AJ McKinley offers guitar and bass lessons in the Monterey and San Francisco Bay areas. The curriculum is tailored to the interests of each student, and can include soloing, technique, strumming, song-writing, ear training, general musicianship, good practice habits, rhythmic exercises, improvisation, and more. Lessons can also be provided for drums, piano, flute, clarinet, and saxophone.

Amabile School of Music provides high quality music lessons and group classes for people all ages.

AmericaEd Learning Center offers preschool, afterschool, summer school, and daily drop-off and Saturday childcare programs.

The age-appropriate curriculum offers year around programs in basic academic skills (reading, writing, math and social), art, performing arts, music, musical theater, team and individual sports, critical thinking, and enrichment classes.

A program dedicated to exposing kids to the arts includes
classic film screenings and other cultural activities for teens such as Saturday gallery and museum visits;
free tickets to opera, symphony, theater and dance performances; and other fun activities, including a film-making workshop.

Film screenings are held in the Randall Museum Theater and at The Delancey Street Screening Room at 7pm on selected Fridays during the school year. The program is mentored by Ron Chase, media critic for KALW. Admission is free to the screenings, and parents are welcome to attend.

Check the website www.artandfilm.org or www.afcurrent.org for up-to-date event listings.

A program dedicated to exposing kids to the arts includes
classic film screenings and other cultural activities for teens such as Saturday gallery and museum visits;
free tickets to opera, symphony, theater and dance performances; and other fun activities, including a film-making workshop.

Film screenings are held in the Randall Museum Theater and at The Delancey Street Screening Room at 7pm on selected Fridays during the school year. The program is mentored by Ron Chase, media critic for KALW. Admission is free to the screenings, and parents are welcome to attend.

Check the website www.artandfilm.org or www.afcurrent.org for up-to-date event listings.

Baby Birds Music school offers Kindermusik classes for ages birth through three in Mill Valley and Corte Madera.

Baby classes focus on singing lullabies, infant
massage, baby exercise, baby sign language, dance, and instrument exploration. Toddler classes feature multi-cultural instruments, singing, dancing, turn-taking, and sharing.

Private voice and piano lessons are also available.

The YMCA in downtown Berkeley offers three pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and comprehensive youth, teen, senior and adult programs. The center is known for solid, affordable, family-based recreation programs, afterschool activities, sports leagues, and summer camps. Hundreds of classes are offered ranging from dance, gymnastics, swimming, and basketball to yoga, kick-boxing and lifeguarding certification.

The center also has a kindergym - an indoor
playground with a bounce house, ball pit, and climbing structures.

For Kids Night Out, contact 510.665.3241.

Bird School of Music provides instrumental and vocal instruction, band supervision, and dance classes for children. The site also houses art space, a performance venue, a recording facility, and a yoga studio.

Does your kid love to rock out to the radio? At the Blue Bear School of Music, young musicians can learn to play and write the kind of music they like to hear. Blue Bear is one of the few music schools of its type in the country, offering private lessons, group classes, and band workshops in Rock, Pop, Jazz, Blues, and other popular music styles. Instruments taught include guitar, piano, drums, flute, clarinet, and voice.

Musicians of all ages and all levels can find day or evening programs to suit their needs. Older kids can participate in "After School Band Workshops," a ten-week program that runs throughout the year.

Little Bears Music Program: Children four months to five years old and their parents and caregivers can explore music and movementthrough age-specific classes, as well as mixed age classes.

During the summer, young musicians (ages nine-16) can enroll in the "School of Rock" at Blue Bear, and learn from professional rock musicians in unique "Play-in-a-Band" weeklong day camps. Camps run on weekdays from 10am-3pm during June, July, and August. For more information, call Dennis Criteser at 415.673.3600

Does your kid love to rock out to the radio? At the Blue Bear School of Music, young musicians can learn to play and write the kind of music they like to hear. Blue Bear is one of the few music schools of its type in the country, offering private lessons, group classes, and band workshops in Rock, Pop, Jazz, Blues, and other popular music styles. Instruments taught include guitar, piano, drums, flute, clarinet, and voice.

