A selection of events planned foryoungsters and their families — see other calendar listings for morecomprehensive coverage of area performances and activities.

 

PERFORMANCES,Special Events

CHIRP Summer Concerts in BallardPark , off Main St.,Ridgefield; music starts at 7, lawn seating, picnicking invited; Tuesdays,through August; info., chirpct.org: Mary Gauthier & Peter Karp , June 10.

United Outkast , breakdancecrew, June 6, 6:30-8 p.m.; with students from the Enchanted Garden Conservatoryin Ridgefield; exhibits of graffiti art and a history of hip hop; adm. $12, atthe door; Faith Church, Rte. 7, New Milford; info., 203-540-2567.

Clover Hill School Family Picnic , June 7, 11-2; games and crafts,puppet show, music and refreshments; Ridges Roxbury United Methodist Church,2975 High Ridge Rd., Stamford; info., 203-661-6484 or visit thecloverhillschool.org.

Patriots Day at the John Jay Homestead StateHistoric Site, June 8, noon to 4; visit by the Marquis de Lafayette and Gen.George Washington; entertainment, crafts, games, refreshments, military demos.,Fishkill Fencers fencing tourament; adm. $20/car, which includes 2 tickets fortours of the house; Rte. 22, Katonah, N.Y.; info., 914-232-5651 x101.

New Canaan’s Ice Cream Social , June 8, 1-4 p.m.; homemade cake andBaskin Robbins ice cream, children’s activities and entertainment, New CanaanTown Band, antique car show; all museums open free; $6/serving for cake &ice cream; New Canaan Historical Society, 13 Oenoke Ridge; 203-966-1776 ornchistory.org.

Garden Education Center ofGreenwich , 130 BibleSt., Cos Cob; 203-869-9242 x10 or e-mail gec@gecgreenwich.org: k Family Picnic in the 100 Acre Wood , June 8, noon to 3, children’s partyin the Montgomery Pinetum, ticket info., 203-869-9242.

 

N ature

New Canaan Nature Center ,144 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan, 203-966-9577; buildings open Mon.-Sat., 9-4(closed major holidays); admission donation req.; Free Live AnimalPresentations , Sat. at 3, lasting15-20 min., dif. animal each week; Free Saturday Videos , screening at 2 on nature themes, may be canceled forspec. events.

Darien Nature Center , 120 Brookside Rd.; free adm.Mon.-Fri., 9-4; Sat., 9-1; 203-655-7459: Ongoing exhibits; Painting thePainted Dogs , June1-28, talk by wildlife artist Alison Nicholls about her recent trip toZimbabwe, June 12, 7 p.m.

Devil’s Den , a NatureConservancy property, Pent Rd., Weston; programs through the Nature EducationInitiative at Devil’s Den, 203-966-9577 or visitwww.newcanaannature.org/devils_den.

The Discovery Center at Ridgefield , to reg. for programs, call 203-438-1063; cost is $5 for non-membersunless otherwise noted: The Wonderful World of Horses , for kids, June 7, 1 p.m., Hidden Bridge Farm, 29Ramapoo Rd., Ridgefield; Solar System, June 7, 8:25 p.m., $6/person, max. $24/family; Bluebirds , family program on birding, June 14, 1:05 p.m.,Ridgefield Rec. Ctr.; Sunset Hike at Bennetts Pond , June 29, 6 p.m., Bennett’s Farm Rd., off Rte. 7.

Woodcock Nature Center , 56Deer Run Rd., Wilton; center open 9:30-5, Tues.-Sat., two-plus miles of trailsopen daily, dawn to dusk; reg. in advance for programs, 203-762-7280;www.woodcocknature center.org.

Earthplace, Nature Center for EnvironmentalActivities, 10 Woodside La., Westport; 203-227-7253: Beaver Day , June 7, 10-4; Friday FamilyCampfire — Sounds of Summer , June 13, 7:30-9 p.m., $10/non-member; Critters & Crafts , for ages 3-10 w/an adult, Sat.,2:30-3:15, June 14, 21, 28.

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk , 10 North Water St., Norwalk; opendaily, 10-5, until 6 in July and August (closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas);$11 adults, $10 seniors, $9 children 2-12; 203-852-0700: Frogs! , permanent exhibit featuring nearly20 species of frogs, toads, salamanders; Ocean Playspace , toddler play area, 2nd floor ofMaritime Hall. Toy Boat Workshop on Saturdays and Sundays between 11 and 4, 20-min.workshop, $5/child, no res. required; SpongeBob SquarePants 4-D AdventureRide (tickets,$5.50), through June 15.

Audubon Greenwich Center ,613 Riversville Rd., Greenwich; trails open 9-5 daily; nature store; adm. $3/adults,$1.50/children, srs.; program fees, $5/adults, $3/children and srs.;203-869-5272, greenwich.center.audubon.org. Property open dawn to dusk; daily movies at 10:30 and3:30 at Kimberlin Nature Center.

