For kids in the Monterey Recreation Department playground programs, this week is all about sports. The 38th annual Junior Olympics takes place on the Monterey High School football field, with almost 300 young athletes jumping, running and throwing with all their might. Everyone is welcome to cheer them on, but to participate, you must be registered with one of the city's playground sites. In addition to the seven track and field events (including relays, softball, and an obstacle course), kids at each playground have chosen a country to represent in the parade and opening ceremonies with flags and costumes. Cindy Vierra, a coordinator with the Monterey Recreation Department, explains that the kids are doing more than sports in preparation for the Olympic games. "They've been learning about the country and culture they've chosen," she says. Teams include Brazil, France, Ireland, and the U.S. All athletes recieve ribbons and top finishers get medals for their accomplishments. Friday, 10am. Monterey High School stadium, 101 Herrmann Dr., Monterey. $10/Monterey residents, $13/other cities. 646-3866.

Tots

Gymnastics. 7/3 through 8/27. Tues.-Sat., noon-6:30pm. Pre-schoolers through teens are welcome to participate in a variety of gymnastic programs offered through the Monterey Youth Center. All participants must wear leotards, footless tights, shorts, sweats leggings and/or tucked in T-shirts. Pull long hair back, no jewelry. Monterey Youth Center, 777 Pearl St., Monterey. $25-$47. 646-3873.

Music for Mommy and Me. 7/8 through 7/29. Thurs., 4:30pm. Parents are invited to explore musical concepts with their children ages 18 months through 3-years-old. Class explores music through singing, moving, listening and playing simple instruments. Salinas Community Center, 940 N. Main St., Salinas. $25. 758-7351.

Dancin' Duo. 7/12 through 8/2. Mon., 10am. A fun, month-long class for parents and tots together. This dance class is a mix of ballet, modern, and simple energetic movement, for parents to interact with their kids. Pre-registration required. Archer Park Center, 542 Archer St., Monterey. $45/Monterey resident, $59/other cities. 646-3870.

Toddling Gourmet. 7/12 through 8/2. Mon., 3pm. This creative cooking class for 3- to 5-year-olds specializes in foods from every region of the United States. Class includes songs and games as well. Pre-register at Monterey Recreation office on Dutra Street. Archer Park Center, 542 Archer St., Monterey. $24/Monterey resident, $32/other cities. 646-3870.

Parent/Tot Swim. 7/19 through 8/19. Mon. and Wed., 10:50am; Tues. and Thur., 6pm. Bring your child for a swim. Classes teach kids ages 6 months to 3 years to be comfortable in the water, to prepare them for swim lessons. Parents must accompany their children. 920 N. Main St., Salinas. $33/resident; $38/non-resident. 758-7301.

Waldorf Summer School. 7/26 through 8/14. Tues.-Thurs., 8:30am. Kids ages 4-6 are welcome at La Maisonette summer program. Learn arts, crafts, singing, nature walks and more. Certified Waldorf. Space is limited. 705 17 Mile Dr., Pacific Grove. 372-1839.

Tweens

Monterey County Free Libraries. 7/1 through 7/23. The Summer Reading Club of the Monterey County Free Libraries offers activities to encourage kids reading. Storyteller duo Zun Zun performs 7/8 at Buena Vista and Seaside branches, 7/9 at Big Sur branch. Russ the Magician performs 7/14 in Castroville and Marina. A puppet show is offered 7/1 at Buena Vista, Seaside and Carmel Valley branches, 7/7 in Castroville and Marina. Call for more details and locations. Free. 424-2039.

Jammin' for Tweens and Teens. 7/1 through 7/30. Every other Monday, 6:30pm. Learn the basics of playing musical instruments of all kinds, then jam with other young musicians of all abilties at these every other week sessions, focusing on instruction and jamming. Pacific Grove Youth Center, 302 16th St., Pacific Grove. $15/session or $25/month. 648-3134.

Borders' Books Camp. 7/1 through 8/1. Tues. & Thurs., 7pm. Sign up for summer-long "Explorer Camps" at Borders Books. An art program takes place Tuesdays and a wildlife program is offered Thursday. Go to the Main Desk for details. 2080 California Ave., Sand City. Free. 899-6643.

P.G. Library Reading Club. 7/1 through 8/4. Wed.-Fri. 10:30am, 2pm. The Pacific Grove Library hosts a summer reading program for kids, ages 2-14. Read your own books, earn prizes. Events occur each week through Aug. 4: learn about spinning, 7/1; hear about the Rodeo, 7/7; enjoy the Feast of Lanterns, 7/8; a puppet show on 7/9 and more. 550 Central Ave., Pacific Grove. Free. 648-3160.

