Best Sanity Saver

Kids Night Out at Hancock Rec. Center

Cheaper than a sitter, faster than therapy: 10 bucks a head buys parents a full night of downtime every Saturday from 6-11pm. And the offspring think it's their party; with popcorn and a movie plus a gaggle of rampaging peers, they don't even know they're being dumped. Two catches: kids must be at least three and toilet-trained, and you've got to reserve a slot by 5pm Wednesday. Spontaneity? Hah, you should've thought of that before you reproduced.

Hancock Recreation Center
811 E. 41st, 512/453-7765
www.cityofaustin.org/parks/hancock.htm