Facilitated by Jackie Kendall-Gebel, the church’s director of children’s ministries. $99 includes book; scholarships available. For parents of younger children, newborn through elementary school age. Info: 303-777-0343, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Gnome’s Nook Confectioners will screen Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971) and David the Gnome, an animated short, at its first movie night, Fri., Sept. 7, 7:30p.m., in the wooded area next to the 1078 S. Gaylord St. shop. Concession stand will be open for kids; parents will receive a 10 percent discount coupon for nearby Max’s Gill and Grill or Reivers. Limited to 30 children. To sign up or for details, visit gnomesnookcandies.com, or call 303-997-7103.

Rocky Mountain PBS KIDS Fun Fest – a fantastic FREE block party for families will celebrate its 16th year Sat., Sept. 8, 10a.m.-2p.m. at 1089 Bannock St. Great for kids preschool-sixth grade,Fun Fest is educational, entertaining and – you guessed it – lots of fun! Children can hang out with Curious George, Clifford the Big Red Dog and Princess Presto from Super Why!; dance and laugh to stage performances by Ballet Nouveau Colorado and Play-Ground Theatre; explore exciting exhibits from places like the Children’s Museum and Boondocks; find adventure on a climbing wall and in a bounce house; enjoy healthy refreshments; and be part of a safe, happy event for the entire family.
     Info:rmpbs.org or 303-892-6666.

Rocky Mountain Music for Aardvarks, the newest kids music class on the block – rocks! Take in a free class, for children aged 3 months-5 years and their music-loving grown-ups at Cameron Church, 1600 S. Pearl St., Wednesdays, Sept. 12 & 26, at 10a.m. & 4p.m. Class size limited; reserve space at rockymtnaardvarks.com or 720-515-8275.

Explore a ghost mining camp and learn how to pan for gold in Panning on the Platte, Sat., Sept. 15, at Grant Frontier Park, near S. Platte River Dr. and W. Iliff Ave. on the S. Platte River Trail. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free, but registration required at spreeweb.org.
     Looking for something for your kids to do when school is off but work isn’t? Sign up for Adventures Outside Holiday Camps, providing games, crafts and environmental adventures for students in kindergarten through fifth grade at SPREE headquarters, 610 S. Jason St., during school holidays. Themes include River Inspection: Crawdads, Bloodworms and More!, Sept. 14; Skeletons of the South Platte’s Past, Oct. 25; Skeletons of Today, 26; Native November, Nov. 12. $35 each; four for $120. Info/registration: spreeweb.org or 303-743-9720.

Spend an afternoon painting with member artist Beverly Green on Family Art Saturday, Sept. 15, 2-4p.m., at Chicano Humanities & Arts Council, 774 Santa Fe Dr. All ages welcome – kids, parents, guardians. $2 suggested donation.
     Registration/info:chacweb.org or 303-571-0440.

Discover art which explores the world and lets the imagination soar at the Children’s Art School – offering after-school and Saturday classes at 700 S. Franklin St. in St. John’s School. All art materials included. Fall highlights:
     Saturday Art Lesson – Art Magic (continuing for the whole school year) will bring adventures of discovery of forms in clay, rainbow colors in paint and sparkling pastels. First session dates: Sept. 22 & 29 and Oct. 6 & 13, 10a.m.-noon. $65. Ages 6+.
     Classes offered Saturdays, Sept. 22 & 29 and Oct. 6, 13 & 20 include:
     Drawing Discoveries, with inspiration from Edgar Degas, a master of horses and dancers,12:30p.m.-2:30p.m. $90. Ages 7+.
     Joy of Painting – create a self portrait in oil; learn to master steps of portrait painting from canvas stretching and sketches to finished portrait, 3-5p.m. $120. Ages 8+; moms can join too!
     Preregistration required. Call for brochure of Fabulous Fall Art and art programs for schools and community groups, 720-319-3813.

Make way Oct. 6 & 7 for The Great Pumpkin Harvest Festival at Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S. Forest St. and find your favorite pumpkin in the patch, create a scarecrow, munch a caramel apple and other tasty treats and take a wagon ride! And don’t miss entering the pie-eating contest and an old-fashioned cake walk.
     Open both Sat. & Sun., 10a.m.-4p.m. Admission is free; charges apply for some activities and food. Sponsored by Perry & Co. Real Estate Professionals. Info: 720-865-0800 or FourMileHistoricPark.org.

