TODAY
Kinderdance, Stafford Gymnastics Center, 500 Nelms Circle, Fredericksburg. Developmental dance and movement fitness program for ages 3-5. Includes ballet, tap, acrobatics and creative dance. Runs Thursdays through Aug. 28, 11:30 a.m-12:15 p.m.; $55/Stafford residents, $65/non-residents; registration required. 540/658-5115.
Summer Discovery Workshops, Historic Kenmore, 1201 Washington Ave., Fredericksburg; George Washington's Ferry Farm, 268 Kings Highway, Fredericksburg. Ages 4-10 learn about archaeology, the Civil War, American Indians, gardening, nature and 18th-century play and work. 9:30 a.m. on selected days in August; $6/ages
Art and Tumbling, Paragon Training Center, 1410 Central Park Blvd., Fredericksburg. Ages 2-5 can have an art class followed by tumbling. Also runs Aug 13-14, 20-21, 27-28, Sept. 3-4, 10-11, 18-19, 24-25; $16/class. 540/846-8920; dmunroscreativeside .com.
"Itty Bitty Belmont," 224 Washington St., Falmouth. This new scavenger hunt is fun for children and parents. Free on the grounds. Sheets available at the Museum Shop. 540/654-1015; GariMelchers.org.
Beach Wop '08, Mercedes/Volvo Park, 3400 Fall Hill Ave., Fredericksburg. Every Thursday through August. Tonight features "The Band of Oz."
Skate to Create, LibertyTown Arts Workshop, 917 Liberty St., Fredericksburg. With instructor Gabriel Pons
Kid's Chinese Brush Painting, LibertyTown Arts Workshop, 917 Liberty St., Fredericksburg. With instructor
Family Fun Night, Kids 'N' Clay Pottery Studio, 11 Smokehouse Drive, No. 11, Stafford. Try out the pottery wheels, make a handbuilding project. paint the project and get it fired and glazed. 6-8:30 p.m., $15/person. 540/370-4114, kidsnclay.com/stafford.
Middle School Mania, Liberty Community Church, 11775 Morgansburg Road, Bealeton. Music, games, food for middle school students grades 6-8. Second Fridays of the month, 7-9 p.m. 540/439-0500, lccbealeton.com
SATURDAY"Let Down Your Hair, Rapunzel," Riverside Dinner Theater, Stafford. Various times Saturdays and weekdays through Aug. 16. $15. 540/370-4300; rsdinnertheater.com.
Science Saturday, Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond. Hands-on activities, interactive exhibits, more. Included with admission, $9/children, $10/adults. 804/864-1400; smv.org.
MONDAY
Intro to Dance, Carl Lewis Community Center, 154 Telegraph Road, Stafford. Ages 5-9 learn forward rolls, ballet, tap, hip-hop and acro. Runs through Friday; 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; $120; must register. 540/648-5115, staffordparks.com.
Art Class, Kids 'N' Clay Pottery Studio, 11 Smokehouse Drive, No. 11, Stafford. Ages 5-7 work with clay, mosaic, puppets and collage. Runs through Friday, 1-4 p.m., $160. 540/370-4114, kidsnclay.com/stafford.
Art Exploration, The Creative Side, Marshall Center, 8800 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania. Parent/child art class for ages 2-4 using a variety of art materials. Also runs Aug 13, 18, 20 and 25; $12/class. 540/846-8920; dmunroscreativeside.com.
TUESDAY
Family Film Festival, Regal Cinema Fredericksburg, 3301 Plank Road. "Wallace and Gromit" and "Surf's Up" will be shown. A "Kids Reel Meal" combo pack available. 10 a.m., free, also runs Wednesday. 540/786-4900.
WEDNESDAYCraft classes, The Creative Side, Marshall Center, 8800 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania. Includes 2- and 3-D projects, seasonal crafts, printmaking, weaving, collage, texture and drawing concepts. Also runs Aug. 20, 27, Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24; $12/class. 540/846-8920; dmunroscreativeside.com
UPCOMINGFossil Find, Caldeon Natural Area, 11617 Caledon Road, King George. Learn about fossils and take a trip to the river to hunt for some. Thursday, Aug. 14, 6:30 p.m.; also runs Aug. 30 and Sept. 13, 2 p.m.; $3/person or $8/family; reservations required. 540/663-3861; caledonnaturalareafriends.com
Printmaking & Polymer Clay, LibertyTown Arts Workshop, 917 Liberty St., Fredericksburg. With instructors Elizabeth Seaver and Lynette Reed for ages 6-9. Friday, Aug. 15; 10 a.m.-
Kid's Chinese Brush Painting, LibertyTown Arts Workshop, 917 Liberty St., Fredericksburg. With instructor Hsi-Mei Yates for ages 5-15. Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 16-17; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; $120. 540/657-5962, 540/220-0610.
Visit With the Author, Ladysmith Branch Library in Ladysmith Village. Children's author Paula Rose will introduce children to the characters
Isshinryu Karate, Courthouse Community Center, 29 Stafford Ave., Stafford. Ages 7 and up can learn the basic principles of karate, including kicks, blocks and strikes. Meets Mondays and Wednesdays, Aug. 18-Oct. 27; beginner, 6:30-7:30 p.m., $60/Stafford residents, $70/non-resident; intermediate, 7:30-9 p.m., $70/Stafford residents, $80/non-resident; must register. 540/658-5115, staffordparks .com.
"Tea for Two," Marshall Center Lounge, 8800 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania. Ages 4-11, with an adult, will learn the proper manners for a tea party. Saturday, Aug. 23; 2-2:45 p.m.; $6/county, $8/non-county. Bring a tea
Family Fun and Learning Tours, Gari Melchers Home & Studio at Belmont, 224 Washington St., Falmouth. A 45-minute family-friendly program allows guests to observe, discuss and explore art and history. Daily at 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. through Labor Day. $10/adult, $5/child. 540/654-1015.
Storytime, Borders, Central Park, Fredericksburg. Stories and crafts for a variety of ages. Saturdays, 10 a.m. 540/785-6171.
Family Fun Nights, Regency Park Sports, 6301 Campus Drive, Spotsylvania. Fun activities and contests for the entire family. Volleyball, basketball, swimming, skills competitions, "Guitar Hero," "Dance Revolution" tournaments and door prizes. Saturdays, 6:30-9:30 p.m. 540/786-8688; regencyparksports.com.
Child-oriented house tours, Monticello, Charlottesville. Children ages 6-11 and their families can handle replicas of objects from Thomas Jefferson's era and take part in other activities.
All About Winter (From a Windbag), Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond. Children ages
Plantation Sleuth, Gunston Hall,
IMAX Film: "Kung Fu Panda," Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond. Action-packed family comedy. $10, various times through Aug. 14. 804/864-1400; smv.org.
IMAX Film: "Grand Canyon Adventure," Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond. An exhilarating river-rafting adventure down the Colorado River. Runs through Sept. 5. 804/864-1400; smv.org.
Earn Your Badge! The American Civil War Center, 500 Tredegar St., Richmond. A new program designed for Boy and Girl Scouts of America and their affiliates. Earn a patch by completing a scavenger-hunt booklet that encompasses the entire 8.3-acre campus. Workbooks designed for grades K-5 and 5-12. Cost: $5, includes workbook, patch and admission. Other merit badges available. Open Monday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Info: Hilliary Turner, 804/780-1865, ext. 23;
Email: hturner@tredegar.org.
Backyard Play Area, Children's Museum of Richmond, 2626 W. Broad St. This 6,000-square-foot backyard allows children to engage in various activities. Monday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.
--Compiled by Carol Lee