KIDS AT ART : The Whold Family’s Welcome at a Trio of Outdoor Festivals in Laguna Beach

Taking the children to an art gallery can be about as soothing as a visit to the oral surgeon. Fortunately, though, art-ogling moms and dads can pack up the family and visit one of Laguna’s outdoor arts and crafts festivals.

Through Aug. 26, the Festival of the Arts, Art-A-Fair and the Sawdust Festival--all within a short hike or trolley ride of each other along Laguna Canyon Road--offer children’s events and entertainment that allow parents to breathe easy as they browse. Most activities are free with admission, which is free at all three sites for children 12 and younger accompanied by an adult.

The Festival of the Arts (650 Laguna Canyon Road) features work by 164 artists, and in the Junior Art Gallery section, 150 works by children across the county, ranging from kindergartners’ finger paintings to oils by high school students. Children ages 2 and up can toddle over to one of the free art workshops held daily from 1 to 4 p.m. on the main lawn. Family entertainment includes Alturas, a band of Bolivian instrumentalists appearing each Saturday at 5 p.m., and “Dance America,” a showcase of U.S. dance styles through the ages presented each Sunday at 5 p.m. by Ballet Pacifica.

The World’s Largest Kaleidoscope, a 30-footer with a room-size walk-in viewing area, is one of the child-pleasers at Art-A-Fair (777 Laguna Canyon Road), which showcases the works of 150 local and national artists. In free workshops at the fair’s Childrens Activity Center, exhibitors offer hands-on instruction in watercolor, clay modeling and paper-making to dabblers 2 and up.

Folk singers and instrumentalists provide most of Art-A-Fair’s entertainment. Look for the most eclectic mix on Saturday nights.

At the Sawdust Festival (935 Laguna Canyon Road), the entertainment lineup includes everything from magicians and mimes to marionettes and a man-and-macaw act. And every weekday brings art classes, for preschoolers at 10:30 a.m. and for ages 6 and up from 11:45 to 3. Activities include painting, toothpick sculpture and jewelry-making.

What

Laguna’s Festival of the Arts, Art-A-Fair and Sawdust Festival.

When

Through Aug. 26. The Festival of the Arts is open daily from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Art-A-Fair is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Sawdust Festival is open Sundays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Where

Three locations along Laguna Canyon Road.

Whereabouts

San Diego Freeway (405) to Laguna Freeway (133), which becomes Laguna Canyon Road as one drives south.

Wherewithal

Admission at all three sites is free for children under 12 accompanied by an adult. Adult admission ranges from $1 to $4.

Where to call

Festival of the Arts, (714) 494-1145; Art-A-Fair, (714) 494-4514; Sawdust Festival, (714) 494-3030.