How much fun can you have for $2.52?

Time and time again I tell people, it doesn't take a lot of money to have fun. It really doesn't! And to prove my point, I am going to show you what we did this past Saturday and it cost us a just $2.52.!!!

Our first stop for fun was at Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic. I have mentioned this before (like a million times) but I will say it again because this is a great program. The clinics are FREE and run about every two week on Saturdays at 10am. Children get to build great things like this Monster Box the oldest Fun Tester made this week. Children get an apron and for each thing they build, a patch to put on the apron. They also receive a certificate and get to take home their project at NO COST. How can you beat it!?!?

 Our second stop of the day was at Michael's craft store for their Make It, Take It event. This event cost us 52 cents to purchase a pail (which was on sale.) The children cut out designs from duct tape with the help of stencils to create their own trick or treat bucket! How neat is that? The Fun Tester made a face on one side and a bat on the other. These events are either free or with a purchase which always seems to be a low cost item.

Our final stop of the day was at an event called Spooky Science Saturday. It was being held jointly at the Children's Garden and the Kingman Museum. They had all sorts of education (science) activities set up. The Fun Tester had a wonderful time learning about surface tension, making animal tracks, learning about the technology that led to modern films and much more! It was all hands on and he had a wonderful time. The cost of this event was free but they were asking for a $1 donation per person. $2 for all that fun and learning was a steal. Not to mention, the next day in the paper was the Fun Tester's photo!!! Now there is a memory he will have forever.

See, having fun does NOT have to cost a lot. And finding events doesn't have to be impossible either. Check out our Cruise Directing 101 to learn how to find events. Now get out there and find some fun!!

Spooky Science Saturday Oct 27th

Photo by Kingman Museum

Looking for some free spooky fun? Why not try the Kingman Museum's Spooky Science Saturday on October 27th. This free event has lots of fun and learning and runs from 11am-4pm. Not only is the museum open with speciel events but so too is the children's garden at the Leila Arboretum. We have been to this event a few times and always enjoy ourselves. Don't miss out on this free family fun Mid-Michigan!!

Fall means Harvest Festivals!

Around these parts, Fall means Harvest Festivals. We go every year to the annual Harvest Festival at the Calhoun County Fairgrounds in Marshall, MI. This free event on Oct. 13th runs from 10am to 5pm. We of course have to take a wagon ride and wander around visiting all the booths. There are also competitions for the best homemade chili, meatloaf, pumpkin pie and fruit pit. And this year they say there are going to be horse pulls and chuck wagon races! I'm excited!! If you don't leave nearby, don't fear, I am sure with a little googling you can find a Harvest Festival near you!

FREE Building clinic for kids

Here is a wonderful FREE activity for your kiddos! It is Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic. About every 2 weeks on Saturday morning they have these. Now I know it says recommended for 1st-5th grade age kids, but my son started at age 3! He loves going and now tells me "Mom I can do it by myself." And do you know what? He can!

Why, besides the fact it is FREE, should you take your kid to Build and Grow? Well there are a few reasons 1.) They learn how to follow instructions 2.) Read a "blue print" 3.) Use a hammer (yes as you hold the nail they WILL hit your fingers LOL) but the most important of all 4.) They gain confidence and joy from making something themselves!!!

Don't miss out on this free, fun activity. Sign up online and check out these upcoming clinics......

Fire Truck Sept. 22

Ghoul Bus Oct. 13

FREE Movies for the WHOLE family!

Looking for something fun and free to do on the weekend as a family? Well if you live in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan or Missouri then I have just the thing for you! Goodrich Quality Theaters are having a Free Fall Movies series. Movies are at 9am and 10am, Sat. and Sun. and free for ALL ages. Yup, even we parents get in free!

In select theaters they are also adding a 9:30 am Saturday, Lights up sound down show, for children with Autism. How great is that! So check out the Free Fall Movies and see if there is a theater near you! There is one near us and I can't wait for Ice Age 4!

FREE admission to the past

I am sure only a very few of you are aware, I have a B.S. in History. I love sharing the past with other, especially children. There is nothing more amazing then when you see in a child's eye that spark when they make the connection with the past and realize how it impacts them.

If you live in Michigan or near by in a neighboring state and have no plans for Labor Day yet, I want to let you know about Target Day at Greenfield Village. If you have never heard of Greenfield Village it is a trip back in time. I have never been due to the prices, which on a normal day are $24 for adult and $17.50 for youth. We just don't have $65.50 to drop like that and I am sure most of you don't either.

I would like to thank one of our Fun Friends, Penny, for giving me the heads up on this great opportunity.

Monday, September 3, 2012 in Greenfield Village (Labor Day)

• Free Admission to Greenfield Village
• Hands-on and interactive programs
• Dramatic presentations
• Live musical performances

*** Just a reminder if you do plan on going, I have heard this place is large with lots of walking. The weather for Labor Day is looking iffy due to the hurricane down south bringing Michigan rain. This is a great opportunity but check the weather before you go.

BACK SACKS FILLED WITH GOODIES

 

Sorry it isn't the greatest photo, but I snagged it off of a news article. The article is about a great chance to score some free school supplies this Saturday (tomorrow)!

"Art Van Furniture and Meijer Supercenters are teaming up to help ease the cost of going back to school. Compliments of Michigan's number one furniture retailer and Michigan's mega retailer parents can pick up stringed back sacks filled with crayons, pens, pencils, pocket folders, etc."

