The best things in life are free.

And the best time to enjoy the free stuff is right after the holidays, when you may have spent more than you had intended.

Luckily, we've rounded up lots of good choices. And keep in mind, most of the kid-friendly organizations listed here feature free entertainment all year long. On Pages 9-11, you'll find even more options for affordable fun, for adults as well as children.

KIDS' ACTIVITIES

LIBRARY LISTS The variety of entertainment at local libraries may be the best-kept secret in town – but we're going to spill. Check out your neighborhood branch and pick up a schedule of upcoming events. Here's what caught our eye this week in Dallas and Plano.

{TriRight} Bookmarks at NorthPark Center: Hear Miss Jenny from Dallas Heritage Village play the dulcimer and enjoy songs from Dallas violinist Richmond Punch, a Juilliard graduate. Kids can also make holiday crafts. It's part of the Dallas Public Library Children's Activity Series, presented by Atmos Energy. Saturday at 2 p.m. at Bookmarks library in the mall (on Level 1 between NorthCourt and CenterPark), North Central Expressway at Northwest Highway. 214-671-1381. www.northparkcenter.com.

{TriRight} J. Erik Jonsson Central Library: Programs are at the Children's Center (on the second floor),

1515 Young St. 214-670-1671. www.dallaslibrary.org.

• Family-friendly cartoons and films. Saturday and Sunday at

2 p.m.

• Musician and author Mister Willy tells stories and performs. Tuesday at 2 p.m.

{TriRight} Grand-Gaming events in Plano: Teens and kids can bring grandparents and show off skills on new Wii and PlayStation games; seniors are encouraged to learn to play with help from their grandchildren or teen volunteers. Programs run from 2 to 4 p.m. at all five Plano libraries. 972-769-4250. www.planolibrary.org.

• Monday at Haggard Library,

2501 Coit Road; and Parr Library, 6200 Windhaven Parkway.

• Tuesday at Harrington Library, 1501 18th St.; and Davis Library, 7501-B Independence Parkway.

• Wednesday at Schimelpfenig Library, 5024 Custer Road.

NOON YEAR'S EVE Want to celebrate New Year's without staying up until midnight? Here are two party options.

{TriRight} Radio Disney AM 620 Dallas: The seventh annual Radio Disney Noon Year's Eve event will be at the YMCA North Park in Fort Worth. Kids will count down to noon with a balloon drop to cap the festivities. We're talking 100 balloons, and prize giveaways including a Nintendo Wii, a 10-inch LCD Mickey TV, an autographed Mavs basketball, season passes to Hawaiian Falls, Heelys shoes and tickets to NASCAR at Texas Motor Speedway. Wednesday from

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the YMCA,

9100 N. Beach St., Fort Worth. RadioDisney.com/Dallas.

{TriRight} Borders and Waldenbooks: The stores are hosting parties where kids can make New Year's Eve party hats, hear stories and learn to say "happy new year" in a variety of languages. Also on tap: a chance to predict the future, play games, have a parade, sing and take part in an early countdown to the new year. During the celebration, adults will be offered free samples of Seattle's Best Coffee drinks and baked goods (at Borders stores only). Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. Use the store locator at www.borders.com to find the nearest Borders or Waldenbooks location.

BOOK IT Looking for another free bookstore event? Try this: PajamaRama Storytime focuses on The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett and includes cookies and coloring activities.

{TriRight} Tonight at 7:30 at Legacy Books, 7300 Dallas Parkway, Plano. 972-398-9888. www.legacybooksonline.com.

MUSEUM MADNESS Museums can be a great source of free events for kids. Some of our favorites are Target First Saturdays at the Nasher Sculpture Center (the first Saturday of every month), Target Second Saturdays at the Latino Cultural Center (the second Saturday of every month) and First Tuesdays at the Dallas Museum of Art (the first Tuesday of every month). If you're looking for some cool stuff happening this week, check out Free Family Fridays (today and the last Friday of each month), featuring the Fort Worth Museum of Science & History and National Cowgirl Hall of Fame exhibits in Fort Worth.

{TriRight} Today from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, 1720 Gendy St., Fort Worth. 817-336-4475. www.cowgirl.net, www.fwmuseum.org.

The family-friendly fun includes:

• "Top Secret: Mission Toy": Examine and learn about toys from around the world at this exhibition.

• Kidspace: Kids up to age 6 can take a trip to the Kids Market; put on a puppet show; build a house; experiment with balls, blocks and vortexes; or pay a visit to the ATM.

• Hands On Studio: Encourages kids to explore, create, design, build and experiment.

• The Cowgirl Experience: Three interactive galleries showcase the pioneer spirit of the women of the American West.

GALLERIA HAPPENINGS Showtime Saturdays means free family entertainment every

Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at Galleria Dallas. Coming up this weekend is Cathy Whiteman, who promises to put some dramatic oomph in her holiday storytelling.

{TriRight} Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at Galleria Dallas (on Level 3, adjacent to the Play Place and Slappy's Puppet Playhouse), 13350 Dallas Parkway. 972-702-7100. www.galleriadallas.com.

KWANZAA FEST The South Dallas Cultural Center is hosting its annual family-friendly Kuumba Celebration on Wednesday as part of the citywide Kwanzaa Celebration. The event features dance performances, a kinara lighting and art exhibits celebrating Kuumba, the Kwanzaa principle of creativity. Everyone who brings a zawadi, or cultural gift, will receive a gift to take home.

{TriRight} Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the South Dallas Cultural Center, 3400 S. Fitzhugh Ave. 214-671-0058. www.dallasculture.org.

FIND ADDITIONAL cost-cutting ideas online. dallasnews.com

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