Guide: FREE or Cheap Summer Activities for Your Family

Sometimes the struggle of parenting during the summer is keeping the kids entertained!  Now, don't get me wrong here!  I'm on team, "Mom's not entertaining you 24/7."  However, I'm also on team, "Mom keeps her peace when the house stays clean!"

We are keeping a loaded docket to bust summer boredom and I'm sharing it with you!

Let's Dive Right In!

Here's your guide to free or cheap summer fun...

1. Regal Summer Movie Program

The Summer movie program goes from the end of May until the beginning of September (varies per location for school schedules).  Every Tuesday and Wednesday, Regal offers a summer movie for only $2 per person.  Tuesday is also half priced popcorn with your Regal Crown Club Card.  Be sure to sign up for this, too, it's Free!

Pro Tip: I ask for additional trays (like the nacho trays) and divide the popcorn up for the boys so they aren't all reaching in the bag/bucket the whole time.  You can also ask for cups and fill them up at the water fountain if you're really looking to save a bunch!  I mean, those big bottles of water are like $7 or something crazy.  They also offer a kids snack pack option around $5 or $6 which includes popcorn, candy, and drink (locations and options/items may vary).

You can check out the summer movie schedule here.

If you don't have a Regal Cinemas near you, check out your local theaters and see if they participate in something similar!

2. Kids Bowl Free

The Kids Bowl Free program offers each child 2 free games of bowling PER DAY throughout the summer.  The schedule runs from June 1 through August 12 for our closest location (this may vary for you).  Each participating location has a particular set of hours for the free bowling so be sure to note that!  

They also offer a family package for parents/grandparents for a reasonable price.  This allows you to bowl alongside your kiddos for the entire summer.  It starts at $34.95 for 2 adults and goes up for 4 adults.  I will say, I almost didn't sign up for it this year for myself.  I backed out at the very end of the sign up.  When I did this, they offered me 25% off the family pass package and that quickly changed my mind.  So, you may want to give that a shot, too, and see if they offer you the same discount!  The program may vary for you, but it doesn't include shoe rental for us, but was relatively cheap per person (I think it was $3 per person for our bowling alley).

Sign up for this program here.

3. Movies in the Park

Check out your local library or parks and recreation schedules.  You may find that they offer free movies in the park this summer.  Grab your blankets, chairs, and snacks and set up on the lawn (or wherever it's hosted) and enjoy a movie night with your family!

4. Local Library Activities

Never under estimate your local library summer activity options!  We are excited to participate in some things like: how to draw, petting zoo, lizard day, bubble brigade, and more!  Head over to your local library online to view their summer schedule and start marking your calendar!

5. Local VBS

Vacation Bible School is sometimes the MOST exciting week all summer!  The church we've been attending had the most EXTRAVAGANT VBS last year that I have ever seen! More importantly, the kids learned so much about Jesus while having a blast all week!

6. Summer Reading Program -- Book It!

Anyone remember reading all summer and earning free pizza at Pizza Hut?!  Guess what?! That program still exists!  You'll need to enroll in the Camp Book It! for the summer.  This program is from June to August.  It's available to Pre-K all the way to 6th grade (Ages 4-12).  They also offer a school year program as well, if you decide to keep going!

Head over here to enroll in the summer program. 

7. Home Depot Kid's Workshop

This program is the first Saturday of each month from 9am-12pm.  It is free and is first come, first serve.  Be sure to sign up ahead of time on their website.  The workshop offers a fun and interactive build/activity for you to do with your kids. Sometimes, you are able to just pick it up and take it home to do as well. 

Sign Up Here.

I hope this guide was super helpful for you to have fun on a budget this summer!  Be sure to tag me on social media, @thequiverfullmomma, and share with me all the fun your having with your family!

You are loved.

Praying for you,

-Cara, The Quiver Full Momma