Free and/or Cheap family fun :)

[Pandora]

Summer is just around the corner & we all could use a little "down time" once in a while, yet most things cost an obscene amount of $ to do so; even a family matinee costs close to $50! But have faith, there are still some things you can do for little to no money - and for my family of 3, generally if we must pay admission/ticket fees, we havent spent over $30 for any activity.

1. Bowl!

most states have an AMF center - during the summer (beginning in May, ending mid September) AMF always offers their "Kids Bowl Free" program. You simply sign up (free) and every day up to 6 kids can bowl 2 games for free (shoe rental is extra however, but please see "Shoe" area below) and you can purchase a Family Pass for $25 for members 15 & older (up to 4 members) per pass, that includes 2 free games per day.

https://www.kidsbowlfree.com/earlybird/index.html

(click above, enter information - sometimes the site doesnt have up-to-date centers listed, so this will ensure you get notified).

Shoes: While most money is made due to shoe rentals at most bowling centers (average $5 per shoe rental) - you can avoid this wasted on-going cost by simply purchasing your own shoes. We purchased 3 pairs of shoes last year for about $50 total - and they paid for themselves within 4 visits of bowling. Remember if shopping online (we did), to look for promotional codes / discount codes before purchasing! Well worth the $, as we now have them and truly can bowl for FREE.

(I used www.bowlingball.com for our shoes and also used a promotional code to get a discount & free shipping)

Be sure to sign up for the AMF EClub savings - you will be emailed coupons for specials being offered (i.e., free bowling, $1.99 games, etc).

2. Local Area / City Events

Look online at your city and what free events take place weekly. Also check your local Parks & Rec Centers - many things cost no money or are under $5.00 for programs.

State parks are great adventures and so under appreciated

Also be sure to call all your local historical sites that you generally must pay admission for. Almost every one of them offer Free Open House tours every year where you can tour the facilities. Here in VA Monticello offers several free tours yearly.

Fairs - every county has them

3. Play Houses / High School Theater

Dont underestimate your local high school drama theater - some actually put on wonderful plays comparable to local play houses Also check your local play houses for upcoming shows - many are over 50% off per ticket and often children are free on certain evenings (our play house discount night is Friday evenings when tickets are only $5 vs $12-16, respectively.

4. Museums / Observatories: Many are free of charge and are a great way to spend the day. Our local observatory opens for free on the 1st & 3rd Friday of every month.

5. Wineries / Wine festivals: Many offer open houses for free, with tastings as little as $5 per person (unlimited tastings). For Wine Festivals if you pre-order tickets, you will save generally 50% off paying at the door (I've never paid over $12 for a wine festival ticket here in VA by pre-ordering). Many festivals have kids activities, big bands / live music. Much fun *please remember to have a designated driver!*

6. Local libraries: Many have free to low-cost programs year round.

[Freddy03]

Thanks!

Also the Regal Movie theaters offer Free Movie Tuesday and Wednesday during the summer. Yes the are older movies but it's still free

[Pandora]

Freddy.. I completely forgot about the movies! Thanks for adding

Anyone else have anything they know of that I've missed - feel free to add !

[papie]

Another thing on the movies- I generally hit them up on a Saturday during the day. Daytime movies have a huge discount (around here anyways.) I also go to the store and let everyone pick out one of the dollar boxes of candy (the exact same kinds they have in the theater for $3.50) and a bottle of soda. Then I do the unethical thing and shove it all into my large purse and break it out after the lights go down. I'm a little tacky like that.

I also rather enjoy historic sites, state parks, and hiking. A nice sunny day and a good picnic in the cooler make for a nice relaxing day- no cell phones, video games, TV's, or any of that jazz. There are so many beautiful places in this country that are close to home.

[tobee43]

Summer is just around the corner & we all could use a little "down time" once in a while, yet most things cost an obscene amount of $ to do so; even a family matinee costs close to $50! But have faith, there are still some things you can do for little to no money - and for my family of 3, generally if we must pay admission/ticket fees, we havent spent over $30 for any activity.

1. Bowl!

most states have an AMF center - during the summer (beginning in May, ending mid September) AMF always offers their "Kids Bowl Free" program. You simply sign up (free) and every day up to 6 kids can bowl 2 games for free (shoe rental is extra however, but please see "Shoe" area below) and you can purchase a Family Pass for $25 for members 15 & older (up to 4 members) per pass, that includes 2 free games per day.

https://www.kidsbowlfree.com/earlybird/index.html

(click above, enter information - sometimes the site doesnt have up-to-date centers listed, so this will ensure you get notified).

Shoes: While most money is made due to shoe rentals at most bowling centers (average $5 per shoe rental) - you can avoid this wasted on-going cost by simply purchasing your own shoes. We purchased 3 pairs of shoes last year for about $50 total - and they paid for themselves within 4 visits of bowling. Remember if shopping online (we did), to look for promotional codes / discount codes before purchasing! Well worth the $, as we now have them and truly can bowl for FREE.

