Think Cheap And Keep Kids Busy During Spring Break

We're in a drought, and it's not just a water shortage. Many Bay area families have seen the money for entertaining their children during spring break dry up as well.

With that in mind, we have uncovered some free and cheap alternatives to a week at an all-inclusive luxury resort that might just please the progeny population.

•No appreciation for where that jam came from? Treat your kids to a glimpse of farm life by enrolling them in the 4-H Strawberry Days Camp. For $25 they can spend two days (9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday) learning how a strawberry business works. For information, call (813) 744-5519.

•The area beaches may be overrun with spring breakers feeding the seagulls, but you won't find that at Hillsborough County's Lithia Springs. The 160-acre park has a year-round water temperature of 72 degrees at its natural spring. Pack a picnic and visit the playground. Admission is $1. Camping is also available. For information, go to www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks.

•It's a little hard to appreciate the metal horses grazing along Bayshore Boulevard from the window of your car. Take a free self-guided public arts tour across town with information available at www.hillsboroughcounty.org/publicart.

•Catch live music at the South Shore Regional Library, 15816 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin, at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Local musician Scott Simon will be performing "Acoustic Blues." For information, call (813) 273-3652 or go to www.hcplc.org.

•Load up your bikes and Rollerblades and hit the paved, seven-mile trail at the southern end of Upper Tampa Bay Park. Cool down with a visit to the nature center, a major environmental study center with interpretive displays. For information, go to www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks, then click on "Parks & Trails Services," then on "Regional Parks."

•Guided canoe trips are offered at Weedon Island Preserve with reservations. Or you can put your own watercraft in for free at the launch. Weedon Island Preserve is just south of Gandy Boulevard west of the bridge. For information, go to www.weedonislandcenter.org.

•Have you visited a Redbox video rental kiosk yet? These handy devices offer movie rentals for $1. Occasionally, there are even freebies on Wednesdays. Once you rent from the service, you will be on an e-mail list to hear about the specials and receive promotional codes for discounts and specials. For locations, go to www.redbox.com.