Free or Affordable Family Friendly Summer Activities

Summertime is upon us and most families are preparing for vacations and family getaways.  Last year we created a list of nationwide summer activities and programs that were either low-cost or free for families.  Affordable and fun Summer options is usually an important factor for most parents, especially in today’s economy.  The following is another updated list of some summer programs and options nationwide and online.

• Libraries across the country have summer programs (reading contests, music, movies) that are the free to the community and are suitable for all ages groups. More information at http://www.publiclibraries.com/ or http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/libraries/librarysearch/.
• Museums and Children’s Museums have summer hours, exhibits and special interactive programs for children of various ages. Local museums and children’s museums information can be found at http://www.museumsusa.org/ and http://www.childrensmuseums.org/index.htm.
• Blue Star Museums are offering free admission to active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day, May 28, through Labor Day, September 3, 2012 at http://www.nea.gov/national/bluestarmuseums/index2012.php.
• Summer Educational Resources from U.S Dept. of Education, Scholastic, Scholastic Summer Reading, RetailMeNot.com, FamilyEducation.com, Barnes & Nobles (Free Summer Reading Books), Bill Nye the Science Guy, iVillage.
• Vacation Bible Schools (VBS) are often low cost day camps that offer fun activities, crafts, music, and outings centered around a specific theme in a religious environment. Find more information about VBS, including local locations at http://www.lifeway.com/n/Vacation-Bible-School,  http://www.familychristian.com/church-resources/vbs.html, and http://www.christianbook.com/vbs/1293701885, http://store.whatsinthebible.com/pages/curriculum.

• In select bowling centers across the U.S. and Canada, children can bowl free during the summer. Find participating bowling centers in your community at http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/.
• Regal Cinemas, United Artists, and Edwards Theaters will be participating in the Regal Summer Movie Express. Select Regal Cinemas, United Artists and Edwards Theatres will offer selected G or PG rated movies for only $1.00 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:00am. Find participating theaters at http://www.regmovies.com/summermovieexpress/default.aspx.
• Cinema de Lux, Showcase or Multiplex Cinemas kids have to earn free tickets to participating Cinema de Lux, Showcase or Multiplex Cinemas during Bookworm Wednesdays. By submitting a book report, kids receive free admission to select children’s movies on Wednesdays. Accompanying adults and children under six receive free tickets without submitting a book report.
• Cinemark the Summer Movie Clubhouse and Cinemark shows children’s movies for just $1 per show, or $5 for 10 shows when purchasing tickets in advance. Cinemark operates 298 theaters in 39 states, so there’s a good chance you can find one nearby.
• Movie theaters offering free or low cost movies for kids at http://www.mrfreestuff.com/free-or-cheap-summer-movies-for-kids/.
• Children’s Theatres often offer discounted or free plays for young audiences. Find more information at http://www.assitej-usa.org/ or see Kids Night On Broadway (New York and National events) at http://www.kidsnightonbroadway.com/.
• Michaels has craft events during the summer that are for kids and families available at http://www.michaels.com/on/demandware.static/Sites-Site/Sites-Michaels-Library/default/TheKnack/index.html and http://www.michaels.com/Store-Events/store-events,default,pg.html?cm_sp=mik-_-the%20knack-_-store%20events
• Macaroni Kid is a free weekly community newsletter that delivers family-friendly events and outings within the local community. Find local information at http://national.macaronikid.com/.
• Disney summer crafts and activities at http://familyfun.go.com/summer/summer-crafts, http://family.go.com/crafts/pkg-holiday-and-seasonal-crafts and http://family.go.com/.
• Nick Jr. and Nickelodeon summer fun ideas at http://www.nickjr.com/summer-activities/ and http://www.parentsconnect.com/.
• PBS KIDS summer games and summer reading challenge at http://pbskids.org/read/, http://pbskids.org/island/activities/.