Musicians of all ages and all levels can find day or evening programs to suit their needs. Older kids can participate in "After School Band Workshops," a ten-week program that runs throughout the year.

Little Bears Music Program: Children four months to five years old and their parents and caregivers can explore music and movementthrough age-specific classes, as well as mixed age classes.

During the summer, young musicians (ages nine-16) can enroll in the "School of Rock" at Blue Bear, and learn from professional rock musicians in unique "Play-in-a-Band" weeklong day camps. Camps run on weekdays from 10am-3pm during June, July, and August. For more information, call Dennis Criteser at 415.673.3600

Blue Sky Family Club offers sports, gym, dance, art, and music activities for families. The club also hosts fee-based classes and special events.

All-inclusive birthday party packages include food, a private room, individual activities, and a birthday "butler."

Centro Las Olas is a Reggio Emilia-inspired, Spanish-immersion preschool.

Admissions Director: Aimee Giles, 415.861.5432

Admissions Deadline: Preschool applications due mid-December; K-8 applications due mid-January


Children's Day School (CDS) excels as a community of learners who believe in a better kind of learning and possess the passion and the skills to shape and continually grow the school. CDS launched a new middle school in the fall of 2003. The school's first class of 8th graders graduated in 2006.

At CDS, children are given the room and inspiration to learn and grow. Located in the sunny Mission District, CDS has one of the largest outdoor campuses in San Francisco with more than an acre of open space featuring a farm and organic garden, and a large playground.

CDS is the perfect setting for a challenging academic program that is project-based, integrated across disciplines, and grounded in the practice of social responsibility. Class sizes are small, with dedicated, inspired teachers working in teams to create a learning environment that maximizes each student's creativity and skill development, and promotes a life-long love of learning. Specialists collaborate with classroom teachers to integrate Spanish, art, music, environmental education, and physical education into the curriculum.

Grades: Preschool to Grade 8

Class Size: 24. Current enrollment is 260.

Facilities: Large sunny campus including on-site farm and organic garden (with sheep and chickens) and large playground, library, science resource center, with computers and Internet access in all elementary and middle school classrooms.

Programs: Spanish, art, music, physical education, environmental education, team sports.

Lunch Program: No

Afterschool Program: Until 6pm.

Uniforms: No

Report Cards: Detailed progress reports (preschool-5th); grades and report cards (6th-8th).

Children's Day School offers afterschool enrichment classes, open to students in the Bay Area, for three seven-week sessions throughout the school year (fall, winter, and spring terms). Classes for preschool, elementary, and middle school students have included yoga, beginning Spanish, chess, computer art, movie making, cartooning, mosaics, tree frog treks science club, sewing, singing, rocketry, creative writing, black and white photography, study hall, drama, and gymnastics.

Classes take place during the after-school program and generally run for one hour, one day a week. Class fees range from $130-$185 for a seven-week class. Please contact the school for dates and details.

The school also offers camp programs during the summer and school vacations, also open to students in the Bay Area. A large outdoor play area, farm, and lovely garden offers unique summer experiences for children. The preschool program incorporates a wide range of projects, games, activities, and adventures, while themed camps for elementary aged students allow young people to delve into a specific interest.

The Community Music Center (CMC) occupies a historic Victorian in the Mission District of San Francisco with a branch in the Richmond District area and extension programs throughout the city. It's a place that provides low- and no-cost music instruction and concerts.

Classes: Generally, students must be eight years or older to begin private music lessons. Students under eight are encouraged to enroll first in the group classes - Music for Children or Piano for Kids. Violin students may begin instruction at age six by consent of the instructor. Private voice students must be at least 16.

Students must have their own instruments, which can be rented or bought from music stores and often can be purchased secondhand. CMC has a limited number of instruments available for rent.

