Now that we've gone over 100+ free things to do this summer, let's explore the cheap ones. I didn't really have a budget in mind here, but these are the things I could think of that would cost at least gas, food or a reasonable amount of money.
RANDOM FUN
- Many places offer 2 free games of bowling every day all summer! You will just need to pay for shoes and possibly drinks. Check AMF, and kidsbowlfree.com. Brunswick offers 1 game a day.
- Chuck E Cheese. If you go to just play it's not bad, basically everything is just 25 cents. Also if you are like me I cruise around and pick up all the bonus tickets I see on the floor shibby! CEC also offers a ton of charts where your kids can earn 10 tokens for completing something cool. I love that they offer a "No Nose Picking" one now. Sadly as a mom of boys....it is needed. They also offers coupons if you do want to eat.
- Fast food playplace. You are probably thinking, shouldn't this be on the free list? Possibly, but how many of us every really go and don't end up buying ice cream, a drink or even a full on meal? I tell my boys they get X and that's what we do. It's air conditioned, a controlled environment, a bathroom and you can take a book, or your laptop.
- Rollerskating. What's up junior high flashback?! This is pretty cheap and most places offer fun themes, discount days & more.
- Local Rec Center. Lots of fun things to do for a couple bucks each. If you get a membership you can save even more.
- Search summer pass and your city's name.
- Go to a festival. Again this could be free but you are bound to buy something there.
- Visit the farmers market.
- Go garage sale hopping. Visit garagesalefinder.com to find them and even map out your route.
- Take a mini vacation to a family members house.
- Take a road trip through the mountains or country.
- Have a lemonade stand. Bonus points: hold one for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.
- Take cookies to the fire station or donuts to the police station.
- Tye-Dye clothes.
- Make jewelry. Use your own beads or pick up a few in the clearance section of the craft store.
- Have a shaving cream fight.
- Build a Fairy House. I am dying to do this!
- Make a working volcano
- Go to another city and explore. Window shop, get an ice cream, check out their park.
- Go camping.
- Make milkshakes or sundaes.
- Play mini-golf
- Buy a family membership to your favorite place in town, the one you know you will go to 15 times and it will be totally worth the money. Ours is the zoo.
MOVIES
- Regal offers $1 movies Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 AM. Sign up for their Crown Club and you can even credits for free popcorn, sodas & more.
- Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse. 10 movies for $5 (AWESOME) or $1 each if paid at the door.
- Carmike has $4 kids movies
- If you have a drive-in near you they are freakin amazing! You get to pull in with your mom van, bring food, snacks and see typically at least 2 movies. There aren't too many left anymore so get to one if you can!
- Check out your local discount movie theater. That is the #1 place we go when we see movies.
COUPONS AND DEALS
- You can literally type in the place you want to go, plus coupon and you are bound to find one.
- Groupon. I am a little embarrassed to say I didn't know Groupon offered discounts to places like bounce houses, mini golf & etc. I recently found out and have been stocking up for the summer. If you get waaaay too many emails from these deals sites check out Yipit. It is a giant mash up of all the sites AND you get to check your preferences which is nice.
- You can get coupons for all kinds of things on Ebay. Including fast food, restaurants, attractions and more. Just be sure you check for any restrictions (like excluded states) and expiration dates.
DINING DEALS
- Visit My Kids Eat Free or Kids Eat 4 Free and don't worry about dinner. If you don't find much close to you pick a bigger city and you should get more of the national deals.
- 50 cent ice cream cones at Burger King until Aug 5th.
- EatDrinkDeals.com lists tons of offers and coupons.
No comments:
Post a Comment