FUN, FRUGAL & FREE SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

My friend over at Coupon Savvy Sarah is our guest blogger today! Check out this huge list of free and cheap activities to do this summer while your kids are out of school! In the comments, let me know what activity looks the most fun to you! Don't forget to check out Coupon Savvy Sarah too!

School's Out for the Summer!!! Now What? 

Here are some fun activities that you can do with your kids that are frugal or free!!

FREE MOVIES!

Have a Rave Cinemas near you? They have their FREE FAMILY FESTIVAL with 9 weeks of free movies for you and your children - CLICK HERE to find a location nearest you and I would suggest emailing customer@ravecinemas.com for a list of dates, movies & times. 

BONUS: There is a coupon on their site for a FREE Upgrade to Icee with a Kids Combo Purchase

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN FANS - CLICK HERE FOR THE FLINT SCHEDULE

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** HERE is another link to MANY MORE movie theaters with FREE/discounted kids movies for the summer **

(Thanks About.com)

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Don't forget to check out KIDTOONS for their year-round Kid-friendly movies at your local theaters!

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FREE BOOKS!

 

  Check out your LOCAL LIBRARY for summer reading programs!! They often have programs where kids track their hours/books to earn free books & prizes!

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN FANS - Click HERE for info on our summer reading program

 

Barnes & Noble has a Summer Reading Program - have your child(ren) read 8 books and record them on this sheet HERE then turn it in to your local BN store for a FREE book from their pre-selected books for this summer!

Scholastic Summer Challenge - Kids can sign up and log their reading minutes to win cool rewards with this FREE online program from Scholastic. Parents can get reading tips, book lists and track their kids reading either online or on their phone. Go HERE for more details and to sign up, just click on the “Get Started” button in the lower right corner and then click on join now in the pop-up box.

iVillage and PBS KIDS have created a six-week, “Summer Reading Community Challenge” set to start June 18th. Program includes a daily email with reading tips and fun activities from the experts at PBS KIDS and Scholastic, book suggestions and discounts, free downloads of PBS KIDS shows, and a daily chance to win $1,000 and other great prizes. You can sign up HERE by entering your email address.

Pizza Hut Book It! is once again inviting kids to join in the Summer Break Reading Challenge Sweepstakes! To enter, kids need to be in grades K-6 during the 2011-12 school year and meet the challenge of reading five books. 50 lucky winners will receive a “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” summer fun prize package including a Summer Break Tote Bag, Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book Series 1 thru 5, Diary of a Wimpy Kid DVD, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules DVD, and a $20 Visa Gift Card. Go HERE to print your entry form and get more details.

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FUN STUFF!

* LOCAL MUSEUMS - they often have summer camps for kids over the summer. PLUS Target offers FREE Museum visits at certain museums nationwide - CLICK HERE FOR ONE NEAR YOU!

      GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN FANS - check out SLOAN LONGWAY'S Summer Camps & Events HERE and fun events at the FLINT CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

* FREE BOWLING - Head over to KIDSBOWLFREE.COM to sign your children up for TWO FREE GAMES each day per child this summer ($500 value)

* FREE SKATING - Head over to KIDSSKATEFREE.COM to sign your children up for FREE Skating this summer!

* LOCAL/COUNTY PARKS - Check out your local parks & recreation for fun family activities!

     GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN FANS - check out Genesee County Parks for more INFO and a schedule of events

* STORYTIME & ACTIVITIES at Barnes & Noble - Check out your local B&N store's website for FREE storytimes, crafts and activities for your children!

* FREE HOME DEPOT KIDS PROJECTS -  Head over to Home Depot's website for more information on their once a month FREE Kid's Workshops in which the kids get to build a work project - these usually run the first Saturday of the month!

* FREE LOWES KIDS PROJECTS - Head over to Lowes Build & Grow website for more information on their TWICE a month FREE kids projects!! Registration is required - there are some upcoming Madagascar 3, Shrek and Kung Fu Panda themed projects in the coming months!

* FREE KIDS MEALS - Head over to KidsEatFree.com and KidsMealDeals.com for some awesome deals on free kids meals for a fun night out with your family - or while you are on vacation!

* LOCAL LIBRARY EVENTS - Head over to your local library's website for fun activities that are usually free throughout the year!

   GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN FANS - check out GENESEE DISTRICT LIBRARY'S SITE and view schedule of events per library location!

* FARMERS MARKETS - Check out your local farmer's market!! There are always fun activities for kids - plus it supports your local farmers!! Click HERE to find a market near you!

   GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN FANS - check Flint Farmer's Market website HERE

 * CHUCK E CHEESE - Sign up for the Chuck E. Cheese’s e-club for exclusive coupon deals, get FREE tokens on your child’s birthday, kid’s activities and rewards! Just go HERE and enter your email address to get started on great ways to save on food & fun. You can also go HERE to download FREE Rewards Calendars to help your kids earn FREE tokens for good behavior. 

  * JOANN FABRICS - Check out their website for free demos and in store events for yourself and your children!

  * MICHAELS CRAFT STORES - Check out their website for free demos and in store events for yourself and your children! Their FUN Passport adventure is back for kids and it consists of some free activities and some that require a small in-store item purchase to do the project!

* LAKESHORE LEARNING - Head over to their website for their schedule of FREE CRAFTS for kids every Saturday from 11-3pm!

 

Thanks for sharing Coupon Savvy Sarah!