I'm starting to get resentful of the ticket prices on kids shows. Now that the Jonas Brothers are on their way to world domination, expect a Hannah Montana-like frenzy for tickets on the JoBros concert tour (They come to Tampa on Sept. 4). But even toddler shows like "Overrated Stories on Ice" can set a family of four back a C-note. So it gives me great pleasure to find free and cheap things the kids will actually enjoy. And you won't have to buy a souvenir. This week's offerings include:

The free kids movie this week at the Beach Theatre is the craptastic 1968 British sci-fi flick "Thunderbirds Are Go" at 10 a.m. at 315 Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach. Free. (727) 360-6697. beachtheatre.com.

Wee-time at Weedon: What Lives in a Shell? It's free on Thursday but advanced registration is required.

Splashes Treasure Hunt at the Highland Family Aquatic Center in Largo. It's $12 to $23 per family from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Hidden treasure is all over the splash park, both underwater and floating, for kids ages 10 and younger. Hunts are divided by age group at 400 Highland Ave., Largo.

Free movies Tuesdays and Wednesdays this summer at Regal theaters at 10 a.m. and for $1 at AMC theaters on Wednesdays at 10 a.m.

Starbucks Story Hour is 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesdays at the coffee shop in Winthrop Town Center, corner of Providence and Bloomingdale in Riverview. Buy a "Mom's Drink" and get a free hot chocolate, milk, apple juice or lemonade for your little one. This week will feature Dr. Seuss stories. And Starbucks at 199 First Ave N. in downtown St. Petersburg will feature a story hour at 1 p.m. Sunday. This week kids will be preparing a small potted plant.

Check your local city pools. If you haven't visited one in awhile you will be surprised to find that many of them not only have high dives, but also waterslides and toddler splash areas, and all of them offer a cheap day or night out for the family. One of my favorites, Fossil Park Pool at 6739 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N in St. Petersburg, costs $3 for adults and $2.50 for children under 12 to splash around on Friday nights at 7:30.

-- Sharon Kennedy Wynne