Get the kids in the Olympics spirit without going to China

Some lucky (Peking) ducks are counting down to their trips to the Beijing Olympics, but the rest of us are doing fuel calculations and checking maps for what kind of family fun can be had upon the green, green grass of home this summer.

Mull over the following fun alternatives that might still get the family energized about the international sports festival without a costly journey to the 2008 Summer Olympics in China.

Some of the greatest Olympic moments took place on our own terra firma, and a visit to any of the previous or future North American host cities won't cost an emperor's arm and leg.

Nearby St. Louis, Mo., was the first American city to host the Summer Olympics in 1904 and the Midwestern town has plenty of family-friendly attractions including Forest Park, which houses the city's Science Center, Art Museum, History Museum and Zoo -- and with free admission.

Pencil in stops at the Missouri Botanical Garden and its new children's garden with a treehouse; the amazing Gateway Arch and free museum under the arch; an hour-long Gateway Arch Mississippi River Cruise; and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard that has been serving its secret recipe of sweet delight since 1929 right on the old Route 66.

Call (800) 916-0040 to talk with a St. Louis travel counselor, order a free copy of the Official St. Louis Visitors Guide or make hotel reservations. Peruse package deals at www.Explorestlouis.com.

Home of the 1932 and 1984 Summer Olympics, Los Angeles, Calif., boasts the Los Angeles Coliseum as a testament to both athletic summits. Note two statues on the site by sculptor Robert Graham (husband of actress Angelica Huston).

See the Walk of Fame's collection of stars (numbering more than 2,300 and growing by one or two a month); spend a day at the beach; visit Disneyland or Universal Studios Hollywood. There are so many itineraries you'll have to visit www.discoverlosangeles.com to narrow it down to your family's favorites.

Stay at any of the Doubletree Hotels in 150 family-friendly destinations across North America this summer and kids get a dose of Olympic excitement with an athletic-themed Doubletree kidsCAREpak. In association with the United States Olympic Committee, the hotel group offers complimentary backpacks for the 3-to-12-year-old set filled with a variety of Olympic-inspired games and activities.

Available at participating Doubletree hotels from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, the Go for the Gold pack includes a soccer-themed Hacky Sack; flying saucer; crayons and activity book; and a deck of playing cards. In addition, kids ages 18 and younger stay free in the same room with their parents or grandparents at all U.S. Doubletree properties (subject to room occupancy and local fire safety regulations).

For details about the Doubletree kidsCAREpak program and participating hotels, race over to www.doubletree.com/kidscarepak, (800) 222-8733.

If you stay at an Embassy Suites property between June 1 and Sept. 30, and book promotion code PBP, you help the hotel company support the future generation of Olympic athletes. Embassy Suites Hotels supports the Olympic Opportunity Fund through community-based youth athletic programs and owns two grants called Embassy Suites Giving Rising Athletes New Tomorrows (aka Embassy Suites G.R.A.N.T).

If that doesn't warm your heart enough, then how about the fact that each stay includes two exclusive Embassy Suites plush panda bears created by Build-a-Bear Workshop? Each panda bear has a United States Olympic Committee and Embassy Suites Hotel logo on the foot paws and comes with a $5 gift card hangtag redeemable at any Build-a-Bear Workshop store. (For each individual booking there will be a limit of two panda bears per family, but additional bears can be purchased at check-in for $10 each.)

For a list of participating Embassy Suites Hotels, go to www.EmbassySuites.com.

You don't have the spare $10,000 or so to take the family to China in this Year of the Rat? Try your luck in winning an eight-day trip to Beijing courtesy of the Super 8 lodging chain. The grand-prize winner in the Super 8 Celebrate the 8 Sweepstakes receives an all-expenses-paid trip to China that includes historical tours and accommodations at a Super 8 hotel in Beijing.

The first-prize winner snags two free nights at any Super 8 hotel in the U.S. and Canada, excluding Quebec, and a $100 gas card; 88 second-prize winners pick up free one-night stays at any Super 8 hotel in the U.S. and Canada, excluding Quebec, along with a $25 gas card. You don't have to buy anything to enter at www.super8.com, but enter by June 8 at 10:59 p.m.

While you're there, check out reasonable rates at the motels, which are independently owned and operated as a subsidiary of Wyndham Worldwide Corp. If you see something that works for your family travels, dial (800) 800-8000 for reservations.