Keeping the kids busy on a budget can be a challenge, but there are a lot of programs and offers out there to help you enjoy it for less.
Check out these free downloads and special online offers:
- Free Subscription to American Baby Magazine
- FREE Beechnut Toddler Starter Kit
- Burger King Kid’s Club – Sign up and they will email you near your child’s birthday. For several years, it has been a free hamburger kid’s meal coupon that they send. It is valid for a month.
- IHOP – Free Rooty Jr. (you as the adult must sign up, then you can add your child’s information). The offer arrives via email 1 week before the birthday and is valid for 2 weeks total.
- Wildlife Explorer Kit for $3.99 Shipped
- FREE Playhousedisney.com
- FREE NickJr.com – Games, coloring pages and learning activities
- Free printable coloring pages
- Kids’s Summer Bucket List Printable
Be sure to pin or bookmark this post and come back often for updates and new events.
Thanks to More with Less Today for the list below.
:: American Girl Store Events
Special events differ by location. During July they include a Summer Flower Anklet Craft, Summer Reading Bookmark Craft, Pets Card Craft Event, Everyday Fun Doll ‘Dos, Princess Bitty Baby Story Time, and Meet the Author Tours.
Many of the American Girl in store events are free, however some have a fee and some have age restrictions. Get the details here and find participating stores.
:: Barnes & Noble
DC Comics Spectacular – July 23rd through July 27th – come in for a special offer on all DC Comics Graphic Novels plus giveaways and activities.
Comic Convention Weekend – July 24th through July 27th – find limited edition convention collectibles.
GetPopCultured Store Events now through August 10th – a nationwide celebration of popular entertainment themed events.
Storytime on July 29th at 11AM “What Do You Do With an Idea? “
During the month of July – participate in reading, Spanish word practice and activities- dates and times vary by store.
Find the times and participating Barnes and Noble stores here.
:: Container Store
Learn the Tricks of Organization on Saturdays and Sundays, now thorough August 24th. Find more information and find your closest Container Store here.
Small Things, Small Spaces Demonstration – 2 PM
How to Organize Your Mudroom – 4 PM
Parents and college students are invited to attend a private event at the Container Store featuring everything you need to get organized for college. Times and event dates vary by location.
:: Disney Stores
Disney Stores are offering Summer Play Days every day this summer now through September 1, 2014. The fun includes Art of Animation, Trivia, Story Time and Showtime. Check your local store for event details and times. Kids will receive a free button for participation each week.
:: Guitar Center
Saturday, July 26th {no age restriction}
10 AM – Recording Made Easy for GarageBand
10:15 AM – Group Guitar Lesson
Free Classes through their Music Mentor Series. Register at the Guitar Center website here.
:: Home Depot Workshop for Adults
Saturday, July 26th from 10 AM to 11:30 AM and
Sunday, July 27th from 1 PM to 2:30 PM
Come Improve DIY Skills. Learn home improvement skills at your favorite local store. Contact your local store for individual topics. You can pre-register online here.
:: Lakeshore Learning Store
Saturday, July 26th from 11 AM-3 PM
Kids make and take a Shake Noisemaker. Get more information here.
:: Lowe’s Build and Grow
Saturday, July 26th at 10 AM ~Kids build their Turbo Taco Truck. You can pre-register right here.
:: Michael’s Kids Club
Saturday, July 26th – 10AM – 11:30 AM
Kids Club – for $2 per child, you can reserve 30 minutes for kids to create while you shop at Michael’s. Sessions start every half hour from 10AM – 11:30. See a store associate to sign up.
:: Michael’s Summer Crafting Fun for Kids
Passport to Imagination arts and crafts takes place Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 AM to Noon. The cost is $2 for 2 hours.You can sign up now through August 1st.
Get more information here.
:: Microsoft Camp
Registration is open for free weekly in-store camps, now through August 29th. Camps are broken up into two age groups for Jr. Designers (recommended for ages 8-10) and Designers (recommended for ages 11-13), so choose the camp that fits your student’s interest and sign up today.
:: Williams-Sonoma Free Technique Classes
Saturday, July 26th {for kids} at 10 AM ~ Jr. Chefs will learn all about shakes from fruit to chocolate. Kids will learn how to combine different flavors and swirl in fruit sauce and a crunchy topping. This Jr. Chef Class is suitable for ages 5 and up. To reserve a spot, contact you closest store right here.
