Here’s a Ton of Fun That Doesn’t Break the Bank : Summer won’t be a bummer with plays and exhibits galore.

Summertime, and the living is easy. But it’s not always cheap.

With the kids clamoring for junkets to pricey theme parks and water parks, your summer expenses climb almost as fast as the mercury. Even a trip to the beach can leave a big ding, what with the price of parking, snacks and such.

It doesn’t have to be thus. From nature hikes to concerts to theater, there are scads of free or low-cost ways to keep the clan entertained right through the dog days. (If you’re feeling flush, there are also some worthy options that will run you a few nickels.)

To get you going on summer fun, we’ve put together a sampler of June events. Now, scat. And get a great start on summer, kids.

Today

* “Major Art/Minor Artists” features hundreds of multimedia works by grade school students in Santa Ana Unified School District’s Special Studio Program and the Orange County Museum of Art’s Partners program. The exhibit continues through June 13. OCMA South Coast Plaza Gallery, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. Free. (949) 759-1122.

Saturday

* “Generation Why?,” a new play by JoAnna Downey, is based on thoughts, experiences and conflicts of today’s teens, the so-called Generation Y. The work was created by Downey with input from South Coast Repertory’s Teen Players and show director Laurie Woolery, who present the play Saturday and Sunday on SCR’s Second Stage. SCR, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Saturday at 4 and 7 p.m.; Sunday at 2 and 5 p.m. $5. (714) 708-5555.

* Broadway on Tour children’s theater in Orange opens a musical version of “The Jungle Book.” Performances continue Saturdays only through July 10 (dark July 3). BOT, 2190 N. Canal St., Orange. Saturdays at 11 a.m. $6; reservations suggested. (714) 282-8148.

* Bowers Kidseum invites kids to pan for “gold” and listen to tales from the Gold Rush era. The free program is held in conjunction with the Bowers’ “Art of the Gold Rush” exhibit, which closes Sunday. Bowers Kidseum, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana. 1 to 3 p.m. Free with admission, $4-$8. (714) 480-1520.

* Christopher Robin is being sent off to the dreaded “Education,” and his stuffed-with-fluff pals are in a dither. So it goes in “The House at Pooh Corner,” a children’s show by the CTP/Laguna Niguel Playhouse Youth Theatre. Recommended for ages 4 and up. CTP/Laguna Niguel Playhouse, 23811 Aliso Creek Road, Suite 150. Performances at 1, 2:30 and 6 p.m. $7 (949) 425-1771.

Sunday

* AIDS Walk Orange County steps off from UC Irvine’s Mesa Field at 9:30 a.m. Targeted to raise $650,000 for education and support programs, the event features the 10K walk, food and the Music for the Cause concert at 10:30 a.m., featuring the Jumpin Jimes swing band and ska band, Senza Motiva. Walk registration begins at 7:30 a.m. AIDS Walk Orange County at UCI’s Mesa Field, Campus and University drives. (949) 955-1400.

June 12

* Want to cozy up to a crab? You can at the first annual Ocean Discovery Day at the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve. The free event includes catch-and-release fishing for sharks and rays--participants get to name their catch before sending it on its way--a Crab Lab, a baby grunion release, plus information booths, arts and crafts and other marine-themed activities. There’s also a sneak peak at the new Bay Discovery Center being built on-site and a Queen of the Bay contest. Upper Newport Bay, 600 Shellmaker Island, Newport Beach. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free parking and admission. (949) 640-6746.

* Craig ‘n’ Co performs the first of several mini-concerts for kids by noted recording artists being held this month countywide at Zany Brainy toy stores. The show is at 3:30 p.m. at the Zany Brainy in Mission Viejo, 27741 Crown Valley

Parkway. (949) 348-0420.

* Summer at the Block at Orange retail and entertainment complex offers loads of free entertainment. From 1 to 4 p.m., kids can make hand-painted ties for Dad’s Day. Throughout the day, look for free juggling and magic shows, as well as Dixieland and barbershop music. Performances and workshops continue weekends and some weekdays through Aug. 29. Watch for a big Legoland exhibit June 19. The Block at Orange, 20 City Blvd. West. Free. (714) 769-4000.

