The Red Cross is an excellent resource for health and safety classes, as well as disaster preparation, swimming lessons and lifeguard training, and, yes, even instruction in pet first aid.

Babysitter certification classes for kids for ages 11 to 15 cover leadership, safety, child care, and first aid. The classes last 6.5 hours, include a Babysitter's Handbook, and cost about $60; participants should bring a bag lunch.

Located adjacent to the Armatage School, this park has a wide range of features to appeal to all ages: there's a large, colorful playground with swings, slides, and climbing structures for toddlers to gradeschoolers; restrooms and drinking fountain near the playground; football, baseball, soccer, hockey, and tennis areas; a picnic area; a seasonal wading pool; and a Skate Park for skateboarders, which is a big draw for teens.

The Recreation Center hosts classes and community events throughout the year, in addition to a summer schedule of camps and workshops. Call the park for current offerings, or get general information from the Park Board. There is also a full kitchen on-site, and meeting rooms can be rented for parties.

Speaking of parties, the park is also the site of Garden Party, an 18-foot high bronze sculpture that serves as the gateway to the Armatage neighborhood!

Baker Park Reserve's 2,700 acres on Lake Independence comprise the Baker National Golf Course (lessons available), a creative play area, swimming beaches, fishing pier, picnic areas, more than eight miles of paved trails for biking and hiking, and a boat launch. Boat rentals are available on weekends and holidays in summer.

The park also boasts trails for horses, dogs, snowmobiles, mountain bikes, and cross country skiing. A sliding hill is open near the chalet when winter conditions permit.

From April to October, families can camp in the 210-site restroom and shower-equipped campground (about half the sites are also equipped with electrical hookups) or in a secluded log-cabin village, Baker Near-Wilderness Settlement (4301 County Road 24). Several times a year, overnights with organized programming are offered at the settlement, providing a low-stress way for families to connect with the outdoors. Each cabin accommodates up to eight people.

Bielenberg Sports Center houses two indoor ice rinks, a track, and a multipurpose room that can be rented for parties. Skate rental ($2) and sharpening ($3.50) are offered on-site. Check the website for monthly calendars listing open skate sessions ($3.50/person).

Beyond the field house, the center has more than a dozen fields for softball, baseball, soccer, and football, as well as picnic tables, a volleyball court, a playground, and two miles of trails.

Lessons: Drop-in skating lessons are offered, along with family soccer programs, and other leagues. The track can also be used for walking and running during open sessions; seven laps equals a mile (Adults $2; Children $0.50).

Parties: Rent the multipurpose room for three hours (Resident $30; Non-resident $40), or rent rink time ($140-$170/hour) or the entire field house ($130-$170/hour). Call 651.714.3740 to reserve.

Bielenberg Sports Center houses two indoor ice rinks, a track, and a multipurpose room that can be rented for parties. Skate rental ($2) and sharpening ($3.50) are offered on-site. Check the website for monthly calendars listing open skate sessions ($3.50/person).

Beyond the field house, the center has more than a dozen fields for softball, baseball, soccer, and football, as well as picnic tables, a volleyball court, a playground, and two miles of trails.

Lessons: Drop-in skating lessons are offered, along with family soccer programs, and other leagues. The track can also be used for walking and running during open sessions; seven laps equals a mile (Adults $2; Children $0.50).

Parties: Rent the multipurpose room for three hours (Resident $30; Non-resident $40), or rent rink time ($140-$170/hour) or the entire field house ($130-$170/hour). Call 651.714.3740 to reserve.

The Blaisdell Y offers free childcare (see website for schedule), swimming lessons for kids as young as six months old, gymnasium activities including indoor sports and fitness classes for kids and adults, and youth development programs such as Summer Uproar, which provides spirited activities, growth opportunities, and field trips for kids ages 11 to 13.

Book a gym or pool party by calling membership director Matt Tompkins at 612.827.5401.

Bloomington Ice Garden (BIG) has three rinks - including one that's Olympic-sized - and a seating capacity of 2,500.

The rinks are open for public skating as well as hockey leagues, and offer lessons for adults and children.

The Braemar Arena features three indoor ice rinks for hockey and figure skating. Public open skate sessions are scheduled year-round; check the website for hours.

Skating lessons: Classes for beginners through advanced skaters are offered during the year for ages four and up.

The Braemar Arena features three indoor ice rinks for hockey and figure skating. Public open skate sessions are scheduled year-round; check the website for hours.

Skating lessons: Classes for beginners through advanced skaters are offered during the year for ages four and up.