Camp CMC: A week-long music summer camp designed for students ages 9-14, who are currently enrolled in private instrument lessons and have had at least two years of study on their instrument. From 9am-3pm, activities alternate
between chamber group, ensemble, theory and musicianship classes. Participants also engage in several activities designed to develop general musicianship skills, such as playing percussion instruments, singing, and rhythmic movement. Additional activities are scheduled for
extended hours (3-5pm) students. Students share their work at the end of the week in an informal performance.

CSMA hosts kids concerts, has a fantastic birthday party program, and offers art and music classes and summer and vacation art camps.

Art parties are offered for children in preschool through middle school. Select from several fun themes the program is tailored to your child's age level. Kids complete 2-4 projects, depending on age and selection of projects. Prices start at $200 for 1-10 children. The cost is $10 extra for each additional child, with a maximum of 20 children. Parties are held on Saturdays and Sundays, and reservations must be made at least three weeks in advance.

Music Together offers research-based, developmentally appropriate music classes for the very young - babies through seven-year-olds. Instruments include drums of all sorts, bells, triangles, flutes, shakers, scrapers, kitchen instruments, scarves, and stretchy dancing ribbons - you name it.

And classes are part music, part fantasy - children and adults discover rainbow colored falling leaves, cows sitting in the old oak tree, a Tyrannosaurus Rex, shining stars, rockets to the moon, and trains to the beach.

In a Music Together class, up to twelve children and accompanying adults meet for 45 minutes each week for ten weeks to experience songs, chants, movement activities, and instrumental jam sessions. High energy movers and quiet observers, kids, parents, grand parents and friends, can all be seen intently involved in the exciting musical happenings around them, led by a teacher with early childhood educational and music skills.

Classes are held in Berkeley, Alameda, Albany, Oakland, Rockridge, Montclair, Lafayette, and Moraga. Check the website for a location near you.

Golden Gate Music Together provides music classes for children from newborn to age four. Classes meet once a week and are 45 minutes in length. Classes include vocal, instrumental, and rhythmic music with games and movement in a supportive class atmosphere.

Check the website for a location near you.

Golden Gate Music Together provides music classes for children from newborn to age four. Classes meet once a week and are 45 minutes in length. Classes include vocal, instrumental, and rhythmic music with games and movement in a supportive class atmosphere.

Check the website for a location near you.

Gymboree, which runs a chain of high end clothing stores for children, also offers play, music, and art classes - in a brightly colored, tactilely exciting environment - for children ages newborn-five. Classes emphasize physical and social development (and peer support for parents), sneaked in under the guise of simply having a lot of fun.

Prospective students are invited to check out a free trial class; call the location you're interested in to arrange or just drop in.

Play classes are divided up into age-appropriate groups that meet at different times. Children and their parents sing, make music, move, explore, and play with props like a parachute and a large ball, in an environment geared toward the age group's interests and abilities.

Music classes help kids learn about and explore music through age-appropriate songs and music play, instrument exploration, movement, and emphasis on melody, pitch, and rhythm and other music basics.

Art classes engage kids in a wide variety of arts experiences, with a focus on allowing kids to exercise their creativity.

Parties: A Gymboree birthday party is a nice way to throw a bash for energetic little kids. Gymboree gives you a room full of play equipment, an enthusiastic teacher, and a Gymboree class. You have a chance to personalize the party by selecting a theme your child will appreciate.Check the website for a location near you.

Gymboree, which runs a chain of high end clothing stores for children, also offers play, music, and art classes - in a brightly colored, tactilely exciting environment - for children ages newborn-five. Classes emphasize physical and social development (and peer support for parents), sneaked in under the guise of simply having a lot of fun.

Prospective students are invited to check out a free trial class; call the location you're interested in to arrange or just drop in.

Play classes are divided up into age-appropriate groups that meet at different times. Children and their parents sing, make music, move, explore, and play with props like a parachute and a large ball, in an environment geared toward the age group's interests and abilities.

Music classes help kids learn about and explore music through age-appropriate songs and music play, instrument exploration, movement, and emphasis on melody, pitch, and rhythm and other music basics.

