If you have kids who can't get enough of creepy-crawlies and things that go "croak" in the night, leave them with some scaly friends this weekend. The Miami Museum of Science (3280 S. Miami Ave.) presents programs for kids who want to get close, but not necessarily personal, with all sorts of cold-blooded critters. Today is officially deemed Lizard Day at the museum. There won't be a shrine to beady-eyed developer Thomas Kramer or sleazy club mobster Chris Paciello, but your kids will see real reptiles during 4 hours of hair-raising, hands-on fun. Old-time television shows like V warned us that lizards are a species to be reckoned with. Although there aren't any man-eating lizards alive today, who can tell what future evolutionary metamorphoses hold for lizard-human relations? To be sure, prepare future generations with as much information as they can absorb about those dastardly little rapscallions that dart across the sidewalk as you pass along. But don't count on watching severed lizard tails squirm at Lizard Day. This is all about promoting goodwill. In fact all kids who bring a pet lizard get in free. The fun starts at noon. Admission ranges from $6 to $10. Call 305-646-4200. -- By Humberto Guida
Tuesday July 15
Making Movies
Young directors show their stuff
The Miami Children's Film Festival, now in its 7th year, gives budding directors the opportunity to showcase their short films while introducing other kids to the joys of filmmaking. The Miami Children's Museum (in conjunction with the Florida Film Festival, Inc.) presented this year's awards in May, but will continue to screen the winning films at several locations throughout summer. Today's screening at the Goodlet Theater (4200 W. 8th Ave., Hialeah) includes a question-and-answer session with the young cineastes. The Miami Children's Museum also offers a film workshop series. The festival begins at 4:00 p.m. Admission is free. Call 305-373-5437, ext. 100 or visit www.miamichildrensmuseum.org. -- By Margaret Griffis
