Family fun options in and around Portland, Maine...under $10

The Children's Museum of Maine has a family membership that can be checked out of the Portland Public Library. Be sure to call the library first and make sure it is available before promising the kids. Surprises are more fun anyway. First Friday of every month is free from 5pm-8pm http://www.childrensmuseumofme.org/ 828-1234

The Southworth Planetarium has shows $5 for adults, $4 for children. They also host birthday parties complete with show for approx $4.00 a child. They have a really nice birthday area. Also, inexpensive items from the gift shop.

http://www.usm.maine.edu/planet/

Kettle Cove is a small public beach in Cape Elizabeth up near Crescent Beach. Parking can be difficult on a sunny weekend day. I will post directions later, or you can goggle it.

Portland Museum of Art is free every Friday. http://www.portlandmuseum.org/

Fort Williams in South Portland/Cape Elizabeth. Totally free. You can picnic, grill, swim if it''s nice out. There is a play ground and old civil war ruins. Take pictures of the kids! If they come out really good you can make prints and frame them and give them to family at Xmas time, mother's day, birthdays, etc. Beware the ice cream truck here and at other parks, however.

Your local public library will have videos that can checked out rather then rented. Owe late fees? Most libraries will allow you to make payments.

Videoport offers a free movie from the kids section every Friday. No other rental necessary.

Take your kids to Caravan Beads on Forest ave to learn how to bead. There is a table and tools available for you to use, and staff is avilable to give you quick instruction. You can make a pair of earrings for less then $4. (and then you can give them to Grandma or Auntie as a gift). http://www.caravanbeads.com/pages/contact.html

The Portland Hockey Trust offers free skating/hockey at the expo Saturday afternoons (Call Portland Parks and Rec for more info about times....I don't remember them off the top of my head). They will even loan you the equiptment, skates, give lessons, etc. You can skate with your kids or sit on the bleachers and read a book.

The Nickelodean (actually it's called Patriot Cinemas now) offers all shows for $5 all day on Tuesdays. 1 Temple Street, Portland, ME 04101 Telephone: (207)772-9751





more later.....