Ah, summer. While it's tempting to be lulled into warm-weather activities that require sunscreen instead of text books, long breaks from mental stimulation can make it harder to get into the school grove come fall.

But don't despair; hearty brain and body stimulation can come in many fun forms. Read on for some kid-friendly options.

For the Little Ones

Creative Years offers a summer program for children ages 2 to 5. Weekly themes are designed so that the children will have fun, stay busy and learn through play. Weeks include: Bugs and Insects, Beach Party, Wild Wild West, Cooking, Winter in July, Space Camp, Pirates, Dinosaurs and Circus. The preschool program runs from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and you can choose the weeks you would like to attend. Call 254-0718 for more information.

For the Musically Inclined

Keyboard Galleria instructs hundreds of students every week on a variety of instruments including piano, keyboard, guitars, drums, violin, voice, sax, clarinet and more. Summertime is the perfect time for both beginners and advanced players to develop their musical skills. Free registration is being offered to Inside SCV Magazine clients, so make sure to mention your referral! Call 259-5397 for more information.

Learn through Movement

Once a week your child will learn better coordination, balance and body awareness through encouraging creativity and dramatic play skills. They will improve aerobic capacity, strength and flexibility through dance and music fundamentals with Creative Movement with Dion on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. at Goddess Fitness Studio. Call 251-2831 for more information.

Learn in the Comfort of Home

Studies have shown that students can lose anywhere between one to three months of learning over the summer break, especially in the areas of math and reading.

Club Z! summer sessions offer uninterrupted, individualized tutoring as often as parents choose. Club Z! also offers in-home tutoring in all core subjects, including reading, math and science, as well as instruction in study skills, music, computers, SAT, ACT and other assessment test preparation.

Mention this Inside SCV Magazine article to learn more about receiving a free week of tutoring. For more information call 775-8888.

Math Mania

Math Support Services, a tutorial/single subject school, is offering for-credit summer school, covering all math classes offered in the Hart district, for students in seventh through 12th grade, including all sections of Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II, Trigonometry, and Pre-Calculus.

Students enrolled in the summer school program will be required to attend classes three days a week: a 2-hour class, 2-hour study hall and a 1-hour one-on-one tutoring session. Classes are small (10 to 12 students) and flexible, working around students' jobs and family vacations. For more information call 255-1730.

Musical Adventures

If your child is between 3 and 8 years old, consider enrolling them in Little School of Music's Musical Adventures summer camp. Kids will enjoy musical storytelling, dancing, puppets, singing, instruments, arts and crafts in a thematic environment that changes weekly. For more information call 222-2239.

Explore their Inner Picasso

If you're tired of them drawing on the walls, enroll them in a KidsArt summer workshop. Topics include anime, clay sculpture, figure drawing and a palette of art. Students ages 4 through adult are invited to join and enjoy a free introductory class. Call 260-1664 for more information.

Ultimate Day Camps

Sunshine Day Camps include traditional selections like preschool camp, kinder-camp, adventure camp and travel camp for kids ranging from 4 years old (as of December 2, 2006) to high school freshmen. Specialty camps include options like drama, cooking, art, outdoor adventures, science exploration and claymation/animation. For more information on traditional camps, call 259-0644; for more information on specialty camps, call 288-7983.

Summer Dance Fever

Santa Clarita Ballet's Summer Dance Workshops are designed for students of dance at the junior level ages 7 to 12, and at the senior level ages 10 to adult. Both Junior and Senior Workshops include classes in ballet, Pointe, Pilates dance conditioning, jazz, choreography, contemporary dance, character, and tap. The sessions will end with a performance to showcase acquired skills. For more information call 251-6844.