Children’s storytimes and craft activities resume after Labor Day at local branches of the Denver Public Library:
     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). Information: kids.denverlibrary.org or 720-865-1306.
     Byers, 675 Santa Fe Dr. After school performances and arts & crafts programs, Tues. & Thur., 4-5p.m.: Sept. 4, Reading Lantern; 6, Superheroes on My Wall; 11, Tic-Tac-Toe Lunch Bag; 13, Back to School Colored Pencil Container (all day); 18, Aztec Mosaics; 20, Hispanic Storytelling and Tortilla Press Printmaking; 27, Paper Retablos. Info: 720-865-0160.
     Decker, 1501 S. Logan St.: Storytime with Craft (preschoolers), Wed., 10:15a.m.; and Book Babies (babies & caregivers/parents) Wed. & Thur., 11:15a.m. Info: 720-865-0220.
     Eugene Field, 810 S. University Blvd.:  Book Babies, Mon. & Tues., 11:15a.m.; Storytime with Craft, Mon. & Tues., held 10:15a.m. Info: 720-865-0240.
     Schlessman, 100 Poplar St.: Children’s programs resume Sept. 11 with Tales for Twos, Tues., 10:15 & 11:15a.m.; Preschool Storytime, Tues., 2:30p.m.; and Book Babies, Thur., 3p.m. Info: 720-865-0000.
     Virginia Village, 1500 S. Dahlia St.: Book Babies, Tues., 10:30a.m. Information: 720-865-0940.

     Note: All branches closed Sun. & Mon., Sept. 2 & 3, for Labor Day.

MOPS (Moms of Preschoolers) has provided friendship, community, resources and support for women & mothers for almost 40 years. A local chapter meets at 700 Bonnie Brae Blvd. (New Denver Church) second and fourth Fridays, 9:30-11:30a.m., September through December. Moms with preschool age (4) and under kids (including first-time pregnant moms) welcome. Info: Kristen Berger, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 404-545-3139; mops.org.

A MOPS group will kick off Wed., Sept. 12, 9:30-11:30a.m. at Hope Community Church, 1801 S. Logan St. Aimed at moms with kids from birth-age 5 from all neighborhoods, the group will meet second and fourth Wednesdays each month, for friendship, support, a tasty brunch and childcare for kids 2 and younger. Children 2-5 can participate in the MOPPETS program based on the popular Veggie Tales stories. Moms with children enrolled in another daycare or preschool program are welcome to attend without their children.
     First session free; registration fee for ongoing participants. Info: Amy Thomas, email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 949-533-0308.

Kindergarten in a converted DC-7? Your child will take wing and thrive at Iliff Preschool’s 2012-2013 private full-day play-based kindergarten program.  Enrollment’s capped at 15 – many public school programs have 25-30 students – and Iliff has been one of Denver’s most reputable early learning centers for the past 50 years.
     Tuition includes all supplies, field trips, lunches, snacks and weekly music and art specials taught by professionals. Kids are encouraged to develop their bodies and imaginations in eight innovative outdoor playgrounds. Enrollment in kindergarten guarantees a place in the popular school-age summer camp program.
     Stop in to register at 4140 E. Iliff Ave., or visit iliffpreschool.com and print forms. Info: 303-757-3551.

Celebrate the changing season, check out programs and meet teachers at the Harvest Festival & Fall Open House at Montessori School of Washington Park, 320 S. Sherman St., Sat., Oct. 13, from 10a.m.-1p.m. Pumpkin patch, face painting, bounce house, costume swap, games, crafts, tours and food. Take time to tour the brand-new Toddler Community, serving children 15 mos.-3 yrs. Info: 303-722-7708, mswp.org.

Denver “JugGrass” band The Highland Ramblers and the Que Pastas kick off the Music Train Family Concert Series, Sun., Oct. 14, 4p.m., at Swallow Hill Music, 71 E. Yale Ave. Established Colorado bands showcase a different genre of music every second Sunday through May, at an affordable price: $9 adults, $5 kids and children 1 and under free. Tickets/info: 303-777-1003, ext. 2,  swallowhillmusic.org.

Colorado Ski Country USA’s Passport Programs are back, introducing fifth- and sixth-grade kids to skiing and snowboarding through free or discounted access to 20 Colorado ski resorts. Participating fifth graders are allowed three free days of skiing, and sixth graders four for $99. Also, fifth graders who have never skied or boarded are eligible to receive a free ski or snowboard lesson with rental equipment, in January; reservations required. Details/registration: coloradoski.com/passport, 303-866-9707.

Looking for a preschool with small classes, and caring and nurturing teachers for your child? Registration for fall 2012 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.; a new afternoon class for 4-year-olds is offered on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; enrichment classes on Mondays. Classes include hands-on experiences through music, literacy, art, dramatics, science, cooking, outdoor play and global learning. Qualistar-rated EMP is a Denver Preschool Program provider, and has delivered quality preschool education to the community for 39 years. Info: 303-758-1697, empdenver.com.

For all single parents – Families First offers a free on-going Circle of Parents support group just for you! Discover proven methods for cutting down on the frustration of being a single parent in today’s hectic world. Unlock the knowledge you already hold and share your wisdom, create a support network and rebuild your self-esteem.
     Group meets first, third and fifth Thursdays, 6:30-8p.m., at Evanston United Methodist Church, 2122 S. Lafayette St. Free children’s group provided. Come build upon your strengths in a safe and nurturing environment.
     Do you need immediate help? Visit familiesfirstcolorado.org for quick links to parenting classes, Circle of Parents groups, the Family Support Line for English and Spanish callers, and a residential treatment center focused on the prevention and treatment of child abuse. Info: Family Support Line, 303-695-7996, or Families First, 303-745-0327.