Author: Donica Kaneshiro

I have only 6,575 days from my kids' birth until their 18th birthday, and I’m trying to make the most of every day.

Anime artists can take drawing to the next level

Is your little artist past the basics? The Art Loft is hosting an intermediate/advanced anime and manga class for kids ages 10-16. The class will be held from 2-4 p.m. Sundays in July and costs $169. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/learn-to-draw-anime-manga-cartoons-intermediate-tickets-47034035065

If you need the basics, check out the Drawing Bootcamp ($44) for kids ages 10-13 on July 7 from 3-5 p.m. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/drawing-bootcamp-for-kids-ages-8-13-tickets-46209287222?aff=erelpanelorg

Email info@theartlofthi.com with questions.

Get schooled by a Super Bowl star

The Michael Bennett Foundation is holding a free family event dubbed the O.C.E.A.N. Health Fest from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 7 UH-Manoa’s Klum Gym. NFL Super Bowl player Michael Bennett will be on hand for the event that features physical activity stations, health screenings, and more. Register at thebennettfoundation.org/event/o-c-e-a-n-health-fest-2018. On July 8, there is the free Gauntlet Football Camp with team and individual drills, featuring DeForest Buckner and Maa Tanuvasa at Kamehameha Schools’ Kunuiakea Stadium. Boys and girls ages 7 to 12, go from 1 to 2:30 p.m.; kids ages 13 to 18 take the field from 3 to 5 p.m. Register at thebennettfoundation.org.

Calling all tennis girls

Girls ages 7-14 can take park in a free 90-minute tennis lesson 10-11:30 a.m. July 7 at the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Tennis Complex. Racquets and balls will be provided so girls just need to show up for the fun. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/girls-in-tennis-tickets-47047153302

Attendees will also receive a free ticket for the Tennis Championships of Honolulu July 8-15 at UH-Manoa.

 

Free fun at Windward Mall

Pau School Keiki Hour is actually two hours of free fun at Windward Mall, every Tuesday in July from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Keiki ages 3 to 10 can engage in kid-friendly activities. For details, visit windwardmall.com.

Show your Kids Club flyer (distributed at the event) to select restaurants and stores for discounts from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Register at eventbrite.com/e/summer-kids-club-tickets-47392330737

Keiki can honor ancestors

If bon dances go too late into the night for your keiki, head over to the The Children’s Discovery Center is host a keiki bon dance festival 10 a.m. to noon July 7. Newbies can learn the moves while experienced kids can display their talents. They will even dance to the always popular “Pokemon Ondo”. There will be Japanese crafts and games, too. Visit www.discoverycenterhawaii.org.

North Shore fireworks

There will be an afternoon of family entertainment and fireworks at the Polynesian Cultural Center’s Hukilau Marketplace. From 4 p.m., there will be  bounce houses, slides, bull riding, an obstacle courses, balloon animals and carnival games all for free! There will be live entertainment and Tongan, Mexican, Tahitian and Hawaiian food for sale. All leading up to the 20-minute fireworks show at 9 p.m. hukilaumarketplace.com

Burn off some energy

Kids are jumping off the furniture by this point in summer vacation. Head over to Ka Makana Alii to get some shopping done and the take advantage of free Keiki Yoga every Thursday morning from 10 to 11 a.m. in Center Court. Head back to the Kapolei mall on the 2nd and 4th Friday of every month from 10 to 11 a.m. for Makana Kids Keiki Fitness Friday for Zumba and other active games.

Movies on the north shore

The Hukilau Marketplace at the Polynesian Cultural Center is screening free outdoor movies each month as part of its Movies on the Lawn series. Showtime is at 7:30 p.m. Bring a blanket and check out:

July 6: “The Greatest Showman”

Aug. 3: “Sherlock Gnomes”

Sept. 7: “Avengers: Infinity War

Hukilau Marketplace is at 55-370 Kamehameha Highway in Laie. Call 293-3142, visit www.HukilauMarketplace.com for more information.

Major League tryout in Mililani

Think your high school slugger has what it takes to make it in the big leagues?

Braves Area Scouting Supervisor and Aiea High School grad Dan Cox will be checking out talent at Atlanta Braves free baseball tryout camp at 11 a.m. June 29 at Mililani High School. Check-in is at 10:15 a.m.

High school players who will graduate in 2019–2021 can show their skills with the hopes of being signed or even just seen by a major league team.