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2012 Second Quick Tip Week: Wash the Car

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In winding down our Second Quick Tip Week of 2012 and the heat of summer in full force, I love to combine a family activity with productivity.

My favorite summer outside activities combine water and work resulting in a nice refreshment while completing the task at hand.

Quick Tip #6: Wash the Car

My children love to play in the water. In fact, you cannot keep them out of it. Yeah, that one puddle in the entire parking lot beckons my children to visit. (I see you’ve been there, too.)

With our white van and our busy schedule, our vehicle remains dirty. So, we combine our water fun with a bucket and micro-fiber cloths.

I pull the car into the driveway and turn on the hose. Besides the fun had with spraying the car (and each other), we emerge from our fun with a clean vehicle. If Daddy arrives home before the fun ends, we finish with two clean vehicles. 😉

In using time wisely with your family and staying cool this summer, enjoy a refreshing activity of washing the car. Happy playing or working (or both)!

Question: How are you staying cool this summer? 

2012: Summer Bowling Programs

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Photograph Credit: Kids Bowl Free

Happy summer!

As summer officially began this week and the heat sets in, you might start looking for some cool indoor activities to keep your family active this summer.

With two bowling options, you might find multiple locations for some bowling fun.

Kids Bowl Free Program

This nationally recognized bowling program gives registered children 2 free games everyday this summer from May 1 to September 30. Though registration is free, the Kids Bowl Free program requirements vary by location. Click here to find a participating alley near you.

Shoe Rental

Shoe rental is not included with the program. If you plan to bowl often, you might consider purchasing bowling shoes. Paul and I found our bowling shoes on sale (of course) and paid around $25 each.

If you plan to bowl more than one time a week for 6 weeks, then you might save money by purchasing your own shoes. Shoe rentals run between $4-5 per visit.

Family Pass

In addition to the free children’s program, you can purchase a Family Pass for $24.95. This pass allows up to 4 adult family members to bowl 2 free games per person everyday all summer.

The Family Pass is available for purchase from May 1 to September 30, so you can purchase this pass when you plan your visit to the bowling alley.

With a little forethought and planning, your family can enjoy inexpensive to free bowling through the Kids Bowl Free Program.

AMF’s Summer Unplugged Bowling Program

Photograph Credit: AMF

The AMF Summer Unplugged Bowling Program offers registered children, ages 15 and younger, the opportunity to bowl 2 free games each day from May 14 to September 3, 2012.

Shoe rental is not included, but registration is free. For more information, visit my 2012: AMF’s Summer Unplugged Bowling Program post from April 27, 2012.

By registering for the Kids Bowl Free Program and the AMF’s Summer Unplugged Bowling Program, you can spend time indoors while using time wisely with your family. These programs offer free games of bowling resulting in lots of teachable moments. In using time wisely, enjoy your summer while beating the heat. Happy planning!

Question: How often does your family visit the bowling alley?

Free Smoothie on National Flip Flop Day – June 15, 2012

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Photograph Credit: Tropical Smoothie Cafe

On the heels of Flag Day, we have National Flip Flop Day. Before the e-mail from Tropical Smoothie Café arrived, I had not heard about National Flip Flop Day.

Evidently, this “holiday,” invented by Tropical Smoothie CafĂ©, occurs on the third Friday in June – which happens to be today!

In celebration of their holiday, Tropical Smoothie Café will give every customer sporting their flip flops a free 24 oz. Jetty Punch Smoothie today from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in one of their more than 300 cafés nationwide.

In addition to their generosity, Tropical Smoothie Café will accept donations for their favorite charity Camp Sunshine.

When you are out and about today and need refreshment, stop by your local Tropical Smoothie Café, enjoy your smoothie, and give (as you can).

Photograph Credit: Old Navy

Though not coinciding with National Flip Flop Day, Old Navy’s $1 Flip Flops One Day Wonder sale is coming on June 30, 2012. The limit is 5 pairs per customer; so mark your calendars, adjust your schedules, and shop early if you want in on this deal.

Happy Flip Flop Day!

Question: If you could make up a holiday, what would you choose?

