A+E

We're only a couple of weeks into summer vacation, but the kids are already bouncing off the walls. The fair last weekend has either set their entertainment expectations too high or left them in a post-cotton-candy stupor. Fourth of July festivities are just around the corner, but you've got to get through this weekend first ... and what if it rains? Don't worry — you've got this. There are plenty of free and cheap events to help you spend quality time like a boss.

• Sean Powers

Summer Reading Camp starts at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at the Fortuna Library with puppeteer Sean Powers. There'll be a half hour of fun and games focused on reading — probably more focused than your book club, anyway — and the free weekly events run through Aug. 30. On Saturday, release them into the wild for the Sierra Club Parent and Child Fay Slough Wildlife Walk. Barring rain, meet up at the Fay Slough trailhead at 10 a.m. and head out for a free 1.5-mile hike followed by a carousel ride at Harper Motors. That should wear little tykes out for a while.

Cool down after your day in the wild with a showing of Despicable Me at the Eureka Theater on Saturday at 6 p.m. It's the one with Steve Carell as the supervillain who ends up with three little girls. You remember — he's got an Eastern-European accent and a horde of canary yellow minions. Your $5 tickets benefit the Boys and Girls Club of the Redwoods — win-win! Follow it up on Sunday at the Arcata Theater Lounge with a 5:30 p.m. screening of Lilo and Stitch, another cartoon tale of redemption, and it's like you're at a film festival — like Cannes with really short people. Tickets for that one are also $5. Look at you, the fun parent.