What do you do when you are a parent and your kids are home with you all summer? I learned a few years ago that there is a lot to do in the summer; if you just know where to look! I am a homeschool Mom, so I wanted to find activities that were fun and educational for my children, and also light on the pocketbook! Here is an awesome list of places that offer free events for kids in the summer.
The first Saturday of the month, Home Depot offers a free build a craft workshop for kids. It is from 9 am to 12 pm but it is first come, first serve so you may want to get there early to make sure your child receives a kit to build. Apron and hammer are provided (Parents do have to sign a waiver for child to use) and your child receives a pin to put on their apron and certificate once the project is completed.
Lowe’s also offers a similar build a craft project that usually focuses on the latest DreamWorks movies. This one you do need to sign up for online to guarantee a spot for your child and it is from 10 am to 11 am every other Saturday. Apron and hammer are provided (Parents do have to sign a waiver for child to use) and your child receives a badge for their apron and certificate once the project is completed.
If you have a Pottery Barn Kids store near your house, they offer free story time every Tuesday from 11 am to 11:30 am. Your child receives a passport and after five visits, gets a free prize from the store. They also are having a free Reading Challenge where you get a prize after completing the required books on the store’s list. There are also various events going on through the summer for Father’s Day and Super Hero days!
There is a program where kids can bowl free during the summer. Check out this great post for more information on how your kids can bowl for free.
TOYSRUS stores offer various free events during the summer so check back often to see if they update the schedule but it is usually a free Lego build, which my sons love!
Barnes&Noble bookstores offer various story times through the summer and usually have a snack and an activity to follow up the story.
IKEA offers a free kids (ages 12 and under) lunch every Tuesday and if you sign up for the free IKEA card, you get a free coffee or tea every time you visit the café. They also offer free crafts and activities where your child gets a T-shirt, take home craft and sometimes a snack! They also get a card that gets stamped at every event and once the card is filled out, they get a prize.
Disney Store is offering a free event everyday this summer from June 3rd-Sept. 1 in their Summer Play Days. Check your local store for times and schedules
If you have a Westfield mall near your house, check out the WFamily Fun Days in the summer where they have story times, kids activities, and snacks. If you don’t have a Westfield mall, try looking up your local mall and see if they offer fun activities as well
Check your local library for fun events and activities in the summer. The library system where I live offers events in multiple locations all summer long! Some library branches you may have to get there early depending on how busy it is where you live.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23.
Summertime learning doesn’t just have to be about academics. It is a good time for character building and socialization.
I am so thankful for all of these companies and places that realize education can still happen in the summer and they make it fun for them! It is also a great time for the kids to socialize and even for a parent to socialize. What places do you know about in your area that offer free summer fun for kids?
#homeschool #kidsfree #freesummer
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Kelly- these are some great ideas! We have done several of the Lowe’s and Home Depot build days, and, as a mom of mostly boys, I can attest that this is a great way for dads and sons to bond over something “manly”. My daughter and I enjoyed them, too, though :0)
Thank you, Michelle! I have only boys so it is wonderful time for daddy and son bonding, plus daddy is much better than mommy at building those crafts! Thanks for leaving a comment and I hope you have a great summer 🙂
We like to check out the free events at the local libraries and enjoy many of the different festivals that go on during the summer. The museums are another great place to check out for free events.
The libraries do an amazing job in the summer with all the kids programs they offer and I love that it is free! It’s wonderful that all these place offer free events and festivals. Museums is a great idea! Most of the museums in my area are things you have to pay for so that’s awesome you have free events by you! Hope you have a fun summer and thanks for commenting 🙂
I have heard of the Home Depot program but I am glad to find out about LOWES…these are some really great ways to keep the Kiddies active throughout the summer. Thanks for much for compiling and sharins them 🙂
Mrs. Tee, there is so much to do in the summer that sometimes we have days where we have to pick which event to do because some of the events overlap and are at the same time on the same day. Glad that you enjoyed me sharing some fun summer activities and hope you have a nice summer! Thanks for commenting 🙂
I really need to get it together and take my kids to at least one or two of the Lowe’s/Home Depot workshops this summer. I really think my girl would especially enjoy it.
