Summertime and the living is easy. But...

Summertime and the living is easy. But for children out of school, with time on their hands, summer can be “boring.” There is hope, though, for both the kids and their parents. Organizations throughout Southern California offer alternatives to the usual beach/amusement park/shopping mall hangouts. Here are a few:

Science for Families

* Children and adults alike will be fascinated by the work of paleontologists and volunteers as they excavate Ice Age fossils found at the La Brea Tar Pits in the annual excavation of Pit 91. The Visitors Observation Station will open July 10. After watching the work, visitors can see more artifacts at the nearby George C. Page Museum. Call (213) 936-2230.

* Wildlife on Wheels, a nonprofit wildlife organization, will take live animals along to encourage kids to read at libraries and bookstores throughout Los Angeles. Following readings of “Armadillo Rodeo,” parents and children will be able to meet live animals representing characters from the story. For times and locations call (818) 951-3656.

* Cabrillo Marine Aquarium will sponsor “Science at the Seashore” workshops for children to learn marine science through hands-on activities, lab sessions and exploring nearby coastal habitats beginning July 1. Each week is geared to a specific age group, from preschoolers to 12th-graders.

The Aquarium’s education staff and volunteers will be on hand every Wednesday from 3 to 5 p.m. to answer questions about local marine life in the hands-on Discovery SEA Lab. Each week will have a different theme, from examining specimens under a microscope to creating a marine-related art project. Call (310) 548-7562, ext. 7017.

* Children from 3 to 13 can learn about nature firsthand in participatory sessions of “Adventures in Nature,” weeklong courses offered at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Classes begin July 15, 22 or 29. Call (213) 744-3534.

* The Summer Science Workshops at the California Museum of Science and Industry offer children ages 5 to 13 a wide variety of classes in subjects such as the world of microbes, the chemistry behind special effects and rocketry. One-day, one-week and two-week classes will be held July 8 through Aug. 30. Call (213) 744-7440.

* The Children’s Museum at La Habra will feature two sessions of Futurekids Computer Camp for children ages 4 through 10. Session I will be July 22-26, Session II will be Aug. 12-16. Call (310) 905-9793.

* The Placerita Canyon Nature Center in Newhall will have its Summer Nature Camp series for children ages 6 to 12 July 8 through Aug. 1. Each four-day morning session will have a different theme, such as wildlife and the environment. Call (805) 259-7721.

* First through eighth-graders can learn about birds, reptiles, endangered species and other wildlife in one-week sessions of the Los Angeles Zoo Camp from July 8 through Aug. 12. Call (213) 666-4650, ext. 5.

* Families visiting the Palm Springs area this summer can view the Palm Springs Desert Museum exhibit on Death Valley National Park, the largest preserve in the continental United Sates. The exhibit uses photographic murals, mineral specimens, artifacts and video presentations to introduce visitors to one of our newest national parks through July 28. Call (619) 325-7186.

Astronomy

* Jan Ludwinski, chief of mission planning for the Galileo Project, will discuss the spacecraft’s exploration of Jupiter on June 28 at the Santa Monica College astronomy program. Comet Hale-Bopp, which will be visible later in the year, will be the subject of the program on July 5, 12 and 19. All programs will begin at 8 p.m. immediately after the weekly Night Sky Show at 7 in the Science Village, Room 1. Telescope viewing is offered after the programs. Call (310) 452-9396.

* The Los Angeles Astronomical Society will have a public star party Saturday on the front lawn of Griffith Observatory. Members will set up telescopes. Call (213) 727-7909.

Botany

* Frank Landis will discuss his research on Santa Catalina Island in “What Is Catalina Chaparral?” at the monthly meeting of the Los Angeles/Santa Monica Mountains chapter of the California Native Plant Society at Kenter Canyon Elementary School in Brentwood on July 9 at 8 p.m. Call (818 881-3706.