Need a few quiet hours with your kiddos before the craziness of back to school? Get back to nature with a visit to the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary, which offers free bird-watching, butterfly-spotting and peaceful walks through the wildflowers with your wee babes.

Think basketball, lacrosse or hockey is tough? Try playing on horseback! Throw together a picnic and attend the Gerald Balding Polo Tournament at Brandywine Polo Club. An inexpensive family outing, this fun spectator event is an opportunity to teach your children about one of the oldest sports in the world.

Tired of only watching tennis on TV? If you’ve been itching to get on the court to actually play tennis with your kids, there’s no time like the present, thanks to helpful how-to Web sites like PlaySports TV and tips from local pros. Just a few minutes of at-home research and your athletic cherubs will be swinging like Federer.

Money may not be able to buy you happiness, but it can buy your child a smile and an appreciation of literacy. Commerce Bank’s Kids Summer Reading Program offers your children the chance to start learning money smarts, as well as the opportunity to get $10 for simply picking up a book and reading.

Nothing says TGIF fun like a little open-wheeled motor sport action, so pack up your speed demons and start your engines in a hurry as you head to Arnold’s Family Fun Center for a go-karting adventure. Best of all, this venue doesn’t require you to leave your littlest racers at home, a it features three types of tracks for ages three to six, six to 12 and 12 and up.

Dog lovers unite at the Fourth Annual Commerce Bank Carnivale of the Dogs! This free Saturday afternoon family festival is a city-wide celebration of man’s best friend. Head down to Rittenhouse Square Park with your favorite fur ball and enjoy activities, tricks and treats!

Get your cubs’ creative juices flowing with fun (and free!) introductory art workshops at Main Line Art Center in Haverford. Fresh StART Workshops are broken into 45-minute sessions and are ideal for curious little artists wanting to get their feet wet. Choose from six hands-on classes, including ceramics, fibers, printmaking and more!