Regal Cinemas: $1 Summer Movies

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Photograph Credit: Regal Cinemas

Last year I attempted to take my three children to see THE BEE MOVIE. I say attempted because my two older children (ages 6 and 4) did well, but the 15-month-old saw enough of the film within the first 5 minutes.

Let’s just say, I saw more of the lobby than the movie. Thankfully, we met our friends at the theater, so other adults kept an eye on my older kids while I roamed the lobby and about had the posters memorized by the time we left. 🙂

If you have children older than age 4 who enjoy sitting through a movie, then Regal Cinemas’ Summer Movie Exress is your ticket to some morning fun.

Photograph Credit: Regal Cinemas

No Regal Cinemas in your neighborhood? Then check out Swaggrabber’s Sheri Miller’s Full List of Summer Movie Programs! Besides the movie programs, Sheri also gives you links to coupons and other discounts. (Thanks, Sheri!)

As you enjoy your summer and find refreshment from the heat, enjoy an inexpensive movie together while using time wisely. Happy planning!

Question: What family activities are you enjoying this summer? 

2012 List of Summer Reading Programs

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Photograph Credit: TD Bank

In searching for summer reading programs, I highlighted a few of our family’s favorites with separate posts.

Some programs have changed since last year and are only open to certain residents. I will do my best to give you the details in this list of summer reading programs. Enjoy! 🙂

1. Barnes & Noble

Read 8 books, record in reading journal, and receive a free book. Expires September 4, 2012

2. Book Adventure

This on-line reading program provides the books to read, quizzes to test comprehension, and prizes to earn.

3. Chuck E. Cheese

Read daily for two weeks and redeem your record for 10 tokens when you make a food purchase. Offer expires on December 31, 2012.

4. Half Price Books

The Feed Your Brain program offers students ages 14 and younger a $5 gift certificate to Half Price Books when they reach 300 minutes on their reading log after reading for 15 minutes per day for a month. For June submissions the deadline is July 8, 2012. The last day to enter for July is August 5, 2012.   

5. H-E-B Grocery Store

Read 10 books and received a prize package. The reading log states “for Texas residents only.” Reading log must be postmarked by October 1, 2012.

6. National Amusement Theaters

Bookworm Wednesdays entitles kids to free admission to a select children’s film when they present a book report at a participating Cinema de Lux, Showcase, or Multiplex cinemas’ box office.
Accompanying parents or guardians and children under six years of age receive free admission and do not need to provide a book report. Program completion varies by box office.

7. PBS Kids

Beginning June 18, the Summer Reading Community Challenge starts its 6-week program. After registering, you will receive a daily assignment by e-mail where readers can earn prizes.

This is a new program for me. I signed up and will know more when the program begins.

8. Pottery Barn Kids

This summer reading challenge provides reading lists. Choose a list, record your reading on the log, and redeem for a free book at your local store. Program ends on August 22, 2012.

9. Scholastic

Summer Challenge encourages children to read, log their minutes on-line, earn digital rewards, and enter sweepstakes for fun prizes.

10. TD Bank

Read 10 books for a $10 deposit into a new or existing TD Young Saver’s bank account. Program expires on September 29, 2012.

NOTE: You will need to supply your picture ID and social security number. You will also need your child’s social security number to open their account.

11. Local Bookstores

Check websites for more summer reading programs near you.

12. Local Libraries

Our library offers free entertainment programs to summer reader participants. The reading log is the ticket to the show: magic, bubbles, animals, musicians, and puppets.

My children are already working on their summer reading for the library as they will receive a water park pass and ticket voucher for a minor league baseball game when they reach their goal. Since Chick-fil-A has withdrawn their sponsorship this year, two toys will replace the kids’ meal and dessert coupons.

My younger daughter will miss out on these older-kid rewards since the program changed to ages 4 and up. However, she can earn a board book by listening to the stories I read to her and her sister.

Summer reading programs offer incentives for our young readers. Though our family does not engage in every one of these programs, I love the variety and opportunity for my children to earn rewards. Happy reading!

Question: What programs did I miss?