The 4S Ranch branch library opened in April 2007 and features a children’s room with window-cushioned seating, computer areas for children and adults, a fireplace with cozy seating, wireless Internet access, and machines for customers to check out their own books. An external entrance to the community room allows after-hours events.

Call the branch or visit their website for the current schedule of storytimes and craft programs, as well as for special programs that are scheduled throughout the year.

The Alpine library offers books, videos, and computer access.

Art 4 Children offers a wide variety of classes - some at local schools, many at the studio, others at private events - including birthday parties. They even offer week-long camps for kids during school breaks. The classes range from Mommy and Me sessions to arts and crafts workshops for the older kids.

Art 4 Children offers a wide variety of classes - some at local schools, many at the studio, others at private events - including birthday parties. They even offer week-long camps for kids during school breaks. The classes range from Mommy and Me sessions to arts and crafts workshops for the older kids.

Art 4 Children offers a wide variety of classes - some at local schools, many at the studio, others at private events - including birthday parties. They even offer week-long camps for kids during school breaks. The classes range from Mommy and Me sessions to arts and crafts workshops for the older kids.

Art 4 Children offers a wide variety of classes - some at local schools, many at the studio, others at private events - including birthday parties. They even offer week-long camps for kids during school breaks. The classes range from Mommy and Me sessions to arts and crafts workshops for the older kids.

Art Start's Susan Bainbridge teaches students to develop creativity and drawing skills through afterschool enrichment classes and summer camp programming.

Online registration is available on the City of Poway's website.

The Bonita-Sunnyside branch library offers books, videos, and computer access. In addition, the library holds children's storytimes and crafts, children's, teen and adult book groups, a teen advisory group, and summer reading programs for children, teens and adults, in which participants receive rewards for reading.

The Borrego Springs Branch Library is San Diego's easternmost library, offering books, videos, and computer access.

A combination toy store and workshop that lets kids create their own stuffed animals, Build-a-Bear offers both drop-in fun and party options for little cuddlers.

Bears and other stuffable creatures start at $5 (for the mini ones) and additional options, such as sound or clothing, are also available. Take your creation home in its own "house" box.

Parties: Guests build their own stuffed animals, and take their new friends home. Call 1.877.789.BEAR (2327) to plan a party.

A combination toy store and workshop that lets kids create their own stuffed animals, Build-a-Bear offers both drop-in fun and party options for little cuddlers.

Bears and other stuffable creatures start at $5 (for the mini ones) and additional options, such as sound or clothing, are also available. Take your creation home in its own "house" box.

Parties: Guests build their own stuffed animals, and take their new friends home. Call 1.877.789.BEAR (2327) to plan a party.

The Cabrillo Rec. Center offers a variety of classes for kids, children's ceramics, cooking, crafts, and hula among them. Children ages 8-14 may register here to participate in the area's Youth Flag Football program.

Summer sports camps are offered to children ages 4-14 in conjunction with Skyhawks, a national program, that offers instruction in soccer, baseball, basketball and flag football. These camps are one week in duration and are offered for half-day or whole day.

Afterschool Care: Offered before and after school from 6:30am-7:30pm. Parents can opt to sign their children up on a daily or weekly basis. Activities included in the camp are art, crafts, sports, and movies.

The Cabrillo Rec. Center offers a variety of classes for kids, children's ceramics, cooking, crafts, and hula among them. Children ages 8-14 may register here to participate in the area's Youth Flag Football program.

Summer sports camps are offered to children ages 4-14 in conjunction with Skyhawks, a national program, that offers instruction in soccer, baseball, basketball and flag football. These camps are one week in duration and are offered for half-day or whole day.

Afterschool Care: Offered before and after school from 6:30am-7:30pm. Parents can opt to sign their children up on a daily or weekly basis. Activities included in the camp are art, crafts, sports, and movies.

The Carmel Mountain Ranch/Sabre Springs Recreation Center, opened in 1997, The large facility and surrounding park include an indoor gymnasium for basketball and volleyball, outdoor basketball courts, lighted softball fields, a community room, a children's play area, and a large picnic area.

Courses offered include gymnastics, music classes for younger children, sports leagues and classes, fencing, self-defense, art classes, dance, and camps.

Ceramicafe is a great place to hang out in a cafe atmosphere and paint your masterpiece ceramic. Choose from hundreds of ceramics like plates, figurines, mugs and more. Stencils, idea books, and stamps are available to enhance your creativity. You can also make mosiacs and create a hand or foot clay print. You can pick up your ceramic in five days after it's been glazed and fired.

