Stop in the office for a tour and to pick up a registration packet; parents of returning students can download registration forms at www.iliffpreschool.com. Call 303-757-3551 for registration information and space availability for the toddler, preschool and pre-k programs.
Spend Thursday mornings this summer in parent-child workshops at the Chicano Humanities & Arts Council, 772 Santa Fe Dr., open to all ages, 11a.m-noon: Create an authentic Mexican tin ornament in When Gold Became Tin, June 10; learn to weave an ancient symbol from the Huichol peole in God’s Eye, 17; or learn about and create Aztec Masks, 24. Phone sign-up preferred, but drop-ins welcome. $3 first child, $2 each additional child; helping parent free ($2 if creating). Held at CHAC Norte Gallery. Learn of and celebrate lively monthly Mexican traditions in Fairs, Fiestas & Spring, a free Kids Art Saturday Workshop, Sat., June 19, 2-4p.m. Suggested donation $1. Info: visit www.ChacWeb.org or call 303-571-0440.
Spend a week in herbal exploration and discovery at MoonDance Botanical’s Kids Herb Camp, at 601 Corona St. Children 5-10 learn how to use herbs for healing, cooking and creating potions for the body, then take herb walks and connect with the Earth through art and yoga. Mon.-Thur., 11a.m.-3:30p.m., sessions begin June 14, 21, July 12 and 19; $200 fee includes materials and lunch. Visit www.moondancebotanicals.com or call 303-263-7275 for details.
10-week Spanish for Mom and Tot is offered at Emmanuel United Methodist Preschool, 2700 S. Downing St., Wed., June 16-Aug. 18, 10-10:45a.m., open to children 1-3 and their caretaker. $139, 20 percent discount for siblings. Direct enrollment is available: www.langokids.com/regions/denver-west. Email Kelli at langokids@yahoo.com for information.
Attention youthful entrepreneurs! Business persons 6 to 21 can vie for $250 to $1,000 in prizes in the Celebration for Young Entrepreneurs business competition. Get applications online or at the Young Americans Center for Financial Education, 3550 E. 1st Ave. Deadline is June 18. Winners and finalists will be announced in September. Info: 303-321-2265, www.yacenter.org.
Kids 5-10 & their parents are invited to a Sunday afternoon of art creation & appreciation at EventGallery 910Arts, 910 Santa Fe Dr., on Father’s Day, Sun., June 20, 2-4p.m. Children turn their unique observations of the great sky into small gift paintings for dad, while parents are led through a private gallery showing and discussion of the artwork. $15 per child; parents free. Space is limited, reservations required: 303-815-1779.
Discover art which explores the world and lets the imagination soar with classes from the Children’s Art School, offering week-long and Saturday classes this summer, including: Les Fleurs: Flowers, Buds and Blossoms, Sat., June 26, 3-4:30p.m. For $20, families learn how to capture the beauty of a bouquet in brushstokes and watercolors and see how the masters painted buds and blossoms. Sketching Trip to Washington Park teaches kids 8+ how to draw the shimmering colors of summer with pastels, June Saturdays, 9:30-11:30a.m. $65. Young artists (8+) create a landscape oil painting out of doors, en plein air, inspired by the Impressionists, in Palette, Paint and Brushes, June 14-17, Mon.-Thur., 9:30-11:30a.m. $75. The Art Garden is tailored to children 4 and older, joined by a parent, on Sat., June 12 or 19, noon-2p.m. $35. All art materials included. Pre-registration required. Located at 700 S. Franklin St. in St. John’s School. Info/costs/registration: 720-319-3813.
Denver Botanic Gardens’ Art Romp: Summer Camp in the Gardens shows kids the work of sculptor Henry Moore, helps them create a large-scale sculpture and finish with an art show extravaganza. Two week-long sessions, 9a.m.-4p.m. daily: June 21-25 (ages 12-15) and 28-July 2 (6-11). $249 nonmembers. Info/registration: www.botanicgardens.org or 303-765-3500.
Out of school and looking for something cool to do? The Denver Art Museum’s Family Activity Cart is out every day for summer fun. Explore the galleries with a Family Backpack, check out a single-activity Art Tube, and more! Open Tues.-Sat., 10a.m.-5p.m., and Sun., noon-5p.m. Activities free with admission; kids 5 and younger receive free general admission. Enjoy the museum’s exhibitions (except ticketed events) at no cost every first Saturday (June 5), thanks to Target; tickets are available onsite at 10a.m. Info: 720-865-5000, www.denverartmuseum.org.