Stepping Stones Museum forChildren, 303 WestAvenue, Norwalk, open Tues., 1-5 p.m., Wed.-Sun., 10-5; $8 adm. (under 1,free); www.steppingstonesmuseum.org or  203-899-0606: Four main galleries, a toddlers-only gallery and more than100 hands-on activities for children to explore and discover. Bubbles, play with different bubble shapesand sizes; Healthyville learn about your body and how to keep it healthy, Waterscape discover water, weather and thewater cycle, Rainforest Adventure explore tropical rainforests and conservation, In theWorks learn aboutmotion, gravity, velocity and electricity, Toddler Terrain enjoy a cozy haven for childrenthree and under. Outdoor courtyard, picnic area, cafe and gift shop.   Daily hands-on activities between11-noon and 3-4. Toddler Tales Wednesday at 10:15 and in Spanish at 10:45.Storytelling every Saturday - times vary, check Web site.

Stamford Museum and Nature Center , 39 Scofieldtown Rd., Stamford;203-322-1646 or www.stamfordmuseum.org: Down on the Farm , Sat.-Sun., 11-3, hands-on programssuitable for all ages; Friday Observatory Visitors’ Night , 8-10 p.m., adults/$3, children (5and older)/$2 (enter from Scofieldtown Rd.); 2nd Sundays in the Planetarium , 3 p.m., adults/$3, children (5 andolder)/$2, Museum Building (April 13: “Saturn, Lord of the Rings”). Architectureof the Imagination: The Lure of the LEGO Brick , featuring “Nathan Sawaya: The Artof the Brick,” March 2-Aug. 17. Play-Well Engineering Programs , June 14, 1:30-3 p.m., programs forpre-K through 5th grade, $30/session.

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo ,1875 Noble Ave., Bridgeport; adm. $8/adults, $6/children 3-11 and seniors, freefor children under 3; open daily 9 to 4; 203-394-6565, www.beardsleyzoo.org. FlyMe to the Zoo Bird Show , May 24-Sept.1 at 11, 1:30 and 3, Sat.-Sun., and 11 and 1:30, Wed.-Fri.

Wolf Conservation Center ,info. and reg. for programs at the South Salem, N.Y., sanctuary, call914-763-2373 or visit nywolf.org: Evening Howl , June 6,7 at 7 p.m., families w/children 6+,$15/adults, $12/under 12; Wolves of North America , June 6 at 2 p.m., June 14 at 10 a.m., $12/adults,$10/under 12; Evening Howl forfamilies w/children under 6, June 13 at 7, $15/adults, $12/children under 12; SuburbanHowls — Learn About the Eastern Coyote ,June 14 at 6 p.m., with Jon Way, Ph.D., $20/adults, $15/children under 12.

Trailside Museum at WardPound Ridge Reservation, Rte. 121, Cross River, N.Y.; parking fee $4 in-state,$8 out-of-state; programs free; info., 914-864-7322.

Westmoreland Sanctuary , 260Chestnut Ridge Rd., Mt. Kisco, N.Y., 914-666-8448 or westmorelandsanctuary.org: Be a Biologist Study Day , BluebirdHouse and Turtle Monitoring, June 7, noon, ages 7 and older.

 

MUSEUMS,ETC.

Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, 258 Main St., Ridgefield; 203-438-4519, www.aldrichart.org: FamilyDrop-In Hours , third weekend of everymonth, in the Education Center, free w/gen. adm.

Keeler Tavern Museum, 132Main St., Ridgefield; 203-438-5485: tour hours, Wed., Sat., and Sun., 1-4, lasttour at 3:30 (closed in January, also Easter Sunday, Independence Day,Thanksgiving and Christmas); adults/$5,srs./$3, children/$2.

Weir Farm National Historic Site , 735 Nod Hill Rd., Wilton,203-834-1896 or www.nps.gov/wefa: grounds open daily dawn to dusk; BurlinghamHouse Visitor Ctr., Wed.-Sun., 9-5; call for info. on tours. Admin. offices open Mon.-Fri., 9-5;info., incl. current program and tour sched., call or visit Web site. TakePart in Art , pleinair painting every Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 for families. ArtExplorers classesfor children this summer through the Weir Farm Art Center(weirfarmartcenter.org or 203-761-9945).

Silvermine Guild Arts Center ,1037 Silvermine Rd., New Canaan; 203-966-9700: Art Spy Bingo , game for children ages 5-12 as they view galleryartwork.

Rowayton Arts Center , 145Rowayton Ave., 203-866-2744 or rowaytonartscenter.org: Summer Classes forChildren 6-12 , “Drawing, Painting,Sculpture, Collage and More,” call for info.

Greenwich Art Society , 299Greenwich Ave., 203-629-1533 or greenwichartsociety.org: Summer classes begin July 7, all ages and levels incl. drawing,pastel, oil, acrylic, watercolor, collage, mixed media and sculpture.

