For the small set

Santa Fe, with a bit of searching, can be a great place for children’s activities. Many locations are designed with children in mind.

Kids can go to a museum designed especially for them or take every conceivable type of class at a teen center, enjoy two skateboard parks and a planetarium or get involved in various sports programs.

And one locally owned restaurant, the Cowgirl Hall of Fame Barbecue and Western Grill, 319 S. Guadalupe St., even has a specially designed, outdoor play and eating area in its restaurant, especially for kids (the kids must be accompanied by an adult).

Here’s a multitude of activities that will keep your children entertained in Santa Fe.

Santa Fe Children’s Museum

1050 Old Pecos Trail, 989-8359

http://www.santafechildrensmuseum.org

The museum offers dozens of fascinating, hands-on art and science exhibits and activities such as creating bubbles, making adobe bricks, harvesting vegetables, creating sculpture from found objects, playing with snakes and face-painting. There’s also a technical-climbing wall, an outdoor garden and permanent exhibits that appeal to children of all ages (including grown-ups). Hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., September through May. Additional hours during the summer. Admission is $4. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Santa Fe Teen Art Center Warehouse 21

1614 Paseo de Peralta, 989-4423

http://www.warehouse21.org

Offered for teenagers are a variety of workshops in the performing arts, media arts, visual and literary arts, music and dance, music recording and radio announcing. Special events are held year-round. Many classes are free. Most others are $12 or less.

The Santa Fe Youth Symphony

1050 Old Pecos Trail (Armory for the Arts); 982-8483

http://www.sfys.org

The organization provides an opportunity for young musicians to enjoy and improve their musical skills by playing in a quality musical environment and perform in public concerts. Some of the classes are: string orchestra, youth symphony, jazz ensemble, chorus and violin.

Skateboard parks

302 W. DeVargas St., in DeVargas Park

Franklin Miles Park, 1027 Camino Carlos Rey; 955-2100

Each features outdoor, split-level ramps perfect for skateboard diehards. There are picnic tables nearby, as well as clim bing structures for youngsters. For more information on park regulations, contact Parks and Recreation at 955-2100.

The Planetarium, Santa Fe Community College

6401 Richards Ave., 428-1777, ext. 6

http://www.santafe.cc.nm.us/planetarium .

The planetarium provides evening and weekend programs that offer a magical foray into the night sky for kids and adults alike. Open hours and programs vary per season, so call for activity updates. There are concerts and lectures available as well.

City summer programs

Santa Fe Community Services, 955-6568 (website to be updated soon)

The city of Santa Fe offers two summer programs for children, one for ages 6-12 and one for teens ages 13-19. Both programs are inexpensive or free and run from mid-June through early August.

Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Program activities include sports, games, drama, arts and crafts, swimming, storytelling, field trips, computer classes and dance and exercise classes.

Registration is held on one day only, in mid-May, and space is limited. Many residents begin waiting in line the night before registration, so be prepared for long lines and dress accordingly. Additionally, the city offers programs for youth in golf, tennis, archery, gymnastics and cheerleading.

Baseball

For the Metro League, ages 5-12, call Erika Cummings, 476-9603. For the American League, ages 5-16, call Andy Carrillo, 471-7688. For the National League, ages 5-16, call Danny Romero, 699-0100. For the Amateur League, ages 5-18, call Tony Chavez, 466-7543.

Football

To join Santa Fe Children’s Football R League for kids ages 6-13, contact Eddie Webb at 989-4593.

Soccer

For soccer activities, ages 5-14, call Northern New Mexico Soccer Club, 982-0878.

Scouting

Boy Scouts of America (NM link), 983-3488

Girl Scouts of America (NM link), 983-6339

After-school programs

Girls, Inc., 301 Hillside Ave., ages 5-12, 982-2042

Monica Roybal Center, 737 Agua Fría St., ages 6-12, 955-6750; teen center, 955-6860

Santa Fe Boys and Girls Club, 730 Alto St., ages 6-17, 983-6632

Contact The New Mexican at 986-3010 for Kids Summer, a guide to summer activities for kids.