Denver Public Library branches are serving up summer reading fun for kids of all ages: Central Library, 10 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy., presents: Weekly storytimes in the Children’s Pavilion, 10:30a.m., and 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). Info: www.denverlibrary.org; 720-865-1306. Byers, 675 Santa Fe Dr.: Afternoon (2-3p.m.) Summer of Reading programming for ages 6-14 includes crafts (Mon.), entertainment/crafts (Wed.) and Wii Game Day (Thur.), plus two Saturday crafts – Surfer Decal, June 12, and Swimming in a Necklace, 26. Info: 720-865-0160. Decker, 1501 S. Logan St.: Book Babies (6-24 mo.), Mon., 12:30p.m., and Wed., 11:15a.m.; Storytime with Craft (preschoolers), Wed., 10:15a.m. Thursday morning entertainment & crafts, 10:30-11:30a.m.: June 10, Bunnies on Vacation; 17, Candy Creatures; 24, Balloon Stories with Suzalloonz. Cupcake Creations (Tweens & Teens ages 9+, registration required), Mon., June 7, 3-4p.m. Info: 720-865-0220. Eugene Field, 810 S. University Blvd.: Summer of Reading activities include Thrifty Baby, a book, toy & clothing swap, June 14, 11:30a.m.-12:30p.m.; and Cupcake Decorating with Lovely Confections, Tues., 22, 2-3p.m. (ages 10+, call to register). Sat. performances (10:30a.m.): June 5, Castaways!; 12, Bug Safari; 19, Yo Ho Ho Pirate Show; 26, Really Cool Science. Info: 720-865-0240. Ross-Broadway, 33 E. Bayaud Ave.: Face Painting with Nancy Avalon, Sat., June 12, 10a.m.-12:30p.m. Info: 720-865-0135. Schlessman, 100 Poplar St.: Summer of Reading performances for all ages, Thur., 10:30a.m.: June 10, Make a Splash Magic Show; 24, Make a Splash on the High Seas: A Pirate Adventure. Register for monthly Banana Splits Book Club (grades 3 & 4), for books and crafts, Wed., June 16, 6-7p.m. Children’s Crafts (through 5th grade), Thur., sessions 10:30 & 11a.m.: June 17, Shark Hat; July 1, 4th of July Flag/Windchime. Read With Me (through preschool), Thur., 3-3:30p.m.: June 17, Dino Bowling. Make Waves teen program, Mon., 3:30-4:30p.m.: June 14, DIY Workshop with Fancy Tiger: Project T-shirt; 21, Wii Nintendo Gaming; 30, Guitar Hero (Wed.) Teen Books ‘N Bites Book Club (grades 6-8), Mon., 3:30-4:30p.m., June 7 & 28. Info: 720-865-0000. Virginia Village, 1500 S. Dahlia St., hosts Book Babies (6-24 mo.), 10:30a.m., Tues.; Tot Tales (2-3 yrs.), 10:30a.m., Fri. Summer of Reading offerings, Sat., 11a.m.: June 5, Magic with a Splash; 12, Dive Into Reading; 19, Fairy Tale Theatre; 26, Yo Ho Ho Pirate Show. 4th of July Flag Craft held Fri., July 2, 2:30p.m. Info: 720-865-0940.
Summer Music Camp and Vacation Bible School are offered at Wellshire Presbyterian Church, 2999 S. Colorado Blvd. Children entering grades 3-8 may register for Wellshire Music Camp, July 12-16, by visiting Wellshire’s website and clicking on the “lion” link. Kids 3 (by June 1) through 2nd grade can sign up for one of two Vacation Bible School sessions (July 27-29 or Aug. 3-5) online, as well. Info: 303-758-2233, www.wpcdenver.org.
Music For Children teaches music by making music, using xylophones, recorders, drums and percussion instruments, accompanied by singing, creative movement and puppetry. Located at the Grenoble Studio of Musical Arts, 3085 S. Pennsylvania St., beginning classes are offered for preschool through 6th grade, plus high school offerings, all taught by nationally acclaimed and certified Orff music eduction specialists. Info: www.grenoblestudio.com, 303-761-3136.
International artist Georgia Amar offers summer art classes for students 7-16 at her Habitat Gallery & Studio, 828 Santa Fe Dr. One-week sessions (June 7-11 or 14-18, plus July 5-9 or 12-16) focus on the medium of painting, limited to 12 per session. Cost: $295 includes all materials and lunch made with student participation. Email the gallery at HabitatGallery@earthlink.net for registration form or call 303-534-9740.
Sign up for Creative Journeys artist-in-residence/mentor camps at the Mizel Museum, 400 S. Kearney St., half- and full-day multi-activity camps featuring visual arts, storytelling, music, puppetry, drama and radio theatre, for ages 4-12. Details, call 303-394-9993, ext. 103, or visit www.mizelmuseum.org.
Enrollment is ongoing for the Rocky Mountain Conservatory Theatre’s summer camps for ages 6-17, in the Newman Center for the Performing Arts Byron Theatre, at DU, 2344 E. Iliff Ave., Mon.-Fri., 9a.m.-3:30p.m. New this year is Technical Theatre Camp – lights, costumes and sets – for ages 12-17, in addition to acting, dance, music/voice, art, rehearsal, theatre games, improv, specialty classes and professor workshops. Session I starts June 7, and Session II, June 28. Visit www.rockymountainconservatorytheatre.com or call 303-476-0222 for details.
Enrollment is underway for summer camp at Emmanuel United Methodist Preschool, 2700 S. Downing St., offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in June to kids 3 (potty trained) to 5. Qualistar-rated EMP is a Denver Preschool Program provider, and has delivered quality preschool education to the community for 37 years. Info: 303-758-1697; www.empdenver.com.
The Caring for Kids literacy campaign seeks new or gently used books, in Spanish or English, for children from 6 months to 5 years. Books are distributed to pediatric primary care facilities across Colorado and to Teller Elementary School as part of Reach Out and Read Colorado’s efforts to prepare youngsters to succeed in school. Donations are accepted at any Tattered Cover (1628 16th St., or 2526 E. Colfax Ave.) or Colorado State Bank & Trust locations (call 303-861-2111 for the nearest).
For all single parents – 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. Need immediate help? Visit www.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: call the Family Support Line, 303-695-7996, or Families First, 303-745-0327.
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.
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. Information: mothersandmoredenver@yahoo.com or visit www.denvermoms.org.
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.
