Kids, etc.

• BREAKFAST WITH BEN Find out what Mr. Franklin did for our country and city during an interactive breakfast with his re-enactor. Every Sat, 9-10:30am, $15-$25, Independence Visitor Center, 1 N. Independence Mall W., 215-221-4537.
• FAMILY CIRCUS ARTS CLASS Don't be surprised if your little one runs off to join the circus after taking this class for all ages. Daily, 12:30-2pm, $10-$20, Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, 5900 Greene St., 215-849-1991.
• GETTING THERE This interactive show aims to entertain kids with toys and puppets, while also teaching them how to travel safely. Here's hoping there's no lesson on road rage on the way to the museum. Runs through Aug. 6, $15, Please Touch Museum, 4231 Ave. of the Republic, 215-581-3181.
• GIRLS ROCK PHILLY SHOWCASE Watch these girls from the annual rock 'n' roll camp show up Hannah Montana at their musical showcase, Sat, Aug. 8, 6 pm, $5, Girard College, 2101 S. College Ave.,215-789-4879.
• KIDS' ITALIAN PASTA PARTY Most kids love pasta and most kids love parties, too, so why not combine the two? In this class, kids ages 7 to 12 will learn how to make their own pasta dinner, follow a recipe, measure ingredients and keep safe in the kitchen, Fri, Aug. 7, 10am-noon; Mon, Aug. 10, 6-9pm; $69, Viking Culinary Center, 1 Town Place, Suite 100, Bryn Mawr, 610-526-9020.
• KIDSCIENCE This hands-on exhibit specifically for budding nerds features lessons on sailboats, lighthouses and geology. Daily, 10am-5pm, FREE , Franklin Institute, 20th St. & the Parkway, 215-448-1200.
• MELLOW MONDAYS Chill out with some board games, puzzles and other activities. Every Mon, 9am-9pm, FREE , Cecil B. Moore Branch Library, 2320 W. Cecil B. Moore Ave., 215-685-2766.
• MODEL SOLAR CAR WORKSHOP Young tree-huggers can make the world a little greener in this workshop that teaches students how to make model solar-powered cars. Registration required, Sat, Aug. 8, 10am-4pm, $220, Riverbend Environmental Education Center, 1950 Spring Mill Rd., Gladwynne, 610-527-5234.
• MOTHER AND DAUGHTER BOOK CLUB Fourth- through sixth-grade students and their moms will discuss historical fiction for young adults. Every second Thu, 6-8pm, $5-$35, Winterthur Museum & County Estate, 5105 Kennet Pike, Winterthur, DE, 800-448-4907.
• RAPUNZEL Will the long-haired damsel in distress be rescued from the tower? Kids and families can find out at this musical production of the classic Grimm Brothers' tale. Every Mon-Fri, 10:15am; every Sat, 11am; $10-$12, Storybook Musical Theatre, St. Joseph's University, 56th St. & Overbrook Ave., 215-659-8550.
• ROLL OVER AND READ Kids can gain confidence in their reading skills by reading to dogs. Every third Sat, 11am-1pm, FREE , Norristown Public Library, 1001 Powell St., Norristown, 610-278-5100.
• SECRETS & SPIES In this interactive activity, kids will learn about President George Washington and his spy network by re-enacting historical events themselves. Every Sat, 9am-5pm, $16, Valley Forge National Historic Park, 1400 N. Outerline Dr., King of Prussia, 610-783-1075.
• SHARK WEEK LIVE Come celebrate the beloved Discovery Channel special with a shark-themed slide, giveaways and real, live sharks — in cages, of course, Thu, Aug. 6, 9:30am-5pm, $15, Adventure Aquarium, 1 Riverside Dr., Camden, NJ, 856-365-3311.
• STORYTIME FOR TODDLERS Join other toddlers and parents for a weekly tale. Every Thu, 11am-noon, FREE , Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane, 215-844-1870.
• SUMMER COUTURE FASHION CAMP Especially for teens and "tweens," this camp for the budding fashionista teaches sewing skills and jewelry design. Daily, 9am-2pm, $20, Fashion Center, 1622 South St., 215-546-1984.
• SUMMER WONDER 2009 Kids can learn the good, the bad and the ugly at these educational programs that change weekly. Upcoming events include a martial arts demonstration and a lesson on animals with bad reputations. Every Wed, 10:30-11:30am, $1, Penn Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 3260 South St., 215-898-4000.
• TEEN DANCE NIGHT Dance the night away at DJ Patty Pat's teen dance party, Wed, Aug. 12, 7-10pm, FREE , Campbell Square Community Park, 2500 East Allegheny Ave., 215-683-3679.
• TEENS' CAMP: EXPLORING CUISINES Is it time for your kids to put down the Hot Pockets and learn how to cook for themselves? In this five-day summer camp, they'll learn how to make basic Italian, Asian, French and American dishes, Thu-Fri, Aug. 6-7, 1:30-4:30pm, $375, Viking Culinary Center, 1 Town Place, Suite 100, Bryn Mawr, 610-526-9020.
• TEENS' CAMP: HOT COOKING TRENDS Got a kid whose favorite TV show isn't "Dora the Explorer," but "Top Chef"? This five-day cooking camp will teach them about the latest cooking trends and healthy, easy-to-prepare meals, Mon-Thu, Aug. 10-13, noon-2:30pm, $375, Viking Culinary Center, 1 Town Place, Suite 100, Bryn Mawr, 610-526-9020.
• THURSDAY EVENING STORY TIME Toddlers and preschoolers are invited to this weekly storytelling event. Every Thu, 7pm, FREE , Barnes & Noble, 1553 Almonesson Rd., Deptford, NJ, 856-232-3123.
• TOTALLY TERRIFIC TREEHOUSES At this hands-on exhibit, kids and nature enthusiasts can learn about ecology while exploring ten imaginative treehouses, which were created by local artisans. Daily, 9am, $4-$7, Tyler Arboretum, 515 Painter Rd., Media, 610-566-9133.
• TUESDAY STORY TIME Toddlers and preschoolers can enjoy the reading of a different children's book each week. Every Tue, 11am, FREE , Barnes & Noble, 911 Haddonfield Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ, 856-486-1492.
• UGLY DUCKLING See a theater adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's classic story. Runs through Aug. 29, 2-4pm, $10, Garden State Discovery Museum, 2040 Springdale Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ, 856-424-1233.
• THE WIZARD OF OZ Ever get bored waiting for that silly lion to find his courage? Well, this version is abbreviated for a younger audience. Runs through Aug. 8, $8, Bucks County Playhouse, 70 S. Main St., New Hope, 215-862-2041.