Comedy,’ an outdoor presentation by Take the Stage theater group examining how Mother Goose got her ideas for her nursery rhymes will be presented at the Back Mountain Memorial Library, 96 Huntsville Road, Dallas, 6 p.m. Aug. 19 and 20. $5, $3 children. 570-675-1182. Pictured, first row: Maggie Parry (as the wolf) and Esme Yonkoski. Second row: Olivia Anderson, Madison Chulick and Zoe Yonkoski.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_8.19-kids-Mother-Goose.jpg.optimal.jpg‘A Mother Goose Comedy,’ an outdoor presentation by Take the Stage theater group examining how Mother Goose got her ideas for her nursery rhymes will be presented at the Back Mountain Memorial Library, 96 Huntsville Road, Dallas, 6 p.m. Aug. 19 and 20. $5, $3 children. 570-675-1182. Pictured, first row: Maggie Parry (as the wolf) and Esme Yonkoski. Second row: Olivia Anderson, Madison Chulick and Zoe Yonkoski.