Any parent will tell you the number of days between school ending for the summer season and the first chorus of "I'm bored!" is far too few.

But luckily, Calgary has plenty of family friendly events and world-class attractions to offer parents planning an afternoon of family fun, with the bonus of many actually pick up where school left off -- teaching kids about science, history and art. Only Little Jimmy or Joney won't know it -- they'll be having too much fun.

- Sesame Street Presents: The Body exhibit at the Telus World of Science. The interactive exhibition -- featuring Oscar, Grover and, of course, every toddler's favourite: Elmo -- teaches kids how their bodies work as they play their way through the hands-on educational attraction.

Other displays and exhibits include the 4,000-square-foot WOWtown, a play area complete with working crane, a water play area and microscopes and telescopes. Adult admission, $13.50; kids three to 17, $9.50; under three, free.

- The Calgary Zoo: Leading travel search engine Worldweb.com recently named the Calgary Zoo one of the North America's Top 10 zoos, which comes as no surprise to those who have visited the attraction. From grizzly bears, moose and wolves to the new baby western lowland gorilla in the TransAlta Rainforest, parents and kids will delight in animal species from around the world. Behind-the-Scenes programs offer an up-close view of lions, tigers and giraffes, among other species.

Registration for special programs is required, and children must be at least five years of age. Go to www.calgaryzoo.org for more details. Gates are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission, $18; youth 13 to 17, $12; kids three to 12, $10.

- Heritage Park: Costumed interpreters, street theatre and more than 150 buildings and exhibits all provide the backdrop for the interactive village -- located a 20-minute drive from downtown Calgary -- where kids can experience life at the turn of the century.

The whole family can ride in an authentic steam locomotive and horse-drawn wagon, or learn to make butter or icecream, and how to print a newspaper. There's even an amusement park with antique midway rides. Heritage Park is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A family day pass is $49. Rides are extra.

- Fort Calgary: Kids can try on a North West Mounted Police uniform, get locked in a jail cell and ride in a virtual streetcar throughout historic Calgary. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adults, $10.75; youth seven to 17, $6.75; kids three to six, $4.75.

- Glenbow Museum: Until July 13, more than 200 native works of art -- including shirts, moccasins, baskets, paintings, photographs and mixed media works -- are on display in the Honouring Tradition: Reframing Native Art exhibit.

Other exhibits throughout the summer include contemporary aboriginal art and Kainai High School students from Standoff, Alta., address on HIV/AIDS using traditional symbols. Families can try their hand at making their own traditional crafts in the ARC Discovery Room. Parents must accompany kids (age four and up). Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Family admission (two adults and up to four youth) is $28.

Rothney Astrophysical Observatory: Amateur astronomers of all ages can take stargazing to the next level at one of the observatory's open house nights this summer. Once a month, University of Calgary astronomers host the family-friendly sessions at the observatory atop a hill in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

Kids learn all about stars, planets and asteroids, and can even view the universe through the university's ARCT 1.8-metre telescope -- one of the two largest telescopes in Canada (weather permitting). The next open house is June 14, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. The cost is $10 per car. Call 220-7977 for more information.

- Spruce Meadows: Even if your kids have never ridden a horse, they will be amazed at the athletic equestrians who compete at Spruce Meadows. Throughout the summer, the foothills complex hosts world-class events. During tournaments, the International Plaza is transformed into a fair, with fun activities, entertainment and fascinating exhibits to distract the kids when they get bored of sitting in the stands. Ticket prices vary. Go to www.sprucemeadows.com for more information.

Source: canada.com