Art classes engage kids in a wide variety of arts experiences, with a focus on allowing kids to exercise their creativity.

Parties: A Gymboree birthday party is a nice way to throw a bash for energetic little kids. Gymboree gives you a room full of play equipment, an enthusiastic teacher, and a Gymboree class. You have a chance to personalize the party by selecting a theme your child will appreciate.Check the website for a location near you.

Gymboree, which runs a chain of high end clothing stores for children, also offers play, music, and art classes - in a brightly colored, tactilely exciting environment - for children ages newborn-five. Classes emphasize physical and social development (and peer support for parents), sneaked in under the guise of simply having a lot of fun.

Prospective students are invited to check out a free trial class; call the location you're interested in to arrange or just drop in.

Play classes are divided up into age-appropriate groups that meet at different times. Children and their parents sing, make music, move, explore, and play with props like a parachute and a large ball, in an environment geared toward the age group's interests and abilities.

Music classes help kids learn about and explore music through age-appropriate songs and music play, instrument exploration, movement, and emphasis on melody, pitch, and rhythm and other music basics.

Art classes engage kids in a wide variety of arts experiences, with a focus on allowing kids to exercise their creativity.

Parties: A Gymboree birthday party is a nice way to throw a bash for energetic little kids. Gymboree gives you a room full of play equipment, an enthusiastic teacher, and a Gymboree class. You have a chance to personalize the party by selecting a theme your child will appreciate.Check the website for a location near you.

Gymboree, which runs a chain of high end clothing stores for children, also offers play, music, and art classes - in a brightly colored, tactilely exciting environment - for children ages newborn-five. Classes emphasize physical and social development (and peer support for parents), sneaked in under the guise of simply having a lot of fun.

Prospective students are invited to check out a free trial class; call the location you're interested in to arrange or just drop in.

Play classes are divided up into age-appropriate groups that meet at different times. Children and their parents sing, make music, move, explore, and play with props like a parachute and a large ball, in an environment geared toward the age group's interests and abilities.

Music classes help kids learn about and explore music through age-appropriate songs and music play, instrument exploration, movement, and emphasis on melody, pitch, and rhythm and other music basics.

Art classes engage kids in a wide variety of arts experiences, with a focus on allowing kids to exercise their creativity.

Parties: A Gymboree birthday party is a nice way to throw a bash for energetic little kids. Gymboree gives you a room full of play equipment, an enthusiastic teacher, and a Gymboree class. You have a chance to personalize the party by selecting a theme your child will appreciate.Check the website for a location near you.

Gymboree, which runs a chain of high end clothing stores for children, also offers play, music, and art classes - in a brightly colored, tactilely exciting environment - for children ages newborn-five. Classes emphasize physical and social development (and peer support for parents), sneaked in under the guise of simply having a lot of fun.

Prospective students are invited to check out a free trial class; call the location you're interested in to arrange or just drop in.

Play classes are divided up into age-appropriate groups that meet at different times. Children and their parents sing, make music, move, explore, and play with props like a parachute and a large ball, in an environment geared toward the age group's interests and abilities.

Music classes help kids learn about and explore music through age-appropriate songs and music play, instrument exploration, movement, and emphasis on melody, pitch, and rhythm and other music basics.

Art classes engage kids in a wide variety of arts experiences, with a focus on allowing kids to exercise their creativity.

Parties: A Gymboree birthday party is a nice way to throw a bash for energetic little kids. Gymboree gives you a room full of play equipment, an enthusiastic teacher, and a Gymboree class. You have a chance to personalize the party by selecting a theme your child will appreciate.Check the website for a location near you.

Gymboree, which runs a chain of high end clothing stores for children, also offers play, music, and art classes - in a brightly colored, tactilely exciting environment - for children ages newborn-five. Classes emphasize physical and social development (and peer support for parents), sneaked in under the guise of simply having a lot of fun.

Prospective students are invited to check out a free trial class; call the location you're interested in to arrange or just drop in.

