Today  – Sunday, November 17th

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.   SPARC Center.  From the talented teens of SPARC. Six young people in the throes of puberty, overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves, learn that winning isn’t everything and that losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser. SPARCs’ production, slightly tailored for content, features two incredibly talented casts of teens who perform the show on alternating days. The music is charming and funny, and  the show strikes a chord in today’s’ world of stressed out overachieving adolescents.  Visit the website for show times and ticket prices.

Today – Sunday, November 24th

Annie Get Your Gun.  Henrico Theatre Company at The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen.  A musical comedy with Annie Oakley.  Visit the website for show times and ticket prices.  Tickets/Info: 804-501-5859.

Today – December 31st

Block by Block: National Tour.  Children’s Museum Chesterfield location.  This exhibition features ten landmark skyscrapers from around the world and visitors can create their own architectural marvels with blocks.  Free with museum admission.

Today – Saturday, January 4th

Identity: An Exhibition of You.  Science Museum of Virginia.  Challenge your perception of personal identity. Discover the connection between our thoughts and relationships with our genes, brains and all things scientific! Included with exhibit admission, free for members.

Today – Sunday, January 5th

Outdoor Skating Rink.  Stony Point Fashion Park.  Bring the kids to Stony Point Fashion Park to skate, spin and glide. View  operating hours here.  Fee.

Monday, November 11th

Commonwealth’s Veterans Day Ceremony. 10am-11am.  Virginia War Memorial.  Co-hosted with American Legion, 11th District. To honor all veterans who served our country and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. This event coincides with the signing of the WWI Armistice of November 11, 1918, with the playing of Taps at the conclusion at 11 am.

Tuesday, November 12th

Celebrating Seasons.  10am-11m.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Preschool Programs.  Register online.  Fee.

Short Pump Pals Clubhouse Meeting.  11am.  Short Pump Mall.  Sing Along with Betsy Q Professional musician, singer & songwriter. She invites audience participation and encouraging everyone to sing along, “Betsy Q.” will make this event lots of fun for the whole family!  Free.

Celebrating Seasons.  2pm-3pm.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Preschool Programs.  Register online.  Fee.

Parenting Solo: Raising a Child Alone.   6pm.  Delivered by Commonwealth Parenting.  Fee.

Wednesday, November 13th

Mommy & Me and Daddies Too.  10am–11:30am.  Willow Lawn Plaza.  A free morning out with live entertainment and activities designed to enhance parents´ interaction with their children.   This month: Jeff Beatman.  Free.

Your Youngster and You.  10am-6pm.  All Fired Up – all locations.   Make an appointment to make a Little Turkey plate made with your child’s handprint and fingerprints. Call 804-355-3412 to register.  Fee.

Busy Hands.  3:30pm-4:30pm.  Twin Hickory Library, Henrico County.  Preschoolers will make pinecone owls. Free.

Thursday, November 14th

Children’s Storytime. 10:30am.  Barnes & Noble Short Pump.  804-360-0103.  Free.

Amazing Animals.  11am-Noon.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Preschool Programs.  Register online.  Fee.

Pet Portraits.  4:15-6pm.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Kids Programs.  Register online.  Fee.

Adolescent Substance Abuse: What Are The Treatment Options? 6pm-8pm.  Doubletree Hotel & Conference Center (formerly the KogerCenter).  Caron Treatment Centers, Family Counseling Center for Recovery and the Phoenix House Mid-Atlantic present Adolescent Substance Abuse: What Are The Treatment Options?   An open and interactive forum for parents and anyone in the community concerned about substance abuse.  Free.

Balloon Animals.  6:30pm-8pm.  Mechanicsville Library, Hanover County.  For Ages 7 and up.  Jonathan Austin will be teaching balloon animal techniques. Register: 804-365-4695. Fee.

Friday, November 15th

Establishing Rules, Boundaries and Consequences with Your Child (Parents of Children 11-16 years).  12:30pm.  Delivered by Commonwealth Parenting.  Fee.

Repurposed Plastic.  5pm-7pm.  Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Family Programs.  Register online.  Fee.

Target $1 Family Night.   5pm-7:30pm.  Children’s Museum – Central.  Bring the whole family to enjoy what The Children’s Museum has to offer from 5:00-7:30pm on the third Friday of every month for just $1 per person!

Santa’s Arrival & Grand Illumination.  6pm.  Short Pump Mall Main Plaza.  The Grand Illumination of Santa’s 50-foot Holiday Tree.

Fearless Friday.  6pm-9pm.  Challenge Discovery, 28 Westhampton Way University of Richmond.   experience a two-level high ropes course that is more than a football field in length. The Odyssey Course is comprised of 8 different team challenges, 4 at the 25 ft. level and 4 at the 40 ft. level. At the end, climbers race down to the ground on dual zip lines. Participants must be at least 12.  Fee.

LiveSky: Comet ISON.  6:30pm.  Science Museum of Virginia.  Find out about the comet called ISON, expected to pass closest to Earth on December 26, 2013. At 7:30 pm, join members of the Richmond Astronomical Society as they share their telescopes for a look into the vastness of space, weather permitting. $5, free for members.

Fall Performance.  7pm-8pm.  St. Michael’s Episcopal, Bon Air.  The Greater Richmond Children’s Choir will be performing. Free.

Saturday, November 16th

Boot Camp for New Dads.  9am-Noon.  Chippenham Hospital.  A unique father-to-father, community-based workshop that inspires and equips men to become confidently engaged with their infants, support their mates and personally navigate their transformation into dads. Register: 804-288-3431. Fee.

Babysitter Training.  9am-4pm.  Pole Green Park and Community Center.  Ages 11 – 15 can become Red Cross certified babysitters by taking this class. Register: 804-365-4695.  Fee.

Art Workshop.  10am-5pm.  Enon Library, Chesterfield County.  Visual Arts Center of Richmond staff will guide young artists in using a variety of materials to spark their imaginations. Repeats at 2:30 p.m. at Ettrick-Matoaca Library. Register: 804-751-CCPL.  Free.

Stories at the Museum.  10am-Noon.   Virginia Historical Society.  Special educator-led readings of history books and a craft.  Free.

Behind the Scenes. 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.  Meadow Farm Museum.  Tours will take you beyond the gift shop into the costume design and staff areas, into the back cellars, and some of the closed off rooms of the farmhouse. Sign up at the orientation center. Guided group tours will leave every hour. 804-501-2130.  Free.

International Games Day (Ages 11-14) .  2pm-3:30pm.  Tuckahoe Library, Henrico County.  Ages 11 – 14 experience games in a whole new way by becoming pieces on life-size playing boards. And for those interested in small-scale competition, classic boards games and card decks will be provided. Free.

Harvest Moon.  7pm-9pm.   Rockwood Park, Chesterfield County.  Take a night hike under the full moon, then join in the fun around the campfire with stories and s’mores. Register: 804-748-1623. Fee.

Romp n’ Roll West End Kids Night Out.  5pm-8pm.  Every kid deserves a special night out…and so do you!  Parents get an evening to themselves while the children get to run and play with our energetic instructors and enjoy a pizza party dinner at Romp n’ Roll!  No need to be a member; register by calling 804-364-6363. ($30 per child, member and sibling discounts apply).