Iliff Preschool, Kindergarten & School-Age Summer Camp is celebrating 45 years of service to the community. Stop by Thur., Dec. 11 or 18, 10-11a.m., for a Holiday Open House. Visit the unique DC-7 airplane classroom, where pilot Miss Mary helps kindergarteners take visitors on an unforgettable flight! Mention this invitation and waive the registration fee if you enroll your child in any program during December or January. Info: Carol at 303-757-3551, or www.iliffpreschool.com.

Build a hand drum, then play it in a drum circle at two workshops by RhythmVision, held at Caboodle Gifts, 1515 S. Holly St. Two-day hand-drum class is Thur., Dec. 11, 6-8p.m., and Sat., Dec. 13, 2-4p.m., for ages 12-adult. $80. Drum circle class held six Sundays, 2-3p.m., starting Jan. 11. Bring or borrow a drum. Ages 8-adult. $50. Register by emailing caboodlellc@gmail.com or visit the store. More info, call 303-759-3966 or visit www.caboodlegifts.net.

Bring the family and celebrate a good old-fashioned Christmas surrounded by the sights, sounds, smells & tastes of the season in the bedecked and lovely Victorian sanctuary of South Broadway Christian Church, 23 Lincoln St. Goodies to eat, carols to sing, and a visit from good old St. Nick himself – all take place on Sat., Dec. 13, starting at 6p.m. Admission: just one non-perishable food item! Info: 303-722-4679.

Families have freedom to explore the world and their imaginative ideas with Children’s Art School offerings. Upcoming Saturday class highlights include: Harlequin And Pierrot (ages 5+), Dec. 13, 9a.m.-noon, followed by Doing Art Together + Family Portraits (family class), Dec. 13, 3:30-5p.m Call for fees and details. Pre-registration required. Children’s Art School is located at 700 S. Franklin St. in St. John’s School. Info: 720-319-3813.

Parents and their children can enter the world of music together in Little Swallows, a new preschool program for children 6 months to 4 years at Swallow Hill Music Association, 71 E. Yale Ave. Sessions involve sing-alongs, finger games, circle dances and rhythm instruments, directed by professional instructors. Register now for the next eight-week sessions, starting in early January.

Parents and young music buffs, ages 2-10, can sing, dance and finger-play in the next Children’s Sing-A-Long, Sat., Dec. 13, 10:30-11:15a.m. The casual, monthly gathering provides shakers, rhythm instruments and instructors. Registration requested. The Julie Davis Music School also offers instruction in guitar, recorder, music theatre and more.

Info/registration visit www.swallowhill.com or 303-777-1003.

Rocky Mountain Conservatory Theatre is auditioning kids 12-17 for Kids at DU’s Romeo & Juliet, Tues., Dec. 16, 5-8p.m., at DU’s Margery Reed Building, 2306 E. Evans Ave. Rehearsals typically run five weeks, followed by a show run lasting two weekends (Feb. 13-22.) For details, visit www.RMCTonline.com, or call 303-476-0222.

Earn your halo this year through The Angel Book Project at Kazoo and Company, 2930 E. 2nd Ave., through Mon., Dec. 22. Kazoo will feature a giving Christmas tree adorned with names of local children (provided by Denver Social Services); select a name, purchase an age-appropriate book, and Kazoo will do the rest, and donate additional books equal to 10 percent of total book sales. Info: 303-322-0973.

Start a new family holiday tradition at the Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway, offering free admission for kids (18 and younger) Dec. 19–Jan. 4, as well as special Winter Break activities. Weave on a real Navajo loom, design a building using the same software that architects use, get creative with special art-making activities, play games, dress-up in costumes and more.

Kids Corner and gallery activities are always available, with Family Backpacks and Art Tubes. Hours for special Winter Break activities are 10a.m.-4p.m., Tues.-Sat.; noon-4 p.m. on Sundays. Closed Thur., Dec. 25, but open New Year’s Day. No reservations necessary; info: 720-913-0048 or www.denverartmuseum.org.