Ceramics are available in a wide range of prices from $6 and up so this activity can fit into anyone's budget. The staff is very friendly and will help you set up your paint and choose colors.

Parties: Ceramicafe offers a Cupcake Party for birthdays or any occasion. There is a $35 party fee and $15 per child. Party includes cupcakes, punch, balloons, invitations, a $15 ceramic item, and a commemorative tile for the birthday boy/girl. If you want you can pay the deposit and bring your own cake, drinks, etc. and set your own limit on the cost of the ceramic.

Although it's a cafe they don't serve food, but you are welcome to bring your own snacks and something to drink. All of the paint is water soluble and non-toxic.

Ceramicafe is a great place to hang out in a cafe atmosphere and paint your masterpiece ceramic. Choose from hundreds of ceramics like plates, figurines, mugs and more. Stencils, idea books, and stamps are available to enhance your creativity. You can also make mosiacs and create a hand or foot clay print. You can pick up your ceramic in five days after it's been glazed and fired.

Ceramics are available in a wide range of prices from $6 and up so this activity can fit into anyone's budget. The staff is very friendly and will help you set up your paint and choose colors.

Parties: Ceramicafe offers a Cupcake Party for birthdays or any occasion. There is a $35 party fee and $15 per child. Party includes cupcakes, punch, balloons, invitations, a $15 ceramic item, and a commemorative tile for the birthday boy/girl. If you want you can pay the deposit and bring your own cake, drinks, etc. and set your own limit on the cost of the ceramic.

Although it's a cafe they don't serve food, but you are welcome to bring your own snacks and something to drink. All of the paint is water soluble and non-toxic.

Elizabeth Woolrych teaches children's clay classes on Saturdays at the Spanish Village Art Center, focusing on hand building techniques. Advance registration is not required; just drop by.

The Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert offers more than 50 hands-on exhibits for children of all ages, on topics including science, art, physical education, how things work, career options, and hidden treasures.

Classes for kids are offered in art, cooking, and other subjects and special events are held throughout the year. The facility can be rented for private events. Annual museum memberships are $25 per person.

Clay N Latte, a "paint your own" pottery studio, offers hundreds of ceramic bisque pieces (bowls, plates, mugs, vases, and banks) - pick a piece, choose some colors, paint away, and then leave it for glazing.

Clay N Latte, a "paint your own" pottery studio, offers hundreds of ceramic bisque pieces (bowls, plates, mugs, vases, and banks) - pick a piece, choose some colors, paint away, and then leave it for glazing.

Claytime Ceramics allows you to create a work of art, even if you're all thumbs! At Claytime you can choose from a wide variety of items ranging from vases, frames, platters, bird houses, or a dish for Fido. Studio hostesses are available to help as you select colors and a design. Take as much time as you like to finish your project, there is no studio fee. To complete the process Claytime fires your product in their kiln.

The North County Color Me Mine is a full service paint-your-own-pottery studio where anyone can paint with the guidance of a fully trained staff. Create gifts, have a party in their large private party room, or just have fun for a few hours. To review the different party packages, visit the Color Me Mine website.

The studio fee covers the use of all materials including underglazes, stamps, stencils, and the store's exclusive Design Center Computer with over 25,000 images.

The North County Color Me Mine is a full service paint-your-own-pottery studio where anyone can paint with the guidance of a fully trained staff. Create gifts, have a party in their large private party room, or just have fun for a few hours. To review the different party packages, visit the Color Me Mine website.

The studio fee covers the use of all materials including underglazes, stamps, stencils, and the store's exclusive Design Center Computer with over 25,000 images.

At the East County Color Me Mine full service studio, anybody can paint their own ceramics. Take a class or stop in to create a unique piece. The staff is glad to teach newcomers the techniques, help with projects, and clean up the materials.

The studio fee covers the use of all materials including underglazes, dimensions, stamps, stencils, and the store's exclusive Design Center. Discounts are available for military families, seniors, school projects, and scouts.

The store also has a private party room, with its own sound system, which is ideal for kid parties, classes, scout events, and more. To review the different party packages, visit the Color Me Mine website.

Every third Friday, the store offers Kids Club, where children ages five and up are entertained for two hours. Kids hear stories read, watch G-rated movie classics, and paint a project. This enables parents to go shopping, run errands, or have a date.