• Kids eat free locations nationwide can be found at http://www.mrfreestuff.com/101-restaurants-where-kids-eat-free/, http://mykidseatfree.com, http://www.kidseatfor.com/, and http://allkidseatfree.com/.
• Applebees Kids eat for free on Tuesdays (or Mondays in select locations so call ahead to verify) evenings between 5-9 pm. For each paid adult entree, 2 childen (ages 12 and under) will eat for free – no coupon required at http://www.applebees.com.
• Bennigan’s: Kids eat free on Tuesdays at http://www.bennigans.com.
• California Tortilla: One free kid’s meal per adult meal purchased at http://californiatortilla.com.
• Captain D’s: Two free Kid’s meals with any adult entrée purchase at regular price at http://www.captainds.com.
• Chick-fil-A: Kids can eat a free kids’ meal at Chik-fil-A on Tuesdays for Family Night Promotions at http://www.chick-fil-a.com.
• Cici’s Pizza: Kids 3 and under eat free from the Cici’s Pizza buffet at http://www.cicispizza.com.
• Denny’s: Kids can eat free at Denny’s from 4pm to 10pm at participating Denny’s at http://www.dennys.com/#/specials/eat.
• Golden Corral : Children 10 and under eat free from 5pm to 9pm on Mondays at http://www.goldencorral.com.
• IHOP: Kids eat free at IHOP if they are 12 and under daily. Kids can get 1 free kids’ menu item per adult meal purchased from 4pm to 8pm at http://www.ihop.com.
• Moe’s Southwest Grill: Tuesdays kids eat for free at Moe’s with the purchase of an adult meal at http://www.moes.com.
• Red Robin: Kids 10 and under can eat for free on Monday (and Tuesday in select locations) from 5pm to 9pm at http://www.redrobin.com.
• Steak n Shake Kids eat FREE at Steak n Shake on weekends for every $8 spent.  Remember, offers may change or vary by location, so always call first to make sure your location is participating. Children must be 12 years old or under to participate at http://www.steaknshake.com/.
• TGI Friday’s: Mondays and Tuesdays (select locations) kids 3 and under can eat for free at http://www.tgifridays.com.

• The YMCA has summer camps, exercise and swimming lessons for the entire family. Information about the YMCA and summer camps at http://www.ymca.net/ and http://www.ymca.net/camp/. The YMCA also provides military outreach initiative and respite child care at http://www.ymca.net/military-outreach/.
• Little Leagues offer a wonderful opportunity for children to be part of an organized sport, be active and learn sportsmanship. Local leagues can be found at http://www.littleleague.org/Little_League_Online.htm.
• Summer Camps, whether day or extended, offer the opportunity for fun outdoor experience, educational venues, and structured play. A directory of summer camps can be found at http://www.summercamps.com/ and http://www.acacamps.org/.
• U.S. State Parks have camping specials for families during the summer, including free entrance days in the national parks. Information is available at http://www.nps.gov/index.htm, http://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm and http://camping.about.com/.  All active duty military can receive a free annual pass to National Parks and sites.
• Theme parks and water parks have special summer hours and discounts for families to enjoy a day at the park. Locate local amusement parks at http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/themeparks/locator/index.php, http://www.themeparkcity.com/USA_index.htm and http://themeparks.about.com/.
• Petting Zoos and Pick Your Own Farms are a fun family outing that provides access to animals, fruits and vegetables. Find local petting zoos and pick your own farms at http://www.pumpkinpatchesandmore.org/index.php and http://www.pickyourown.org/.
• Zoos and Aquariums offer special hours, discounts and children activities during the summer. Find local zoos and aquariums at http://www.officialusa.com/stateguides/zoos/, http://www.aza.org/, and http://www.americanzoos.info/.
• Volunteer Match has comprehensive list of volunteer opportunities that are age appropriate including virtual volunteer options at http://www.volunteermatch.com.
• Florida Residents passes for Universal Studios (and Islands of Adventure) at http://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/Florida-Resident-Tickets/Summer-Offers.aspx.
• Florida Residents passes for SeaWorld Orlando at http://seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-orlando/Pages/Annual%20Pass.
• Florida Residents passes for Walt Disney World at http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/florida-residents/.