On the Fourth, I usually hide under my bed, cowering and covering my ears. Here are other ideas for this sparkler-strewn weekend.

The Seattle Aquarium will teach fish how to throw firecrackers! No, they won't, but wouldn't it be neat? Okay, no joke -- from 7 p.m. to midnight, the aquarium will open their doors to families for Fish & Firecrackers. Listen to indie kid band Recess Monkey, and then head outside to watch fireworks from the deck area. Just watch your fishy crackers, if sitting by that tricky octopus guy.

Friday, July 4, from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Seattle Aquarium. Cost: $18-$28, ages 3 and under free. RSVP by calling 206-386-4300 or buying tickets online.

Skip great-aunt Sally's salmonella-laced potato salad. Instead, head to WaMu Family 4th's Playfield at Gasworks Park, where you and the kids can try an enormous slide, juggling classes, Lego building and old-fashioned three-legged races. Pick up classic Fourth fare like hamburgers and hot dogs, or pack your own from home (bring the cooler). The fireworks start at 10 p.m.; bring earplugs for noise-shy little ones. Or you can loan them to me.

Friday, July 4 from noon to 11 p.m. at Gasworks Park, free. See the full list of events, a map and more information at WaMu Family 4th.

Ride the Seattle Streetcar to the Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival, taking place at the Center for Wooden Boats. More than 100 participating boats, free boat rides, regattas, a treasure hunt, games and food, with music and dancing on Saturday night.

Friday, July 4 through Sunday, July 6, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, at the Center for Wooden Boats. $5 suggested donation per individual, $10 per family. Call 206-382-2628 or read more about children's activities here.

Take your natural competitiveness to all-new heights at the Allstate Insurance Company Milk Carton Derby. Children's show at noon, pig petting. Free life vests for kids 12 and under, while supplies last. Read the entry rules and get more infomation at the Seafair site.

Saturday, July 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., southwest shore of Green Lake. Call 206-728-0123 for more information.

Ahoy, mateys. Get yer fill of pillaging and plundering when the Seafair Pirates arrive at West Seattle's Alki Beach at noon. Walter "Tattoo" Taucher be landin' on Alki Beach in West Seattle on July 5 around 11:30 a.m. Live music, dunk tanks, streetside shopping, and a pirate look-a-like contest. The first 500 kids (from 10:30 a.m.) will get a free toy pirate kit. Next year, I'd like to see the pirates sail in on a milk carton.

Saturday, July 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Alki Beach in West Seattle. Read more here at the Seafair site.

On Sunday, say hola to Hispanic Seafair, which offers live music, dancing, regional food, crafts and fun for kids.

Sunday, July 6 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Seattle Center's Fisher Pavilion, free. Read more and watch a YouTube video at the Hispanic Seafair site.

E-mail Lora at littlekidsbigcity@nwsource.com and see previous entries at http://littlekidsbigcity.com.

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