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Help adobe artists build a giant earthen playground, watch and participate in a clay animation film fest, decorate Maya chocolate cups, try Hopi tile painting and more. Free with admission; no reservations required. Info: denverartmuseum.org, 720-865-5000.

Build your own “Funky Birdhouse” during Family Art Day at VSA Arts of Colorado/Access Gallery, 909 Santa Fe Dr., Sat., July 9, noon-2p.m. Space is limited. Led by VSA artist in residence and teens from the ArtWorks Program, cost is $20 per person, and includes all materials and birdhouse. Space is limited; call 303-777-0797 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to register.

Denver teens can use city recreation centers and pools for free through Aug. 14 thanks to Kaiser Permanente, which is funding the program for a third year. Standard fees apply for programs and activities normally offered at an additional charge; youth 12 and under can purchase a three-month membership for $10.50 or apply for the My Place program or scholarships. Adults 18+ pay usual fees. Details: denvergov.org/recreation, or call 311.

Discover art which explores the world and lets the imagination soar with classes at the Children’s Art School.
        Saturdays, July 9, 16, 23 & 30: Sketching Trip to Washington Park using pastels, charcoal and colored pencils, 10a.m.-noon, ages 7+, $70; Palette Paint Brushes, oil painting of summer light and sunshine, 1-3p.m., ages 8+, $85.
        Learn the art of portraiture in Princes & Princesses Portraits, Tues.-Thur., July 5-7, 10a.m.-noon, ages 8+, $55.
        Create a cast of characters for a comic strip and animated short cartoon in Comic Capers, Mon.-Thur., July 11-14, 10a.m.-noon, ages 7+, $70.
        Draw, sculpt and create with a celebration of colors in Light Fantastic, Mon.-Thur., July 18-21, 10a.m.-noon, ages 7+, $70.
        Explore the four treasures of Chinese painting to create a soaring dragon scroll in Emperor’s Brush, Mon.-Thur., July 25-28, 10a.m.-noon, ages 7+, $70.
        All materials included. Preregistration required.
        Call for The Joy of Spring and Summer Art brochure and information on the school’s all-day camp partnership with St. John’s School. Located at 700 S. Franklin St. in St. John’s School. Info/costs/registration: 720-319-3813.

Work with local film industry professionals and other young filmmakers and learn the art of filmmaking in the Denver Film Society’s Young Filmmakers Workshops, for teens.
        The new Animation Course (July 11-22) teaches the basics of two-dimensional animation, focusing on essential narrative elements like character development and storytelling.
        Masters Class (Aug. 1-12) teaches non-narrative story development and advanced audio, lighting and editing, and presents an overview of careers in film production.
        All camps conclude with screenings of students’ work at the Denver FilmCenter/Colfax. Info: denverfilm.org, 303-595-3456.

Kids learn the principles of flight & fundamentals of rocket science in 3, 2, 1...Blast Off!, an interactive exhibit  at Children’s Museum of Denver, 2121 Children’s Museum Dr. (off Exit 211 on I-25). Kids explore the elements of aerodynamics, physics, technology and engineering by building, launching and testing their own rockets, planes and other flying devices, both indoors in The Engineering Lab and outside on the plaza’s Lunar Outpost and Launch Pad. Included with admission ($6-8). Info: mychildsmuseum.org, 303-433-7444.

Explore the high-flying world of aviation & space at Wings Over the Rockies’ summer camps, for kids 8-12, July 11-15. In Science of Flight, children are introduced to the basics of flight, build and fly model airplanes, complete a flight plan and pilot a flight simulator. In Space Adventures, kids build and fly model rockets, plan a mission to Mars, learn about the solar system and sample the physical challenges of working in space. Info: 303-360-5360, ext. 115, wingsmuseum.org.

Wellshire Presbyterian Church offers Shake It Up Vacation Bible School the mornings of July 12-14 or July 19-21, for children age 3 through those entering second grade this fall. Wellshire is located at 2999 S. Colorado Blvd. Details on the “Children & Family Program” link at wpcdenver.org. Info: 303-758-2233.

St. John’s Lutheran Church and School, 700 S. Franklin St., offers summer day camp for children entering first grade this fall through age 12, each weekday, 7:30a.m.-6p.m., through Aug. 5. Day destinations include Pirate’s Cove, the Wildlife Experience and Skate City. Flexible scheduling available. Registration: 303-733-3777, ext. 129, or stjohnslutheranschool.com.

Kids 3-5 with “grownups” are invited to artmaking, games & storytimes at Create Playdates, second Wednesdays, 11a.m.-1p.m., at the Duncan Pavilion in the Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy. New themes every month: Mash and play with clay and hear stories in the galleries in Smush, July 13. Free with general admission (5 and under free). Info: 720-865-5000, denverartmuseum.org.

Chicano Humanities & Arts Council, at 774 Santa Fe Dr., offers summer kids classes, replete with artmaking, stories and refreshments, every Thursday morning through Aug. 11, 10:30a.m.-noon. Fee: $6 walk-ins, $5 advance, $12 for three.
        CHAC author/artist Mary Hernandez leads children in writing and illustrating a story during Kids Art Saturday, July 16, 2-4p.m. All ages welcome, $2 donation for materials.
        Registration/info: ChacWeb.org or 303-571-0440.

Take the first step toward finding the right college at the free Colleges That Change Lives program, Thur., Aug. 4, in Denver Convention Center, Rm. 201 (Four Seasons Ballroom), 700-14th St. A 30-minute panel presentation on the latest research on campus characteristics and learning components begins at 7p.m., followed by a 90-minute college fair with admission representatives from the colleges and universities. Nonprofit CTCL is dedicated to the advancement and support of a student-centered college search process. Info: ctcl.org.

