Abrakadoodle inspires the artist in every child. The national mobile arts education program meets both the National and State Standards for visual arts education. Classes are developmentally appropriate and introduce kids to color, texture, shape, and creativity. Abrakadoodle programs are broken into age-appropriate groupings, including Twoosy Doodlers, for children age 20-36 months; Mini Doodlers, for children age three through Kindergarten; and Doodlers, for children in grades one through six.

A summer camp, Camp Abrakadoodle, is offered for children ages three through 12. Check the website for details. Off-track camps are offered as well.

Abrakadoodle Parties are led by an art teacher and feature age-appropriate activities and art lessons, plus each party guest leaves with a framed piece of their own original art. The parties are held at the location of the client's choice

Local Abrakadoodle programs are offered at various locations in Salt Lake City, Park City, Riverton, Herriman, South Jordan, Draper, Sandy, Cottonwood Heights, and Millcreek. Visit the website for more information.

Kids can draw, paint, and sculpt in weekly art classes and summer workshops/camps at Amy's Art Studio. The studio offers something for every skill level, from beginners to advanced artists. Kids learn design, art history, and art techniques while having fun and creating their own masterpieces. Check the studio's website for classes suited to each child's age and level.

Kids aren't the only ones getting their hands dirty at Amy's; classes are available for adults too.

Besides teaching art classes at her Orem and Salt Lake City studios, Amy also offers occasional summer workshops at places like Thanksgiving Point and Tracy Aviary.

Kids can draw, paint, and sculpt in weekly art classes and summer workshops/camps at Amy's Art Studio. The studio offers something for every skill level, from beginners to advanced artists. Kids learn design, art history, and art techniques while having fun and creating their own masterpieces. Check the studio's website for classes suited to each child's age and level.

Kids aren't the only ones getting their hands dirty at Amy's; classes are available for adults too.

Besides teaching art classes at her Orem and Salt Lake City studios, Amy also offers occasional summer workshops at places like Thanksgiving Point and Tracy Aviary.

Art-Works 4 Kids is an organization dedicated to creating opportunities for children ages five to 12 to explore and develop their artistic creativity. A variety of afterschool and evening classes are offered during the school year, and several summer camps and off-track programs are available as well. The week-long camps run from approximately mid June through mid August. Camp fees include all art lessons, artist grade materials, snacks, and an AW4K t-shirt. Classes and camps are taught at venues such as Wheeler Farm and Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center.

For all of the organization's classes, students receive art kits filled with all the materials necessary for the lessons, so parents don't need to shop around for art supplies.

Check the website for the latest information about class/camp offerings, dates, times, and prices.

Dimple Dell Fitness and Recreation Center offers Arts and Games in the Park, a day camp that runs for two hours, two days a week. Participants do an art in the first hour and play a game during the second hour. The program runs all summer long at Big Bear Park, Draper City Park, and Granite Park. Registration at Dimple Dell is required to participate.

Bad Dog Rediscovers America was founded in 1997 by two artists with a vision of what after-school youth art programs should be.

Students are involved in a variety of art projects, utilizing all aspects of the fine arts, such as drawing, painting, sculpture, architecture, dance, theater, creative writing, and multimedia.

Bad Dog Mindplay is a process created by Bad Dog Rediscovers America to nurture young people's creative thinking. It teaches kids to purge the obvious, juxtapose the absurd, visualize wild ideas, make an idea become something else, and explore through the power of play, thereby sparking creative breakthroughs and "can do" attitudes.

Programs for children and teens occur at the Bad Dog Studio Monday-Saturday, with each day of the week dedicated to a specific age group. Class sizes are limited, so it is wise to register early. Tuition waver scholarships are available.

Bad Dog offers week-long summer sessions from mid June through early August for kids ages seven to 12. Call or check the studio's website for details.

The Fine Arts Center in Brigham City is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting fine arts opportunities for youth and families in Brigham City and the surrounding areas. Current programs include Brigham City Puppetry, Preschool Puppet Time (for kids ages three to five), Wasatch Children's Choir (for kids ages eight to 15), Junior Choir (for kids ages five to seven), art classes for children and adults (drawing, watercolor, photography, etc.), various workshops, Theater School, and Open Mike Night. Many of these offerings occur in the after school hours. Call for more information on any of the classes or to sign up.

