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There's still a lot of summer left, but are you and the keiki already running out of things to do? Not to worry. Whether you're tightening those purse strings or treating loved ones to a special day out, we've got family-friendly suggestions for every budget.

1. SOAK IT UP

There's no better way to cool off from the summer heat than to get wet.

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Hit the beach. John Clark, retired Honolulu deputy fire chief and author of books such as "Hawai'i's Best Beaches" and "Beaches of O'ahu" has identified some favorite family-friendly spots on O'ahu: Kaupo Beach Park, also known as Keiki Pools (across the street from Sea Life Park); Kailua Beach Park; Waimea Bay Beach Park; Poka'i Bay Beach Park (on the Wai'anae Coast); and White Plains Beach Park (near Kalaeloa, formerly Barbers Point).

Spend a little

With a few inexpensive essentials, you can splash around and soak up the fun in your own backyard. Suggestions: kiddie pool, water balloons, sprinklers and water guns — even a garden hose will do.

Splurge like crazy

Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park offers lots of thrilling water rides like the Big Kahuna, Shaka and the new Tornado. Admission (not including tax) is $37.99 for adults, $27.99 for children 3-11, $16.99 for seniors 60 and older, and free for children 2 and younger. There are also discounts for kama'aina and groups, and annual passes. Details: www.hawaiianwaters.com or 674-9283.

2. BE ARTSY

Avoid the summer brain drain by keeping your keiki's creative juices flowing.

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Create an arts and crafts day with the kids. Gather up supplies you already have around the house to create paintings, collages, sculptures and other works of art. At the end of the day, honor your young artists with a family art exhibition and mini party complete with kid-friendly fare.

Spend a little

Check out The Contemporary Museum in Makiki Heights. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and students with a valid ID, and free for children 12 and younger. Details: www.tcmhi.org or 526-0232.

Splurge like crazy

Spend an entire day at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, the state's premier art museum with a collection of more than 50,000 works. Take a lunch break at the Pavilion Cafe, then end the day with a few souvenirs at the Academy Shop. Admission to the museum is $10 for adults; $5 for students, senior and military; and free for members and children 12 and younger. Admission is free on the third Sunday and first Wednesday of every month. Details: www.honoluluacademy.org or 532-8700.

3. GO NATIVE

You may live in Hawai'i, but how much does the family know about its culture and history?

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Spend a day at your local library — where it's nice and air-conditioned! — and read up on the history and culture of Hawai'i. Ask the librarian for suggestions on age-appropriate materials.

Spend a little

What better place to learn about Hawai'i than the Bishop Museum, the largest museum in the state and the premier natural and cultural history institution in the Pacific? It houses millions of artifacts, documents and photographs about Hawai'i and other Pacific island cultures. Admission for kama'aina is $8.95, $7.95 for children 4-12 and seniors 65 and older. Details: www.bishopmuseum.org or 847-3511.

Splurge like crazy

Visit the Polynesian Cultural Center, where you can learn about the people of Hawai'i, Samoa, Maori New Zealand (Aotearoa), Fiji, Tahiti, the Marquesas and Tonga. Kama'aina admission of $34.40 for adults and $26.40 for children 3-11 allows visitors to explore the seven villages and take part in family activities popular in all of Polynesia. Other admission packages available include a guided tour, evening show, authentic lu'au and more. Details: www.polynesia.com or 293-3333.

4. ANIMAL PLANET

What child doesn't enjoy wildlife up close?

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Hang out at your neighborhood park and point out all the different critters — dogs, birds, insects — to the little ones. Pack a picnic and make a morning or afternoon of it.

Spend a little

There's no better place in the state to see animals than the Honolulu Zoo, home to more than 1,000 mammals, birds and reptiles. Little imaginations can run wild with adventures in an African savanna or tropical forest. Admission is $8 ($4 for kama'aina 13 and older with local ID), $1 for children 6-12, and free for children 5 and younger. Details: www.honoluluzoo.org or 926-3191.

Splurge like crazy

Star of Honolulu has a Wild Dolphin Watch & Lunch cruise, where you can observe spinner dolphins and other marine life in their natural habitat. The Hoku Nai'a, a 149-passenger, two-deck catamaran, was custom-built for eco-friendly dolphin watching. Cost for kama'aina is $52.65 for adults and $31.59 for children 3-11 (valid ID required); that includes a gourmet burger lunch. Departs from Wai'anae Boat Harbor; transportation available from Waikiki or Ko Olina for an additional fee. If you don't see dolphins, you can schedule another cruise at no charge. Details: www.starofhonolulu.com or 983-7827.