Are your kids bored yet?

In other words, are they driving you crazy yet?

Summer vacation is nearing its halfway point. You’ve done the local park. You’ve done the blow-up pool. Bike riding, video game playing, it’s all getting old.

Here are a few low-cost ways to entertain kids in metro Detroit before school buses return to your block.

TOUR A FIRE STATION: Many municipalities will arrange for a free tour of a fire station. You don’t have to be part of an organization. Just round up a few other families with bored kids and submit a request in writing at least two weeks before your desired visit date. When you go, you’ll see a fire truck, of course, but also some of the other parts of the station, like the famed kitchen area.

MUSEUM PASSES: Check into which museums in your area offer locals days or free kids activities. You might be surprised how many of them are craving a day with your kids.

TAKE TO THE FARM: Want your kids to understand where food comes from? Take them on a tour of a local organic farm. One option is Westwind Milling in Linden, about an hour north of metro Detroit. Arrange your own tour or, on Aug. 29, take advantage of the farm’s brown bag lunch day with a three-hour tour that offer hands-on learning about the milling process, the local foods movement and the history of the mill in Michigan. Adults, $10 , children under 12, $5. Details: westwindmilling.com

GO BOWLING: Visit kidsbowlfree.com to see participating local alleys. Kids can bowl two games a day when they sign up for the program.

SWING A HAMMER: Both Home Depot and Lowe’s offer free kids crafting clinics. Home Depot’s workshops are the first Saturday of the month; check HomeDepot.com for more information. At Lowe’s, lowesbuildandgrow.com, upcoming workshop is Aug. 14 (a bug box). Registration is required at both stores.

HEAR MUSIC: Free outdoor concerts abound. Check your town’s official website or the park and recreation department’s website.

By KRISTA JAHNKE