Some summer camp offerings at the Fine Arts Center include Summer Art Camp, Choir Camp, and Musical Theater Camp. Prices vary by camp. Call to register; space is limited.

The World of Puppetry Museum at the Fine Arts Center is open to visitors the first and third Saturday of each month from 2pm-5pm. It showcases puppets from around the world and offers hands-on puppet activities. Call for more information.

Puppet Storytime is held one Friday each month in the morning. It is geared toward children ages three to five; adults must accompany their children. A craft project is part of the storytime. A donation of $1 per child per session is requested. Advance registration is recommended; call for reservations.

The Fine Arts Center is under the direction of the Brigham City Fine Arts Council. It is a federally recognized non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible and welcome.

Let your children's imaginations run wild this summer at Camp Invention, a weeklong day camp offered in elementary schools across the country. Check the website for the nearest location.

Kids in the first through sixth grades participate in fun, hands-on activities that enhance their understanding of the arts, sciences, history, and math. Teamwork, creative problem solving, and inventive thinking are all encouraged.

The program was created by the National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Children's Ballet Theatre teaches ballet creatively, artistically, and professionally.

Ballet classes are available for children ages two and a half to 18. Classes occur on all days of the week.

The students put on several events throughout the year, including Molly Mouse's Sugar Plum Debut - a popular holiday production, and a spring concert. The performances are appropriate for families with young children. Call the Children's Ballet Theatre for information on upcoming events.

Summer classes and camps are offered. The weekly camps include subjects such as puppet theatre, fairy magic, creative art, and dance. Call for details about the summer offerings.

For wanna-be ballerinas, the Children's Ballet Theatre offers birthday parties. An instructor teaches all of the party guests some dance steps, and then everyone plays games. The parties are good for ages 2 1/2 and up, and are a great way to introduce a child to the world of dance; no dance experience is necessary.

The CBT can be reached at the email listed above and also at scnrymom@comcast.net.

The Children's Theatre and School of the Arts offers live drama for schools and families, based on stories from classic literature. The versions of the plays you see here are not the versions you may be familiar with, but they are especially well-suited for children.

Shows are performed Fridays at 7pm and Saturdays at 1pm and 4:30pm, with additional performances weekday mornings for elementary school groups. Performances are preceded by a short talk on theater etiquette, and the cast stays on stage after the bows to answer questions from the audience.

Each person attending a performance must have a ticket; no babes in arms allowed. Tickets can be purchased by phone or in person. Box office hours are Mon-Thu 11am-4pm, Fri 11am-2pm, and one hour prior to performances.

The School of the Arts portion of the organization teaches drama and movement to children ages six to 18 in weekly afterschool sessions during the traditional school year and Summer Theater Camp sessions. Three two-week summer camps are offered over the course of the summer.

The school's Youth Stage program offers students opportunities to work with professional directors, set designers, costumers, lighting designers, and stage managers while receiving more advanced performance training. The group performs a few productions during the school year. Each person attending a Youth Stage performance must have a ticket; tickets cost $8 each and can be purchased in person at the box office or by phone.

The Columbus Center is a community center that serves South Salt Lake residents. It is in the old and beautiful Columbus School building. Besides a basketball court, auditorium, and several meeting rooms, the building also houses a senior center and the Columbus Library.

Open play basketball and billiards is available to children in 3rd through 12th grades. The schedule for open play changes throughout the year, so call for times. Parents or legal guardians must fill out liability waivers for their children to participate. Open play is free.

Other programs for children include an indoor soccer league for boys and girls ages four to 12, and a Youth City Council for children in 9th through 12th grades.

Many organizations offer classes at the Columbus Center, for both adults and children. Classes include Hula Dance, Hawaiian Language, Judo, various types of Karate, Jazzercise, yoga, guitar lessons, Salsa, Swing, Ballroom, and Latin Dance, and more. Call the center to find out about specific offerings and to get information about how to sign up. Fees vary by class.

Summer camp opportunities are available through the Columbus Center. The week-long camps are offered from mid June through mid August. Children can choose from the following camps: Golf (ages 10-14), Jr. Jazz Basketball (ages 5-12), Volleyball (ages 10-15), Soccer (ages 5-12), Theatre (ages 8-15), and Dance (ages 8-15). All camps are very affordable, and participants receive a t-shirt. Early registration is advised; call 801.412.3268 for more information.

