Because I Like Free Things (Maybe You Do, Too)

I am breaking tradition from my typical rambling and randomness to post some information that readers may actually find helpful. I'm talking about Summer Reading Programs and free/cheap things to do! Here is a rundown of what I have found:


1. Go to the libraries! Every library that I know of has now gone to an online process to register and log in books for their "Make a Splash" summer reading programs. Here are the links...since it is online this year I think I am going to register at all of them!!

Hershey - click here

Dauphin County - click here

Cumberland County - click here

2. Metro Bank will deposit $10 in a savings account for your child (new or existing) if they read ten books this summer. I can't believe I didn't follow through with this last year! We had already logged books for the library, so I only needed to take the time to copy them over to the Metro Bank book log. I am now scolding myself in my firmest Mom-tone "That's like throwing money down the toilet". Click here for more info so you don't have to give yourself a lecture like I did.

3. Book stores like Borders and Barnes & Noble are both giving kiddos under twelve a free book if they read this summer. Just stop in to pick up a reading log at Borders (I could not find anything on their website) or download a summer reading passport here from Barnes & Noble.

4. Kids Bowl Free sounded too good to be true last year and I was like "what's the catch?” There is none other than you have to pay to rent the shoes! You can get more information and register for the program here.

5. Don't forget mid-week morning movies at many movie theaters this summer. Yes, you have probably seen most of the movies, but who doesn't like going to watch a movie on the big screen, especially on a rainy day? Here is the Great Escape summer schedule. Get there at least a half hour early!

6. Soon, the 2010 Entertainment Books will be marked down to 50% off their list price and you can take advantage of all the Buy One Get One free coupons for places you go to, especially in the summer months. We even ordered one for Florida last year when we went there on vacation. We spent $12.50 on the book and saved over $100 using the coupons! Click here for more information.

7.  Go to Chuck E. Cheese with the kid's report cards and Reward Calendars.  Also, make sure you invest in the refillable drink cups, if you haven't already.  We've spent about an hour at Chuck E. Cheese, first thing in the morning with our drink cups and free tokens. We also get coupons via email and I'll purchase a hundred tokens for about $15 and that should last us for two trips, along with the free ones we always get. Click here to print the reward calendars.

I think that's all I have for now. Please comment if you have anything else that you would like to add to the freebies/super-cheap list!