Are your kids driving you nuts now that they're out of school? Are they climbing the walls and hanging on the furniture? Are you desperate for a way to entertain them that consists of more than plopping in front of the TV, but doesn't cost a ton of money?

Lucky for you, there is a solution. There are a multitude of classes, workshops and programs that can help keep your kids entertained this summer. Some don't cost anything, while others only cost a tank of gas. For a few hours of entertainment (and the salvation of your sanity), that's not a bad deal.

At the libraries

While the St. Joseph Public Library's summer reading program is a hit every year, the library branches offer much more. There are performances, movies and workshops for every kid, from toddlers to teenagers. That includes comedians and ventriloquists, duct tape crafts, puppet shows, science experiments and movies.

Debbie Gentry, community services and promotions coordinator for the library, says hosting programs that go beyond reading help kids and teens see the library "as a place for lifelong learning and a community destination, to get them started early and keep them interested their whole life. Besides learning, there's just fun here," she says.

For a complete calendar listing of upcoming library events, as well as information on the summer reading program, visit www.sjpl.lib.mo.us/

At the museums

The St. Joseph Museums will host a couple of children's workshops this summer. The first is the animal arts camp, which will be from 1 to 4 p.m. June 22 to 24 at the Wyeth-Tootle Mansion. The cost for the camp is $10, and reservations must be made by today.

The second workshop will be the butterfly science camp, which was one of the most popular workshops last summer, according to Kathy Reno, director of public relations and marketing. Children will learn skills of scientific observations, classification, testing and field study of butterflies.

The workshop is open to children in kindergarten through third grade. It will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 10 to 13 at the St. Joseph Museums, 3406 Frederick Ave. The cost is $10, and reservations must be made by July 17.

And just for the girls, the American Girl Doll Club will host a workshop to learn about American Girl Kit Kittredge and her idol, Amelia Earhart. The workshop will be July 11 to 15 at the Wyeth-Tootle Mansion.

Reservations for all workshops can be made by calling 232-8471.

In Kansas City

For the price of a tank of gas, you can drive down to Kansas City and get a full day's worth of free entertainment. All you need to do is head to Crown Center.

Crown Center offers several regular features that are free. At the Hallmark Visitors Center, guests can see how greeting cards are made, watch an engraver at work and see a bow being made. And at the Kaleidoscope art workshop, children can explore and discover different environments - like outer space and under the sea - through different art projects.

Crown Center has a full calendar of free activities and traveling exhibits lined up for the summer. "The Art of the Brick" Lego exhibit features 30 pieces of art, made of more than 200,000 Legos. The pieces range from a self-portrait of the artist to a Monopoly board, according to Chris Ronan, Crown Center media relations coordinator.

"It's essentially art work made out of Lego bricks," Mr. Ronan says.

Also this summer, Crown Center is hosting the first Walk and Chalk festival. The festival, which will feature artists turning ordinary pieces of sidewalk into works of art, will be June 19 and 20.

Other free activities at Crown Center include Free Movie Fridays, a July puppet show series and Clown Day on Aug. 1. For a complete calendar of events, visit www.crowncenter.com.

Lifestyles reporter Lacey Storer can be reached at lstorer@npgco.com