The auditorium, gym, and classrooms can all be rented for special occasions, including receptions, birthday parties, family reunions, etc. The auditorium can hold 390 people. The gym has a capacity of 390 people when used for an event. Capacities of the meeting rooms vary, from 48 to 99 people. Equipment can also be rented, including TVs, VCRs, DVD players, microphones, dry erase boards, projectors, pianos, tables, table cloths, and napkins. Stop by the Columbus Center to fill out a rental application.

Copperview Community Center - also called the Copperview Recreation Center - offers several arts and sports programs for kids and families. Specific programs include adult softball leagues and teams, Crafty Kids classes (ages 3-12), Kid Sport classes (ages 3-5), outdoor soccer (ages 3-12), Summer Arts in the Park (ages 5-10), Summer Field Trip Frenzy (ages 8-12), Super Summer Blast (ages 5-12), tennis lessons, a Youth Theatre program, youth baseball (ages 9-13), youth t-ball and coach pitch, and a weight room. Free and reduced pricing is available for those with a demonstrated need. Scholarships are also available.

An adaptive recreation program is available for individuals with disabilities.

The Covey Center for the Arts features studio space, a 670-seat performance hall, a black box theater, and an art gallery. The center offers several classes, including Musical Revue (a summer workshop for kids), various levels of ballet (for ages seven through adult), American tribal style belly dancing, stage combat, puppetry, yoga, and Middle Eastern dance. Visit the center's website for dates and pricing.

Educational Advantage offers individualized tutoring for children in grades pre-K to 12. Small group classes are available and cover coursework for all grade levels, ACT preparation, Math Madness (a math class to increase math-fact fluency), Experiential Writing, and high school courses for credit in algebra, geometry, geography, and world civilizations.

Camp Smarty Paints runs during the summers months, offering field trips, crafts, and exploration for children ages four to eight. The two- to five-day camps run mid June to mid August, and feature a different theme each week.

Educational Advantage offers individualized tutoring for children in grades pre-K to 12. Small group classes are available and cover coursework for all grade levels, ACT preparation, Math Madness (a math class to increase math-fact fluency), Experiential Writing, and high school courses for credit in algebra, geometry, geography, and world civilizations.

Camp Smarty Paints runs during the summers months, offering field trips, crafts, and exploration for children ages four to eight. The two- to five-day camps run mid June to mid August, and feature a different theme each week.

Educational Advantage offers individualized tutoring for children in grades pre-K to 12. Small group classes are available and cover coursework for all grade levels, ACT preparation, Math Madness (a math class to increase math-fact fluency), Experiential Writing, and high school courses for credit in algebra, geometry, geography, and world civilizations.

Camp Smarty Paints runs during the summers months, offering field trips, crafts, and exploration for children ages four to eight. The two- to five-day camps run mid June to mid August, and feature a different theme each week.

eMotion Dance offers instruction in classical ballet, modern, jazz, hip-hop, tumbling, and tap to girls ages three and up. Adult classes in jazz and tap are available as well.

Each young student has the opportunity to be in three concerts each year. For children on company (teams), there are one to four competitions per year, depending on age, level, and performing opportunities in the community.

Costumes are modest, and can be rented from the studio. eMotion Dance boasts a wholesome environment, where students can excel in dance without sacrificing family and a well-rounded life.

Birthday parties are offered, featuring movement, props, music, drums, and games. Call for pricing and to reserve a date.

Summer Dance Camps are good for dancers of all levels. The three-day camps include instruction in jazz, ballet, modern dance, hip-hop, and stomp. Participants each receive a t-shirt and daily snacks. The camps cost $85. Space is limited. Call or check the website for details and to sign up.

The Hale Centre Theatre at Harman Hall is known as Utah's premiere family theater. The rotating stage in the center of the theater, and eight rows of seating, guarantee great sight lines from just about any seat.

Acting and dancing classes (for kids ages four and up), a summer acting camp, costume rentals, and group tours are also available.

Drinks and candy are available for purchase. Children under five years old are not permitted in the theater.

Tickets can be purchased from the theater's website, by phone, or in person at the box office. Advance purchase is highly recommended; shows tend to sell out.