Braemar - rated among the top 75 public golf courses by Golf Digest magazine - hosts state and national amateur competitions for men, women, and youth, as well as PGA events.

Two nine-hole executive courses, a pro shop, club house, driving range, and putting green are offered at Braemar, along with 27 regulation holes. Kids ages 10 and up are welcome on the executive courses; players must be 12 or older for the regulation course. Braemar also has an enormous indoor golf dome (7420 Braemar Boulevard; 952.826.6744) open November to April, which boasts 46 tee areas on two levels.

Golf lessons: Offered for ages 10 and up, from beginner to competition-level. In addition to seasonal lessons outdoors, Braemar offers winter break classes in the golf dome. Kids can also join junior leagues to compete.

The Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center hosts family-friendly events throughout the year, and offers hockey and skating in a two-rink ice arena that seats 1,200. The center also boasts an exercise room and running track, concession stands, and fitness classes. A public skate park on the grounds is open daily from 8am to sunset from spring until it snows. Meeting rooms can be rented for party use.

Parties: Birthdays can be celebrated in the gym or at the ice rink. Packages include a host and time in a private party area. Cakes must be commercially prepared and no tableware is provided. Cost: $80 for up to 12 guests; $4 each additional guest.

Buck Hill offers skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and concessions in winter, generally from around mid-November through March.

Skiers and snowboarders can enjoy 16 runs accessible via numerous lifts, including new quad chair and magic carpet lifts. Equipment rental ($15-$25) is available on-site. Hours: Mon-Thu 10am-9:30pm; Fri 10am-10pm; Sat-Sun 9am-10pm; Holidays 9am-9:30pm. Rates: Adults $26-$35; Children (ages 6-12) $20-$30. Early bird and Sunday night specials ($10-$20) and season passes are available.

Tubing is offered for ages five and up; take a lift to the top, then choose from several chutes to slide down. Hours: Thu 4pm-9:30pm; Fri 4pm-10pm; Sat-Sun 10am-10pm; Weekday holidays (Dec 22-Jan 1, Jan 19 & Feb 16) 10am-9:30pm. Group reservations are accepted Mon-Wed. Rates: Two-hour day session $15; Two-hour night session (after 4pm) $13.

The facility also offers lessons, racing, and programs for homeschoolers.

Camp Rollerblade offers a five-hour camp (Sat 9am-3pm, with a one-hour break for lunch) that teaches the basics of inline skating skills. No experience is necessary! See the website for details and to register.

Minneapolis program is scheduled for May 31, 2008.

Eagan's Cascade Bay water park includes a main pool with zero-depth entry and a splash area for younger kids, as well as additional areas with deep water, slides, and a long "lazy river." The attached Captain's Course offers nine holes of miniature golf. Concessions are sold at the Captain's Galley.

Classes & Camps: Swimming lessons - including parent/child classes for infants - Red Cross training, and short-term water-themed morning camps are offered during the summer, before the pool opens to the public.

Season Passes: Individual, family, and evenings-only passes are available; Eagan residents pay discounted rates.

Eagan's Cascade Bay water park includes a main pool with zero-depth entry and a splash area for younger kids, as well as additional areas with deep water, slides, and a long "lazy river." The attached Captain's Course offers nine holes of miniature golf. Concessions are sold at the Captain's Galley.

Classes & Camps: Swimming lessons - including parent/child classes for infants - Red Cross training, and short-term water-themed morning camps are offered during the summer, before the pool opens to the public.

Season Passes: Individual, family, and evenings-only passes are available; Eagan residents pay discounted rates.

This 24-acre manicured park features a lake, over a mile of stroller-friendly paved paths, a shrubbery maze, miniature golf, rental pedal boats, lawn bowling, croquet, and an amphitheater hosting free entertainment during the summer. Swinging wooden benches line the shady paths.

In the winter, the lake becomes an enormous (and free) ice skating rink, with skates, Norwegian ice sleds, hot chocolate, and snacks available for a fee in the Park Centrum Building, which is open to the public as a warming house complete with restrooms and fireplaces.

In warmer weather, fishing is allowed and spectators can watch the remote-controlled vessels of the Edina Model Yacht Club ply the placid waters.

The Maetzold Amphitheater at the south end of the lake hosts performances all summer, with noon events most Tuesdays and Thursdays especially for kids. (That series of free shows continues indoors at Edinborough Park September through May.)