Play classes are divided up into age-appropriate groups that meet at different times. Children and their parents sing, make music, move, explore, and play with props like a parachute and a large ball, in an environment geared toward the age group's interests and abilities.

Music classes help kids learn about and explore music through age-appropriate songs and music play, instrument exploration, movement, and emphasis on melody, pitch, and rhythm and other music basics.

Art classes engage kids in a wide variety of arts experiences, with a focus on allowing kids to exercise their creativity.

Parties: A Gymboree birthday party is a nice way to throw a bash for energetic little kids. Gymboree gives you a room full of play equipment, an enthusiastic teacher, and a Gymboree class. You have a chance to personalize the party by selecting a theme your child will appreciate.Check the website for a location near you.

Gymboree, which runs a chain of high end clothing stores for children, also offers play, music, and art classes - in a brightly colored, tactilely exciting environment - for children ages newborn-five. Classes emphasize physical and social development (and peer support for parents), sneaked in under the guise of simply having a lot of fun.

Prospective students are invited to check out a free trial class; call the location you're interested in to arrange or just drop in.

Play classes are divided up into age-appropriate groups that meet at different times. Children and their parents sing, make music, move, explore, and play with props like a parachute and a large ball, in an environment geared toward the age group's interests and abilities.

Music classes help kids learn about and explore music through age-appropriate songs and music play, instrument exploration, movement, and emphasis on melody, pitch, and rhythm and other music basics.

Art classes engage kids in a wide variety of arts experiences, with a focus on allowing kids to exercise their creativity.

Parties: A Gymboree birthday party is a nice way to throw a bash for energetic little kids. Gymboree gives you a room full of play equipment, an enthusiastic teacher, and a Gymboree class. You have a chance to personalize the party by selecting a theme your child will appreciate.Check the website for a location near you.

Gymboree, which runs a chain of high end clothing stores for children, also offers play, music, and art classes - in a brightly colored, tactilely exciting environment - for children ages newborn-five. Classes emphasize physical and social development (and peer support for parents), sneaked in under the guise of simply having a lot of fun.

Prospective students are invited to check out a free trial class; call the location you're interested in to arrange or just drop in.

Play classes are divided up into age-appropriate groups that meet at different times. Children and their parents sing, make music, move, explore, and play with props like a parachute and a large ball, in an environment geared toward the age group's interests and abilities.

Music classes help kids learn about and explore music through age-appropriate songs and music play, instrument exploration, movement, and emphasis on melody, pitch, and rhythm and other music basics.

Art classes engage kids in a wide variety of arts experiences, with a focus on allowing kids to exercise their creativity.

Parties: A Gymboree birthday party is a nice way to throw a bash for energetic little kids. Gymboree gives you a room full of play equipment, an enthusiastic teacher, and a Gymboree class. You have a chance to personalize the party by selecting a theme your child will appreciate.Check the website for a location near you.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best Museum for Little Kids in the Bay Area, Habitot is a hands-on learning center in Berkeley that features a toddler garden, where kids can pull wooden carrots out of holes, a padded tunnel that's a blast to crawl through, and a miniature cafe and grocery store, among other delights.

The museum also hosts many special exhibits throughout the year, including a Fire Station display that invited kids to step into the role of a fire fighter, and explore it in the way they know best - by touching, climbing, moving things around, and jumping on it.

Classes: Offers a rich selection of classes for children and parents. Among the kids programs: art, ceramics & clay, drama, science, music, dance & movement, carpentry, and cooking, and infant massage. Classes for parents include CPR Training, Toilet Training, Raising Children in Multiracial Families, and Handling Parent Anger. Free drop-in parent or caregiver support groups meet weekly.

Three different birthday party options are offered: museum rental (up to 40 children, fee is $395 for two and a half hours); birthday room rental (up to 8 children, $16.50 per child with a $99 minimum for one and a half hours); or a private party (up to 30 children, fee is $325 for two hours).

Habitot also hosts week-long seasonal camps in the winter and spring. Every week includes: storytelling, art, music, dance, free play with toys, and dramatic play with costumes and props. Nutritious snacks are also served daily.

