Free (or cheap) family-friendly activities and resources
Audio books - Books Should Be Free
Free audio books from the public domain. Download a free audio book in mp3, iPod or iTunes format.
Bowling - AMF Free Bowling
This summer, your children 16 and under can bowl for free at your local AMF. Sound too good to be true? It’s not! Just register your children to get weekly coupons via email for two free games per child per day all summer long. Children love bowling; it’s fun, active, social and local and – best of all – it’s FREE! That’s how AMF does summer!
Bowling - Kids Bowl Free (Canada and U.S.)
Two free games of bowling every day. All summer long. Bowling centers, schools, and other organizations work together to launch a super summer activity option for kids and families across the country.
Crafts - Some Free, some inexpensive events (Michaels)
Michaels' new program, The Knack lets your kids explore their creativity through a wealth of great ideas, projects and crafts designed just for them. And to enhance kids' creative experience, Michaels offers fun in-store events and activities for kids and their families to enjoy -- from The Knack FreeSM Family Events (free to participate) to The KnackSM Saturdays, during which kids ages 5-12 will create their own fun craft for only $5 per child, including supplies. The KnackSM Saturdays have 30 minute sessions at 10, 10:30, 11 or 11:30 am.
Crafts, wood - Free Kids Workshops (Home Depot)
Kids Workshops are FREE "How-To Clinics" designed for children ages 5-12. The workshops are offered on the first Saturday of each month between 9:00 a.m. and noon at all The Home Depot stores.
Crafts, wood - Free Build and Grow Clinics (Lowes)
FREE Clinics are offered on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. Project information and internet sign-up registration available at this link.
Geocaching
Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment.
Letterboxing
LETTERBOXING is an intriguing pastime combining navigational skills and rubber stamp artistry in a charming "treasure hunt" style outdoor quest. A wide variety of adventures can be found to suit all ages and experience levels. Click on the desktop items above to explore this fast-growing hobby. A great way to break up a roadtrip with a little treasure-hunt!
Movies - Free Family Film Festival
We have planned a fun-filled summer of select movies for kids and parents. Regal has proudly offered this free summer fun since 1991. Oh, did we mention that it’s FREE!
Selected G or PG movies start at 10:00am every Tuesday and Wednesday during the festival. Tickets and seating are first-come, first-served and are limited to theatre capacity.
The Free Family Film Festival is safe, lots of fun and a great way for kids to spend a weekday morning in the summer. Tickets for our 2010 Free Family Film Festival are exclusively available at select theatres’ box office on the day of the show.
Museums - Free museum entrance for military families
More than 600 museums across the U.S. are offering free admission to military families in the summer of 2011.
National Parks - Free entrance days 2012
America's Best Idea – the national parks – gets even better with several fee-free days at more than 100 national parks that usually charge entrance fees. Mark your calendar for these fee-free days in 2012:
- January 14-16 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday weekend)
- April 21-29 (National Park Week)
- June 9 (Get Outdoors Day)
- September 29 (National Public Lands Day)
- November 10-12 (Veterans Day weekend)
Here’s a tip – many of your 397 national parks NEVER charge an entrance fee.
National Parks Junior Ranger
Many National Parks offer visitors the opportunity to join the National Park Service Family as Junior Rangers. Interested students complete a series of activities during their park visit, share their answers with a park ranger, and receive an official Junior Ranger badge or patch and Junior Ranger certificate.
Penny Passport
A great way for a military child to document their travels. Collect elongated pennies from museums and other tourist attractions and store them in the Penny Passport.
Restaurant Kids Eat Free (Frugal Living TV)
On this website you will find a list of over 50 places where kids eat free or for very cheap! While the majority of the listings are places where kids eat free some of the restaurants charge a small amount – in most occasions $.99 so they are not actually “free” but a very good deal nonetheless. You will also find that some of the restaurants where kids eat free have certain restrictions whether it be limited hours on a certain day, the number of kids eating free per purchasing adult or age restrictions.
Copyright Benita Koeman 2008 - 2012
resources
Military supporters, churches
Military chaplains
Organizations that support
Resources for
Encouragement
Military life
Free downloads for kids
Free (or cheap)
Family-friendly activities
Other helpful links:
Audio books
Bowling
Crafts
Crafts, wood
Geocaching
Letterboxing
Movies
Museums
National parks
Penny Passport
Restaurants - Kids eat free
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