(cool) picks for the weekend: week one

Looking for something fun (and free - - or nearly free?) to do this weekend? Here are this week's (cool) picks!

Kids Night at the JHU Summer Outdoor Films! So excited about this! Free showing of "UP" TONIGHT on the upper quad at Johns Hopkins University. Bring your picnic blankets and lawn chairs. Live music, balloon artists and magicians begin at 7:30 PM. The film starts at sunset!

Kids Creativity Workshop: Enjoy an afternoon of creativity a

s Green Spring Station welcomes the talents of Zoll Studio of Fine Art, Little Hands Cookie Co. and Imagine Speech for art and cooking classes and language games for children of all ages. The first 25 kids for the cooking class will receive a complimentary chef's hat. All participating children will take home a completed art masterpiece and decorated cookies! And if that's not enough to help beat the heat head over to The Nut Farm and Creamery for tasty ice cream. From 2-5pm enjoy buy one get one half off any ice cream treat! (And you REALLY should go out and meet our friends from Wee Chic and Imagine Speech! Greenspring Station is having a FABULOUS sidewalk sale along with this FREE event!)

The Baltimore Regional Toddler Fair: Head over to The Montessori School in Lutherville for the 16th Annual Baltimore Regional Toddler Fair. 100% free! This year’s fair will be held Saturday, June 26, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Toddlers will have the chance to ride ponies and see an amazing reptile display. A real fire truck, balloon sculpture, gymnastics demonstrations, interactive music programs and puppet shows are scheduled throughout the day. Parents will also have the opportunity to learn about goods and services that are offered for families with toddlers in the Baltimore area. Exhibitors include those who provide educational toys, children’s recreational activities, preschools and day care facilities, handcrafted products for toddlers and services for families with young children.

Tri-Park Festival: Another freebie. Head over to Lake Montebello, Herring Run Park, and Clifton Park on Saturday from noon to 9:00 PM for food, fun and fitness at the first ever Tri-Park Festival! Celebrate neighborhoods, community, wellness and the parks of Northeast Baltimore. Hosted by the neighborhoods of Belair-Edison, Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello, and Greater Lauraville the Tri-Park Festival features a full day of music, games, food, kid’s corner, neighborhood trolley tours, and healthy living activities including a 4K run/walk, bike tour, and cooking demonstrations. Daytime activities and entertainment will be around Lake Montebello and Herring Run Park . The evening musical entertainment will be held at the Clifton Park amphitheater featuring local jazz musician, Lafayette Gilchrist and the New Volcanoes. Join us for a great day of Fun, Friends and Festivities.