Fun, Free or Cheap Weekend Activities with Something for Everyone! (Post may contain affiliate links.)
Our friend Lori from More with Less Today compiled this list for us! If you are living on a small budget, looking for summer activities, and wanting to save some money…this is a great list! Remember you can add to this list by commenting below and letting me know which activities have helped your summer be more fun and exciting!
If you are looking for some fun on a budget, we have compiled a list of national retailers with hands-on workshops, classes and free in-store events for this weekend and many more that are coming soon.
Share this fun, money-saving list with your friends and family. If you know of any other Free Weekend Events to include, please let us know! It’s always best to call ahead to insure that your local store is participating to avoid disappointment.
Bank of America Museums on Us
Saturday, June 4th and Sunday, June 5th
Bank of America’s Museums on Us is offering free admission to more than 150 museums nationwide. Simply present your Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card along with a photo ID to gain free general admission to any participating institution. Cardholders only; guests are not eligible for free admission. For more information about Museums on Us, visit: http://museums.bankofamerica.com.
Saturday, June 4th at 11 AM
Summer Reading Triathlon – Kids in grades 1 through 6 can earn a free book.
Contact your local Barnes & Noble store to verify participation.
Saturday, June 4th at 10:15 AM – Learn to Play the Ukulele
Register at Guitar Center workshops.
Saturday, June 4th from 9 AM to 12 PM
Kids make and take a Father’s Day Smart Phone Holder. Get more information and register at Home Depot workshops .
Saturday, June 4th from 11 AM – 3 PM and a few locations offer crafts on Sunday.
Kids design and take a birdfeeder craft. Get more information from Lakeshore Learning Free Crafts for Kids.
Saturday, June 2nd from 10 AM – 12 PM
Kids make and take a Chalk Butterfly craft. Cost is $2 per kid. Get more information on the Michael’s website.
Williams-Sonoma Free Cooking Classes for Adults
Sunday, June 5th – hours vary by store – Blender Essentials with Tess Masters
Get more information at your local Williams-Sonoma store.
……… MARK YOUR CALENDAR, COMING SOON……..
:: State Fair Summer Schedule
Find your state and summer fair dates here. Thanks Family Frugal Fun!
:: FREE National Park Admission Dates for 2016
- August 25th-28th – National Park Service Birthday
- September 24 – National Public Lands Day
- November 11 – Veterans Day
Find a list of participating national parks
:: FREE National Parks Admission for 4th Graders
Every 4th grader will get an Every Kid in the Park pass food for FREE admission to all of America’s National Parks. The pass will be good for one full year and will be good for the 4th graders & their families as most parks charge admission per car. This is part of President Obama’s Every Kid in the Park initiative.
:: Bass Pro Shops
Ongoing outdoor workshops in stores. Check your local Bass Pro Shop store for specific events, times, and details.
:: Home Depot Workshops for Adults
Saturday, June 11th from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM – Landscape and pest control
Sunday, June 12th from 1 PM – 2:30 – Choosing the best door locks
Get more information on Home Depot workshops.
:: Lego Stores Free Model Build
Register online for the 6/7 & 6/8 free LEGO Sea Plane Mini Model Build.
Usually held monthly in stores, kids ages 6 to 14 can build a model and take it home. Contact your closest LEGO® Store for details.
:: Lowe’s Build and Grow
Saturday, June 11th at 10 AM, kids make and take a Captain America craft. Registration opens 5/30 and registration is required: Lowe’s Kids Clinics.
:: Pottery Barn Kids
Storytime on Tuesdays from 11 – 11:30 AM. For more information, visit Pottery Barn Kids events here.
:: Toys R Us
Saturday, June 18th from 3-4 PM
Geoffrey’s Birthday Club celebration. Birthday Club members receive a special surprise with coupon, including a FREE Geoffrey plus toy and storybook. Event intended for children ages 2 and up, while supplies last. Join the Birthday Club now (or log in) and present the mobile coupon or coupon printout to receive the birthday freebies. Get the details at Toys R Us.
:: Williams-Sonoma Free Cooking Classes for Kids
New free classes will (hopefully) be posted soon. There are 2 classes with fees this month. Get more information at your local Williams-Sonoma store.
