These Local Retailers Offer Free Summer Programs
Free Summer Programs with Local Retailers
From summer camps to vacation, it’s the time of year that spending can get pretty outrageous but it doesn’t have to. I’ve compiled a list of summer activities and workshops that kids of all ages can enjoy. Some require a registration, while others just require you to arrive early. Spread the word and tell a friend about FREE programs happening all over the place during the summer!
Movies
Regal Cinemas – The Summer Movie Express is on $1 per person. Families can enjoy movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the summer.
Xscape Theatres – Free Kids’ Summer Movies take place every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Shows start at 9:30am.
Retail Stores
AC Moore – Free Summer Wednesdays! Free Make & Take activities each week. Ages 4 & up.
Apple Kids Camp – Apple Camp offers free sessions where kids can make their own movies, create interactive stories, or program robots.
Barnes and Noble – Most stores offer story hours for various age groups including themed book clubs, events with authors of children’s books and puppet shows. Story time is held weekly.
Bass Pro Shops – Explore nature indoors with Bass Pro Shop’s Family Activities. Workshops take place on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Kids receive a FREE lanyard and earn a FREE pin for every workshop completed.
Disney Store Summer Play Days – Kids ages 3 and up are invited to Summer Play Days through August! Store events take place EVERY DAY, which includes Art of Animation, Trivia, Story Time, and Showtime.
Home Depot – Register for a free Kids Workshop at Home Depot every first Saturday of the month. Each child receives a certificate, workshop apron and commemorative pin.
LEGO – Make and take home an exclusive LEGO creations at the Monthly Mini Build.
Michaels – Join Michaels for a Summer Crafting Journey at Camp Creativity. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. $5 per session or $12 for 3 sessions. Ages 3 and up.
Microsoft – From Minecraft coding to 3D movie making, Microsoft Store’s free YouthSpark Summer Camps are excellent for kids for ages six and up. They’ll learn the latest technology from Microsoft while making new friends, completing creative projects, and gaining new skills.
Pottery Barn Kids – Each week throughout the summer, a new book is introduced and read aloud. Kids receive a special prize after 5 visits. Different theme every week.
Whole Foods – Learn about healthy snacks, storytime, themed events including cooking and nutrition for kids at the Whole Foods Half Pint Kids Club. Events occur each month.
Bowling
Kids Bowl Free – Select bowling centers and schools around the country are participating in the first ever Kids Bowl Free program. Registered Kids Receive 2 FREE GAMES Of Bowling Every Day All Summer Long.
Summer Bowling – Participating Bowling Centers are offering summer bowling passes which entitles you to 3 games per day all summer long. Pass price varies per the location.
Know of any free summer programs that I missed? Let me know and I’ll add it to the list!
What a handy list! It’s nice to know that these companies offer relief for parents in the summer. Sending this to my cousin :-). Thanks for sharing.
Yes!! I like parks and playgrounds but a little organized activity is great too! Thanks for sharing
So many great ideas! My boyfriend and I actually take advantage of the Regal Summer Movies. Such a fun, inexpensive thing to do over the summer!
Please do!! I’m glad there’s still free things to do!
Great List! I am always looking for something free to do with the kids during the summer months. We have $5 movies on Tuesdays here in Cleveland I need to take them to one this summer
I am all about free programs for kiddos. My kids have earned quite a few free meals through local summer reading programs.
Our local theater (Cinemark) USED to offer free summer movies. No so anymore. Boooo!
Wo
This is a great list. Thank you so much for the wonderful ideas. Will definitely consider this.
We love finding free things to do over the summer. It can get really expensive if you can’t find anything free or super cheap to do as kids need entertaining more today than they did when I was young! 🙂
Louise x
Oh this list is good, the dollar movie is my favorite. Movies have become so expensive, especially for a family of four.
These are really great. I have to share this list with my bff for her two small kids. I’m sure they’d like some of these activities.
Great list! I will be with my kids all summer – no camps – so this will definitely come in handy. We are already signed up for Apple Camp!
I can’t believe apple offers free courses. I’m going to see if my son can do that!!
My children have done most of these activities. We loved them. It was a lot of running around and I usually had to help out the instructors because they weren’t always use to a large amount of kids, but I recommend all of these activities. They are a whole-lot of fun!
Free summer programs are the best! Great way to keep the kiddies occupied for very little money!
I love finding free things for my son to do during the summer! These camps can get really expensive!
OOoh thank you I needed this1 I have to keep my little one tbsy this summer
Always love to know about great deals happening in the area! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Jen!!
Such great info! Will definitely refer to this for my daughter.
Thank You!!