Treat the kids to one last craft or story session this year at a nearby Denver Public Library branch. All libraries will close early (4p.m.) Wed., Dec. 24 & 31, and close all day Thur., Dec. 25 & Jan. 1, for holidays.

Byers, 675 Santa Fe Dr. After School is Cool! features, crafts, games, dance lessons and educational activities for kids and teens, every weekday, 4-5p.m. (except Mon. & Tues., Dec. 15 & 16, and Dec. 22-Jan. 2.) Limited to first 20 kids. Info: 720-865-0160.

Eugene Field, 810 S. University Blvd. Storytime with Craftfor all ages, Tuesdays, 10:30a.m. (except Dec. 30) and Fridays, 10:15a.m. (except Dec. 26 & Jan. 2). Bookbabies, Fri., 11a.m. (except Dec. 26 & Jan. 2).

Super Saturdays, all ages, 10:30a.m.: Dec. 6, Liberty Irish Dance; 13, Tweedles the Elf. Info: 303-777-2301.

Central Library, 10 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy. Weekday children’s activities, 10:30a.m.: Tuesdays, Bookbabies I (0-6 mo.); Wednesdays, Tales for Twos & Craft (24-35 mo.); Thursdays, Preschool Storytime & Craft (3-5 yrs.); Fridays, Bookbabies II (early walkers). (No children’s programming Dec. 20-Jan. 2.)

Saturdays at 2p.m. (all ages): Dec. 6, Snowflake Celebration with Lisa Hunter; 13, Magic of Winter Reading with Bill Anderson. Info: www.denverlibrary.org or call 720-865-1306.

Decker, 1501 S. Logan St., Bookbabies (0-24 mo.), Mon., 12:30p.m. & Thur., 10:30a.m. (ends Dec. 18, resumes Jan. 5); Preschool Storytime, Wed., 10:30a.m. (ends Dec. 18, resumes Jan. 7); Tot Tales, Thur., 4p.m. (ends Dec. 18, resumes Jan. 8).

Super Saturdays, all ages, 10:30a.m.: Dec. 6, Tweedles the Elf. Info: 720-865-0220.

Schlessman, 100 Poplar St.: Bookbabies (3-24 mo.), Thursdays, 10:30a.m. (last Dec. 11, resumes Jan. 8); and All Ages Storytime, Tuesdays, 10:30a.m. (last Dec. 9, resumes Jan. 6).

Evolver Teens offers group activities each month (meets Wed., Dec. 10, 3:30-4:30p.m.) Info: 720-865-0000.

Virginia Village, 1500 S. Dahlia St., hosts Tot Tales (2-3 yrs.) on Mondays, 10:30 & 11:15a.m.; Bookbabies (6-24 mo.), Tuesdays, 10:30 & 11:30a.m.; Storytime (all ages), Fridays, 10:30a.m. (No storytimes Dec. 15-26.)

Super Saturdays, 11a.m.: Dec. 6, Blipfinger puppet show; 13, One World Folk Dancers. Info: 720-865-0940.

Step into the world of Colorado International School, 4100 E. Iliff Ave., at an Open House, Sat., Jan. 10, 10a.m.-2p.m., featuring special guests, refreshments and kids’ activities. The preschool through 8th grade independent school offers day and enrichment programs in Mandarin, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Russian, Italian, Farsi and Arabic, as well as unique summer days camps like Keystone Science Camp. Info: www.coloradointernationalschool.org or 303-282-6666.

University Park Mothers Club is a social, supportive, and educational group for families with young children living in the University Park neighborhood and surrounding area (Colorado Blvd. to University Blvd. and Yale Ave. to I-25). All families (dads, too!) with children ages 0-5 or expecting, are welcome. The group boasts more than 75 families and 150 children! Join today at www.uparkmoms.org or email info@uparkmoms.org for more information.

