FREE SUMMER PROGRAMS + EVENTS

As summer is slowly coming to an end, some of you may be asking…what else is there to do with my family? Besides day trips and vacations, sometimes the best things in summer are FREE (or almost free!). I have compiled a list below of ideas for you and your families to enjoy over the next couple weeks…before summer vacation ends, and back to school begins! Enjoy 🙂

1. Movies

There are several movie theaters in the Kansas City area (where I live), which offer FREE movie deals (rated G or PG). Whether they are in a theatre or outside, either way its a fun way to spend time with your family. Almost all of the movies shown are older films, already out on DVD, but its still good practice for the little ones. PLUS, you can usually bring your own snacks!

• Cinemark (admission is only $1.00, Mon thru Thurs)
• Regal (admission is only $1.00, every Tues/Wed)
• Phoenix Theatres (in Kansas City ~ Legends, admission is FREE every Tues/Wed) 
• Dickinson Theatres (in Kansas City, admission is only $1.00, Mon thru Thurs)
• Moonlit Movies next to the Pharoah Theatre (in Independence, MO, admission is FREE, every Thurs)
• Movies in the Park (there are several local parks that show movies outside on a big screen or wall for FREE every Friday night) You can click here for the entire list in KC

2. Story Time/Reading Programs

When it comes to FREE books, you know I am always going to be there with my girls! All of the following ideas provide you with 1 – 3 free books, when you turn in a finished reading summer list. At our library the ages start from birth and up, and even have programs specifically designed for your children that read or whom are in highschool. Yay for FREE books!

• Border’s Double Dog Dare: by Aug. 26
  Kids 12 and under will earn a FREE Book from Borders & Walden Book locations when they read 10 books this summer as part of the “Double Dog Dare” Summer Reading Program (as you know all of these stores are closing soon, but I called this week to see if they were still doing this program and they said YES!)
• Barnes & Nobles’ Imagination’s Destinations: May 24-Sept. 6
  The Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program encourages readers to read books of their own choosing and earn a FREE book, simply by following these three easy steps: 1. Read any eight books this summer and record them in this Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Imagination’s Destination Journal. Be sure to let us know to whom you would recommend each book, and why. 2. Bring your completed journal to a Barnes & Noble store between May 24th and September 6th, 2011. 3. Choose your FREE reading adventure from the list featured on the back of the journal.
• Local Library (MidContinent ends July 30th!)
• Check your Local Book stores
• Pottery Barn Kids (10 and under, can complete one of the reading lists and turn it in for a FREE book. Valid until 08/24)
• Chuck E. Cheese Reading Rewards: through Dec. 31 Children can earn free tokens for Chuck E. Cheese when they record their reading progress on this Reading Rewards Chart.
• Pizza Hut’s Summer Break with Book-It: June 15- August 15
  Kids across the country are invited to take part in the Summer Break Reading Challenge Sweepstakes. From June 15-August 15, kids who were in grades K-6 during the 2010-11 school year and who meet the challenge of reading five books, will be eligible for a chance to win a slammin’ summer prize package!

3. Bowling

Bowling is sooo much fun! And during the summer there are several places that offer FREE bowling for children ages 16 and under. Click on the two links below to find a bowling center near you that is participating! Most of these deals don’t expire until closer to September.

• AMF: https://amf-summer-unplugged/
• Kids Bowl Free: https://www.kidsbowlfree.com/

4. For those of you that live in Kansas City area,  here are some more ideas:

a. Crown Center
Right now they have the Rainforest Adventure, going on until September 5th (which is FREE) & of course there is also Kaleidoscope!

b. Johnson County Museum
Some friends and I visited KidScape last week, and really liked it! Its also FREE and has a lot of fun interactive areas for preschool age and under.

c. Spraygrounds
All of these should be FREE, and have a park/water spraying out of the ground. My fav one is in Grandview 😀

d. Concerts/Festivals
There are several FREE events throughout the KC area during the summer, and too many to count for this upcoming Fall! I cannot wait!

Post published by Melissa Roach, our Product Review & Giveaway Specialist.
Melissa is a Full Time Mom & Blogger HERE (please check out her blog!)