Project Summer 2012 Frugal Fun Guide: Cheap Movie Admissions, FREE Summer Reading Programs and More!

I’m so excited about this next post in my Project Summer series!

Summer is HERE and I have YOUR guide to all things free and fun for the whole family.  Grab your downloadable Summer Fun Planner and start penciling in your Summer Fun Plan!

Oh…and if you’re new here and you like all this FREE stuff, you may want to ‘like’ us on Facebook because we keep the FREE stuff coming every day!

Reading Rewards Programs:

• Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Club: Kids in grades 1-6 can receive a free book from Barnes & Noble by reading 8 books over the summer. They will need to fill out a Summer Reading Journal and bring the journal to a B&N location by September 4, 2012 to choose a free book.

• Hebuddy.com Summer Reading Club:  *Note: The site hasn’t updated their 2011 form yet, but it appears they are still offering the reading club. HeBuddy.com is offering ‘cool prizes’ to kids who read 10 books this summer (including a FREE T-shirt!) After your child is done reading (or you can read to your child), just fill out the form and mail it in by October 1, 2012.

• Half Price Books Feed Your Brain Program: Children 14 and under can earn a free $5 gift card to Half Price Books each week they read (or are read to) for 300 minutes in one month.  This program runs during June and July, 2012.  See more details here.

• TD Bank Summer Reading Program: Kids ages 18 years and younger can get $10 added to their new or existing TD Bank Young Savers Account when they read 10 books this summer and turn in their reading log at their local TD Bank.  Offer valid through September 29, 2012.

• Pottery Barn Kids Book Club: Kids ages 10 and under will receive a FREE book at their local PBK store after completing a recommended reading list. (Redeem by 8/31/12.)  Pottery Barn Kids also holds story time every Tuesday from 11:00-11:30. (Check your local store to confirm the time and date).  After attending 5 times, your child will receive a free gift.

• PBS Kids Summer Reading Challenge: Enter your email address to join the iVillage PBS Kids Summer Reading Challenge which kicks off on June 18th.   You’ll receive a free six week reading program and the chance for your kids to win daily prizes for their participation.  You can also download a reading starter kit featuring printable activity sheets, progress charts, bookmarks, book covers and more.

• Your local library: Be sure to find out if your local library is offering any reading rewards programs throughout the summer.

Free or Cheap Movie Admission:

• Regal Free Family Film Festival: Beginning in June, select Regal Theaters will be offering $1.00 G and PG rated movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays beginning at 10 am.  Click here to find a participating theater near you.

• National Amusements Bookworm Wednesdays: Kids can get free admission to a select children’s film every Wednesday at 10 a.m. when they present a book report at a participating Showcase Cinemas, Multiplex Cinemas or Cinema de Lux box office. Accompanying parents or guardians and children under six also receive free admission and do not need to submit a book report.

• Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse: Participating Cinemark theaters are offering $1 family-friendly movies on select weekday mornings throughout the summer. You can opt to  purchase an advance pass for all ten movies for just $5 making them only $0.50 each! Find a list of participating locations, dates and times here.

• Frank Theatres Summer Kids Movie Series: Beginning in June, select Frank Theatres will be offering $1.00 G and PG rated movies on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning at 10 am.  Click here to find a participating theater near you.

• Local Theaters: You also may want to contact your local theater to find out if they are offering any special admission events.

Free Craft Projects:

• Lowe’s Free Build and Grow Clinics: Workshops are offered every other Saturday at 10 a.m and Sunday at 2 p.m.  Each participant also receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and more!

• Home Depot Free Kid’s Workshops: Workshops are designed for children ages 5-12 and are offered on the first Saturday of the month between 9 a.m. and noon at all Home Depot stores. All kids get to keep their craft and receive a FREE Kids Workshop Apron, commemorative pin and certificate of achievement.

• Michaels Craft Workshops: Children ages 3 and up can participate in a variety of craft workshops this summer.  Some are free and others require a purchase.  Click here to check out their summer schedule.

• A.C. Moore Make and Takes: Every Saturday from 1-3 pm, A.C. Moore offers free classes or make and take projects.  Check out the summer schedule here and learn more about recommended ages.

• Bass Pro Shops: From June 9-July 15, Bass Pro Shops are offering Family Summer Camp on Tuesdays, Thursday, Saturdays and Sundays from 1-5 pm.  They will offer a different craft for your child to create each week, plus a free family photo, S’mores cookout, casting targets and more.  Click here to learn more about times and crafts being offered.

Free Activities:

• Blue Star Museums: From May 28 to September 3, 2012, more than 1,000 museums are offering free entrance to active duty military personnel and their families.

• Kids Bowl Free Program: Kids can  bowl free this summer! By participating in the “Kids Bowl Free” program, children can bowl two free games per day. Go here to find a participating location near you.

• Kids Skate Free Program: Select Skating centers are offering 2 FREE Roller Skating Passes per week all summer long!  See participating locations here.

• Free Bowling at AMF: Register your children to get weekly coupons via email for two free games per child per day at participating AMF bowling lanes all summer long.

• Target Arts + Culture: Target sponsors free or reduced-price admission to arts and cultural events in participating cities nationwide.  Find out if there is anything going on in your area.

• Free Admission to National Parks: The National Park Service will offer free admission at more than 100 National Parks on June 9, 2012. Go here for more information.

• Apple Summer Camps: Select Apple Retail stores offer a camp where kids ages 8-12 learn the ins and outs of iMovie and how to make a film in about the time it takes to watch one. The workshop, held at the Apple Retail Store, spans three days, and leads up to an Apple Camp Film Festival where campers debut their masterpieces.  Click here to learn more.

• BoA Free Museums: If you have a Bank of America Credit, Debit or ATM card, you can get free admission to over 100 participating museums, zoos and science centers the first full weekend of every month.

• Bass Pro Shops: From June 4-July 10, Bass Pro Shops are offering Family Summer Camps with special activities on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.  Activities include shooting galleries, crafts, s’mores cookouts and more.  Click here to learn more.

• Your local library: Be sure to check in with your local library to find out if they are offering free children’s activities throughout the summer.  I love participating in my local library’s events over the summer!

Free Printables:

• Print a free printable Summer Reading Star Bingo Game from How Does She.

• Print a free printable Summer Reading Log from Simple as That.

• Download free printable Travel Games from Free Puzzles.

Free Reading Programs for YOU!

• Paperback Swap: Don’t want to spend money on new reading materials this summer?  Check out Paperback Swap where you can trade books with other readers simply for the cost of shipping.

• FREE eBook downloads: Have a Kindle or other reading device?  Check out Amazon’s free Kindle eBooks!

Are you aware of any other free fun this summer?  Leave a comment and let us know!