Jamie, it’s a lot of fun! I hope you and your daughter get a chance to go to at least one! Lowe’s you have to register in advance and Home Depot you want to get there early just to give you a heads up! Thanks for commenting and Happy Summer to you 🙂
If there is a bass pro shop near by, they are also doing a fun summer camp through July 13! games, activities, crafts, workshops, and even a catch and release pond! (some activities are only weekends and others are weekends, Tuesdays and Thursdays!) We went today and had a blast!
Amber, that sounds awesome! I am glad you and your family had a great time! My husband loves Bass Pro Shops and it is Father’s Day weekend coming up…I may have to see if there is an event going on this weekend, then daddy and the boys will be happy! Thanks for commenting 🙂
Stopping in from the Wine’d Down Wednesday link-up. These are some really fun ideas! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Mandee, thanks for stopping in! I hope you get a chance to try some of the ideas out. The stores do a great job of putting all of the events together. Thanks for commenting!
Great ideas! We have tried Home Depot before on Saturdays but never knew Lowe’s did the same thing, I will have to check that out. We love fun and free = a win/win right! Stopping in from Wine’d Down Wednesday to say hello 🙂 Enjoy the rest of your week.
Thanks, Heather! You can not beat fun and free, this is true! Hope you get a chance to try Lowe’s out; they usually have the Dream Works themed crafts which are so much fun! Hope you have a great week as well and thanks for stopping in 🙂
These are great ideas and I love that you talk about learning character–that’s as important (if not more) than academics!
Thanks, Carrie! There is plenty of time for academics but I believe character building at a young age (or at any age) is crucial. It helps when they are younger I think though lol! Thanks for commenting and have a great summer 🙂
Love this post, the name of your blog, and your great ideas! I am definitely going to use some of these ideas for our summer days 🙂 Thanks so much for linking up to Wine’d down Wednesday!
Cathy
Thank you for all of your kind words and for allowing me to link up on Wine’d down Wednesday! I hope that you and your family are able to use some of these ideas and have a wonderful summer 🙂
Wow! I did not think you would have so many things on your list! My little one is too little for all this fun now, but I’m glad I know all of it exists for the future.
Our town does movie night Mondays at an outdoor amphitheater and I believe they are always family and kid friendly movies. I think we’ll take our little ones to that in the future. 🙂
I found you through the BeYouTiful link up.
Jess
CheapSkateBeautyBlogger.blogspot.com
Thanks for finding us through the BeYouTiful link up, Jessica! I love outdoor movies! It’s so much easier with little ones to do movies outdoors or at a drive in movie. I hope you will be able to do some of these activities in the future with your little ones! Have a great summer and thanks for commenting 🙂
Wow! So many cool ideas here! I always want to check out the Home Depot workshops but I often forget. I’ll have to plan for it this year.
Thanks so much for sharing (and for linking up to the SHINE Blog Hop).
Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
xoxo
Thanks for hosting the SHINE Blog Hop, Jennifer! We love Home Depot days! I hope you get a chance to go sometime this summer! Thanks for the nice words and hope you have a great week 🙂
What a great resource; thanks!
Thanks, Tshanina! Have a great summer 🙂
This is a great list for summer activities for kids. I am pinning this !
Thank you for stopping by the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop this week. We hope to see you drop by our neck of the woods next week!
Thank you for the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop and for commenting, Jill! Hope you have an amazing summer and are able to enjoy some of the activities from the list 🙂
Great ideas for kids Kelly! Thanks for sharing @DearCreatives party!
Thank you for allowing me to share @DearCreatives party!
Forgot to mention you’ll be getting a featured Shout Out!
That sounds wonderful! Thanks for the featured shout out @DearCreatives party 🙂