Kid-friendly — and frugal — summer fun
The calendar will soon clear for kids across the Capital Region which means as parents, now is the time to plan a summer schedule packed with frugal fun.
How does a foray into the forest, a film featuring serenading swine or summer reading challenge sound? These are just a few affordable options to help parents and caregivers to forge a summer of fun, bypass inevitable cries of boredom and steer kids away from the couch and computer screen.
To get you started I've rounded up a list of some free/lowcost children's workshops, activities and programs. Don’t forget to also check out your local libraries, arts organizations, colleges and parks and recreation departments.
■ Kids Bowl Free program: Select bowling centers and schools around the country are once again participating in the Kids Bowl Free program. Designed by bowling centers to give back to the community and provide a safe, secure, and fun way for kids to spend time this summer, the program allows children age 15 and younger to register for two free games a day, all summer long. Visit kidsbowlfree.com.
■ Regal Cinemas Summer Movie Express. The annual family movie series kicks off June 28 at Regal locations in Crossgates Mall, Colonie Center, Clifton Park and East Greenbush. Admission is only $2 on Tuesday and Wednesday for kid-friendly flicks. Screening times vary by location with most movies starting around noon. Each week both movies play on both days. Titles include “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” “The Secret Life of Pets 2” and “Shrek.” A portion of the proceeds goes to the Will Rogers Institute. Visit regalcinemas.com.
SHANNON FROMMA
Free park admission for fourthgraders:
■
The National Park Service's Every Kid Outdoors program allows fourth-graders nationwide to go to everykidoutdoors.gov and obtain a pass for free entry for them and their families to more than 2,000 federally managed lands and waters for an entire year, all in an effort to build the next generation of outdoor stewards. All New York state parks will accept the National Park Service's Every-Kid-in-a Park pass for free entry. The pass applies only to the vehicle entry fee and the fourth-grader must be present in the vehicle.
Teens can work out free at Planet Fitness:
■
In an effort to keep teens active this summer, Planet Fitness will open its doors for free to teens ages 15-18 through Sept. 1 as part of theTeen Summer Challenge. The program will be offered at all
Planet Fitness locations in the United States and Canada. Teens and their parent/legal guardian will need to sign a Planet Fitness gym waiver. Visit planetfitness.com for information.
NYS Junior Naturalist Program:
Presented by the state Department of Environmental Conservation, the program gives children ages 5-12 an opportunity to test their environmental knowledge at the state's parks. Pick up a journal at participating campgrounds. In it, you'll find activities marked for younger and older children. When the journal is completed, return it to receive a Junior Naturalist patch. Locally, Five Rivers Environmental Education Center offers a variety of free kid-friendly workshops and programs throughout the summer.
Program: To foster a love of reading, even during summer break, Barnes & Noble invites children in grades 1-6 to participate in its annual summer reading program. Head online to download the store's Summer Reading Journal. After your child reads and records the titles of eight books, return the journal to your local bookstore for a free book.
Sky Zone Summer Pass: Your kids can jump around and around and around all summer long at Sky Zone with the Summer Pass valid through Labor Day. Priced at $50 per child and good at the Clifton Park and Queensbury locations, pass holders can jump for 90 minutes each day and save 50 percent on Glow evening events. An option for toddlers is also available. Visit skyzonequeensbury.centeredgeonline.com/retail to sign up
Today at Apple workshops: Kids are invited to learn, create and be inspired in Today at Apple workshops. A variety of programs include music, arts and design, movie making, photography and coding. The earlier you sign up, the better because the programs fill quickly. Visit apple.com/today to learn more.
Lowe’s Home Improvement: In-store workshops for adults and children are once again taking place at stores across the country. Visit lowes.com to see what’s scheduled and sign up early as workshops for kids tend to fill quickly.
Home Depot: While the home improvement retailer isn’t offering in-store workshops, parents are invited to pick up a free Kids Workshop Kit on the first Saturday of each month between 9 a.m. and noon from your local store or order online, while supplies last. Visit homedepot.com/workshops to learn more.
Michael's: The arts and crafts retailer hosts a variety of in-store demos and drop-in workshops suitable for all ages. To see the program schedule and register in advance, visit michaels.com/instoreevents.