Free Things to Do – Part I

Mentors and parents need free activities for kids so here are a few. Share what is free in your area.

Kids Bowl Free                            
http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/     

This is a national program in which over 900 bowling alleys allow kids to bowl two free games every day all summer long!  Youths 15 and under must register. Thirteen Oklahoma towns currently participate. A link is available to help you get a bowling alley near you to participate as well as one for a classroom supply grant program for schools.  Let’s go Oklahoma!
Ret. 6-26-12

AMF  Summer Bowling Unplugged
https://freebowling.amf.com/ 

Register online to receive vouchers for free bowling.  (Only five centers were listed for a 100-mile radius of Oklahoma City.)
Ret. 6-26-12

Lowe’s Build and Grow Program   

Every other Saturday, keep apron, build and keep items, project changes every clinic, nationwide!

This is such a terrific idea! Technologically challenged—as usual, I had to call Lowe’s national number. Tim, the associate who helped me, had just participated in a Build and Grow Program last Saturday. He enthusiastically described how much fun it was for employees, children, and families. As advertised, kids do receive an apron with some tools, and they build a kit featured for sale on the website. Manual dexterity does not matter as long as a child can bang with the hammer. (Bring your cellphones with video ready.) Tim helped build the Madagascar race car, which everyone recognizes from the movie.

Children must be registered online; consult your local Lowe’s. The national Lowe’s website advertised the next free kids’ clinic for Saturday, July 14, 10 a.m., to build the Kung Fu Panda Spinning Attack.   http://lowesbuildandgrow.com/pages/default.aspx
Ret. 6-26-12

Home Depot Kids Workshop
http://www.homedepot.com/

First Saturday of every month; take your child to his or her clinic and then take your adult clinic or stay and participate as a family (Mentors would want to be right there enjoying the achievement and learning as would most parents.) 

• FREE hands-on workshops designed for children ages 5 - 12 offered the 1st Saturday of
every month at all The Home Depot stores between 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills, tool safety and instill a sense of pride
and accomplishment.
• All kids get to keep their craft and receive a FREE Kids Workshop Apron, commemorative
pin and certificate of achievement.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/catalog/servlet/ContentView?pn=HT_WS_KidsWorkshops&storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053
Ret. 6-26-12

Free Day at the National Parks
http://www.nps.gov/state/ok/

Photo, Chickasaw National Recreation Area, http://www.nps.gov/chic/index.htm 

The recent one was June 9th, but the next free day will be in the fall.  Fortunately many of the national sites in Oklahoma and surrounding states are free or free in certain areas.  Often at the National Park Service website, a youth-oriented document or learning guide can be downloaded, e.g., the Junior Ranger Activity Book PDF for Ft. Smith and a lesson plan or videos for the Trail of Tears.   Check on fees even on “free” days; the National Memorial Museum in Oklahoma City does not receive federal or state funds so it is not included in the NPS free day events.  Each state’s NPS section also features multiple layers, which can be checked on and off for viewing, such as National Register historical places, American battlefields, and others. 

Oklahoma’s major listings are:

• Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Sulphur
• Fort Smith National Historic Site, Ft. Smith AR, OK
• Oklahoma City National Memorial, Oklahoma City
• Santa Fe National Historic Trail, CO, KS, MO, NM, OK
• Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, AL, AR, GA, IL, KY, MO, NC, OK, TN
• Washita Battlefield National Historic Site, Cheyenne

Ret. 6-26-12

Barnes and Noble Free Book

Printable reading log, after reading and documenting eight books, turn in and choose a free book; eligibility:  child up to sixth grade
Ret. 6-26-12

See http://www.barnesandnoble.com/container/stores.asp?PID=43671

Bass Pro Shop’s Family Summer Camp
http://www.basspro.com/

Every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, June 19-July 15, 1-5 P.M., free photos, family activities, crafts, and workshops!  For the Oklahoma City location, the list is extensive with archery, dogs in the outdoors, catch and release ponds, etc., all by specific schedules.  SEE the website.

Children receive a lanyard and free pin for every workshop they complete.  (Take your camera.)

Activities vary by store location; Broken Arrow and Oklahoma City have stores, but you might search nearby border states.  In some locations, some food such as S’mores may be available.

On the website, click on “Stores” and choose which location or use a zip code.  Free activities happen throughout the year!

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CFPage?storeId=10151&langID=-1&catalogId=10051&appID=86326&template=store-pages.cfm&storeCode=28

Mark your calendars for the next year!

National Parks Again

Next free day at National Parks is in the autumn.  Watch the NPS website for more information.

Original Listing Source:  http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/47564758#47564758
Ret. 5-25-12

Beverly