Families throughout the metro area come to the Chain of Lakes, on the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, to enjoy skating and strolling, swimming and boating, concerts and events, and just about every other kind of outdoor fun, regardless of the season. Meandering along its 13 miles of paths, it's easy to forget you're in a major city.

The Chain of Lakes is maintained by the Park Board, which oversees its events, beaches, skating, and facilities. Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun, the southernmost lakes in the chain, offer a wealth of family activities.

A short canal connects Calhoun to Lake of the Isles, which offers more than 2.5 miles of biking and walking paths, canoeing, ice skating, wetlands, and a fishing platform. Rent a canoe or paddleboat at Lake Calhoun, then paddle through the canal to tool around the islands that dot this lake and give it its name.

Next up is Cedar Lake, where there are several beaches, a fishing dock, picnic area, and 1.7 miles of biking and walking paths (which also offer access to the Kenilworth and Cedar Lake trails). At this point, the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway passes by Brownie Lake - the smallest and northernmost in the chain - which is circled by unpaved paths. The byway then continues north into Theodore Wirth Park.

Families throughout the metro area come to the Chain of Lakes, on the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, to enjoy skating and strolling, swimming and boating, concerts and events, and just about every other kind of outdoor fun, regardless of the season. Meandering along its 13 miles of paths, it's easy to forget you're in a major city.

The Chain of Lakes is maintained by the Park Board, which oversees its events, beaches, skating, and facilities. Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun, the southernmost lakes in the chain, offer a wealth of family activities.

A short canal connects Calhoun to Lake of the Isles, which offers more than 2.5 miles of biking and walking paths, canoeing, ice skating, wetlands, and a fishing platform. Rent a canoe or paddleboat at Lake Calhoun, then paddle through the canal to tool around the islands that dot this lake and give it its name.

Next up is Cedar Lake, where there are several beaches, a fishing dock, picnic area, and 1.7 miles of biking and walking paths (which also offer access to the Kenilworth and Cedar Lake trails). At this point, the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway passes by Brownie Lake - the smallest and northernmost in the chain - which is circled by unpaved paths. The byway then continues north into Theodore Wirth Park.

Families throughout the metro area come to the Chain of Lakes, on the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, to enjoy skating and strolling, swimming and boating, concerts and events, and just about every other kind of outdoor fun, regardless of the season. Meandering along its 13 miles of paths, it's easy to forget you're in a major city.

The Chain of Lakes is maintained by the Park Board, which oversees its events, beaches, skating, and facilities. Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun, the southernmost lakes in the chain, offer a wealth of family activities.

A short canal connects Calhoun to Lake of the Isles, which offers more than 2.5 miles of biking and walking paths, canoeing, ice skating, wetlands, and a fishing platform. Rent a canoe or paddleboat at Lake Calhoun, then paddle through the canal to tool around the islands that dot this lake and give it its name.

Next up is Cedar Lake, where there are several beaches, a fishing dock, picnic area, and 1.7 miles of biking and walking paths (which also offer access to the Kenilworth and Cedar Lake trails). At this point, the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway passes by Brownie Lake - the smallest and northernmost in the chain - which is circled by unpaved paths. The byway then continues north into Theodore Wirth Park.

Circus Juventas, a non-profit performing arts circus school, offers a wide array of classes in each of the five genres of contemporary circus arts: balance, aerial, juggling, circus theatre, and acrobatics.

The non-competitive classes stress teamwork and confidence-building, and are held in CJ's unique 21,000-square-foot fabric-sheathed Big Top arena.

Toddler classes meet during the day; ages six and up attend weekdays after 4pm and Saturdays. Themed workshops and weeklong summer camps are also offered. Mentorship and family involvement are an integral part of the program, and parents are expected to volunteer while their children are enrolled.

Each August, dozens of CJ's advanced students present an original Cirque du Soleil-style spectacle including elite acts such as the bungee trapeze and flying trapeze. Tickets run about $15 per person.

The City of Edina Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of youth activities throughout the year, including special events for families, summer playground programs, sports camps, tennis lessons, and adaptive programming.

Scott County's Cleary Lake Regional Park, part of the Three Rivers park system, features a Visitor Center that sells concessions and rents equipment (and serves as a clubhouse during golf season), and opportunities to swim, boat, bike, fish, camp, picnic, cross country ski, and play golf.

More than three miles of wide, paved trails for biking and hiking ring the lake. A small play area near the Visitor Center has slides, tunnels, and climbing structures. Boats and bikes can be rented there in season. A permit is needed to use the park's off-leash dog area. Restrooms, picnic areas, and changing facilities are located at an unguarded swimming beach open Memorial Day to Labor Day on the southeast shore of the lake.

