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.

Dimple Dell Fitness & Recreation Center
is one of several local fitness centers that have benefited from the Zoo, Arts, and Parks (ZAP) Tax. Money from the fund helped build the facility in 2001, and locals have been enjoying the fitness center ever since.

The center offers a climbing wall, two indoor pools (a lap pool and a leisure/activity pool), a fitness room, aerobics areas, a gym, a basketball court, an indoor track, and a drop-in child care center.

The Leisure Pool features a lazy river, a large water slide, a bubble couch, and a water fort. It is open Mon-Tue 3pm-8:30pm, Wed-Fri 1pm-8:30pm, Sat 11am-8:30pm, and Sun 10am-3:30pm. Tot Time, a time for just parents and children under the age of five, is offered Tue & Thu 11am-12n. The center also operates the Draper Outdoor Pool from Memorial Day to Labor Day each summer.

A flat daily fee is charged to the center, which entitles folks to swim, play basketball, workout, or whatever. For people to come frequently, it is advisable to look into the center's annual memberships. Membership cost varies by age and by payment type. See website for details.

The center's sports programs for adults include men's, women's, and coed volleyball, and men's basketball. Youth sports programs include volleyball, tee-ball, flag football, track and field, tennis, competitive basketball, basketball personal training and camps, indoor and outdoor soccer, lacrosse, off-track programs (horseback riding camp, art classes, a Super Sport program, bowling, ski lessons, and snowboard lessons), and field trip programs.

Classes: Offerings include pilates, yoga, indoor cycling, power pump, swimming, lifeguard training, and climbing. Classes available to children include cheer, ballet, Music & Movement (for parents and their children ages five and under), art, magic, chess, karate, pre-school sports, and swimming lessons.

Parties: The fitness center hosts two kinds of birthday parties; Beach Birthday Swimming Parties, or Rock climbing Parties. Beach Birthday Swimming parties include unlimited swimming, an hour in the decorated party room (pick from several themes), a large pizza, drinks, and a party shirt and bag for the birthday child. The cost is $70 for up to eight people; additional guests cost $3.50 each. Add-ons are available. Rock climbing Parties include everything from the beach party, plus one hour on the rock wall. The cost is $120 for up to eight people, plus $5 for each additional guest. Harness rental is included. All parties must be booked in person; no phone reservations are accepted. A deposit is required at the time of booking.

Drop-in child care is available for children ages three months to eight years. Parents must remain in the fitness center while their child is in the day care, and there is a two hour limit. The child care center is open Mon-Thu 7:45am-11:45am and 5pm-8:30pm, Fri 7:45am-11:45am, and Sat 7:45am-11:30am. Reservations are required 9am-11am Mon-Fri; call to reserve a spot. The cost is $1.25/hour.

The mission statement of the Jewish Community Center is to enrich the lives of the Jewish community and the community at large. It fulfills its mission by offering a variety of educational, recreational, fitness, cultural, and social programs for all ages and stages of life.

Housed in a 100,000 square foot facility, it offers both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, year-round tennis courts, fitness equipment, an indoor track, classrooms, special event facilities, a daycare center, and a nationally accredited early childhood center.

Early Childhood Center: Nationally accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the ECC is a preschool offering year round programs for children two years of age through kindergarten. It is a play-based program and has a low child to teacher ratio.

Birthday Parties: The JCC can host parties of up to 30 children. Parents only have to pick a date and time, choose a theme (there are many to choose from), select add-ons if desired, and invite the children. Call for detailed information and pricing. For detailed information about birthday parties, check online. For pricing information call Shannon Fallis at 801.581.0098 ex 199.

Swimming Pools: The indoor and outdoor pools are popular for plain old water fun, but are also used for swimming lessons, swim team, and water aerobics. For information on these activities, call 801.581.0098 ex 117 or email shollinger@slcjcc.org.

Tennis Courts: The courts are open year round, and JCC offers private and semi-private lessons, as well as workouts for kids, juniors, and adults.

Hourly Childcare: While parents work up a sweat, their children can play in the hourly childcare center onsite. Reservations are not accepted.

Youth and Teen Programs: The JCC provides kids with the opportunity to learn, socialize, and grow together as a community and as friends. The youth-led BBYO program empowers teens to develop their leadership potential. Kids Konnection after school program is offered for kids in grades one through eight, and includes field trips to educational and fun places, as well as activities such as swimming, climbing, tennis, and art. Homework Hall is a program that allows children to get their homework done right after school, allowing parents and children a quiet evening at home. A staff member is available to help with homework questions.

Camps: The JCC offers a variety of camp options and school break activities, including the Bernie Solomon Summer Camp, the Specialty Summer Camp, and the Early Childhood Center Summer Camp. Afterschool Winterland camps are offered in mid to late December.

Memberships: Included in a membership are free parking, and access to the fitness facilities, group fitness classes, pools and spa, tennis courts, gymnasium, track, and spinning studio. For an additional fee, members can get hourly childcare, personal training, pilates classes, massage therapy, camp/preschool/kindergarten/childcare enrollment, after school programs, classes, and discounts on banquet facilities. For more information about memberships and prices, call 801.581.0098 ex 105 or email dburg@slcjcc.org.