This fall Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 E. Hampden Ave., will launch a new Parents Day Out program for children ages 18 months through 2-1/2 years, Mon.-Thur., 8:30a.m.-1p.m., through its Early Childhood Center, which also offers preschool and child care. Info: Susan Swank, 303-758-0266, or becc-denver.org.

Summer of Reading is in full swing at all 23 Denver Public Library branches and two bookmobiles. Through free activities, reading suggestions and incentives, the program encourages youth to read during break to avoid “summer learning loss,” a seasonal skills-slump affecting many children. Registration ends July 30. Call 720-865-0975, visit summerofreading.org, or stop at your nearest branch for details.
        Central Library, 10 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy., presents: Weekly storytimes in the Children’s Pavilion, 10:30a.m., with craft activities in the Baron Project Room immediately afterward. No preregistration required: Mon. & Wed., Tales for Twos (24-35 mo.); Tues., Book Babies I (0-6 mo.); Thur., Preschool Storytime & Craft (3-5 yrs.); Fri., Book Babies II (early walkers).
        Summer of Reading performances Wed., 2-3p.m.: July 6, Around the World Magic; 13, Magic and Juggling Show; 20, Stone Soup; 27, Fairy Tale Theatre. Info: kids.denverlibrary.org or 720-865-1306.
        Byers, 675 Santa Fe Dr. Summer of Reading offerings for kids and teens, Tues. & Thur., 2-3p.m.: July 7, Fairy Tale Theatre; 12, Clown Make-Up Show and Tell; 14, Make Your Own Book; 19, Fossil Chocolate Chip Cookies: Geology You Can Eat; 26, Mudslinger and Digger; 28, Easy Origami Pen Pal Envelopes. Plus Sing-along Saturday, July 16, 2-3p.m. Information: 720-865-0160.
        Decker, 1501 S. Logan St.: Book Babies (babies and caregivers/parents), offered Wed. & Thur., 11:15a.m.; Storytime with Craft (preschoolers), Wed., 10:15a.m. Saturday Summer of Fun offerings (10:30a.m.): July 2, Clown Make-Up Show and Tell; 9, Around the World with the Three Best Friends; 23, Make an Aboriginal Dot Painting; 30, Through the Eyes of Animals; Aug. 6, Create a Chinese Dragon Puppet. Information: 720-865-0220.
        Eugene Field, 810 S. University Blvd.: Book Babies, Mon., 11:15a.m.; Storytime with Craft, Mon., 10:15a.m. Summer of Reading offerings, Tues., 10:30a.m.: July 12, Around the World Magic and Juggling Show; 19, Baby Play; 26, The Castaways; Aug. 2, Musikgarten.Banana Splits Book Club, Thur., July 14 & 21, 2p.m. Info: 720-865-0240.
        Schlessman, 100 Poplar St.: Tuesday kids programs, 10:30a.m.: July 5, Merry Andrew Afoot’s The Three Wishes (all ages); 12, Top Hogs’ The Castaways; 19, Decorate Treasure Boxes (preschoolers through 12; repeats at 11:30a.m.); Aug. 2, Paperback Notebook (ages 6-12; repeats at 11:30a.m.).
        Children’s Activity, Tues., July 12 & 26 at 2p.m.; call to register.
        Baby Activity, Thur., July 14 & 28 at 3p.m.; visit reference desk for details.
        Special baby & toddler programs – no registration required – Thur., 3p.m.: July 7, Signing Smart Sign Language for Hearing Infants and Toddlers; 21, Toddler Massage; Aug. 4, Pick a Preschool.
        Programs for teens, Mon., 2p.m.: July 11, Your Name in Graffiti Workshop (3p.m., ages 12-18); July 18 & Aug. 1, Books ‘N Bites book club (call to register); 25, Video Games at the Library for Teens! (ages 2-18).
        Info: 720-865-0000.
        Virginia Village, 1500 S. Dahlia St.: Book Babies, Tues., 10:30a.m.; Tot Tales, Fri., 10:30a.m. Saturday Summer of Reading shows, 11a.m.: July 2, Bunnies on Vacation; 9, Fairy Tale Theatre; 16, Hawkquest’s Birds of Prey; 23, Merry Andrew Afoot’s The Three Wishes; 30, Suzalloonz’ Around the World with the Three Best Friends; Aug. 6, Black Hands Drum Ensemble. Photo Keychain Accessories Craft, Wed., July 6, 2p.m. Info: 720-865-0940.

Benefit from 47 years of experience at Iliff Preschool’s Summer Adventure Day Camp for post kindergarteners through age 12. Campers spend their days with professionally trained staff who focus on fun and adventure through swimming, sports and field trips connected to weekly themes. Returning campers can find themes and registration packets on the website. First-time campers may pick up a registration packet at the office, 4140 E. Iliff Ave. Info: iliffpreschool.com, 303-757-3551.

Looking for a preschool with small classes, and caring and nurturing teachers for your child? Registration for fall 2011 classes is underway at Emmanuel United Methodist Preschool, 2700 S. Downing St. Kids 2-1⁄2 (potty trained) to 5 attend 9a.m.-1p.m.; enrichment classes are offered Mondays. Classes include hands-on experiences in personal growth through play, music, literacy, art, dramatics, science, cooking, outdoor play, special events and global learning. Qualistar-rated EMP is a Denver Preschool Program provider, and has delivered quality preschool education to the community for 38 years. Info: Jeanann Johnson, 303-758-1697, or empdenver.com.