Nancy Churnin

Want to catch some flicks with the kids without breaking the bank? As long as you're not looking for the latest releases, local theaters and recreation centers have lots of G and PG films to offer for low prices (and even some for free). And while most of these series don't begin until June, you can catch a free showing of Shrek the Third Friday, April 18, in Rockwall.

Family Fun Fridays & Movies

Rockwall Parks & Recreation's free movie series continues each Friday through May 2 at Harry Myers Park in Rockwall. Bring snacks, a blanket or a lawn chair and an FM radio (you'll have to tune into 89.7 FM to hear the movie). And come early – around 7:30 p.m. for the bounce house, fishing, face painting, whiffle ball games, a disc golf shootout, jump-rope and hula hoop competitions, and sack races preceding each show.

Fridays through May 2, with activities starting at 7:30 p.m. and screenings at 8:30 p.m. Harry Myers Park, Rockwall. 972-771-7740. www.rockwall.com/parks.

•April 18: Shrek the Third
• April 25: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (yes, the Gene Wilder one)
•May 2: Cars

AMC Summer Movie Camp

AMC Summer MovieCamp is a seven-week series that runs Wednesdays at 10 a.m. from June 25 through Aug. 6. Movies include Alvin and the Chipmunks, Bee Movie and Shrek the Third. Tickets are $1 apiece and will benefit Variety – The Children's Charity and the Will Rogers Institute. You can also buy an AMC KidsPack for $3 at these showings that includes a kid's drink, popcorn and snack. For more info, go to www.amctheatres.com.

•Of the area AMC locations, there will be participating theaters in Dallas, Mesquite, Garland, Arlington and Frisco.

Cinema in the Circle

The town of Addison has a suggestion for sports fans ready to kick back after their games are over – watch a sports movie. Bring snacks and a blanket to catch these free screenings. The first four will start at 9 p.m. at Addison Circle Park's Bowl Stage, Addison. The July 3 movie will be shown at 10 p.m. (after the Addison Kaboom Town Fireworks) on the Ellipse Stage. 800-233-4766. www.addisontexas.net.

•June 7: We Are Marshall
•June 14: The Sandlot
•June 21: Seabiscuit
•June 28: Rocky
•July 3: Rudy

Cinemark's Summer Movie Clubhouse

The Summer Movie Clubhouse features Alvin and the Chipmunks, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium and Bee Movie as part of a 10-week series that starts in June at different times at various locations. Admission is $1 per show, or you can buy a 10-show punch card for $5, available in participating theaters now. For the most up-to-date information, visit www.cinemark.com.

•Of the area Cinemark locations, there'll be participating theaters in Lancaster, Plano, McKinney, Grapevine, Cleburne, Mansfield and Rockwall.

NRH20's Dive-In Movies

Catch a wave while you catch a Dive-In Movie in NRH20's wave pool. Of course, while the Friday movies at dusk are free, park admission isn't. So you might as well come early and make a day of it before settling down with one of the selections that will include Bee Movie, Shrek the Third and the park's perennial favorite: Jaws. Fridays at dusk from June 13 through Aug. 1 at NRH20, North Richland Hills. Admission: $21.99 for those 48 inches and over, $17.99 for those under 48 inches, free for children 2 and younger. 817-427-6500. www.nrh2o.com.

Rave Motion Pictures Free Family Film Festival

Rave Motion Pictures offers free admission to an eight-week summer series of family screenings Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. starting June 10. The movies include Surf's Up, Firehouse Dog, Alvin and the Chipmunks and The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie. www.ravemotionpictures.com.

• Local participating theaters include RMP Hickory Creek 16 in Hickory Creek, RMP North East Mall 18 in Hurst and RMP Ridgmar 13 in Fort Worth.

Studio Movie Grill's 2008 Summer Series

The 2008 Summer Series runs Mondays through Thursdays at 11 a.m. from June 9 through Aug. 21. Children's tickets cost $1, adult tickets cost $2. Featured movies include Night at the Museum, Ice Age: The Meltdown, RV and Charlotte's Web. For more info (and the scoop on an ongoing series of Saturday screenings of new movies that are free for kids with special needs), visit www.studiomoviegrill.com.

•The series takes place at four Studio Movie Grill locations: Arlington (Interstate 20 at Matlock), Dallas (Central Expressway at Royal), Lewisville and Plano (on Park near Preston).