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.

Martial Arts World offers a number of different martial arts classes for all members of the family - beginner through advanced. Classes for men, women, and children are offered five evenings a week, and on Saturdays. Cost depends on the program. Weight control and nutrition classes are also available.

The center provides a curriculum that incorporates several martial arts styles including Tae Kwon-Do, Karate, KungFu, JuDo, HapKiDo, TaiChi, yoga, kick-boxing, Jujitsu, and aerobic self-defense.

Martial Arts World offers an afterschool program for local students, and provides free transportation from many area schools for children enrolled in the afterschool program. The afternoon is filled with structured activities, martial arts classes, and study time.

Kids can also participate in summer camps and school break camps at Martial Arts World. Camps include games, skills training, character development, field trips, and martial arts classes. Participants receive a free uniform when signing up. The camps run Monday-Friday 7am-6:15pm, and are for children ages five through 18.

Momentum is a rock climbing gym for all levels and almost all ages. Offerings specific to children include a kids' climbing team, an afterschool climbing club, and an off track climbing camp. A Kids' Area, with walls no higher than eight feet, is designed especially for children who are not yet able to use the main climbing area (requirements for the main area: must be at least 16 years old, or children aged 12-15 can attend the Youth Certification Program and use the main climbing area upon completion). Children must be accompanied by their parent/guardian while in the Kids' Area.

A daycare is available for children aged 18 months and up. The cost for daycare is $4/child/hour.

Momentum also offers yoga classes for kids and adults, Pilates classes, and has a weight room.

The Momentum Cafe is located within the climbing gym. It serves a selection of hot and cold drinks, pastries, sandwiches, and bagels. Free wireless internet access is available in the cafe.

Family Night is offered on select Monday nights after 5pm. The $10 Family Night fee includes harness rental. Call or check the gym's website for the dates of upcoming Family Nights.

Memberships are available, and include unlimited access to the studio classes, weight room, wireless internet, and discounts in the cafe and on the clinics. Pricing and details can be found on the gym's website.

For those that want the climbing fun to come to them, Momentum has a mobile climbing wall. Prices start at $150/hour.

The South Jordan Leisure, Aquatic & Fitness Center (also called the South Jordan Recreation Center) offers a variety of youth and adult opportunities and programs, including open plunge swimming, swim lessons, Parent-Tot Swim Time, dance classes (ages two through adults), gymnastics/tumbling (ages 18 months & up), karate (ages three & up), cheer, sign language, Kindermusik, Sunshine Generation, baton twirling (ages three & up), and off-track camps (ages six to 12). Youth sports programs include volleyball, soccer, basketball, girls softball, and flag football. Check the fitness center's website for details, schedules, and prices.

The center's Splash Room and Sun Deck can be rented for birthday parties and other private functions. Check the website for a reservation form.

Memberships are available, and include water and land fitness classes. Check the website for prices and information.

The Front Climbing Club offers indoor rock climbing for all age groups and abilities - both top rope climbing and bouldering. Massage therapy is available all days of the week with appointment. It also has yoga and pilates programs, as well as a weight room and cardio equipment, which are all complimentary with a membership.

Birthday parties, after school climbing clubs, school holiday climbing day camps, summer day camps, and Boy Scout climbing merit badge programs are available. Prices include harness and shoes.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the Best Day Camp for Little Kids in Salt Lake City, Young Chefs Academy is a cooking school created just for kids. Children learn cooking and baking techniques, proper food handling, food preparation, and presentation, kitchen safety, table setting, manners, and more. The Academy offers a variety of hands-on cooking classes, including mini-camps and field trips.

The atmosphere is kid-friendly, with colorful cabinets, counters, cutting boards, and bathrooms (to encourage cleanliness!) inviting even the youngest kids to get busy in the kitchen. Parents are welcome to stay and observe, and even taste the end product of their children's efforts.

Instructors follow concise, clever lesson plans and have to know the two Cs: cooking, and children - and be good with both. During classes, kids are encouraged to ask questions, express their likes and dislikes, and get confident about cooking skills. Each session's recipes are provided to students, with a section for comments (what they might change next time, how highly they rate the taste, etc.), and those who sign up for a class series get their own recipe binder, chefs hat, and apron to continue their culinary explorations at home.

Birthday parties last 90 minutes, and guests participate in real hands-on cooking activities. There are two birthday packages to choose from; contact the academy for current offerings and pricing.

A retail section offers chef accessories, t-shirts, and cooking-themed gifts to go along with gift certificates.

Youth education programs at the University of Utah give kids a chance to meet new friends, explore various interests, and develop new talents and skills. The programs offered include classes, spring break camps, summer camps, and a summer preschool program (for children ages two to five).

Club U is a series of week-long day camps offered at the University of Utah for children and teenagers. Each week's camp focuses on a new theme, so students can experience something different throughout the year. Activities occur on campus as well as off campus at many interesting and fun venues around town. Camps are offered year round, with the most variety of choices in May through August. The spring break camp occurs in April.

Check the website for the topics, dates, prices, and registration information for any of the classes, camps, or preschool programs.