More to Explore Throughout the Year:
(Free or nearly free summer events include Apple Store workshops, free summer reading programs, stores with freebies for good grades, kids bowl free, summer movies for $1 and Microsoft DiGi camp for girls).
:: Apple Store
Free workshops – learn the basic of Mac, iPad, iPhone, or iPod. Learn how to create slideshows with iPhoto. Edit home movies with iMovie and more! Find your local store and make a reservation for a free workshop here.
:: Athleta Stores
Free fitness classes, group runs and special events at your local store. Visit your local store page here for more information.
:: Beauty Events in Stores
Find free beauty events at local stores with free samples and demonstrations. Visit the website that keeps track of these right here.
:: Factory Tours
Find factory tours all across the USA, go here, The site has 570 tours and counting! Many are free but some may have an admission fee. (Thanks to the Happy Housewife for sharing this!)
:: Family Friendly Movies for $1
Here is a list of movie theaters offering summer movies for $1.
:: Free Summer Reading Programs
Here is a list of retailers offering incentives and freebies to encourage kids to keep reading all summer long.
:: Flying Lessons
Young Eagles – kids ages 8 to 17 experience aviation and get free rides in private aircraft flown by experienced pilots. Get more information here.
:: Good Report Card Freebies from Stores
Here is a great list of stores and restaurants offering freebies and incentives to kids with good grades.
:: Home and Garden Shows
If you like Home and Garden shows, this site will give you a free pass. Check the ACS Home Show site.
:: Kids Bowl Free
Registered kids receive 2 FREE games of bowling, all summer long. Select bowling alleys all across the USA are participating. Get more information here.
:: Lululemon Fitness Classes
Lululemon locations offer free yoga classes, go here for schedules and locations.
:: Major League Baseball Clinics
Through the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, kids can attend a free baseball clinic in many locations across the country. The free program is called Free Legends for Youth Kids Clinics.
:: Microsoft High Tech DigiCamp for Girls (free)
Microsoft is proud to offer technology programs specifically for youth. Find out more information here.
:: Playground Finder
If you find yourself in a new location and are looking for a playground, use the free KaBoom Map of Play, playground finder and just type your location into the search bar.
:: Find Pumpkin Patches, Hay Rides, Pick Your Own Orchards and Haunted Houses. Many of these will have a fee or admission. Enter your location for details.
:: REI Running Classes
Learn or get back into running with training and techniques classes. Find our more at REI.com.
:: Sephora: Free In Store Beauty Classes
Join the Sephora Beauty club , and attend free beauty classes inside Sephora stores to learn everything from building a skin care routine to creating the perfect smoky eye. Classes are held on Sunday at more than 60 stores across the USA. Check with your local stores for schedules and times.
:: SKI Passport for 5th Graders
Go to www.5thgradeskipassport.com to get a free pass in Idaho or the Pacific Northwest. For other areas, search for your state with the words “5th grade ski pass + your state”, or the name of your local ski resort.
:: Target – Free Community Events
Target is also sponsoring FREE community events ranging from free museum admission, free theater tickets, family activities and tours at some of our countries most famous venues. Times and locations vary by city. Find free family activities sponsored by Target in your area right here.
:: Wine Tasting
Total Wine stores offer free wine tasting classes each weekend. Learn about specific producers, regions and varietals. Where allowed by law, participants receive special discounts on the wine being tasted. View the FREE Wine Tasting Schedule here.
:: More Free Museum Dates
This site, www.freemuseumday.org, tracks free museum days in the following cities: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Portland, San Francisco Bay Area, and the Seattle Area.
:: Celebrate Crazy and Fun Holidays
Make memories and celebrate fun holidays with your family. This week you can celebrate Go Hug Your Cat Day, Hot Air Balloon Day, Chocolate Ice Cream Day and more. See the schedule at Days of the Year.
* For more ideas for family fun, be sure and check Groupon, and LivingSocial in your area. Join each site for free and start having more fun on a budget! These vouchers make great gifts too!
For inexpensive and sometimes free tickets to local events, I am a fan of Goldstar tickets. Watch your emails for the heading “Comp Train” from Goldstar. If you are new, you can set up a free account here.
Be sure and check out your local library and parks and recreation departments for free programs and events right in your hometown!