Highlights

28, Perler Beads, 3pm. Get creative with plastic fuse bead crafting. Use one of the patterns provided or make your own design. For ages 9-12, limited to 15. Free, South Broadway Library, 3904 Isleta SW, 877-5170, abqlibrary.org.

29, Nature Discovery for Kids, 8:3011am. For children entering grades 1-5, nature exploration, data collection plus indoor and outdoor activities; please register; waitlist available. $79.20 FRGNC members/$88 per session,Rio Grande Nature Center State Park, 2901 Candelaria NW, 344-7240, rgnc.org.

29, STEAM Demonstration, 9:30am1pm. A demonstration with Paul Beck that includes programmable controllers, smart phone app, bluetooth and 3D printer. Free, Open Space Visitor Center, 768-4951, nmaic.org.

29, Let’s Salsa!, 4-5pm. A demonstration on how to make a simple salsa recipe; ages 13-17, limited to 20. Free, Alamosa Library, 6900 Gonzales SW, 8360684, abqlibrary.org.

July

Arts & Crafts

1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Family Art Workshops, 1-2:30pm. All ages can enjoy projects with a variety of art mediums, materials supplied; child and adult friendly. Included with admission, ABQ Museum, 2000 Mountain NW, 243-7255, cabq.gov. 19, Rainforest Art Class, 10am-noon. Multi-media art class for the whole family. Learn with Sailer Fine Art and receive a free scoop of ice cream. Free, intergenerational, ages 6 and up, under 10 must attend with an adult; call for reservations. $15, Escape in Time, 1100 San Mateo NE, Suite 21, 350-5413, escapeintimeabq.com.

Classes & Workshops

2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Meditation for Kids, 10-11:30am. In this fun class, children build inner strength and confidence by developing good qualities with a short meditation, teaching and activities to increase patience, respect, giving and kindness; ages 4-10. By donation, Kadampa Meditation Center NM, 142 Monroe NE, 292-5293, meditationinnewmexico.org/calendar.

10-14 & 17-21, Artificial Intelligence Camp. The “Everyday AI” program is led by MIT in partnership with NMSU and Explora and features hands-on and computer-based activities on AI concepts, ethics in AI and how it relates to creativity and the future. For students entering 6th-9th grade. $20/$15 members, Explora, 1701 Mountain NW, 600-6072, explora.us. 29, Youth Workshop: Place/Pattern - Layering Stencils & Landscapes, 10am-noon. Free, 516 Arts, 516 Central SW, 242-1445, 516arts.org.

Cultural Centers & Museums

3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Toddler Time, 910am. Explora opens an hour early for caregivers and toddlers to enjoy early childhood exhibit areas, story time and a music jam. Included with admission/free for members & under age 1, Explora, 1701 Mountain NW, 600-6072, explora.us.

8, Second Saturday: Time Travel at Casa San Ysidro, 1-2:30pm. An immersive and interactive living history program that engages audiences by transporting them back in time to relive historical experiences with games, activities, arts and events. Free, 973 Old Church, Corrales, 898-3915, calendar.visitcorrales.com.

8, Sensory Friendly Time, 5:30-7pm. A low-sensory hour with special adaptations for quieter visits including limited attendance, noise & light reduction and calming spaces for breaks. Included with admission/free for members & under age 1 Explora, 1701 Mountain NW, 600-6072, explora.us.

20, Relaxed Nights...At the Museum, 5:30-7:30pm. For all ages who might get overwhelmed by crowds, sounds or flashing lights; or simply enjoy smaller crowds, these evenings feature special, sensory-friendly offerings in the museum. Registration encouraged. Free/cash donation at the door, NM Museum of Natural History & Science, 1801 Mountain NW, 841-2800, nmnaturalhistory.org. NM Dept of Cultural Affairs has information about NM museums, historic sites and other institutions. Find information about free admission days for kids and on certain days of each month, newmexicoculture.org.

Dance

1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 29, 30, Cultural Dance Program, 11am & 2pm, Sats & Suns. Pueblo communities celebrate seasonal cycles through prayer, song and dance that connect ancestors, community and traditions while honoring gifts from the Creator. Included with admission, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th NW, 843-7270, indianpueblo.org.

8, Youth Folklórico Recital - Summer 2023, 3-5pm. The Ballet Folklórico Fiesta Mexicana instructors and students have been practicing for six weeks, this performance includes costumes and traditional Mexican music. Free, ages 2 and under/$5 ages 3-12 & 55+/$10 ages 13-54, South Broadway Cultural Center, 1025 Broadway SE, 848-1320, cabq.gov/artsculture/south-broadway-culturalcenter/events/youth-folklorico-recitalsummer-2023.

Exhibits

1 -31, “At Play in the Atomic Age.” This exhibit features more than 100 artifacts on loan. Join and look at the toys, books, games and music of the Atomic Age. $15, National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, 601 Eubank SE, 2452137, nuclearmuseum.org.

