The Big List

Dix Park's free bike-teaching morning for kids working up the nerve to lose the training wheels, with loaner bikes and patient volunteers at Gipson Play Plaza.

The Wake County bookmobile parks at House of Many Porches for a morning of story time and browsing — an easy, free stop if you're already at the park with kids.

An open, family-friendly poetry evening at House of Many Porches — come to read, come to listen, nobody's grading you.

A dog-park happy hour at Dix Park's off-leash area, with treats for the dogs and an easy excuse to talk to strangers while your pup runs it off.

Bring a drum or just your hands — an open community drum circle at the Stone Houses Visitor Center that welcomes total beginners.

A playful hands-on math session for kids at The Chapel, built more like a puzzle room than a classroom.

Free family story time and library card sign-ups on the porches at House of Many Porches Market, with books, music, and movement for little ones.

Vinyl DJ sets from Oak City Soul on the market patio, with snacks, sandwiches, coffee, wine, and beer for an easy afternoon picnic in the park.

Slow, meditative Tai Chi on the grass at Harvey Hill for balance and calm, all fitness levels welcome for ages 12 and up — free, just bring water and comfortable shoes.

Preschool nature program for ages 2 to 6 on woodland creatures — deer, bunnies, turtles, and bugs — with games, stories, and songs, free but registration required.

A free adaptive cycling clinic at Flowers Field for riders with disabilities, using handcycles and recumbent trikes with hands-on instruction.

Raleigh's beloved backyard soapbox derby returns with costumes, a parade, a kids' pinebox car race, and neighborhood teams racing homemade cars downhill, free to watch.