I've been to Comedy Worx on Peace Street in downtown Raleigh a number of times with my daughter for Kazoom Puppet Theatre, a puppet show best for ages 2 to 7 with a mix of storytelling, humor and music.

It stars Bartlet, a crazy yellow-haired puppet who loves the Carolina Hurricanes and calling himself a superstar. His handlers are Ms. Poly and Ms. Ester, who guide kids through the 50-minute show and keep the parents interested with their inside jokes.

Regulars know to bring "Bartlet mail," a picture or note that you stick in the mailbox at the front of the stage to be read during the show. And many kids love to line up to participate on stage in the story that's told. They perform Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. to small crowds. I'd say no more than 30 people have been there for the performances I've been too. Tickets are $4.

A few years ago, Poly and Ester took their regular show on the road to the Holly Springs Cultural Center. They call themselves the Carolina Puppet Theatre there and perform twice a month now on the first and third Tuesday at 10 a.m. Tickets are $5.

The difference in experiences is stark. The Holly Springs center has a much bigger house, seating 191 people. About 75 percent of the seats were full when I went at the end of last month. And Don Briscar, the center's director, said the show sold out this week, though it usually draws between 40 and 50 people.

The Holly Springs show is the same as Kazoom. And there's more competition for kids who want to get on stage for those storytelling sessions. But for my preschooler, it was all the same. (Though she was a little miffed that I'd forgotten to have her make some Bartlet mail).

The Holly Springs Cultural Center is rolling out a new family series this fall called Super Saturdays for Families. Shows run monthly from October through March and feature magicians, a Christmas performance, Grammy-award winner Shana Banana and the Cashore Marionettes. Some shows (like Shana Banana) are best for younger audiences. Other shows might be better for older kids.

But best of all, each show will be held at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on select Saturdays. I can't stand it when a show for preschoolers starts at 7 p.m. (when mine is asleep by 8).

Tickets are cheap, starting at $8 for individuals, $20 for a family of 3, $25 for a family of four, $30 for a family of 5 and $35 for a family of 6. Briscar tells me that it's fine to "blend families" if your family of three wants to go with your neighbor's family of three. And if you have a family of eight, he's happy to work it out too.

For details, click here and then click on "see the schedule" to download the full schedule or call 567-4000 for dates and details. Tickets are on sale now.

Looking for things to do with your kids? Go to www.trianglemom2mom.com/play and check back here every Thursday.