FOR THE KIDS : Puppeteer to Show Off Her Handiwork : Kathryn Dippong will put on show based on the Three Little Pigs, then instruct youngsters how to make their own little porkers.

With his teeth bared and his tongue hanging out, the wolf (as in Big Bad) will be beating down the door Saturday at the Camarillo Art Center.

He’ll be on the arm of Kathryn Dippong as she puts on a puppet show based on the ancient fairy tale, the Three Little Pigs. The show, beginning at 11:30 a.m., is mainly for children 4 to 10 years old.

When the 15-minute performance ends, the kids can stay for a workshop to learn just how Dippong can turn a paper plate and some construction paper into the face of a little porker.

Then, when they’ve mastered puppet-making, they can step behind the puppet stage and find out what it feels like to be the puppeteer and voice of one of the pigs.

Dippong knows her way around puppets and theater. She has a master’s degree in children’s theater and spent 1 1/2 years performing with the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theater in Minneapolis.

She tries to keep the puppet-making real simple. “I’m one who believes the parents shouldn’t make it--the kids should be able to do it, or what’s the point?” she said.

Even so, the paper-plate puppet has a three-dimensional look. The snout sticks out, thanks to pipe cleaners. The puppet can also be used as a mask.

The workshop should last about 1 1/2 hours. The cost is $3, and all materials will be supplied.

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Children’s entertainer Linda Arnold is back in town. She’s doing a show at the Ventura College Theater at 7 p.m. Friday. Called “The Rainbow Palace,” the show is kind of a kid-style tribute to Broadway and movie musicals such as “Peter Pan,” “The Sound of Music,” “Oliver” and “Oklahoma!”

Arnold also incorporates puppets and other whimsical characters into her performance: Tyrone the dinosaur, Gallagher the magical elf and Ted the cool bear.

She has a smooth soprano voice, and some of the tunes are her originals. Her promoters call her the Mary Poppins of children’s music. She has been featured in the Disney “Kaleidoscope” series.

Reserve tickets for the show, sponsored by the Ventura Children’s Festival and Ventura College Community Services, are $6 for kids and $8 for adults ($1 more at the door). Tickets are available at Kideos in Ventura and Serendipity Toys in Ojai. To charge by phone, call 650-5900.

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If your kid is a little ho-hum about hiking, here’s a jaunt that will spark some interest. Every month, the Conejo Recreation and Park District holds its Saturday Night S’Mores hike. It’s an easy two-mile walk through Thousand Oaks’ Wildwood Park after dark. Midway, the hike leaders light a campfire, tell stories, lead songs and break open the marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers for s’mores.

The next hike is May 28 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The cost is $4. Hikers should meet in the parking lot at the west end of Avenida de los Arboles and Big Sky Drive. Bring a flashlight. Preregistration is required--this monthly event fills up. For information, call 494-8301.

Details

* WHAT: Puppet show and puppet workshop.

* WHEN: Saturday at 11:30 a.m.

* WHERE: Camarillo Art Center, 3150 Ponderosa Drive.

* HOW MUCH: $3 at the door. No preregistration required.

* FYI: Call 493-7707.