Summer fun Summer is here, and parents are always looking for new and exciting activities to keep their children busy. School may not be in session, but that doesn't mean your kids need to suffer from boredom. A variety of classes, workshops and camp activities will be offered throughout the summer months.
Children bored? Here's
what they can do
COMPILED BY NANCY ARCAYNA
narcayna@starbulletin.com
Performing arts
Your Child, the Star: Is your child always hamming it up or acting goofy? Acting lessons are available through a variety of organizations. Act One is for children "who want to act, sing, dance and take part in productions." Call 261-0457.The Movement Center: A variety of dance and acting classes. Call 735-8641.
Children's Discovery Center
Bubble Exploration: Discover bubbles of all shapes and sizes and make your own creations at the Children's Discovery Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 27. Cost is $40 for first child, $35 for additional registered siblings and $10 for accompanying adults."Get Messy!": Learn to make gooey mixtures that can be used at home at the Children's Discovery Center, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 25. Cost is $40 for first child, $35 for additional registered siblings and $10 for accompanying adults.
Hand and Feet Art: Use body parts to create original artwork at the Children's Discovery Center, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 8. Cost is $40 for first child, $35 for additional registered siblings and $10 for accompanying adults. Call 524-5437.
Hawaii Nature Center
"Stream 'Splorations": Offers families a chance to discover the joys of a mountain stream while designing boats to be sent down the Makiki rapids, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. July 4. $14 parent/child team."Toy Boats Afloat": Build a variety of boats out of natural, artificial and recycled items, and sail them in the Makiki Stream, 9:30 to 11 a.m. July 5. For ages 3 and up. $12 parent/child team.
"Tree-mendous Trees": Teaches 6- to 8-year-olds about the living giants of the forest. Kids enjoy a short hike, tall tales and craft making, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. July 8. $14 per child.
"Slug Fest": Search for slug hideouts, and learn more about the soft and squishy creatures, 9:30-11:30 a.m. July 11. For ages 3 and up. $14 parent/child team.
"Birds of Makiki": Families can also learn about a variety of bird species, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. July 21. Binocular Bird Bingo, birdcalls and feeders will be used to attempt to get feathered friends to make an appearance. $14 parent/child team.
"Happy Habitats": Learn how animals choose their homes, and discover different habitats in nature, 9:30 to 11 a.m. July 29. For ages 3-5. $12 parent/child team.
"Jewelry in the Rough": Families can learn the basics of natural jewelry making on Aug. 4. For ages 5 and up. $16 parent/child team.
Terrific Terrariums: On Aug. 12, families can learn to make these gardens under glass. Program times are from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Certain programs may have age restrictions. For ages 5 and up. $14 parent/child team. Reservations required, 955-0100.
Honolulu Zoo
Vacation adventures: Go on behind-the-scenes safaris, feed animals and meet zoo keepers. Also, animal-inspired games and zoo art. Topics change weekly, so you can come as often as you like. Weekly sessions are held 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through Aug. 24 for $160, or 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for $195.Snooze in the Zoo: Camp-out at the zoo includes dinner, walking tours, storytelling, a behind-the-scenes glimpse and campfire. Please bring your own tents. Includes a Continental breakfast and the chance to feed some animals. From 5:30 p.m. to 9 a.m. June 30 to July 1, July 27-28 or Aug. 25-26. Cost: $35 for ages 5 and up; kids 3 to 5 are $10 each; under 2 free.
Breakfast Behind the Scenes: Shadow a keeper, and ask all the questions you want. Includes a Continental breakfast and a behind-the-scenes tour. From 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. June 23, July 15, Aug. 11. $20.
Lyon Arboretum
"Clay Creations": Design, create and glaze original ceramic tile for installation in the Lyon Arboretum Children's Garden, 9 a.m. to noon July 7 and 21. For children just out of grades 3 to 5. $32."Monet in Manoa": Look at examples of famous artists, and then paint your own impressions of the garden. From 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 3. For children who completed grades 3 to 5. $32.
"Hawaiian Forest Plants and Animals": Five days of looking at the interdependence between plants and animals in the rain forest. From 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 6 to 10. For children who completed grades 2 to 3. $160.
"Discover Plants!": Three days of hands-on adventures in the garden. Kids enjoy planting, creating take-home gardens and more. From 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 13 to 15. For children who completed kindergarten or grade 1. Cost: $100.
Call 988-0456 to register.
Sea Life Park
Keiki Aquarist: Children ages 6 to 12 get an up-close personal look at stingrays and learn more about turtles, sharks, lobsters and other marine creatures. From 9 a.m. to noon June 30 and Aug. 4. Cost: $45."Preschool Pirates": Treasure hunts, activities and games for adults and children ages 1 to 5. From 10 to 11:30 a.m. July 11 and Aug. 8. $15 parent/child team.