The Hawaiian Civic Club offers activities, camps, retreats, and classes dedicated to teaching and preserving Hawaiian language and culture. Check the club's website for event schedules and details. Most activities are free or very inexpensive.

Heart Beads Jewelry specializes in locally hand-made jewelry, and provides the beads, supplies, books, and kits for people who prefer to make their own beaded creations as well. The jewelry in the store is for people of all ages; bracelets and pacifier clips for babies, bracelets and necklaces for children, and earrings, necklaces, chokers, ankle bracelets, eyeglass holders, and more for adults. Jewelry can even be custom made to match clothing or other jewelry.

The store has a workspace at the back so customers can make their own creations in-store. The bead selection is amazing, and organized in such a way that it's easy to find what you're looking for, be it glass, plastic, semi-precious stone, silver, gold, or ceramic. Whether customers have created jewelry before or have never even thought about it, Heart Beads Jewelry makes everyone feel like they could give it a shot and come up with something beautiful and unique.

The store offers classes and summer camp opportunities for kids at reasonable prices. Call or stop by the store for details. Adult classes are also offered.

Children who are crafty enjoy the beading birthday parties at the store. Parties cost $14 per person, which includes all necessary materials for each child to make a necklace and a bracelet of their very own. Advance reservations are required, and a deposit must be made at the time of making the reservation; call or stop in to secure a party time.

The motto of the International Children's Choir (ICC) is to welcome the world through song. Participants receive voice training, learning songs in many languages and styles. For performances, choir members wear authentic colorful costumes from around the world. In addition to public concerts, the choir performs for heads of state, ambassadors, and international dignitaries, and has traveled to places such as Italy, Germany, Austria, and Hungary to perform.

Each year, the ICC holds two semester-long classes and one summer camp. Semester classes focus on voice training and choir, while the summer camp allows students to explore additional areas such as folk dance, handbells, yoga, Orff instruments, art, and various cultures.

Auditions are held by appointment or at summer camp. Children ages five through 17 are welcome to audition. Call or check the choir's website for details.

Rehearsal locations are in Sandy, Sugarhouse, and Bountiful.

Kim's Academy of Tae Kwon Do offers instruction in World TaeKwonDo Federation-style Korean TaeKwonDo. Kids as young as three and a half can enroll in the Little Tigers program, while regular instruction is offered for ages five and up (including adults). Programs for children have an emphasis on respect (of self, parents, teachers, elders), kindness, and cleanliness.

The academy also offers afterschool and off-track programs featuring rock and gem hunting, nature-inspired science projects, swimming field trips, and Tae Kwon Do classes.

Licensed teachers of Kindermusik offer music and movement classes for children ages newborn to seven years. This well-respected program is based on developmental principles, and teaches creativity and problem-solving through music. Take home materials - music CDs, books, journals, art banners - are part of each class, and are included in the price of the class.

Angela offers the following Kindermusik classes in the Layton area: Village (for newborns to 18 months old), Our Time (for kids from 18 months to 3 1/2 years old), Imagine That! (for 3 1/2 to five year olds), Kindermusik for the Young Child (for five to seven year olds), and Adventures (a summer camp for newborns to age seven).

Licensed teachers of Kindermusik offer music and movement classes for children ages newborn to seven years. This well-respected program is based on developmental principles, and teaches creativity and problem-solving through music. Take home materials - music CDs, books, journals, art banners - are part of each class, and are included in the price of the class.

Maria offers the following Kindermusik classes in the Holladay area: ABC Music & Me, Sign & Sing (for ages six months to three years), Our Time (for ages 18 months to three years), Young Child (for ages five to seven), Family Time (for families with multiple children, newborns and up), Village (for newborns to 18 months), and Imagine That! (for three to five year olds). She also offers Summer Kindermusik Adventure Camps in July and August for children from newborn to five years of age.

Licensed teachers of Kindermusik offer music and movement classes for children ages newborn to seven years. This well-respected program is based on developmental principles, and teaches creativity and problem-solving through music. Take home materials - music CDs, books, journals, art banners - are part of each class, and are included in the price of the class.

Sheila offers the following Kindermusik classes in the Heber City area: Village (infants to 18 months), Our Time (for ages 18 months to three years) and Imagine That (for three to six year olds). Summer camps are also available.