The Jacobson School offers private lessons on violin, viola, cello, and piano. Students of all playing abilities are welcome from the young beginner to the advanced musician.

Recitals and ensemble rehearsals are held regularly in elegant and spacious settings. Students are part of a warm community of families and friends, and learn the joy of music making through positive and directed teaching. The Jacobson School offers a program of study based on both Russian and American pedagogical approaches.

Jamboodas (formerly JAM) was founded in 2001 by Charity Kahn - mother, musician, composer, author and recording artist - as a vehicle for bringing the joy of music and movement to children and their families.

A 45-minute Jamboodas class takes you and your child on a sound-and-motion journey incorporating singing, creative movement, percussion jams, scarf dancing, and improvisation, using original songs from Charity's JAMband CDs. Jamboodas is a child-inspired, child-tested pathway to the joy music brings, and an excuse to sing and dance and shake your bones!

Tuition is $198 for the 10-week session, and includes two CDs of original music. Siblings over eight months can attend for $130/quarter; siblings under eight months are free. Jamboodas classes take place at DSG Studios, at 564 Monterey (cross street Foerster). Each 10-week session culminates in a family sing-along, dance-along concert.

Summer Camp for children entering kindergarten through second grade, includes music, dance, art, poetry, yoga, picnics, and play. Enrollment is limited to 20 spots.

Locations of classes and performances vary; please check the website for current schedules and information.

The JCCSF is a community center, known for its programs for children and families. All are welcome - one need not be Jewish to participate in the programs. Programs are fee based, with financial assistance available for most programs. The JCCSF boasts three preschool sites, after-school child care, day camp and specialty camps, swim lessons, sports classes, and teams, plus classes in art, ceramics, dance, yoga, gymnastics, academic enrichment, languages, and more.

Classes are held on a "semester" basis. For more information, please visit the website or call the office.

Art & Ceramics: For children ages two and above. Subjects include painting, drawing, cartooning, hand-building and wheel-throwing ceramics, and parent-child classes.

Aquatics: Parent-child classes begin at six months. Red Cross Levels I - VII begin at age three. Swim team is also available.

Dance: For children ages three and above. All types of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, ballroom, creative, and more.

Gymnastics & Movement: They begin with babies in their Kindergym and Kindercrawl programs. Then it's on to parent-child classes, including Gym Buddies, Gym & Swim Buddies, Tumbler Express, Yoga Garden, and more. Older children can participate in classes that include gymnastics, capoeira, or yoga.

Sports: Classes and teams offered for children ages three and above. Sports include baseball, soccer, futsal, basketball, flag football, volleyball, and lacrosse. They offer several "girls only" classes. Teams include basketball (team and JCCSF league), baseball/tball, swim team, soccer, and micro-soccer.

Music: For babies through adults. They offer parent-child classes, beginning music appreciation, guitar, piano, and violin.

Birthday Parties: The JCCSF offers to help people throw a birthday party. Themes include swimming pool parties, dance (you pick the style), art, and ceramics. Party space is also available for rent.

Academic Enrichment: Language, SAT prep, math, essay writing, and chess are just some of the many academic enrichment courses offered.

Summer Camps:The JCCSF Rabin Summer Camps offer fun and diverse programs for children grades K-9. Families can choose from the traditional Camp Kochav day camp, sports clinics, and a variety of specialty camps including Teen Adventures, Visual and Performing Arts, Sail & Swim, GADS Camp for girls, Nature Navigators, and more. Visit the summer camp website for more information.

At Jon's School of Music, children ages one to seven play keyboard, electric and acoustic guitar, drums and drum set, violin, cello, harp, upright bass, xylophone, trumpet, trombone, french horn, recorder, slide whistle, tabla, saaz, accordion, microphone, and much more. Students and their accompanying adults learn basic keyboard, guitar and drum skills, absolute pitch memory, relative pitch theory, rhythm theory, leading and following in an ensemble, improvised solos and duets (with their accompanying adults), musical notes and symbols, songwriting, and more.