Sunday, July 27th {for adults} ~ We Love Tomatoes ~ join in and learn preparation tools for tomato recipes, knife skills and delicious ways to enjoy tomatoes. To reserve a spot, and find out specific class times, contact you closest store right here.
:: Summer Family Movies for $1
Regal Theaters on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings for 9 weeks. See the times, dates and locations here.
:: Summer Reading Programs for Kids
Retailers encourage free reading with free books and rewards! View programs from Barnes & Noble, TD Bank, Chuck E. Cheese, Pottery Barn and more! Read the entire list right here.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! COMING SOON……
:: Barnes and Noble
August 1st is Frozen Friday – Cool off with Olaf and enjoy story-time, sing-a-longs, crafts and activities.
:: Home Depot Workshop for Kids
Saturday, August 2nd from 9 AM to 12 PM ~ Build a mini-crate pencil holder. You can pre-register online here.
:: Lego Mini Model
Tuesday, August 5th at 5 PM. Kids ages 6 to 14 can build and take home a FREE Lego® Monkey Mini Build, while supplies last. Contact your closest LEGO® Store here for details.
:: Pottery Barn
Sunday, August 10th at 11 AM ~ Stylist Tips & Tricks for Your Home. Find a participating store and RSVP here.
More to Explore Throughout the Year:
:: Apple Camp
Enrollment is open for kids ages 8-12 to attend Apple Camp. This is popular free camp where kids can learn to make movies or create interactive books complete with their own illustrations and sound effects. Hurry, spots fill up quickly. Go here to sign up.
:: Apple Store
Free workshops – learn the basic of Mac, iPad, iPhone, or iPod. Learn how to create slideshows with iPhoto. Edit home movies with iMovie and more! Find your local store and make a reservation for a free workshop here.
:: Bass Pro Shops Free Classes
You can sign up for free workshops such as archery basics for kids, hunting, fishing, fly-fishing, camping, and boating. Contact your local store for their schedule.
:: FREE Beauty Events
Find free beauty events at local stores with free samples and demonstrations. Visit the website that keeps track of these right here.
:: Sephora: Free In Store Beauty Classes
Join the Sephora Beauty club {it is free} and attend free beauty classes inside Sephora stores to learn everything from building a skin care routine to creating the perfect smoky eye. Classes are held on Sunday at more than 60 stores across the USA. Check with your local stores for schedules and times.
:: Home and Garden Shows
If you like Home and Garden shows, this site will give you a free pass. Check the ACS Home Show site.
:: Michael’s Show In Tell {for adults}
Learn something new with in-store demonstrations for new craft ideas, techniques, and creative new trends. From cake decorating, jewelry making, art painting, paper crafting and more, get your local calendar of events right here.
:: FREE Major League Baseball Clinics
Through the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, kids can attend a free baseball clinic in many locations across the country. The free program is called Free Legends for Youth Kids Clinics.
:: FREE Bowling
Kids Bowl for Free at select bowling centers. Just join their mailing list to get notified of the next Kids Bowl Free Day.
:: Free Fitness Classes
Lululemon locations offer free yoga classes, go here for schedules and locations. Athleta stores offer free in store fitness classes, go here for schedules and locations.
:: Free Flying Lessons
Young Eagles – kids ages 8 to 17 experience aviation and get free rides in private aircraft flown by experienced pilots. Get more information here.
:: FREE Roller Skating
Kids Roller Skate for Free: Find the closest participating facility right here.
:: FREE Wine Tasting
Total Wine stores offer free wine tasting classes each weekend. Learn about specific producers, regions and varietals. Where allowed by law, participants receive special discounts on the wine being tasted. View the FREE Wine Tasting Schedule here.
:: Target – Free Community Events
Target is also sponsoring FREE community events ranging from free museum admission, free theater tickets, family activities and tours at some of our countries most famous venues. Times and locations vary by city. Find free family activities sponsored by Target in your area right here.
:: More Free Museum Dates
This site, www.freemuseumday.org, tracks free museum days in the following cities: Boston, Chicago,Los Angeles, New York, Portland, San Francisco Bay Area, and the Seattle Area.
:: Crazy Holidays This Weekend
Have some silly fun on a budget! Celebrate Milk Chocolate Day, Drive Thru Day, Cousins Day and more! Get the schedule here.
In Houston:
- Children’s Museum of Houston: Free Thursday 5 – 8 pm
- Houston Museum of Natural Science: Free Thursday after 2 pm
Vicky says
Don’t forget the Dock Dogs @ Discovery Green entrance is free.
http://www.discoverygreen.com/dockdogs