Wellshire Parents Day Out, an early childhood education program offered by Wellshire Presbyterian Church, 2999 S. Colorado Blvd., is offered Monday through Friday, 9:30a.m.-1:30p.m., Sept. through mid-May. Children at least one year old and walking, up through age 4, attend only one day a week for a fee of $80 per month. Call the PDO office, 303-691-0346, with questions.

Kindermusik means musical fun and fellowship for kids 6 weeks to 3 years, and their special adult (grandparents encouraged!) at Wellshire Presbyterian Church, 2999 S. Colorado Blvd. Held Wed., 9:45 & 10:30a.m. Caregiver must accompany children. Call Katy Fink-Johnson for details, 720-488-8076.

Registration is ongoing for 2008-09 at Emmanuel United Methodist Preschool, 2700 S. Downing St. Emmanuel is celebrating its 35th year of service to the community. Classes include play, music, literacy, art, dramatics, science, cooking, outdoor play, special events, summer camp and global learning. Call to schedule a tour. Denver residents with 4-year-olds can apply for tuition credits through the Denver Preschool Program. Info: Jeanann Johnson at 303-758-1697.

Washington Street Community Center, 809 S. Washington St., offers a full-time, play-based learning Qualistar preschool, emphasizing school readiness and the arts and the Discoveryland Enrichment Program, 9a.m.-1p.m.. Also: Kids Club before- and after-school and DPS Days Off programs. WSCC has served the community since 1967. Info: www.wscc-denver.org or 303-733-4643.

Improving moms’ lives through support, education and advocacy is the mission of Mothers & More, a secular, not-for-profit national organization. The Central Denver Chapter (#218) offers monthly activities like meetings, Margarita Club, play groups, family picnics, and provides email networks, newsletters and Care Committee Support. Visitors welcome at monthly moms-only events; email mothersandmoredenver@yahoo.com for details.

No mom was ever meant to mother alone. That’s the philosophy of MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). The Corona MOPS is a local chapter that meets at Corona Presbyterian Church at 8th Ave. & Downing St. Join in for brunch, meeting other moms and speakers on diverse topics. Children’s program provided.

Corona MOPS meets first, third and fifth Fridays of each month, 9-11:30a.m. Motherhood is a journey of its own, and supporting each other is fundamental. For info, call 303-832-2297.

Are you a Mod Mom? Do you have kids under 5? Are you expecting a new little one? Mod Moms – Moms of Denver – offers monthly get-togethers, playgroups, Mod Moms Unplugged, Bunko, book clubs and more, to build lasting friendships, have fun and support both mothers and children. Info: www.modmoms.org.

The MOMS Club of Cherry Creek/ Washington Park invites stay-at-home moms to meet with other at-home mothers and their children. The Club offers events every week, including play groups, outings, Bunko, Mom’s Night Out, walking groups and family nights.

Find Cherry Creek chapter info: www.momsclubofcherrycreek.com or email momsclub_cc@yahoo.com.

Washington Park chapter: email wpmc_membership@yahoo.com or visit www.momsclubofwashpark.com.

For All Single Moms – Families First offers a free 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. Info: call the Family Support Line, 303-695-7996, or Families First, 303-745-0327.

Challenge Fitness provides fitness and social opportunities for children with special needs (mild to moderate disabilities) at the Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center, 350 S. Dahlia St. Kids can physically work out after school, stretch, develop balance and stamina, meet new people and learn life skills. Advance registration required; contact Parmet at 303-316-6309, or sparmet@jccdenver.org.

A new education program for children of 24 to 36 months has been launched by Colorado Bright Beginnings, a nonprofit helping parents shape their child’s future and readiness to learn. Program C continues the focus of its other two programs, providing an enriched, supportive environment that promotes early literacy, brain development and developmental milestones, health, safety and the critical importance of parent-child relationship building. For details, visit www.brightbeginningsco.org, or call 877-927-6935.