Creative Toddlers offers 50 minute classes grouped into 10-week sessions. The classes are directed in a "Mommy & Me" format, focusing on fine motor development and self-expression through artistic outlets. Classes are modified to work well for students with many different learning-styles and temperaments. Focus is on process rather than product, allowing students to enjoy each step as they progress through their work.

Instructor Lidia Miller possesses a Master's Degree in Education and Cross-cultural Teaching. Call for more information on classes and specifics.

El Toyon Recreation Center offers a wide variety of programs for children and adults.

Activities include Tiny Tot classes for four-year-olds, an afterschool program for 4th-6th graders, karate, ceramics, crafts, cheerleading, soccer, flag football, basketball, softball, field trips, contests, and Folklorico classes.

The center has a large hall, a crafts room, pool room, office, and ceramics room with attached patio area. It offers a year-round program for all ages.

It is also home to "Ixcuintla," a performing ballet folklorico dance group.

The Fallbrook branch library offers books, magazines, videos, DVDs, CDs, wireless access, Internet computers, Internet tutoring, preschool storytimes, and summer reading programs for babies, children, teens, and adults.

The community center offers the We Care Preschool and Child Care center, an auditorium available for parties, grass play area with BBQs, sand volleyball court, and covered picnic pavilion.

Class offerings include dance, fitness, craft, hobby, computer, and sports. Call the center for class schedules.

Gymboree, which runs a chain of high end clothing stores for children, also offers lots of opportunities for parents (mostly moms) and kids to meet and get to know each other.

Each 45-minute class is broken out by age (zero-six months,
six-12 months, 10-18 months, 14-28 months, two years, three years, four years, and five years) enabling teachers to introduce
activities that are developmentally appropriate.

Gymboree's philosophy is that by taking one of its
classes for just 45 minutes once a week, parents can help
build the foundation for social skills, cognitive
development, physical ability, and self-esteem. And
along the way, meet other parents to share stories and
exchange ideas.

All memberships include free PlayGyms. One-time family enrollment fee is $40.

Birthday Parties: A Gymboree birthday party is good option when it's time to throw a bash for energetic little kids. Gymboree provides a room full of play equipment, an enthusiastic teacher, and a Gymboree class. Party givers can personalize the party by selecting a theme that works best of the birthday child. Gymboree provides ballons and goodie bags for every child, as well as all the Gymboree party utensils.

Birthday party options start at $225.

The Community Center, located in the center of Heritage Park, is on the smaller scale but hosts a variety of programs and activities. Classes include arts and crafts, dance, exercise (aerobic and strength), games, sports and after school/intersession programs.

Public and private groups are welcome to rent the rooms in the Center. This is convenient for parties, meetings and other functions.

The surrounding park includes a multi-purpose playing field, lighted outdoor basketball courts, play equipment, restrooms, picnic tables and shelters, park perimeter walking/jogging pathway, lakeside gazebo, and perimeter parking.

Hopscotch San Diego offers art, music, and movement activities based on Montessori and Suzuki methods.

Tiny Tots classes and playgroups are available for young children. Classes are held at North Clairemont Recreation Center and Nobel Recreation Center.

Call or visit the website for class and playgroup schedules.

Hopscotch San Diego offers art, music, and movement activities based on Montessori and Suzuki methods.

Tiny Tots classes and playgroups are available for young children. Classes are held at North Clairemont Recreation Center and Nobel Recreation Center.

Call or visit the website for class and playgroup schedules.

IMagic School offers private instruction, specialized classes, and a children's museum program.

KidzArt is a drawing-based art enrichment program designed to help kids build self-confidence and increase their problem solving skills in a non-competitive environment using artist-quality materials.

KidzArt is a drawing-based art enrichment program designed to help kids build self-confidence and increase their problem solving skills in a non-competitive environment using artist-quality materials.

KidzArt is a drawing-based art enrichment program designed to help kids build self-confidence and increase their problem solving skills in a non-competitive environment using artist-quality materials.

Kimball Recreation Center is located in Kimball Park. The building features a large hall, an office, and a small dance room.

The Center hosts summer camps, school vacation camps, Easter Camp, an afterschool program, Easter Seals functions, belly dancing classes, children's movement classes, gymnastics, tap, ballet, lyrical ballet, hip hop dance, ceramics, youth basketball, cheerleading, flag football, field trips, dances, crafts, sewing, movies, air hockey, and more.