In addition to five large group campsites, the Red Pine Hike-In Camping area offers five individual campsites that can be reserved.

The par-three, nine-hole Cleary Lake Golf Course is located directly east of the Visitor Center, where golf equipment can be rented in season.

The big attractions in Como Park get a lot of attention - and rightly so. The fabulous free zoo and conservatory, and the amusement park and carousel make it a virtual wonderland for families. But the park has simpler pleasures to offer, too.

For starters, there's the Como Lakeside Pavilion at the north end of Como Lake. Park visitors can rent canoes and paddleboats there in season, purchase snacks and meals, and enjoy free music and theatrical performances all summer. Enjoy a stroll on the trail ringing the lake before or after a performance; at about a mile and a half, it's a good distance for tiring out little legs on a summer evening. Call 651.266.6400 for information about performances.

The park has numerous picnic facilities for large and small groups, from grassy areas, tables and firepits to shelters with electricity and food-prep areas. Call 651.632.5111 for information on permits for large gatherings. Public restrooms are conveniently located throughout the park, in the main buildings and scattered outbuildings.

The Como Golf Course (5,980-yards; par 70) includes a clubhouse and pro shop. In winter, it turns into a beginning ski and snowboard area, and also offers equipment rental and about three miles of groomed intermediate cross country trails. Call 651.488.9673 for more information.

An outdoor public pool (651.489.2811) at Horton Avenue and Lexington Parkway features open swim times, swimming lessons, and a wading pool. Tennis courts are located near the pool. East of that area, anglers can vie for bass and walleye from a fishing pier at the southern end of the lake.

As if the park didn't have enough attractions, the Putt'er There Miniature Golf Course is open Memorial Day through Labor Day (Mon-Sat 10am-8:30pm; Sun 12n-8:30pm), and weekends through Halloween, weather-permitting. Call 651.488.0277 for mini-golf information.

The park's Historic Streetcar Station at 1224 North Lexington Parkway houses an interpretive museum with exhibits exploring the history of streetcars in the Twin Cities, and is a popular - and lovely - site for weddings. The museum is open to the public on Sundays from 12n to 4pm.

The big attractions in Como Park get a lot of attention - and rightly so. The fabulous free zoo and conservatory, and the amusement park and carousel make it a virtual wonderland for families. But the park has simpler pleasures to offer, too.

For starters, there's the Como Lakeside Pavilion at the north end of Como Lake. Park visitors can rent canoes and paddleboats there in season, purchase snacks and meals, and enjoy free music and theatrical performances all summer. Enjoy a stroll on the trail ringing the lake before or after a performance; at about a mile and a half, it's a good distance for tiring out little legs on a summer evening. Call 651.266.6400 for information about performances.

The park has numerous picnic facilities for large and small groups, from grassy areas, tables and firepits to shelters with electricity and food-prep areas. Call 651.632.5111 for information on permits for large gatherings. Public restrooms are conveniently located throughout the park, in the main buildings and scattered outbuildings.

The Como Golf Course (5,980-yards; par 70) includes a clubhouse and pro shop. In winter, it turns into a beginning ski and snowboard area, and also offers equipment rental and about three miles of groomed intermediate cross country trails. Call 651.488.9673 for more information.

An outdoor public pool (651.489.2811) at Horton Avenue and Lexington Parkway features open swim times, swimming lessons, and a wading pool. Tennis courts are located near the pool. East of that area, anglers can vie for bass and walleye from a fishing pier at the southern end of the lake.

As if the park didn't have enough attractions, the Putt'er There Miniature Golf Course is open Memorial Day through Labor Day (Mon-Sat 10am-8:30pm; Sun 12n-8:30pm), and weekends through Halloween, weather-permitting. Call 651.488.0277 for mini-golf information.

The park's Historic Streetcar Station at 1224 North Lexington Parkway houses an interpretive museum with exhibits exploring the history of streetcars in the Twin Cities, and is a popular - and lovely - site for weddings. The museum is open to the public on Sundays from 12n to 4pm.

The big attractions in Como Park get a lot of attention - and rightly so. The fabulous free zoo and conservatory, and the amusement park and carousel make it a virtual wonderland for families. But the park has simpler pleasures to offer, too.

For starters, there's the Como Lakeside Pavilion at the north end of Como Lake. Park visitors can rent canoes and paddleboats there in season, purchase snacks and meals, and enjoy free music and theatrical performances all summer. Enjoy a stroll on the trail ringing the lake before or after a performance; at about a mile and a half, it's a good distance for tiring out little legs on a summer evening. Call 651.266.6400 for information about performances.