Literature Hour. 7/1 through 8/26. Wednesday, 3pm. Literature teacher Mary Lou Strathmeyer reads selections from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone every Wednesday. Buena Vista Library, 18250 Tara Dr., Salinas. Free. 455-9699.

Playground Carnival. 7/2. Friday, 1pm. Children registered with the Monterey playground programs are invited to a carnival, with more than 20 games booths and food and ice cream. Frank Sollecito ballpark, Lake El Estero, Monterey. $5. 646-3866.

Our Heritage. 7/3. Saturday, 10:30am. Nancy Raven shares music, games and stories from North America in honor of Independence Day at this "First Saturday Morning" event, suitable for all ages. Special guest Amy Krupski plays harp and share insights into the Irish heritage. Morgan's Coffee and Tea, 498 Washington St., Monterey. $3/adults; $2/children; free/babies. 655-6868.

Crayon Parade. 7/3. Saturday, 10am. Learn how to make a crayon costume at this workshop, a precursor to the city of Watsonville's Fourth of July Crayon Parade for children. Pick your favorite crayon color and come prepared to create. Pajaro Valley Art School, 37 Sudden St., Watsonville. $10/$5 materials fee. 722-3062.

Living History Fun. 7/5 through 7/23. Mon.-Fri., 8:45am. California State Parks and the Old Monterey Preservation Society present this Living History program for students who will enter fifth and sixth grades. The half-day long classes feature actors portraying figures from Monterey's past and include such fun activities as wool weaving and more. Space is limited. Three sessions: July 5-9; July 12-16; July 19-23. Cooper-Molera Adobe, Custom House Plaza, Monterey. $50/session, plus $12 materials fee. Register: 372-4819.

Karate. 7/5 through 8/5. Mon. & Wed., 7pm. Kids ages 6 and up can enjoy various levels of karate and the philosophies behind it at the Salinas Firehouse Recreation Center. 1330 E. Alisal St., Salinas. $8/month. 758-7900.

Children's Chorus. 7/7 through 7/26. Mon., Wed., 4:30pm. Children learn different styles of music, healthy singing skills, and musical concepts by singing quality choral music in a friendly and lively environment. Call for more information. Hartnell College, 156 Homestead Ave., Salinas. $24; $5/material fee. 755-6800.

Miner 49er. 7/8. Thurs., 2:30 and 5pm. Meet a gold miner and pan for gold at this lecture sponsored by the Monterey Public Library. Two presentations: 2:30pm at the library community room, 625 Pacific St., Monterey; and 5pm at the La Mesa Bookmobile stop on Leahy Road between Shubrick and the tennis courts. Suitable for ages 5 and up. Monterey. Free. 646-3710, 646-3934.

Fun with Fingerprinting. 7/12. Monday, 2pm. Sheriff's deputies teach second through fifth-graders all about fingerprints at this Lyceum of the Monterey County activity. Learn how fingerprinting works and even try your hand at "dusting" an item for prints. Salinas Sheriff's Office, 1414 Natividad Rd., Salinas. $5. 372-6098.

Kitchen Creations. 7/13 through 8/3. Tues., 3:30pm. The Monterey Community and Recreation Department offers a chance for kids to create edible projects and learn kitchen safety. Casanova-Oak Knoll Park Center, 735 Ramona Ave., Monterey. $30/Monterey residents; $39/others. Register, 646-3866.

Fandango Fun. 7/15. Thurs., 2:30pm. Kids of all ages are invited to a performance by the Fandango Brothers, who feature music and fun from Mexican, Chinese and Western communities of the Old West. Monterey Public Library, 625 Pacific St., Monterey. Free. 646-3934.

Pinocchio, Where Are You? 7/17 through 8/21. Saturdays, 2 & 4pm; Sundays, 1 & 3pm. The Unicorn Theater/Family Fantasy Theater presents Pinnochio's Great Adventure, a spirited musical suitable for all ages about the wooden puppet who becomes a boy. 320 Hoffman Ave., Monterey. $5. 649-0259.

Summer Sleep-Over. 7/30 and 7/31. Fri., 5:30pm-Sat., 10am. The Monterey Recreation Department is offering "Girls Only" night. Enjoy popcorn and movies and bring your mom as a volunteer. For more information call Hebbron Heights. 683 Fremont St., Salinas. Free. 758-7354.

Teens

Youth Center Teen Room. 7/1 through 7/25. Mon.-Thurs., 1-8:45pm, Fri.-Sat. 1-4:45pm. Teens can hang out, play pool, ping-pong, electronic games, foosball and more at the Teen Room. Located at the Monterey Youth Center. 777 Pearl St., Monterey. Free/Monterey teens. 646-3873.

