Summer Vacations

So it hasn't even been a week since school ended, and already family bonding sounds like a cruel joke. Could this possibly be your child -- with the piercing squeals, the mood swings, the bull-in-a-china-shop way about your house? Well, one thing is for sure: You and your kid need a break. The following five children's film series offer just the thing -- a wide selection of movies, across the city, throughout the week, both night and day. The Saturday Morning Film Club, the Alamo Drafthouse's ongoing series overseen by Harry Knowles, serves up some forgotten children's classics -- like Forbidden Planet (see photo) or this Saturday's Escape to Witch Mountain. Plus, because it's the super-cool Alamo, kids are treated to things like rare trailers and cartoons before the films start. Meanwhile, Regal Cinemas and General Cinemas traffic in contemporary movies like The Iron Giant and Babe: Pig in the City. But for pure, hedonistic comfort, nothing beats "Splash Party Movie Nights," when you can just wallow in your inner tube at Deep Eddy Pool and soak in a film. But throughout the summer, these series offer what you so desperately need: entertainment and relaxation. Now that's family bonding.

General Cinemas Summer Camp

This 10-week children's series starts at 10am every Wednesday and Thursday at the following theatres: Highland 10, 6700 Middle Fiskville (454-9564), Barton Creek 14, 2901 Capital of Texas (306-1991), Great Hills 8 (794-0059). $3 (includes a child-sized popcorn and drink). www.generalcinemas.com

May 31-Jun 1: The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland (G)

Jun 7-8: Muppets From Space (G)

Jun 14-15: The Rugrats Movie (G)

Jun 21-22: Stuart Little (PG)

Jun 28-29: Pokémon: The First Movie (G)

Jul 5-6: The Iron Giant (PG)

Jul 12-13: The King & I (G)

Jul 19-20: The Wizard of Oz (G)

Jul 26-27: The Prince of Egypt (PG)

Aug 2-3: Quest for Camelot (G)

Regal Cinemas Free Film Festival

Every Tuesday and Wednesday, two children's movies -- one G and one PG -- play at 10am at Westgate 11, S Lamar & Ben White, and Lakeline Mall Cinema, Hwys 183 & 620. Seating is on a first come, first served basis. 335-4793. www.regalcinemas.com

May 30-31: Charlie Brown (G), Leave It to Beaver (PG)

Jun 6-7: Babe: Pig in the City (PG), Baby Geniuses (PG)

Jun 13-14: Rugrats (G), Madeline (PG)

Jun 20-21: Anastasia (G), Good Burger (PG)

Jun 27-28: Elmo in Grouchland (G), Spice World (PG)

Jul 4-5: Milo & Otis (G), Dudley Do-Right (PG)

Jul 11-12: Muppets From Space (G), October Sky (PG)

Jul 18-19: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (G), Snow Day (PG)

Jul 25-26: Air Bud 2 (G), Stuart Little (PG)

The Paramount Theatre's Kids Classics

This series runs Sunday afternoons and Tuesday evenings through Sep 9. $6 ($4 students, kids, seniors, matinees before 6pm). 472-5411. www.theparamount.org.

Sun, Jun 4, 1pm & 3:10pm; Tue, Jun 6, 7:20pm: The Wizard of Oz (restored)

Sun, Jun 11, 1pm & 3:15pm; Tue, Jun 13, 7:30pm: The 7th Voyage of Sinbad

Sun, Jun 18, 1:15pm & 3:20pm; Tue, Jun 20, 7:20pm: The Princess Bride

Sun, Jun 25, 2:30pm & 4:45pm; Tue, Jun 27, 7:15pm: Singin' in the Rain

Sun, Jul 23, 12:30pm & 2:30pm: Charlotte's Web

Sun, Jul 30, 1:30pm & 3:15pm: The Three Stooges Meet Hercules

Sun, Aug 13, 12:30pm & 2:30pm: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Alamo Drafthouse Saturday Morning Film Club

Films screen at noon on the last Saturday of every month, at the Alamo Drafthouse, 409 Congress. Free admission for children and the adults with them. The series will continue into the fall; check Alamo calendars or Web site for updates. 867-1839. www.drafthouse.com.

May 27: Escape to Witch Mountain (1975, G)

Jun 24: Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971, G)

Splash Party Movie Nights

Austin PARD's ever-popular program runs every Saturday, beginning at dusk. 401 Deep Eddy Dr. Refreshments are available for a small fee, and there is a nominal admittance charge. 472-8546.

May 27: E.T.

Jun 3: The Goonies

Jun 10: Muppets From Space

Jun 17: Grease

Jun 24: Revenge of the Creature From the Black Lagoon (3D)

Jul 1: Star Wars: Episode 1 -- The Phantom Menace

Jul 8: The Iron Giant

Jul 15: The Tigger Movie

Jul 22: The Wizard of Oz

Jul 29: Galaxy Quest

Aug 5: Snow Day

Aug 12: The Road to El Dorado

Aug 19: Pokémon: The First Movie

Aug 26: My Dog Skip

Sep 22: Stuart Little