Wild animals (courtesy of Oxton Kennels and Wild Things), balloon sculptures, Aztec dancers, face-painting, game booths and more are all part of the fun for parents and kids of all ages at the Children's Summer Masquerade, taking place on Saturday, Aug. 15 at Natividad Creek Park. Sponsored by the city of Salinas, the event is intended to celebrate "the end of summer," says Eugenia Guzman, Salinas recreation coordinator. In addition to children's entertainment, food will be available for purchase from vendors at the event. Guzman also promises contents for kids--definitely a coloring contest and maybe a watermelon-eating contest. The event finishes up with a fashion show for middle-schoolers. 11am-4pm, Natividad Creek Park, 1395 Nogal Drive (at the corner of Constitution Boulevard and Freedom Parkway), Salinas. 758-7900 or 758-7949.

Tot

Stories & Adventures. 8/3 through 8/31. Mondays, 10am-1pm. This delightful program combines children's literature with arts, crafts, music and movement to provide a unique creative experience for children ages 3-5 (must be potty trained). Pre-register at Monterey Recreation & Community Services Dept., 546 Dutra St., Monterey. Archer Park Center, 542 Archer St., Monterey. $20/residents; $26/non-residents. 646-3866.

Tots N Tights. 8/3 through 8/31. Mondays, 9:30am, 10am, 10:30am. This 30-minute class lets 2 year olds dance up a storm as they develop gross motor skills, movement creativity and body awareness. Class includes pre-ballet, tap and gymnastics readiness skills taught to music and song. Pre-register at Monterey Recreation & Community Services Dept., 546 Dutra St., Monterey. Youth Center Dance Studio, 777 Pearl St., Monterey. $22/residents; $29/non-residents. 646-3866.

Camp Lots-O-Tots. 8/4 through 8/28. 10am-1pm. Enroll your potty-trained 3 to 5 year old in this half-day camp, featuring arts and crafts, music and movement, storytelling and dramatic play, and science and nature. Bring a sack lunch. Two-, three- and four-day sessions available. Enrollment prices vary depending on the center you choose, the length of the session and the number of days child attends per week. 542 Archer St.; 871 Jesse St., 777 Pearl St.; or 735 Ramona Ave., Monterey. $60-$104/per month. 646-3866.

Twenty Toes. 8/6 through 8/27. Thursday, 6-6:45pm. This parent-participation gym is designed to give parents and tots from walking age to 3 years a chance to explore elementary gymnastic skills through parachute games, creative dance, and rhythm sticks. Pre-register at the Monterey Recreation and Community Services Department, 546 Dutra St., Monterey, 646-3866. Monterey Youth Center, 777 Pearl St., Monterey. $32/Monterey residents, $41/nonresidents. 646-3873.

Tap for Tots. 8/6 through 8/27. Thursdays, 9:30am, 10am. Using upbeat children's melodies, this 30-minute class introduces 3- to 5-year-olds to the rhythmic foot exercises and choreography of tap dance. Includes marches, toe taps, brushes, chugs and basic terminology. Pre-register at Monterey Recreation & Community Services Dept., 546 Dutra St.. Monterey Youth Center Dance Studio, 777 Pearl St., Monterey. $22/residents; $29/non-residents. 646-3866.

Little Critters. 8/10 through 8/26. Mondays, Wednesdays 10-11am or 11am-noon. Designed for kids too little to attend pre-school, Little Critters gives parents and tots a chance to socialize and participate in music and crafts. Pre-register at the Monterey Recreation and Community Services Department, 546 Dutra St., Monterey. Monterey Youth Center, 777 Pearl St., Monterey. $20/Monterey residents, $26/non-residents. 646-3873.

Tweens.

Sports Camp. 8/3 through 8/7. 9am-5pm. The city of Monterey is offering Monday-Friday sports camp sessions for kids in grades 3-6. Activities include basketball, foorball, soccer, floor hockey and more. Pre-registration required. Monterey Sports Center, 301 E. Franklin St., Monterey. $80/residents, $90/nonresidents. 646-3739.

Yoga for Kids. 8/5 through 8/26. Wednesdays, 4:30-5:30pm. Kids ages 10-12 can learn the fundamentals of yoga in this free class offered by the Yoga Center of Carmel. Sunset Center, Cottage 17, 8th Avenue and San Carlos Street, Carmel. Free. 625-1221.

Peter Pan. 8/6 through 8/8. Thursday, Friday, 7pm; Saturday 1 and 7pm. Ariel Theatrical presents the culmination of a three-week summer camp with this production of Peter Pan. Sherwood Hall, 940 N. Main St., Salinas. 484-2228.

Kidzart. 8/8. Saturday, noon-4pm. Steinbeck Festival Kidzart, Street Fair. Outdoor booths, performances, games and interactive activities are all part of this street fair held in conjunction with the annual Steinbeck Festival. 200 block of Main Street, Oldtown Salinas. Free. 766-3833, ext. 215.

Co-ed Baseball Camp. 8/10 through 8/13. Monday-Thursday, 9am-1pm. Kids aged 6-12 can enjoy this co-educational baseball camp, offered as an annual event at Hartnell Community College in Salinas. Meet at the Hartnell baseball diamond. 156 Homestead Ave., Salinas. $85/per child. 755-6840.

Animal Totems. 8/17 through 8/21. 10am-12:30pm. The three spirits art center offers two classes on animal totems for elementary school-aged kids. Daily art activities will include mask-making, storytelling, collage, mime, clay sculpture and more. The first session is for kids ages 5-8. A second session takes place Aug. 24-28 from 10am-3pm for kids 9 and up. Garland Park, Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. $100/kid, $150/parent and child team. 373-5008.

Pebble Beach Camp. 8/18 through 8/20. Tuesday-Thurday, 9am-noon. The Pebble Beach Company's environmental day camp offers kids in grades 3-5 a chance to get to know Pebble Beach's trails, flora and fauna. Offered in conjunction with the Lyceum of the Monterey Peninsula. Meet at the Pacific Grove gate to Pebble Beach. $30/per child. 372-6098.

Teens

Yoga Dance. 8/7 through 8/28. Fridays, 4:30-5pm. This free class teaches flexibility, balance and strength. Yoga Center of Carmel, Sunset Center, Cottage 17, 8th Avenue and San Carlos Street, Carmel. Free. 625-1221.

Dance Dyamics. 8/7 through 8/28. Fridays, 4-5pm. This class for teens focuses on lyrical modern dance. Students will learn dance sequences and choreography as well as proper body alignment. Pre-register at the Monterey Recreation and Community Services Department, 546 Dutra St., Monterey. 646-3866. Monterey Youth Center Dance Studio, 777 Pearl Street, Monterey. $30/Monterey residents; $39/non-residents. 646-3873.