These are just a handful of free activities being offered in the south metro area in the coming days.

Play and explore with a naturalist. Today, 10-11 a.m. Thompson County Park in West St. Paul. All ages. www.dakotacounty.us.

Meet a friendly collection of live animals. Friday, 7-8:30 p.m. Visitor Center, Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan. All ages. www.dakotacounty.us

Kick up your heels with the Rockin' Hollywoods, with a guest Elvis impersonation by Dakota County Attorney Jim Backstrom, right. A Community Kick-Off Event will be today for the County's Aging Initiative, "Living Longer and Stronger in Dakota County." All ages welcome. It will be at the Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Pkwy. (just off of Pilot Knob between Lone Oak and Yankee Doodle Road.) The band will play from 5:30- 6:30 pm and 7-8 pm. Backstrom expects to hit the stage at 6:45 p.m. or so.

Walk through the woods and look at sculptures along the way. Caponi Art Park. 1205 Diffley Road in Eagan. www.caponiartpark.org. (Visiting the park is free but a $2 donation is suggested).

Youth fishing contest. This is open to all ages but only those 13 and under are eligible for prizes. 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Saturday, Valley Lake Park in Lakeville, 16050 Garrett Path. www.dakotacounty.us

Mighty Machines and More exhibit. See snowplows, dump trucks, big rigs and more. Rain or shine. 10 a.m.-noon today, Heritage Library, 20085 Heritage Dr., Lakeville. 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, Wescott Library, 1340 Wescott Road, Eagan. www.dakotacounty.us

Free splashing -- for a day. Provided you live in Savage, you're invited to a free afternoon and evening at the water slides, fountains and lazy river of the city's outdoor pool during the annual Splash Bash from 3 to 8 p.m. Aug. 16. The pool is located at the Life Time Fitness Recreation and Aquatics Center, west of County Road 27 and north of County Road 42.

Mountain bike or walk on the trails at Lebanon Regional Hills Park. Or at any of the parks, bird-watch or take a nature hike. And for those lazy summer vacation days, order a book online and have it delivered free to the library nearest you.