The most up-to-date information for the Roaring Fork Valley

Aspen Art Museum offers a wide variety of fun and engaging week-long art workshops inspired by contemporary art for children ages 4 and up in a variety of media, including painting, sculpture, drawing, video, photography, and creative writing. Classes run from June 14 - August 20. (970) 925-8050 or www.aspenartmuseum.org/workshops.html

Summer: Aspen Center For Environmental Studies - Kids participate in ACES’ Naturalist Field School programs all summer. Courses are fun, educational and inspirational. Hourly, daily and weekly programs are offered at Hallam Lake Nature Preserve and Rock Bottom Ranch. (970) 925-5756 or www.aspennature.org
Winter: Find the natural wonders of the Rocky Mountains while skiing or snowshoeing with a naturalist from ACES. Daily snowshoe walks leave from the top of Aspen and Snowmass Mountains and from the Ashcroft Ski Touring Center. Free downhill skiing tours are offered at Snowmass. Snowshoe walks and bird watching can be enjoyed at the center. Evening programs include the Potbelly Perspective Lecture Series and Naturalist Nights. Open daily, ACES is located on the 25-acre Hallam Lake Nature Preserve in the heart of Aspen.

The Aspen Historical Society will host “Playing with the Past” at the Wheeler/Stallard Museum on most Wednesday mornings at 10:30 from July into mid-August. For ages 3 to 6, activities will include candle making, butter churning, ice cream making and more. $3 per child, reservations recommended, call (970) 925-3721, ext. 107 or visit www.aspenhistory.org

Aspen Music Festival and School offers free programs that provide age-appropriate musical experiences: Peanut Butter and Jam (ages 2-5), Gotta Move! (ages 2-7 with parents), and Tunes and Tales (ages 4-9). These programs will focus on a theme of stories, myths, and fairytales. For more information, contact Director of Educational Outreach, Deborah Barnekow, at (970) 205-5027 or visit www.aspenmusicfestival.com.

At Pitkin County Library programs include storyhours and more for children, book discussions for young adults, adult reading initiatives and ongoing technology lessons called eThursdays. Visitors may apply for a temporary library card giving them access to a large and current collection of books, audiobooks, DVDs and more, for children, young adults and adults. Library card holders also have FREE access to public computers, an online reference collection and wireless Internet. The Pitkin County Library is open 7 days a week, Monday- Thursday 10am-9pm, Friday & Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday noon-6pm.

Stop by Rock Bottom Ranch for a day full of hands-on fun! RBR is located just outside of Basalt, along the banks of the Roaring Fork River at the end of Hooks Spur Rd. off of Willits Lane. This sustainable farm is complete with community gardens and a variety of farm animals. Stop by for a free farmyard tour and visit the chickens, goats, horses, pigs and cows. Programs are available for adults and children all year round. Rock Bottom Ranch is open during the summer Monday-Saturday, 9am-5pm.

Theatre Aspen brings families and theatre together with the musical The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!, based on the beloved children's book. The Big Bad Wolf has his day in court in this thrilling courtroom dram-edy with music; the young audience decides if he's guilty or innocent! Opening July 8th, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! runs Fridays and Saturdays at 10am with a special evening performance July 24th at 6:30pm. All shows are presented in the Alex Kaufman Theatre, conveniently located in the heart of Rio Grande Park. Discounted group rates are offered for all shows, including special package deals that include fun activities for kids before the performance. Perfect for birthday parties, youth groups, girl and boy scout troupes as well as classroom field trips. Entertainment for kids at Theatre Aspen is a treat for the imagination. Please call (970) 925-9313 or visit www.theatreaspen.org.