Think there's nothing for kids to do this summer? Think again.
Here are 25 options being offered across the Coachella Valley, most of which start this week.
Coachella
What: ”Be Creative” at Coachella Library, 1538 Seventh St.
When: June 15-Aug. 28
Activities: Reading, arts and crafts.
Cost: Free.
Register: (760) 398-5148.
Desert Hot Springs
What: Swimming lessons
Where: Wardman Park Pool, 66-150 Eighth St.
When: June 16-25, July 14-23 and Aug. 4-13
Details: Beginner and intermediate lessons available for children 4 years old and older. Children who are 6 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Beginner, advanced and stroke improvement lessons available for adults.
Cost: $44 for four lessons. Discounts for additional family members.
Information: (760)329-8217
Indio
What: Summer reading program at the Indio Public Library, 200 Civic Center Mall
When: June 19-August 31
Activities: Read books to win prizes at the end of the program.
Cost: Free
Information: (760) 347-2383
What: Bilingual story time at the Indio Public Library, 200 Civic Center Mall
When: 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. on Mondays from June 15-August 17
Activities: Numerous creative child activities for all ages.
Cost: Free
Information: (760) 347-2383
What: “Express Yourself” at The Indio Public Library, 200 Civic Center Mall
When: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays from June 17-August 19
Activities: Arts and crafts activities for school-age youth.
Cost: Free.
Information: (760) 347-2383
What: Reading Railroad Artland Express at the Indio Public Library, 200 Civic Center Mall
When: 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Wednesdays from June 17-August 19
Activities: Story time and arts and crafts for preschool children
Cost: Free.
Information: (760) 347-2383
What: Junior Lifeguard Program at Pawley Pool, 46-350 Jackson St., Indio
Activities: Youth ages 11-14 can learn basic lifeguard skills. To join, youth must be comfortable swimming nonstop for two lengths of a swimming pool.
When: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays from June 26 to July 31.
Cost: $60 per month
Information: (760) 347-3484 or www.desertrecreationdistrict.ca.gov
What: Swimming lessons at Pawley Pool, 46-350 Jackson St.
When: 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., or 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. on June 22-July 2, July 6-July 16, August 3-August 13, or August 17-August 27; Level 2, 3, and 4 swimming lessons also occur at 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
Activities: Swimming lessons for various levels of experience, Level 1 classes for ages 2.5 to 6. Level 2 for ages 4 and older. Level 3 for ages 6 and older. Level 4 for ages 7 and older.
Cost: $45 per session
Information: (760) 347-3484 or www.desertrecreationdistrict.ca.gov
Young at Art at the Coachella Valley Museum and Cultural Center
When: 9 to 11 a.m. June 15-July 10
Where: 82-616 Miles Ave.
Activities: Clay, creative drawing, water media, multimedia/sculpture, multimedia/drawing. Reception of student work on July 12
Cost: $35 per week
Information: (760) 342-6651
La Quinta
What: Galaxy Adventure Club
Where: La Quinta Museum, 77-885 Avenida Montezuma
When: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays beginning June 17
Details: As an extra component to the La Quinta Museum's new Astronomy Exhibit, museum officials are hosting a five-week science and space program for 7- to 12-year-olds.
Cost: Free
Information: (760) 777-7170
What: Open Air Cinema
When: 8 p.m. Fridays
Where: In Old Town La Quinta, 78-100 Main St
Details: View movies on a 20-foot inflatable screen
Cost: Free
Information: (760) 777-7000
What: Fritz Burns Pool Summer Swim Program
When: Lesson times vary and are available from Monday through June 26; June 29-July 10; July 13-July 24; July 27-Aug. 7; and Aug. 10-Aug. 21.
Where: Fritz Burns Pool, corner of Avenida Bermudas and Avenue 52
Details: Lessons that range from parent-child sessions for children as young as 6 months to competitive training.
Cost: Cost is $55 for YMCA members or $65 for nonmembers.
Information: Contact the Community Service Department at (760) 777-7156.
Palm Desert
What: Kick off summer reading program with a maypole dance by Gypsy Folk Ensemble.
Where: Palm Desert Library community room, 73-300 Fred Waring Drive.
When: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. June 17.
Details: Part of the library's “Be Creative at Your Library!” program. After the show, sign up for the Reading Club.
Cost: Free
Information: (760) 346-6552 or www.riverside.lib.ca.us/RCLS/branches/palmdesert
What: Pre-school story time
Where: Palm Desert Library story room, 73-300 Fred Waring Drive.