Westport Arts Center , 51Riverside Ave., Westport; 203-222-7070 or westportartscenter.org: SummerCamp registration underway forprograms for children entering K-4th grades; Mon.-Fri., 9-noon, sessions inJuly and August.

Barnum Museum , 820 Main St. Bridgeport,203-331-1104; 10-4:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat. (till 7 Thur., through summer), noon-4:30p.m. Sun.; adm. $5/adults, $4/srs., college students, $3/ages 4-18; life andtimes of P.T. Barnum, permanent exhibits incl. Miniature Circus and the ProductCarousel.

The Bruce Museum , One Museum Dr., Greenwich;203-869-0376: Tours of Museum Exhibitions , free with mus. adm., Fridays, 12:30-1:30.   Junior Curators: New Perspectives on Photographs from theBruce Museum Collection , April 26-June 15; Changes in Our Land , long-term exhibits in theEnvironmental History Galleries.

Bush-Holley Historic Site, Historical Society of the Town ofGreenwich, 39 Strickland Rd., Cos Cob; open Tues.-Sun., 12-4;   203-869-6899, ext. 10 or www.hstg.org;adm. to gallery, visitor ctr. & house museum, $6/adults, $4/srs. andstudents, under 6 free (free adm. for all on Tues.): guided tours ofBush-Holley House feature American Impressionist art collection and historicinteriors; William Heagarty Gallery features art and artists of Cos Cob artcolony, museum collections and aspects of Greenwich history. From Harbor toHaven: Connecticut Scenes and Artist Printmakers from the Collection of Rebaand Dave Williams ,April 1-Aug. 17, more than 60 orig. prints; guided tours of Bush-Holley Housefeature American Impressionist art collection and historic interiors.

The Discovery Museum , 4450 Park Ave., Bridgeport;203-372-3521; Tues.-Sat., 10-5, Sun., 12-5; museum and planetarium, $8.50adults, $7 children, seniors, students, free under 5:   GPS Adventures , traveling exhibit that features Global Positioning Systemtechnology, May 31-end of August; daily live science demonstrations and twoplanetarium shows, Challenger Learning Center , call for schedule; daily shows atthe Henry B. duPont III Planetarium.

Military Museum of Southern NewEngland , 125 ParkAve., Danbury; 203-790-9277; www.usmilitarymuseum.org : summer hours, Tues.-Sat., 10-5;Sun., 12-5; adults $4, children and srs. $2.

John Jay Homestead State HistoricSite , Rte. 22,Katonah, N.Y., 914-232-5651 x101: History Kids! , 2nd Wed. of each month April toOctober, 10-11:30 a.m., for children 3-5, $5 (accomp. adult, free); HistoryCamp , sessions July21-24, July 28-31, Aug. 4-7, call or visit Web site, johnjayhomestead.org.

Katonah Museum of Art , Rte. 22 at Jay St., Katonah, N.Y.,914-232-9555: Programs for Children: Drop-In Activities in theLearning Center , forchildren 4-12 with parents or adult friends, Saturday Morning Story Hours,10:30 a.m., See and Do Art Activities Sat. at 1 and Sun. at 1:30, $1 materialsfee (call ahead for all Learning Center activities). Family Day: My Things , June 8, 1-4, with artist RebeccaEmberley; $5, ages 3 and up.

Neuberger Museum, PurchaseCollege, 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, N.Y., 914-251-6112 orwww.neuberger.org: Family First Saturdays , programs at 1, first Sat. of the month, free adm. 12-5.

Clay Art Center , 40 BeechSt. Port Chester, N.Y., clayartcenter.org or 914-937-2047: Summer ClayClasses begin June 9; classes for kids6-11 yrs. and teens 11-15.

Southeast Museum , 67 Main St., Brewster, N.Y.,845-279-7500 or southeastmuseum.org: Felt Sewing Children’s Workshop , June 7, 10:30 a.m., $5 materialsfee.

 

AUDITIONS,etc.

Connecticut Ballet Center SummerIntensive for youngdancers, ages 9-17; June 23-July 3; $225/wk., $400/2 wks.; some scholarshipsavail.; 20 Acosta St., Stamford; info., connecticutballet.com or call203-978-0771.

Music Theatre of Connecticut, 246 Post Rd. East, Westport;203-454-3883 or musictheatreofct.com: three summer theatre programs forstudents seven and older, Godspell , June 23-July 19; Alice in Wonderland , July 7-Aug. 2; Annie Get YourGun , July 21-Aug.16; half-day or full-day programs; call or visit Web site for more info.

Stamford Theatre Works SummerTheatre Camp , forchildren 8-12, June 30-July 11 and July 14-26; 200 Strawberry Hill Ave.,Stamford; info., stamfordtheatreworks.org or call 203-359-4414.

Westport Country Playhouse ‘Summerin the House’ Camp ,for grades 2-5 (rising), July 7-25; tuition $725; supported in part by theWhite Barn Program of the Lucille Lortel Foundation; info.,westportplayhour.org.