7, First Friday Fractals, 6 & 7pm. A full-dome planetarium show that takes viewers on a tour of the fractals in nature and zooms through complex mathematical fractals; for ages 3+. $5 ages 3-12/$8 seniors/$10 adults, NM Museum of Natural History & Science, 1801 Mountain NW, 841-2800, nmnaturalhistory.org/events/first-friday-fractals.

7, Fractals Rock! 8 & 9pm. A full-dome planetarium show that takes viewers on a tour of the fractals in nature with less talk and more rock. Included are more 3D fractal zooms (which can make some people motion sick), and very little explanation; ages 3+. $5 ages 3-12/$8 seniors/$10 adults, NM Museum of Natural History & Science, 1801 Mountain NW, 841-2800, nmnaturalhistory.org /events/first-friday-fractals.

Elevation Station. An interactive, hands-on balloon exhibition for all ages includes games with projection mapping, touch tables, activities and immersive experiences. Find an Immersive Color Room and Chase Crew Experience as well. Included with admission, ABQ Balloon Fiesta Museum, 9201 Balloon Museum NE, 768-6020, balloonmuseum.com.

Fairs and Festivals

1, 15, 29, Family Music Festivals, 4:30-8pm. Enjoy music by two Western music bands, food from local vendors and visit the raptor show between performances. Free ages 17 and under/$20, includes entrance to the zoo, Wildlife West Nature Park, 87 N Frontage Road, Edgewood, 281-7655, wildlifewest.org.

1, Freedom Celebration, 4:30pm. Fireworks show, live music, gospel message, fun zone, extreme sports demo and food trucks. Free, ABQ Balloon Fiesta Museum, 9201 Balloon Museum NE, 768-6020, freedomabq.org.

4, 4th of July Celebration, 6-9:30pm. The City of Rio Rancho presents a celebration featuring live music, food trucks and fireworks. Free, Campus Park, 2516

King NE, Rio Rancho, rrnm.gov.

4, Corrales 4th of July Parade, 10am. The parade will start at Target and end at Double S. Spectators sit south of Target. Food and ice cream trucks by the pool as well as a BBQ fundraiser at La Entrada at the end of the parade, followed by numerous activities throughout the village. Free, corrales-nm.org/parksrec/page/recreation-programs.

4, Freedom 4th, 3-10pm. Enjoy fireworks, food and beer in the Cantina and free children’s activities including inflatable jumpers, climbing walls and free face painting; enjoy live music headlined by Lindsay Ell. Fireworks at 9:15pm. Free, Balloon Fiesta Park, 5000 Balloon Fiesta Pkwy, cabq.gov/artsculture/things-todo/annual-events/freedom-4th.

15, Igbo Cultural Festival, 4-9pm. This cultural and community event will feature cultural dances & foods, Igbo folklore, educational contests, Iri Ji, awards presentations and more. $15, South Broadway Cultural Center, 1025 Broadway SE, cabq.gov/artsculture/southbroadway-cultural-center/events/igbocultural-festival.

22, Route 66 Summerfest, 5-10pm. Multiple stages with local bands and food trucks. Free, Nob Hill, Girard to Washington, cabq.gov/artsculture/thingsto-do/annualevents/summerfest/route66-summerfest.

22-23, The Lavender in the Village Festival, 8am-3pm. One hundred and ten vendors of lavender products, fine art, foods, live music, agricultural seminars, culinary demonstrations, yoga sessions, ceramic painting classes, kids center with free crafts & activities with Explora; all ages. $5 youth/$10 adult, Hartnett Park, 6718 Rio Grande NW, Los Ranchos, lavenderinthevillage.org.

Library Events

Area Libraries offer activities like Lego Club, Book Groups, Read to the Dogs, Story Times, Crafts, Movies and Knitting Clubs. Check websites for calendars and details: abqlibrary.org, riorancholibraries.org, placitaslibrary.com.

6, Wonders on Wheels Mobile Museum, noon-4pm. Children can view two art exhibits: one with Gustav Baumann’s landscape paintings and one with marionettes. Kids can make their own marionette to take home. Free, Placitas Community Library, 453 Hwy 165, Placitas, 867-3355, placitaslibrary.com.

13, Llamas Del Sol, 10:30-11:30am. This local nonprofit will bring some of the llamas they take care of. Free, Esther Bone Memorial Library, 950 Pinetree SE, RR, 891-5012, riorancholibraries.org.

13, World Snack Fair, Get a food passport stamped by trying snacks from seven different countries; guess where the snacks are from. Registration required, supplies limited; not all dietary restrictions can be met. Free, Loma Colorado Main Library Auditorium, 755 Loma Colorado NE, RR, 891-5013, riorancholibraries.org.

15, Sing All Together Now!, 1pm. Sing, dance, read aloud in this fun program