When: 11 to 11:45 a.m. Thursday.
Details: Ride on the Artland Express! Stops at: Imagination Station, Tunetown, Drumvale, Hulaville, Rainbow River, Pencil Pointe, Brushburg & Handport. Stories, songs fingerplays and crafts.
Cost: Free
Information: (760) 346-6552 or www.riverside.lib.ca.us/RCLS/branches/palmdesert
What: Father's Day continental breakfast and behind-the-scenes giraffe tour at The Living Desert.
When: 7 a.m. June 21.
Where: The Living Desert, 47-900 Portola Ave. Meet near admissions and take the shuttle.
Information: (760) 346-5694 or www.livingdesert.org
Palm Springs
What: Water park.
Where: 1500 S. Gene Autry Trail.
When: 10 to 6 p.m. seven days a week.
Cost: Full-day $29.99 general, $19.99 for kids shorter than 4 feet and seniors older than 62. Season passes range from $49.99 to $139.99.
Parking: $9 to $16.
Information: (760) 347-0499 or www.knotts.com
What: “Be Creative” Palm Springs Public Library Summer Reading Fun Fest
Where: Palm Springs Public Library, 300 S. Sunrise Way
When: June 8 through August 1
Activities: Special programs and story times.
Cost: Free (registration available online)
Register: At the Palm Springs Library on online at www.palmsprings-ca.gov
Information: (760)322-7323
What: “Kids Explore” classes
When: 10 a.m. to noon July 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29
Where: Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, 219 S. Palm Canyon Drive
Activities: Includes reed basket-making and playing California Indian games. Open to children ages 5 to 12.
Cost: Free (registration required)
Information: (760)778-1079
What: “Kids Night Out”
Where: Las Casuelas Terraza, 222 S. Palm Canyon Drive
When: 6 p.m. Wednesdays, June 17 through August 26
Activities: Will feature free soft drinks, balloons, prizes, Power Baseball tickets and entertainment for children 12 and under. Must be accompanied by adult.
Cost: Price of dining
Information: (760) 325-2794
What: 2009 Museum Art Camp
Where: Palm Springs Art Museum, 101 N. Museum Drive
When: June 23-July 17
Activities: Painting, drawing, acting, writing, photography and sculpting.
Cost: $115 per week for 1/2 day for museum nonmembers (9 a.m. to noon, or 1 to 4 p.m.), $195 per week for nonmembers (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Information: (760) 322-4837
“Spring Into Summer” 2009
Where: Palm Springs Leisure Center, 401 S. Pavilion Way
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., June 22-Aug. 28
Activities: Arts & crafts, sports, drama, swimming, songs and more.
Cost: Call for weekly registration fee information
Information: (760) 323-8272
Rancho Mirage
What: Preschool Story Time
When: 10 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays. June 15 and 18, “Happy Father's Day” — make a necktie card for Dad. June 22 and 25, “Yum, Yum, What Fun” — decorate an ice cream cone. June 27 and 30, “Let's Pretend” — make a crown and a magic key.
Where: Rancho Mirage Library, 71-100 Highway 111
Details: For ages 3 to 5. Stories and simple arts and crafts programs.
Cost: Free
Information: (760) 341-7323 or www.ranchomiragelibrary.org
What: Toddler Story Time.
When: 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. “Colors” on July 16 and 17. “Summer” on June 23 and 24. “Dancing” on June 30 and July 1.
Where: Rancho Mirage Library, 71-100 Highway 111
Details: Program is for children ages 1 to 3. Includes stories, singing and rhyming games. Color sheets provided.
Cost: Free
Information: (760) 341-7323 or www.ranchomiragelibrary.org
What: 14th annual summer reading program 2009: “Be Creative @ Your Library“
When: 2 and 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 17.
Where: Rancho Mirage Library, 71-100 Highway 111
Details: Take a magical, creative ride into books, culture, fun and reading with bilingual magicians, Rafael and Katia! presented by The Friends of the Rancho Mirage Public Library.
Cost: Free
Information: (760) 341-7323 or www.ranchomiragelibrary.org
What: The Art of Storytelling with Michael McCarty
When: 2 and 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 24.
Where: Rancho Mirage Library, 71-100 Highway 111
Details: Using folk tales, historical and personal stories, McCarty will spark each child's imagination.
Cost: Free
Information: (760) 341-7323 or www.ranchomiragelibrary.org
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