The Life Arts Center has programs for people ages 15 months to 12 years. The preschool & kindergarten program is for children ages infant to six years old. Kids in the program experience music, art, drama, socialization, and free choosing. Through all of the "playing" children are actively learning math, reading, numbers, science, and emotional literacy. Parents are required to provide diapers, wipes, and food for their children.

Modern/Creative Dance classes for children ages 2 1/2 to 12 are taught at an off site facility .

Summer camps at the center combine art education with science, math, reading, dance, music, drama, and art. Children ages 15 months to 6 years old may participate.

Life Time Fitness is a 24-hour fitness center that offers a variety of summer camps and other youth programs for members and nonmembers alike. Classes and camps run during holidays and other school breaks for children as young as three and as old as 16. Themes include field trips, dance, art, science, sports, cheers, basketball, soccer, swimming, and rock climbing. Visit the website for a current list of classes/camps.

The fitness center also offers two hours of child care for kids ages three months to 11 years old while the parents work out in the gym or swim in the pool.

Murray City Parks and Recreation offers Band and Drama camps each summer.

Marching Band Camp is for children in sixth through twelfth grades who have played an instrument at least one year. Participants learn to march while playing an instrument. The camp runs early June through early July, culminating with a chance to march in the Murray Fun Days parade on July 4. The cost of the camp includes a t-shirt. The registration form is available online; turn it in to the Murray Parks and Rec office at 330 East Vine Street.

Beginning Band Clinics happen in early August. The clinic is a chance for sixth through ninth graders to get an early start on learning a new instrument before school starts. Participants must be registered for Junior High Band or for Before and After School Band Program for fifth and sixth graders. Beginning students in grades eight and nine are welcome too. Register in person at the Murray Parks and Rec office.

Drama Camps happen the first two weeks of August. The children's camp is for kids ages five to seven. Youth camp is for kids ages eight to 14. Children in the camps experience improv, scene building, monologues, set design, and theater games. At the end of the sessions, campers put on a program for their parents. Class sizes are limited; register at Murray City Parks and Rec.

The Off Broadway Theatre (OBT) offers comedy theater with the whole family in mind. Babes in arms are always welcome, and shows are clean, original, silly, and interactive; audiences are encouraged to boo the villains and cheer for the heroes.

In addition to the plays, every Friday and Saturday night at 10pm, Laughing Stock, Utah's longest running improv comedy troupe can be seen at OBT. When plays aren't running, Laughing Stock runs on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm as well. Tickets for Laughing Stock or any OBT performance can be purchased over the phone or online.

The OBT also offers dramatic arts classes and camps for kids ages three and up. For details about these offerings visit www.actinguputah.org, call 801.577.9779, or email info@actinguputah.org. All kids ages eight and up are welcome to audition for any OBT production. Kids don't need to be registered in Acting Up to audition.

Performing Arts Camp is offered through the University of Utah's Department of Modern Dance. The two consecutive week-long summer camps are broken down by age groups (five to eight year-olds, nine to 12 year-olds, and 13 to 17 year-olds); class duration and subjects vary by age. Subjects such as hip-hop, steppin', musical theatre, ceramics, photography, samba drum & dance, creative dance, salsa, and African dance encourage creativity, risk-taking, cooperation, self-confidence, and responsibility. The camp culminates in a performance for families and friends.

Check the Performing Arts Camp link on the website for details, registration dates, and a registration form. Camps tend to fill quickly, so early reservations are advised.

Janisse Foresti runs a professional private piano studio that provides piano lessons to beginning, intermediate, and advanced students. Technique, sight-reading, theory, musicianship, and performance skills are taught. Participation in the program is by audition - students need not be accomplished musicians, but must demonstrate a strong interest and aptitude. Lessons for adults are offered as well; no auditions are required for adult students.

Janisse holds a Master of Music degree in Piano Pedagogy/Performance and has 20 years of teaching experience.

A week-long Summer Piano Academy is also offered at the studio each July. The course is for children ages 6-12 and focuses on ensemble instruction. Participants explore sight-reading, music theory, composition, history and composers, special guest artists, musical art, musical English composition, and piano technique. The program culminates with a special concert and demonstrations featuring the students. The Summer Piano Academy costs $350, and includes instruction, materials, and snacks. Membership in Janisse's Piano Studio is required in order to enroll. For more information, visit www.pianostudiojanisseforesti.com.