Fun Family Activities

Free, Free, Free

2011-03-21T16:58:00.000-07:00

   So now that the weather is clearing up, it's time to start heading back outdoors. I will be spending time researching fun and free (or at least super cheap) activities for families to do. I have a slew of them archived from last summer time, but with the economy constantly changing (mostly downhill) things change.
Year round there are free deals available for eating out with the kiddos. I have used many myself, so I know they are legit.Call ahead to your area restaurant to confirm they are participating. Here are a few:

Monday: Denny's Kids Eat Free (one free kid meal per
              adult meal purchased, must buy a drink)
IHOP (one free kid meal per adult meal from
              4-8pm, drink not included)
Tuesday: Chevy's Kids Eat Free ALL DAY(kids meals free
              with one adult meal purchased)
Wednesday: Applebee's 99 cent Kid Meals (kids eat for
              99cents when an adult meal is purchased)
              Shari's Free Pie Day (one free slice of pie per
              meal purchased from 4-9pm)

Or check out this link to find more possibilities. Please always call ahead to confirm the deal.

More free deals are coming! So stay posted...

New Finds

2010-07-16T06:19:00.000-07:00

Marie Callendar's offers "Kids Eat Free" on Tuesdays and Saturdays. One free kids meal is offered for each adult entree purchased. When more than one kid meal is purchased, the less expensive meal will be free. No coupon necessary. Valid at participating locations.

Friday Freebies at Oaks Park! Show your Fred Meyer Rewards Card on Fridays when buying a ride bracelet for $13.75 at Oaks Park from June 22- September 3, 2010 and you will receive for free:
*1 FREE Go Cart Ticket ($5 value)
*1 FREE Ice Cream or Cotton Candy (up to $2.50 value)
*1 FREE Roller Skating Session for the day ($20.75 value)
*3 FREE Games ($1.50 value)

OAKS PARK

7805 SE OAKS PARK WAY

PORTLAND, OR 97202

(503) 233-5777

More Cheap/Free Summer Activites

2010-06-29T14:53:00.001-07:00

Free Family Day 2nd Saturdays at Washington County Museum

Washington County Historical Society and Museum, 2nd Saturday from 10:00am – 2:00pm. Learn about historic photography and quilting. Summer themed arts and crafts activities including making your own butterfly art.

Summer Concerts

2010-06-29T14:42:00.000-07:00

Many parks in various metro areas offer free musical concerts one or two days a week through out the summer. Some even offer free movies once the sun goes down. I know of several in Oregon, but please check your own state and metro area for programs near you.

City Parks and Recreation Websites
Portland Parks and Recreation Summer Free For All
Tualatin Hills Park & Rec
City of Hillsboro Parks & Recreation
Lake Oswego Parks & Recreation
Woodburn Rec & Parks, Out and About
Salem Recreation Guide

Flicks on the Bricks 2010
Pioneer Courthouse Square-Downtown Portland. Movies begin at dusk.

July 23rd: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
July 30th: Three Amigos
August 6th: Sixteen Candles
August 13th: The Muppets Take Manhattan
August 20th: Jaws

Movies in the Park
Portland area, mainly Multnomah County

Portland Parks and Recreation Movies in the Park, runs Friday June 25th – Friday, September 10th at parks and other outdoor settings around Portland. Pre-movie entertainment begins at 6:30pm and movies will begin at dark. Some movies will be subtitled for those with hearing disabilities, please see web site for schedule.

Flick by the Fountain
Beaverton City Park at 5th and Hall

Beaverton Flick by the Fountain, every Friday in August in Beaverton City Park (across the street from the Beaverton City Library). Pre-movie entertainment will begin at 8:00pm and the movie will play at dusk.

Movies on the Commons
Central Downtown Tualatin

Tualatin Movies on the Commons begins on Saturday, July 3rd with family-friendly movies starting at dusk. Movies every Saturday night until August 14th at Tualatin Commons.

Pictures in the Park
Main Street Park in Gresham

Gresham Pictures In The Park dates are Friday, August 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th. Music will start at about 7:00pm and the movies around dusk. There will be free refreshments.

Movies in the Park

Wilsonville Movies in the Park on Friday July 16th and July 23rd; and on Friday August 13th and 27th. Lawn opens at 8:15pm and movie will play at dusk.

West Linn Movies in the Park at Mary S. Young Park runs every Saturday night in August. Movies begin at dusk.

Vancouver Movies at Esther Short Park on Friday July 2nd, 9th and 16th. Movies begin at dusk.

Vancouver Movies at Haagen Park on Friday July 23rd and 30th, movies begin at dusk.

Summer Activites

2010-06-25T00:23:00.000-07:00

I have enjoyed many summers with my kids doing things that are free or minimal cost. Here are the ones I have used (in Oregon) or at least know of....

Discounted Admission Day at the Zoo 
Washington Park Zoo (in Portland,OR) has changed their $2 Tuesdays program. Starting this July, the first Tuesday of the month will be changing from a $2 admission to $4. It is still a lot less than full price. As a bonus, if you ride the MAX train in and show proof (your fare slip) you get $1.50 off, making admission $2.50. 

Regal Cinemas Free Family Movies (nationwide)

Every Tuesday and Wednesday morning @ 10am only at selected theaters. Check out the website 
www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/freefamilyfilm.aspx 
to find a participating theater near you! It also has the entire movie line up for the summer so you know  what's playing. 

Portland Children's Museum

Free admission on the first Friday of the month after 4pm. (I just checked the website, and it has June listed for free admission, but none after that. I suggest calling them to see if they are continuing to do it during the summer months.) Their info:

Washington Park

4015 SW Canyon Rd.

Portland, OR 97221

503.223.6500

Cultural Pass
Washington County Cooperative Services Library offers free admission for the sites listed below. You must follow their guidelines listed on their website:
http://www.wccls.org/lending_library/cultural_pass
A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village
Chinese Classical Garden
Pittock Mansion
Portland Art Museum
Portland Children's Museum
Portland Japanese Garden
Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals
Washington County Museum 
I plan on checking out other library services as well since my family no longer lives in Washington County. Check with your local library to see if they offer the same sort of program.

Free food and fun!
I don't know about all states, but Oregon has a free lunch program for the summertime supported by grants that offers a free lunch at set locations (option of hot or cold at most locations, some locations even have breakfast!) for children ages 1-18. Adults can have lunch too for about $1.25 (last year's price). Locations are usually city parks and school cafeterias. Occasionally they can be in large apartment complexes that have a high need. There are no requirements to receive the free meal other than to show up! To find the location nearest you, you can check your school district's website and search for "free summer lunches" or visit www.summerfoodoregon.org for more details.