Save Me The Money!

There is a surprising number of free (or close to free) things for kids and families to do this summer. I’ve been able to round up several of them with thanks to Kaley at Cha Ching on a Shoestring and other sources, such as Highland Street Foundation.

• TD Bank has a summer reading program for kids. All they have to do is read 10 books this summer and write down the names on this Summer Reading Form. Then, take it to the nearest TD Bank [Locater] and $10 will be deposited into a new or existing Young Saver Account.

•  Kids can sign up for free Build and Grow workshops held every other Saturday morning at 10 a.m. Participating kids will get free goggles, an apron, a project themed patch and a certification of merit when they complete the project. Sign up at Lowes Build and Grow.

• Children can bowl two free games per day at participating locations.  Kids Bowl Free help you to find a location near you. The closest ones that I saw are in Lynn and in Gloucester. I’d recommend calling first to confirm.

• is sponsoring free or cut rate admission to arts and cultural events in participating cities nationwide. You can find out what is available in your area at Celebrate Arts and Culture with Target. I saw two museums in Boston, including Boston Children’s Museum, offering $1 Fridays from 5-9 p.m.

• Another museum deal is offered if you have a Credit, debit or an ATM card. You can get free admission to over a hundred museums, zoos and science centers on the first full weekend of every month. In our area the Museum of Fine Arts participates in this deal. For more information visit Museums on Us.

• The Highland Street Foundation is offering free admission to all sorts of cultural events, including the Peabody Essex Museum on July 22nd. For more information contact them at 617-969-8900 or visit the  Highland Street Foundation.

You can find many more summer deals at Project Summer 2011.