June 13

* A stitch in time nets family time at the Irvine Fine Arts Center. Held in conjunction with its new exhibit, “Stitched Stories: Art of the Quilt,” the Family Day event features hands-on workshops in simple quilting techniques such as “yo-yo” and stamping, plus folk music, refreshments and other activities. The “Stitched Stories” exhibit runs June 11 through Aug. 22 and features approximately 30 unique handmade quilts. Irvine Fine Arts Center, 14321 Yale Ave. Family Art Day activities are from 2 to 4 p.m. Gallery is open daily. (949) 724-6880.

June 18

* It doesn’t get much cheaper than this. At a buck a shot, kids tickets to the Just for Kids shows at Pearson Park Amphitheatre are one of the best summer entertainment deals around. The series begins with Funny Stuff Circus, featuring mime, magic and lots of audience participation. Performances for the rest of the series, which continues through Aug. 20, include Peruvian music and dance, professional storyteller David Novak and a Wild West show. Pearson Park Amphitheatre, Lemon and Sycamore streets, Anaheim. $1 for kids 12 and younger; $2 for adults. (714) 765-5274.

* Rock ‘n’ roll to dreamland at a free concert by Parachute Express at 7 p.m. at the Zany Brainy toy store in Brea, 810 Imperial Highway. (714) 672-9032.

June 19

* You otter be there when the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific marks its first anniversary with Sea Otter Summer. Through Aug. 31, you will find special exhibits, activities and animal presentations that teach about this adorable (but surprisingly non-cuddly) marine mammal. The aquarium’s orphaned otters recently grew to three with the arrival of a pup from the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Sea Otter Research and Conservation Center. You can take in nearly four dozen exhibits showcasing other animal and plant life of the Pacific Ocean, as well as special family workshops on selected dates (additional fees may apply). Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way. $7.95-$14.95. Advance purchase recommended. (562) 590-3100.

* Extreme Wheels Totally Live!, a show featuring top in-line skate, skateboard and BMX athletes, opens in Knott’s Berry Farm’s Pacific Pavilion. It’s part of Snoopy’s Extremely Cool Summer, which continues through Sept. 5 with special events and promotions throughout the park. Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park. Shows and activities free with park admission, $13-$29 for Southern California residents. (714) 220-5200.

June 20

* Start Dad’s day off on the right foot at the Rancho Mission Viejo Land Conservancy’s Father’s Day Walk. Informed docents lead the way and discuss the local flora and fauna. Off 5 Freeway at Ortega Highway in San Juan Capistrano. $2-$3; reservations required. (949) 489-9778.

* The European Family Festival at the Bowers Kidseum features music from Eastern Europe performed by the Koroyar Musical Ensemble, Ukrainian egg decorating demos, hands-on workshops, regional storytelling and more. Bowers Kidseum, 1802 N. Main St., Santa Ana. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free with admission, $4-$8 (good for both the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art and Bowers Kidseum). (714) 480-1520.

June 26

* Songstress Joanie Bartels bops with the kids at two free concerts. At 12:30 p.m., she’s at the Santa Ana Zany Brainy store (763 S. Main St.) (714) 954-0075; at 3:30 p.m., she’s at Zany Brainy in Brea (810 Imperial Highway). (714) 672-9032.

* Shake it up at an outdoor concert by Katia Maraes & Samba Guru Brazil Band at Mission San Juan Capistrano. The performance kicks off the mission’s Music Under the Stars Concert Series. BYO picnic dinner or buy a box dinner on site. (Also this summer, the mission hosts a series of day camps and Saturday at the Mission programs for children. For information, call [949] 248-2048). Mission San Juan Capistrano, Ortega Highway and Camino Capistrano. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. $9-$10. (949) 443-2063.

June 27

* The 81 youngsters of the Paul McNeff KidSingers and the adult chorus, Paul McNeff Singers, pay musical tribute to the U.S.A. in their summer pops concert, “America Sings.” First Presbyterian Church of Santa Ana, 600 N. Main St. 3 p.m. $5-$10; reserved seating available for $20. (714) 525-7464.