"Doze with the Dolphins": Sleep next to the dolphin pool or under the stars at Sea Life Park. Includes a late-night visit to the reef tank, a starlight tour, crafts, games, midnight movies and a morning talk with a staff animal trainer. From 7 p.m. to 10 a.m. July 28-29 or Aug. 11-12. Cost: $30 ages 6 to 12, $35 ages 13 and above.
Junior Trainer Program: Learn about Sea Life Park's philosophy while assisting the staff. Also, interact with trainers and dolphins. For ages 9 to 15. From 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. July 25.
Call 259-2512 to register.
Sporty events
Golf Lessons: Find out whether your child could be the next Tiger Woods or Michelle Wie. Pacific Golf Academy offers group and private lessons. Lessons are 50 minutes each for 3- to 16-year-olds for $250 for 10 sessions. With two virtual simulators and personal instruction. Call 528-4653.For a more personal touch, Les Uyehara runs one-on-one golf lessons from his home and videotapes your child's performance to ensure instruction is not lost or forgotten. Costs $30 per session. Call 739-1313.
"Koolau Kids Camp": A five-day golf extravaganza where students learn basic grip, full swing and short game, and take part in activities and games focusing on skill development. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, July 23-27 or Aug. 13-17. $295.
Surf into Summer: Hawaii Watersports offers surfing lessons for children of all ages. Certified ocean lifeguards teach the lessons at Diamond Head and just outside the Waikiki area. The cost is $60 for an hour and a half of private lessons or two hours in a group. Call 255-4352.
Summer Swim Programs: Free lessons offered by the American Red Cross at Ala Moana Beach Park for adults and children. Keiki sessions: 8:45 to 10 a.m. Saturdays through June 30 or July 14 to Aug. 11. Adult sessions: 5:15 to 6 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through June 26; June 28-July 25; or July 26-Aug. 16. Register at the start of each session at lifeguard station 1-E, near the Magic Island parking lot.
Tennis Anyone?: Venus Williams, watch out. Hawaii Tennis Academy offers a Summer Tennis Program that runs an hour a day two, three or five days a week. Different levels of instruction. The cost ranges from $41 to $104 depending on the program you choose. Call 373-1262.
Summer camps
Asthma Sports Day Camp: Three-day clinics provide elementary school children an opportunity to learn how to manage their asthma while participating in team sports and other recreational activities. Camps will be conducted on Oahu from July 13 to 15, on Kauai from June 29 to July 1, on Maui from Aug. 10 to 12 and on the Big Island from July 26 to 28. Cost is $15 per child. Call 537-5966.Camp S.L.P.: Get a behind-the-scenes look at Sea Life Park, and learn about different kinds of animals, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursdays, July 5 to 26. Call 259-2512 to register. For 6- to 12-year-olds. Cost is $50 per day.
Kids' Sports Camp: Kids enjoy inline skating, racquetball, fencing, firefighter training, martial arts and swimming, 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays, through July 14. A golf outing, hiking, tennis, wallyball and boogie-boarding will be featured at the Honolulu Club's sports camp, 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays, July 21-Aug. 11. Sessions are open keiki ages 7 to 15. $90 per session. Call the Honolulu Club, 543-3911, or Jodi Melton at 543-3974 to register.
Summer Day Camp: Lanakila Rehabilitation Center is offering summer day-camp programs for individuals in high school or adults with disabilities. Activities are designed for participants to learn new skills and enhance personal and educational development. Sessions will be held Monday to Friday at Lanakila's Bachelot and Wahiawa facilities through Aug. 3. Cost is $40 for a full-day program, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Half-day sessions from 12:30 to 3 p.m. are $20. Lunch is included in the full-day sessions. Call May McDougal at 531-0555.
Waikiki Aquarium
"Aquarium After Dark": A lights-out tour of the aquarium, 7 to 9 p.m. June 29 and July 20. Cost: $7 adults, $6 children."Exploring the Reef by Day": Explore the shoreline reef flat and tide pool habitats, 8 to 10:30 a.m. tomorrow; July 7 and 21. Minimum age 5. Cost: $8 adults, $7 children.
"Mystery at the Aquarium": Meet a fishy cast of characters, and attempt to solve the mystery by interviewing suspects and sorting through clues, 7 to 9:30 p.m. July 27. Minimum age 5. Cost: $8 adults, $7 children.
"Sea Urchins": Three- to 5-year-olds learn about marine life through play, movement and crafts, 8:30-10 a.m. or 10:30 a.m.-noon Saturdays, July 7 to Aug. 4. Cost: $70 adult/child team.
"Shark Overnight": Participants study shark biology, form and function. Also, build a shark model, and run it in the Shark Olympics. For families and keiki ages 5 and above, 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. July 13 to 14. Cost: $25 adults, $20 children.
Call 923-9741 to register.
Charlene Anne Rico contributed to this report.
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