(I used www.bowlingball.com for our shoes and also used a promotional code to get a discount & free shipping)

Be sure to sign up for the AMF EClub savings - you will be emailed coupons for specials being offered (i.e., free bowling, $1.99 games, etc).

2. Local Area / City Events

Look online at your city and what free events take place weekly. Also check your local Parks & Rec Centers - many things cost no money or are under $5.00 for programs.

State parks are great adventures and so under appreciated

Also be sure to call all your local historical sites that you generally must pay admission for. Almost every one of them offer Free Open House tours every year where you can tour the facilities. Here in VA Monticello offers several free tours yearly.

Fairs - every county has them

3. Play Houses / High School Theater

Dont underestimate your local high school drama theater - some actually put on wonderful plays comparable to local play houses Also check your local play houses for upcoming shows - many are over 50% off per ticket and often children are free on certain evenings (our play house discount night is Friday evenings when tickets are only $5 vs $12-16, respectively.

4. Museums / Observatories: Many are free of charge and are a great way to spend the day. Our local observatory opens for free on the 1st & 3rd Friday of every month.

5. Wineries / Wine festivals: Many offer open houses for free, with tastings as little as $5 per person (unlimited tastings). For Wine Festivals if you pre-order tickets, you will save generally 50% off paying at the door (I've never paid over $12 for a wine festival ticket here in VA by pre-ordering). Many festivals have kids activities, big bands / live music. Much fun *please remember to have a designated driver!*

6. Local libraries: Many have free to low-cost programs year round.

pandora...can i post this link onto the group.....

Tips on Saving Money! Learn Together!

http://www.bkforum.com/group.php?groupid=13

which was really your excellent idea to have a section about money saving tips....

[DesdemonaB]

Hi All

I found these over the winter to help us get out of the house every now and then:

Kids Workshops @ homedepot http://homeimproverclub.com/workshops just enter your zip code for local workshops

Build and Learn Shoos @ Lowes http://lowesbuildandgrow.com/Home.aspx

Pro Bass Shops offer a wide range of free workshops on fishing, hunting, boating and camping and @ noon on Sunday they feed the fish and give a workshop on the fish in the tank.

Don't forget the seasonally pass to your state parks - I understand in my state we are doing away with the daily rate and just using a "passport" sticker that goes on the license plate that can be purchased when you renew your plates. It will be 10.00 and can be used at all 98 state parks as well as the 66 boating access points in MI.

We have Museum Adventure Pass (MAP) where you visit your local public library and check out a pass for two or four free admissions to local museums, always check rules and restrictions.

Moms join some local mom2mom blogs, or Mom clubs in your communities they always have great tips on where to go and if there are any sales on tickets like BOGOs

We've camped in our backyard before - it helped get my girls ready for their first camping trip last year, the youngest crashed out and didn't move but the oldest got a little scared of the noises and it was so simple to walk her right to room, but she was right back out there the next night and stayed. They had a blast.

[tobee43]

Hi All

I found these over the winter to help us get out of the house every now and then:

Kids Workshops @ homedepot http://homeimproverclub.com/workshops just enter your zip code for local workshops

Build and Learn Shoos @ Lowes http://lowesbuildandgrow.com/Home.aspx

Pro Bass Shops offer a wide range of free workshops on fishing, hunting, boating and camping and @ noon on Sunday they feed the fish and give a workshop on the fish in the tank.

Don't forget the seasonally pass to your state parks - I understand in my state we are doing away with the daily rate and just using a "passport" sticker that goes on the license plate that can be purchased when you renew your plates. It will be 10.00 and can be used at all 98 state parks as well as the 66 boating access points in MI.

We have Museum Adventure Pass (MAP) where you visit your local public library and check out a pass for two or four free admissions to local museums, always check rules and restrictions.

Moms join some local mom2mom blogs, or Mom clubs in your communities they always have great tips on where to go and if there are any sales on tickets like BOGOs

We've camped in our backyard before - it helped get my girls ready for their first camping trip last year, the youngest crashed out and didn't move but the oldest got a little scared of the noises and it was so simple to walk her right to room, but she was right back out there the next night and stayed. They had a blast.

can i post them too??? on the saving money group discussion thingy???

[Pandora]

... Then I do the unethical thing and shove it all into my large purse and break it out after the lights go down. I'm a little tacky like that .

well scoot on over on that "tacky" 'bench sister - I need a seat! I refuse to pay $3.00 for a box of candy that costs me $1 at Walmart... I too have the "you could hide a baby in that purse" mentality, you're not alone in your way of thinking.

pandora...can i post this link onto the group.....

Tips on Saving Money! Learn Together!

Sure tobee - by all means!

[tobee43]

well scoot on over on that "tacky" 'bench sister - I need a seat! I refuse to pay $3.00 for a box of candy that costs me $1 at Walmart... I too have the "you could hide a baby in that purse" mentality, you're not alone in your way of thinking.



Sure tobee - by all means!

thanks....i'm going to post this entire post...LOL!!!!!!