Talley Green

School’s been out a month, and moms may be hearing those plaintive cries of “I’m bored” by now.

Here are five ideas for free things to do with your kids around town.

1. Free Family Fun Day: Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St., 5:30-8 p.m. the second Thursday of each month (next one is July 9), sponsored by First Tennessee Bank. Each child must be accompanied by an adult.

2. Kids Time: Tennessee Riverpark, Shelter No. 4, 10 a.m. every Thursday through July 23 with the exception of July 2.

Hamilton County Parks and Recreation staff lead hands-on activities for elementary schoolchildren ages 5 and older.

3. Children’s story hours: Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Hamilton Place, 11 a.m. each Wednesday; Rock Point Books, 401 Broad St., 10:30 a.m. each Friday.

Kids hear an story followed by a craft activity and light snack.

4. Kids movies: East Ridge 18, 5080 South Terrace, 10 a.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday; no reservations needed, seating on first-come, first-served basis until auditorium is filled.

Get out of the heat and into an air-conditioned theater. The East Ridge 18 is holding its Free Family Film Festival with weekly showings of a G- or PG-rated film through July 28-29. Next up: “The Tale of Despereaux.”

5. Pack a picnic and check out a neighborhood park. Play in the fountains at Coolidge Park. Let the kids run off energy, swing and slide in East Brainerd’s Heritage Park, Ooltewah’s Imagination Station or East Ridge’s Pioneer Frontier. There are more than 30 neighborhood parks of varying sizes in the city. Find one near you at www.chattanoogakids.com/playgrounds.html.