 

For more information visit the Art Van page on Facebook! 

We are luck since we do Lowes build and grow which is at 10 and Art Van which, is in the same shopping area, opens at ten we can kill two birds with one stone!

FREE Sonic blast (no purchase necessary!)

My hubby love Sonic and is very disappointed there isn't one near us. But that doesn't mean you should miss out! Print a coupon for a FREE Sonic blast!!! There’s no purchase necessary! You need to use it before September 9.

Enjoy!!

Free mini bobble head

Here is a different type of free item, a mini bobble head! And no they don't JUST have Jesus! They have the pope too!! And other designs as well. They are a new site and to thank people for "stopping by" they are giving away mini bobble heads! It is simple... fill out the form, pick your item and your done. They do not ask for any billing info. Just your name and address so they know where to ship your bobble head to!

National Book Lovers Day (giveaway)

Today is National Book Lovers Day!! How could I have missed knowing about this!?!?! We love books. So in honor of the day we will be giving away a children's book to one of our lucky Fun Friends! Just leave a comment below (on our blog) and tell us what your favorite book as a child was! You have till midnight on Friday (8/10) to enter.

Build and Growwwwwwww

Tell me this isn't totally cute! This is the project for Lowe's Build and Grow clinic this sat/sun. These clinics are FREE and the kids love them. See if there are still openings at a store near you!

FREE slow cooker recipes

Would you like more time to have fun with your family but making dinner takes too much time? Why not hop over to Gooseberry Patch and hit "like" to get your FREE Gooseberry Patch: Slow Cooker Recipes Download!! There are some yummy ideas in this! And what is more fun then having more time for fun? Having fun with your children getting these in the pot so you have more time to play!

Free kids haircuts anyone?!?!

For the whole month of August, JC Penny salons are giving kids FREE haircuts!!! Any child in grades k-6 can get their hair cut for FREE!

All you need to do is head on over to the JC Penny site and find a participating location near you and schedule the appointments.

The Maine Artisan Bread Fair this Saturday

Do you live in Maine? Looking for something different and interesting to do? Why not check out The Maine Artisan Bread Fair on Saturday July 28th. The fair is FREE and open to the public. It is a festival that invites fair-goers to sample fresh-baked breads and pizza from wood-fired ovens, talk to professional bakers, listen to live music, watch demos, and seek out the best baking equipment, tools, books, Maine cheeses, organic milkshakes, hand-woven kitchen towels, antique kitchen wares, fresh farm foods, and much more.

FREE admission to Kids N Stuff

Heeds up for our Mid-Michigan Fun Friends..... Kids N Stuff children's museum is having a FREE admission day tomorrow, July 26th!

Here are the remaining FREE admission dates for this summer:

Thursday, July 26th 10:00-7:00 Sponsored by Steel Products in Homer

Thursday, August 23rd 10:00-7:00 Sponsored by Mark Putvin State Farm in Albion

Print Free books!

Who doesn't love FREE? And who doesn't love to give their kids books? At MAD we love to read and at Nick Jr they have an assortment of free printable books with all the characters your child likes.

There are stories with Dora, The Wonder Pets, Diego, Kai-lan and more! So click on over and get printing.

Free kids haircuts anyone?!?!

For the whole month of August, JC Penny salons are giving kids FREE haircuts!!! Any child in grades k-6 can get their hair cut for FREE! 

All you need to do is head on over to the JC Penny site and find a participating location near you and schedule the appointments.

Michael's Passport to Imagination

Are your kids crafty? Do they want to be? I have just the place for you to check out! We have been attending Michael's Passport to Imagination summer program and LOVING IT! Not only is it a great summer event but the prices can't be beat. The crafts are usually FREE. On occasion we have had to pay $1 for an item (like a terracotta pot) needed to make a project.

The Fun Tester has had a great time "traveling" to countries like Mexico, Kenya and Thailand and learning about the countries and making crafts. Each week one of the crafts is a pin that the kids can wear! We made this activity vest for him to put them on. And we have been marking our world map (which I laminated) so we can see where we have been.

Today we are heading to Russia and will be making this super cute Pom Pom Bear.....

There is still plenty of time to join in on the fun! The event is on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 1-4pm. Make sure you call your Michael's store to confirm they are holding the event. No one want to show up and have disappointed kids. You can find your local Michael's with their store finder.

Can't make it to the events? Fear not! Michael's Passport to Imagination website not only shows you all the crafts but gives you material lists, templates, and instructions to do them all! How awesome is that!

Go get crafty people!

Barnes and Nobles summer reading program (kids can get a FREE book)

Check out the Barnes and Noble's summer reading program for kids! It is simple and fun and your child can get a FREE book! Our son's school sent home a Reading Journal but you can get yours here! Print off your journal, have your child read, visit store for a free book, so simple!

Step 1. Read any 8 books and record them in the Reading Journal (PDF).

Step 2. Bring the completed Reading Journal to your local B&N store.
Find a Store.

Step 3. Choose a FREE BOOK from the selection on the Reading Journal list at the store... Enjoy reading!

Passport to Imagination (Tue, Thur, Sat)

So did any of you go to the first day of Micheal's Passport to Imagination? We did and had fun. The theme was Australia and the Fun Tester made this cute stingray! The kids also made a pin of the Australian flag to wear.

Today's theme is Mexico and the Fun Tester can not wait! Before we go we will be learning about Mexico and Monarch butterflies.