Inexpensive summer family outings

As a Mom on a budget, Im always looking for ways to save money.  As normal kids looking to have fun, my kids are constantly asking me to take them places where usually I need to bring lots of money.  It's hard to balance fun and budget.  Luckily there are lots of places that run promotions for families on a budget.  It helps to know these little tips, so I wanted to share them with my readers.  Do your research first, look online for dates and times, and call ahead to see if your local area is running the promotions.  In some cases, it may be only a few stores nation-wide who are participating, so it is worth it to make that phone call or check online before you head out and possibly disappoint the kiddos.



Free bowling!  Kids get two free games a day when you register at kidsbowlfree.com

Cheap movies at the theater!  Go to Showcase bookmark club   (kids must print out the book report info),   clearview , Cinemark , Regal where movies are only $1 each ticket (most do only Tuesdays or Wednesdays) and some even let kids under 6 get in for free!   Also google free outdoor movies.  A lot of towns do free movies in the town park or recreation center! Our local cinema shows older movies (not ancient movies, though) one day a week. 

Free movies at home.... text REDBOOK to 727272 and Redbox will send you a free movie rental once a month.

Free Gas, Free food!!  When you stay two nights at a Choice Hotel (Comfort Inn, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge, and eight others), you'll get free fuel or dinner in the form of a $50 gift card to a gas or restaurant chain. Go to Choicehotels.com for more information.

Oh 7-11..... On 7-11 day (July 11th) get a free Slurpee at 7-11!

Did someone say ICE CREAM????  Follow @BenJerrystruck and @BenJerryswest on Twitter to find where two Ben & Jerry's trucks will be stopping along the coasts. 

Roller Skating, anyone?? Register here http://kidsskatefree.com/ and you'll be emailed up to 4 skating passes each week.

Love books?  Do the Pottery Barn Kids' Summer Reading Challenge Or the Barnes and Noble "Imagination Destination" program.  Or, your check local library, of course!

Start a veggie garden!  Go to DougOster.com and Pittsburgh gardening writer Doug Oster will send you a packet of tomato seeds.  All he asks is that you send him some back at the end of summer so he can continue the program. 

Head to a park.... On August 25th, Its the National Park Service's 97th Birthday.  The government will waive fees to every National park.  Go to nps.gov for information.  Are you a Military family?  go to store.usgs.gov for a free annual pass that gets you into all federal parks (Its usually $80) Thanks for serving, Soldier!

Go to a museum.  If you are in Massachusetts, or the surrounding areas (or visiting sometime this summer), the Free Fun Fridays program has 60 museums giving free admission on Fridays throughout the summer. Click  HERE for the schedule.