Summer is finally here. If you are looking for frugal summer activities that your kids will enjoy, check out a few of the activities below. Most mentioned are linked to activities in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia areas, but visit your local stores website to see if the location closest to you is participating.
1. Apple Camp
Three-day workshops where kids ages 8 to 12 bring their imaginations to life.
Visit the site to register.
*Registration appears to be closed in areas close to me, but check your area or call your local store directly to see if they have spaces available.
2. Barnes & Nobles
- Events at the Rockville Store
- Bethseda
- Bowie
3. Bowling
AMF bowling lanes offer free bowling. However, there is a small cost for shoe rentals. Participants are given a summer pass and are then entitled to 3 free games per day. This promotion goes from May 18 – September 7, 2015
For more information visit AMF Bowl Summer Games * call first to make sure your location is participating.
KIDS BOWL FREE NATIONWIDE
To find other bowling alleys that offer free summer games, visit KidsBowlFree.com. Create an account and print your free bowling passes each week. Kids are allowed to play 2 free games.
4. Brookside Gardens
Open everyday from 9-5pm except on most major holiday.
General Admission is free
Visit Brookside Garden‘s website for more details
- Butterfly Exhibit (One of Brookside garden’s special exhibits is Wings of Fancy)
Dates: July 1st through Sunday October 25th
Times: From 10-4pm
Tickets: $8 for adults, $5 for children (ages 3-12)
5. College Park Aviation Museum
Hours: Open everyday from 10-5pm except on most major holiday.
Cost: $4 for adults, $2 for children, Free for children under 1.
Visit College Park Aviation Museum‘s website for more details
6. Disney Stores
Summer Play Days offer kids a chance to participate in a variety of activities such as story time, trivia, movies, and an art project.
*Learn more at Disney Store events here.
7. Free Concerts/Movies
Check out local Universities to see what concerts they are having because they often have shows for free that children will enjoy. Search the Internet for specific events in your area. Here are a few in NYC, Denver, CO., DC & MD, and NC
8. Lego Store
Free Mini Build on the first Tuesday of every month.
Times: 5-7 pm (Because of the popularity, it is good to arrive before 4 pm in order to receive a ticket to participate in the activity)
This has always been one of our favorites for years; however, the Lego store, now requires parents and others to register participating children prior to the mini-build.
* Unfortunately all of the time slots in July were full in the DMV area when I checked online, so it may be worth a try to call before you go.
9. Free Summer Reading Programs
Visit your local library and receive book list for your child’s age group. Many also offer cool prizes and incentives for reading.
10. Low Cost/ Free Movies
- Regal theaters across the US.
- Silver Spring – $1 movies at the Regal Theater on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10am.
- Academy 8 theater in Greenbelt, MD has free family movies on Wednesdays at 10 am.
- Bow Tie Cinemas (MD, CT, NJ, VA)
- MDL holiday Cinemas (Fredericksburg, MD), cost $1
- Cinemark – Summer Movie Club
- Arundel Mills – $1 movies Tuesdays at 9:30 am
- The Grand Theater in Southern parts of the US.
11. VBS
Many churches offer free activities for children. For a couple of hours your child can enjoy meeting new friends, crafts, snacks, and learning about God.
12. Michaels Craft Classes
Each week kids are given materials and instructions to complete a themed craft while in store.
Times: 10-12; Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Cost: $5 for each class or $3/ class when you purchase 3 classes.
Visit Michaels Store Event Page for more information
13. Free Museum Admissions for Bank Of America Customers
Every 1st full weekend of the month (dates are pictured above) Bank of America customers receive free admission to several museums. If you have a Bank of America credit or debit card, all you have to do is present it to the admissions desk at participating museums. The participating museums in the DMV and PAs area are listed below.
- Baltimore Maryland – The American Visionary Art Museum
- Washington DC – Newseum
- Portsmouth VA – Children’s Museum of Virginia
- Richmond VA – Children’s Museum of Richmond
- Allentown PA – Allentown Art Museum
- Philadelphia PA – Philadelphia Museum of Art
* National Constitution Center
* African American Museum in Philadelphia
* National Museum of American Jewish History
- See the complete list of 150 museums here
* Each card holder receives one free general admission to the museum. Remember this offer cannot be combined with other offers.
The Newseum in DC is offering free admission to kids under $18 now through Labor Day weekend. That’s a savings of $13.95 for each child 7 and over.
14. Pottery Barn Kids
Weekly Story times on Tuesdays from 11-11:30 (Join the book club and receive a free gift)
- July 17-Aug 20 Pottery Barn Kids is hosting a 1st Day of school Photo Booth Event.
Contact your local store regarding specifics.
15. Whole Foods
Kid’s Club (Recommended for ages 2 to 5)
- Visit your local store’s event page to find activities specific to your area.
- Silver Spring Schedule (July dates: 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 23, 29, 30)
- Howard County Schedule (Monthly story and snack for 3-5 yr olds.)
*Registration appears to be closed in areas close to me, but check your area or call your local store directly to see if they have spaces available.
For other Amazing Free Resources visit:
- Free In DC.
- Free and Low cost Howard County Activities
*Images are from the retailers webpages.