Free Family Activites

Fun, Free or Cheap Weekend Activities with Something for Everyone! 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.  

photo credit - Coupon Mamacita

Make some memories and try a new workshop, lesson, or craft. If you enjoy these free activities, be sure and bookmark this master list of free store events or PIN It for later!

Share this fun,money-saving list with your friends and family. And, if you know of any others to include, please let us know! It is always best to call ahead and make sure that your local store or retailer is participating to avoid disappointment. FREE YOGA Month September is national Yoga Month. Get a FREE one week pass at over 1,600 participating yoga studios nationwide.

FREE National Parks Admission for 4th Graders

Starting in September 2015, 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.  

American Girl Special Store Events

Special events differ by location. During September, they include meet the author events, Grace's Apron Craft & Cookie Decoration, Discover Truly Me Event, Doll 'Dos & How-Tos: Bright Highlights, Meal & Memories with a Grandparent and more. Many of the American Girl in store events are free, however some have a fee and some have age restrictions. Get the details here and find participating stores. Call ahead and make sure that your local store or retailer is participating to avoid disappointment.

Barnes & Noble

Saturday, September 19th at 11:00 AM Enjoy story time and activities featuring Bug in a Vacuum. Find the times and participating Barnes and Noble stores here.

 

Guitar Center

Saturday, September 19th {no age restrictions for free music lessons} 10:15 AM - Free Group Ukulele Lesson

More free classes are offered during the week with their Music Mentor Series. Register at the Guitar Center website here.

Home Depot Workshop for Adults

Saturday, September 19th from 10 AM - 11:30 AM - How to Install a Tile Floor Sunday, September 13th from 1 PM - 2:30 - Learn Decorative Paint Techniques You can pre-register online here.  

Lakeshore Learning Store

Saturday, September 19th from 11 AM-3 PM and a few locations offer crafts on Sunday. Kids design and take a Great Catch craft. Get more information here.

Michael's Kids Club Saturday, September 19th from 10 AM to 12 Noon Kids can make and take a Fall Handprint craft. The cost is $2 per session. Get more information here.  

Pottery Barn Kids

September 19th from 3-5 PM

Halloween Fashion Show

Enjoy sips, snacks and pumpkin decorating with the little ones. Ask a store associate how your little one can walk the runway. For more information, visit the website here.

   

Williams-Sonoma Free Technique Classes for Kids

Saturday, September 19th at 10 AM *Fundraiser Although these workshops are almost always free, this week the fee is $30 per child and the proceeds will be donated to Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign to end childhood hunger in America Come build your own delicious lunchbox with American Girl. Recipes include Bacon, Lettuce, Avocado and Tomato Sandwiches; Turkey Cranberry Sandwiches; Veggies with Buttermilk Ranch Dip; and Lemony-Berry Bars. Suitable for ages 8–13. $30 per child. Call your local Williams-Sonoma store to sign up. Class size is limited to 12 students. Get more information by contacting your closest store right here.

Williams-Sonoma Free Technique Classes for Adults

Sunday, September 20th The Essentials of Coffee: If all those choices of coffee and machines seem a bit bewildering, this is the class for you! You’ll learn about coffee beans, including how different roasts and grinds affect the finished drink. We’ll also demonstrate a variety of machines that brew perfect coffee and espresso. After this class, you’ll be a barista in your own home!

To find specific class times, contact your closest store right here.

......... MARK YOUR CALENDAR, COMING SOON........

:: Find Pumpkin Patches, Hay Rides, Pick Your Own Orchards and Haunted Houses. Many of these will have a fee or admission. :: Smithsonian Free Museum Day Saturday, September 26th Participating museums across the United States will offer free admission to those who download a Museum Day Live! ticket. Tickets are available for download now. :: Free National Park Entrance

Saturday, September 26th - National Public Lands Day - Find out the list of participating parks right here.

:: Bass Pro Shops

Ongoing- free archery workshops, merit badge classes, freshwater fishing clinic and family friendly store events. Check your local store for specific events, times, and details. :: Home Depot Kids Workshops Saturday, October 3rd from 9 AM to 12 PM Make and take a Firetruck craft. Get more information and register online here.

:: Lego Stores Free Model Build

Usually held monthly in stores, kids ages 6 to 14 can build and binoculars. Contact your closest LEGO® Store here for details.

:: Lowe's Build and Grow

Saturday, September 26th at 10 AM Fire Truck with Safety Cards. Registration opens on September 14th at the website here.

:: Michael's Classes for Adults

Find out more information right here about creative classes happening all week long.

:: Microsoft High Tech DigiCamp for Girls (free)

Microsoft is proud to offer technology programs specifically for youth. Find out more information here.

:: Petsmart

Oct 25th 11 AM - 2 PM and Oct. 26th 11 AM - 2 PM (photos only on this day)

Fright & Delight Pet Halloween costume event. Treats, photos and more!

More to Explore Throughout the Year:

:: 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!)

:: 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.

:: 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.

:: 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.

:: 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.

:: 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 Talk Like a Pirate Day, Eat an Apple Day, Miniature Golf Day and more. See the schedule here at Days of the Year. * For more ideas for family fun, be sure and check Groupon, Amazon Local 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!