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Bowling: Two Free Games Each Day

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Photograph Credit: Kids Bowl Free

Are you ready for summer? I am! I am ready to have my children home to play and enjoy some fun activities together.

If you enjoy bowling, then here are two great programs that may be in your area.

At participating bowling alleys, your registered children can bowl up to 2 free games each day of the summer. The dates and times vary by location. You can click here to check for a participating location near you.

Photograph Credit: AMF

This second bowling opportunity is offered in our area.

According to AMF’s website: “This summer, your kids can bowl for free at your local AMF Bowling Center. Sounds too good to be true, right? It’s not! All you have to do is register your children, and you’ll get weekly coupons via email for two free games per child per day all summer long. Children love bowling; it’s fun, active, social and local and – best of all – it’s FREE! That’s how AMF does summer!”

I signed my children up last year, and we never got to the bowling alley. To add insult to injury, I even paid for the accompanying Pass.

“For just $27.95, adults with children registered for free bowling can purchase an AMF Summer 17 Plus Pass good for two free games per day for up to four people ages 17 and older.”

Since our family did not bowl, I was not wise with the $28. Having learned from this mistake, I have registered my children, but I will wait to purchase the pass until we schedule a day to go. Having purchased bowling shoes for Paul and me, we will not need shoe rental. Since we do not plan to purchase bowling shoes for the kids, we will pay for their shoe rental which is approximately $3-5 each.

Though the bowling games are free, you will still need to either bring bowling shoes or rent them at the alley. The AMF Free Bowling Program runs from May 30 to September 5, 2011 from opening until 8:00 p.m. every day. Each week you will receive coupons for the free games for each child registered. You will need to bring the coupons with you to redeem the free games.

Let me know if you are able to take advantage of these bowling activities. If our family makes it to the bowling alley this summer, I will be sure to update you on our adventures. Stay organized and keep enjoying your family activities!

$4 Chick-Fil-A Family Lunch with Playtime to Boot

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On the way to pick up my son from school, my daughter kept asking if we could go to Zaxby’s and eat lunch with Daddy. I was surprised by my daughter’s request since we were not close to Zaxby’s when the pleading began. By the time we reached the school, the requesting was subsiding.

Upon entering the car and sitting in his booster seat, my son asked, “Can we go to Chick-Fil-A for lunch?” (I’m guessing that the cool, rainy weather brought on the wish for comfort food like chicken.) Since I needed to make a stop at the credit union which is close to Chick-Fil-A, I responded with, “We’ll see.”

After completing our business at the credit union, I searched my restaurant coupon file from the glove compartment to see if I could put a deal together for under $5. I found 2 coupons for buy a medium sweet tea, and get a 4-count chicken strip entrée. Knowing that I could work a deal for under $5, I announced that our next stop was Chick-Fil-A.

The kids were really excited. The rain had stopped as we pulled into the Chick-Fil-A parking lot. We quickly unloaded and entered the restaurant. Armed with my 2 coupons, we waited in line. At our turn, I handed the cashier my coupons. He confirmed that I wanted 2 sweet teas with each of the 4-piece chicken strips. (When a Chick-Fil-A coupon states a specific beverage (i.e. Sprite), most cashiers allow you to substitute for any comparable beverage.) The cost was 2 orders of chicken strips at $3.99 each for free and 2 teas at $1.49 each. I then ordered 4 buns: 3 toasted and 1 plain at $.15 each. My total with tax came to  . . . $3.87. (If I had purchased 4 chicken sandwiches, I would have spent over $10!)

The kids and I went to a table chosen by my daughter. The cashier brought our food to the table, and I begun to put our meal together.

  • I stopped by the condiment station and picked up a knife, napkins, mayonnaise, ketchup, and placemats.
  • I returned to the table and attached the placemats to each of the kids’ eating area. (I love these placemats. They work great, especially for the baby who is used to eating on the tray of her highchair.)
  • I took out a bun, added requested condiments, and 2 strips of chicken. Next I cut the sandwich in half and placed in front of my daughter. I then made my son’s sandwich, then the baby’s, and finally mine. I was able to make 4 great chicken sandwiches with the food purchased. My son and daughter shared a sweet tea, and the baby and I shared the other one.
  • After completing our meal, I cleaned up, and the kids went to play on the indoor playground.

When I returned home, I checked the receipt of my great restaurant deal. In addition to my purchase, my receipt had a survey invitation in the center section. After taking the survey on-line, I received a validation code which I can now redeem for a free Chick-Fil-A sandwich. I guess we will be planning another visit to Chick-Fil-A soon. Maybe this time Daddy will be able to come with us.

By thinking outside of the box, using some of the options presented in the 10 Ways to Cut the Expense of Eating Out series, and setting a budget, the kids and I gained nourishment and exercise for under $4 on a spontaneous family activity.

What creative ways have you used to save money on a spur-of-the-moment change of plans?