The park has numerous picnic facilities for large and small groups, from grassy areas, tables and firepits to shelters with electricity and food-prep areas. Call 651.632.5111 for information on permits for large gatherings. Public restrooms are conveniently located throughout the park, in the main buildings and scattered outbuildings.

The Como Golf Course (5,980-yards; par 70) includes a clubhouse and pro shop. In winter, it turns into a beginning ski and snowboard area, and also offers equipment rental and about three miles of groomed intermediate cross country trails. Call 651.488.9673 for more information.

An outdoor public pool (651.489.2811) at Horton Avenue and Lexington Parkway features open swim times, swimming lessons, and a wading pool. Tennis courts are located near the pool. East of that area, anglers can vie for bass and walleye from a fishing pier at the southern end of the lake.

As if the park didn't have enough attractions, the Putt'er There Miniature Golf Course is open Memorial Day through Labor Day (Mon-Sat 10am-8:30pm; Sun 12n-8:30pm), and weekends through Halloween, weather-permitting. Call 651.488.0277 for mini-golf information.

The park's Historic Streetcar Station at 1224 North Lexington Parkway houses an interpretive museum with exhibits exploring the history of streetcars in the Twin Cities, and is a popular - and lovely - site for weddings. The museum is open to the public on Sundays from 12n to 4pm.

The Eagan Civic Arena features two ice rinks and public areas that host special events, birthday parties, hockey leagues, and ice skating lessons and open sessions. Ice skate rental, sharpening services, and a pro shop are offered on-site. With a dry floor, the East Rink hosts exhibitions.

Eagle Valley offers lessons for adults and children.

The Edina Aquatic Center offers plenty of splashy fun for kids of all ages, but do the amenities really justify an entry fee several dollars higher than other municipal waterparks such as St. Louis Park's or Jim Lupient in Minneapolis? Depends on how daring your swimmers are.

The waterpark is situated in the large and lovely Rosland Park, and the boasts a 200-foot body slide, and a 300-foot twisty slide swimmers can zoom down on inner tubes for up to three people. A ship-themed cable ride zip line - one of the features that might justify the higher rate! - carries kids across the pool, ending with a plunge into the water. Kids can also squirt their friends on the cable with water cannons mounted alongside. There are one- and three-meter diving boards in the main pool.

A trellis runs along one side of the pool area, offering a shady spot to relax. Lounge chairs are provided there, along the other side of the pool, and around the separate zero-depth entry children's pool for children ages eight and younger, which features slides and fountains, and a maximum depth of 18 inches. Large umbrellas around the deck also provide some shade.

A new, dry playground surrounding a large climbing structure of connected "trees" is another feature that might justify the higher entry fee here, for kids who might not want to spend all their time in the water.

Snacks and beverages from the concession stand can be enjoyed at a large seating area with tables and umbrellas, or patrons can bring their own picnics. Lockers and restrooms are located near the concession stand, beside the entrance.

Note: The main pool doesn't open until 11:30am during the week, providing younger kids - and parents - "quiet" time in the children's pool starting at 10am.

Lap swimming: Mon-Thu 6pm-8pm; Sat 8am-10am; Sun 10am-12n.

Swimming lessons: Instruction for ages three and up is provided by Foss in two-week sessions throughout the summer.

Summer opportunities: The Aquatic Center hires kids ages 16 and older to fill summer positions in lifeguarding, concessions, and maintenance.

Elm Creek, part of the Three Rivers Park District, provides four seasons full of recreational opportunities.

The large park - comprising 4,900 acres straddling Maple Grove, Champlin, and Dayton - offers more than 20 miles of paved trails for hiking and biking, a chlorinated swimming pond and large creative play area, a 30-acre archery range, picnic pavilions that can be rented for private use, and a winter recreation area featuring a lighted snow-tubing hill, about 10 miles of cross-country ski trails (including some miles that are lit and/or served by snowmaking machines), and a downhill ski and snowboard area with chalet.

Classes & Camps: Nature programs are offered year-round at the park's Eastman Nature Center. Ski and snowboard lessons are offered in season at the winter recreation area, with both weekly and school release day lesson sessions.

Extreme Athletics offers tumbling, choreography, and cheerleading instruction during the school year and in summer.

Residential summer programs are offered at high schools in Rochester and Wisconsin. All program offerings can be customized to meet the skills and location needs of a particular team or group.