Teen Lounge. 7/1 through 7/25. Mon.-Thurs. 6:30pm. Hang out, play billiards, watch movies at the Salinas Community Center's free teen lounge. 940 N. Main St., Salinas. Free. 758-7351.

Weight Lifting. 7/1 through 7/30. Mon.-Fri., 2pm; Sat., noon. Drop in anytime at the Bread Box Recreation Center to lift weights and get fit. Must be 16 or older. 745 N. Sanborn Rd., Salinas. 758-7908.

Pool Tournaments. 7/2 through 7/30. Tues., 3:30pm. A pool tournament is held every other Tuesday at Closter Park in Salinas, for ages 13 and up. Salinas. Free. 758-7900.

Summer Teen Lounge. 7/5 through 7/30. Mon.-Fri., 1-4:45pm. Join the Salinas Recreation Department for special themes and activities including "Water Madness," "Western Days," and more. For more information call the community center. 320 Lincoln Ave., Salinas. 758-7351.

Adventures in Art. 7/5 through 8/12. Mon.-Fri., 2pm. Children ages 7-13 learn how to recognize famous artists' styles while experimenting with a variety of media. Sessions include "Grandma Moses Folk Art Fun" and "Matisse Stencils with Style." Call for location, Salinas. $48. 443-3994.

Great Games. 7/6 through 7/9. Tues.-Fri., 9am. Improve hand-eye coordination, reflexes, self-esteem and have fun playing games like waffle ball, dodge ball and Frisbee golf during a summer session offered by Hartnell College. Suitable for ages 6-15. Hartnell College auxillary gym, Homestead Avenue, Salinas. $45. 755-6800.

Artistry in Action. 7/6 through 7/19. Mon.-Fri., 2pm. Students, ages 7-11, can work with clay and other media during a summer art course offered at Hartnell College. Teacher Barbara English has more than 30 years experience. 156 Homestead Ave., Salinas. $89. 755-6800.

Sailor for a Day. 7/7. Wed., 5pm. Sixth- through eighth-graders are invited to experience the life of a sailor at this event sponsored by the Lyceum of Monterey County. Larry Gamble and the crew invite students aboard for a quick jaunt onto the bay where they will learn about sailing. Sailors can pay extra ($10) for a meal at the Yacht Club following the sail, and parents are invited, too. Meet at the foot of Wharf 2, Monterey. $10. 372-6098.

TV Commercials. 7/8 through 7/9. Thurs. & Fri., 9am. Learn how to get into acting in TV commercials. This class gives you an opportunity to be video-taped doing commercials, hear personal stories, and more. Bring a blank VHS tape with your name and phone number. Hartnell College, 156 Homestead Ave., Salinas. $55; $15/material fee. 755-6800.

Hands-on Art. 7/10. Saturday, 10:30am. Families and youngsters are encouraged to tour the Monterey Museum of Art, then create their own works inspired by the visit. Reservations required. Meet at the Civic Center Lobby, Pacific Street, Monterey. Members: one adult and one child are free; additional child is $2. Non-members: one adult, one child are $2; additional child is $2. 372-5477.

Tour the Farm. 7/17 and 8/21. Saturday, 11:30am. Earthbound Farms Farm Stand offers two special tours for children this summer: July 17 and Aug. 21. Organic farming, taking care of the planet and eating healthy foods are topics that will be covered. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. Free. 625-6219.

Flag Football. 7/19 through 7/22. Mon.-Thurs., 9am. Hartnell College Assistant Basketball Coach Mary Ann Toney teaches flag football to ages 6-15 at this summer course offered by the college. Hartnell College soccer field, Homestead Avenue, Salinas. $45. 755-6800.

Pajaro Valley Art School. Murality. 7/24. Saturday, 10am. Gain experience and knowledge of layout and design during this workshop on creating public art, such as murals. Wear paint clothes and bring a lunch. Also Ceramica, 7/10 through 7/24. Saturdays, 10am. Create glazed and fire kiln ceramics at this art workshop. Pajaro Valley Art School, 37 Sudden St., Watsonville. $15. 722-3062.

Be a Sea Dog. 7/26 through 7/31. Monday-Saturday, 9am. High-school students: spend all day aboard the Sea Dog learning about Monterey Bay and its creatures. Learn kayaking, seamanship and more during the program sponsored by the Lyceum of Monterey County and taught by Capt. Heidi Tiura and kayaker Steph Dutton. P.G. Museum of Natural History, Forest Avenue, Monterey. $140. 372-6098.

West Coast Swing. 7/28 through 8/18. Wed., 7pm. Get in on the newest swing dance steps in this class taught by Pat Eodice, a professional swing dancer. Beginning and experienced dancers welcome, ages 16 and up. Monterey Youth Center, 777 Pearl St., Monterey. $30/Monterey resident, $39/other cities. 646-3873.