Angel Atthlay sold tickets to the dollar show at the Broadway Theater.

Connie Koenegstein, left, watched her son Kasey putt toward Humpty Dumpty at Southeast Discount Golf.

Area children have been out of school more than a month, and there's only so much recreation to be had in one's home and yard. Parents often are left looking for ways to keep their children entertained.

Lucky for Mom and Dad, Cape Girardeau is home to several forms of family fun, and most of it fits within a middle-class budget.

The newest recreational facility is Cape Skate, a roller-skating center at 620 Commercial St. It opened in April next to Big River Grand Prix -- a new go-cart track -- behind the former Big Al's nightclub.

Manager Robert George has worked at skating rinks in the St. Louis area and said Cape Girardeau was ripe for a similar enterprise here. Some investors in Cape Skate are from Cape Girardeau and remembered roller skating years ago -- an activity unavailable here for more than a decade.

And, while Cape Skate's site isn't very visible now, it will be when the road leading from Kingshighway to the new Mississippi River bridge is complete.

So far, business has been steady but not booming. George said the cooler months are more popular for skating, but people trying to escape summer's heat have been coming out lately.

"We're getting a varied group," he said. "Generally, kids 3 and older can begin skating, and we rent skates small enough for them. But we've had people in their 50s and 60s out, too."

In the fall, Cape Skate will offer lessons for all ages. Roller hockey leagues are forming now.

George said roller skating gained more popularity when it was included in the 1996 Olympic Games schedule. Athletes will perform artistic skating, roller hockey and speed skating.

The rink is closed Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, but open various hours on Wednesday, Friday and the weekend. Various types of skates, including high performance and in-line, are available for rental. For more information, potential skaters can call Cape Skate's clever number -- 334-ROLL.

There are plenty of other activities, too. Younger children often enjoy a trip to Chuck E Cheese, which features rides, games and a large mouse hawking pizza. The business recently banned smoking and stopped selling beer in a move to contribute to a family-type atmosphere.

"We're a big birthday spot," assistant manager Kevin Schweiss said. "Chuck comes out in costume once and hour, and the kids just love him."

Older teens looking for a video challenge may go to Videos `N' Creme in the Town Plaza, and younger children can enjoy Kids World inside the video rental-arcade. Kids World features a ball pit, a popular place where children bury themselves under colorful plastic spheres.

Parents can escape the heat and save money by taking their children to matinees, available at all Cape's movie theaters. The Broadway Theater is the most economical, showing older movies on the big screen for $1 a person.

Those who enjoy being outdoors might like Southeast Discount Golf at 1900 Kingshighway, which features a driving range, miniature golf and batting cages. Owner John Schmoll said lots of customers hit golf balls on the driving range while keeping an eye on their children at the nearby miniature golf course.

The fees are reasonable -- $2 a person for miniature golf, $15 for a family bucket on the driving range, and 25 cents for 10 pitches at the batting cages.

The city has several other businesses and activities appealing to families, including bowling, ice skating and fast-food dining. Parents don't have to go any further than the yellow pages to find them.