2013: Summer Bowling – Kids Bowl Free

May 10, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Kids Bowl Free

With our summer vacation beginning in about 2 weeks, I’ve got my daughter registered for art camp and waiting for tennis camp registration to open for my son.

Looking ahead, we are ready for the water parks to open and spending time with our friends.

However, we still have much to accomplish at school, so I’m planning for summer while keeping my children on academic tasks. 😉

Last week, we looked at the AMF Summer Unplugged bowling program. This week, Kids Bowl Free gets promoted.

Kids Bowl Free

For those really hot or rainy days, I prefer indoor fun. For an indoor option, Kids Bowl Free gives every registered child 2 free bowling games each day, every day, all summer long. The children’s ages and dates of this promotion are determined by the individual bowling alleys that participate.

Kids Bowl Free for Children

To get the free games, find a participating location (available in the United States and Canada) and register each of your children. You will need to re-register each summer as the program resets, and the information from last year does not transfer.

There is a limit of 6 children and one location per e-mail address. So, if you have 4 children and two available bowling alleys in your location, then you will need two e-mail accounts. Use one to sign up each of your 4 children at one location, and then use the other e-mail account to sign up all 4 children at the second location.

Once registered, you will receive a weekly e-mail on Sundays with a coupon for each person for each day. Before you go to the bowling alley, print your vouchers for your FREE games of bowling. Shoe rental is usually not included with the FREE games.

Kids Bowl Free Family Pass for Parents

If you want to bowl with your children, then consider purchasing the Kids Bowl Free Family Pass for $24.95, which allows 4 named family members to bowl 2 free games each day all summer long. Again, shoe rental is usually not included.

When you get the Family Pass, you will get an e-mail confirmation that can be used immediately. Then on Sundays, you will get the coupons for each person for each day to print when you return. You can register at anytime for the Family Pass, so wait until you are ready to go to the bowling alley.

In using time wisely and looking forward to summer plans, register your children in Kids Bowl Free. I find bowling a nice backup activity if we need a change of pace. Of course, our family will need the bumpers to keep our young one at least interested. Happy summer planning!

Question: Did you find a participating Kids Bowl Free alley in your area?

2013: Summer Bowling – AMF Summer Unplugged

May 3, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: AMF

Having just planted our spring garden, I’m amazed how close we are to summer.

With the cooler temperatures lasting much longer than a typical spring, I feel like summer is springing on me this year.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the cooler temperatures and have enjoyed the spring season.

My list of summer activities is started. Writing down all the items we really want to do helps as I plan each week.

If I don’t plan, then I end up with a long list at the end of the summer of activities we missed. If you are planning your summer, consider these summer activities. I will highlight at least one each week. Enjoy!

AMF Summer Unplugged

Ready to have a {bowling} ball this summer? Allow AMF to provide your children 2 free bowling games each day, every day, all summer long through AMF Summer Unplugged.

This program is free for children ages 15 and younger and available from Monday, May 13 through Monday, September 2, 2013. The games are free, but shoe rental is not included.

AMF Summer Unplugged for Children

To get the free games, you must register each of your children. You will need to start a new registration for 2013. Even if you have been an AMF Summer Unplugged member in the past, you will sign up as a new user for 2013.

CHANGE FROM PREVIOUS YEARS: Without any vouchers or weekly e-mails, the center for which you signup will receive notification of your enrollment. You just need to check in as a Summer Unplugged member. This change is great as there are no coupons or vouchers to print this year. You just signup and go bowl.

Photograph Credit: AMF

AMF Summer Pass for Parents

If you want to join your children, then consider purchasing the AMF Summer Pass for $34.95, which allows 4 family members ages 16 and up to bowl 2 free games each day all summer long. Again, shoe rental is not included.

Though our family did not make it to the bowling alley in 2010, 2011, or 2012, I still signed up my kids. Paul and I purchased bowling shoes and the AMF Summer Pass in 2010, but we never made it to the alley. So, I bypassed the AMF Summer Pass in 2011 and 2012.

With the AMF Summer Pass available all summer, I can (and will) wait until we plan to bowl before purchasing the pass. One of these years, we will make it to the alley. When the time comes, we will be prepared.

In using time wisely and looking forward to summer plans, register your children for AMF Summer Unplugged. You have nothing to lose, so sign-up in case it becomes too hot or too wet for outside fun. Happy summer planning!

Question: How often does your family go bowling?

Summer Picnic & Barbecue Planning Guide – Part 4 of 5

August 14, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Smabs Sputzer)

Many summer schedules are coming to an end, but summer continues officially until September. As your routines change and you are reunited with your friends, enjoy times together over a summer picnic and barbecue.

After planning the menu in part 1, distributing the responsibilities in part 2, and creating an inviting space in part 3, today continues with keeping refrigerated items cold and organizing your food layout.

Keeping Refrigerated Items Cold

With the summer heat, keeping the refrigerated items chilled is a challenge. Besides keeping those dishes inside or in a cooler, I like using ice packs. Since the ice packs will melt, I do the following:

1. Find a coordinating hand towel that fits nicely on the table,

2. Set the hand towel (folded in half) in the place of the refrigerated dish,

3. Place the ice packs on top of the hand towel, and

4. Put the dish on top of the ice packs.

Throughout the picnic, I check the refrigerated dishes for coolness and return them to the kitchen as the dinner comes to an end. Keeping refrigerated items cool is difficult in the direct sunlight. If the ice packs are too bulky for under the dish, I have placed the ice packs around the dish as well. As each picnic menu has its challenges, I focus on keeping the refrigerated items cold when organizing the food layout.

Organizing the Food Layout

When I setup the food table, I choose to group like items together as needed. My organizational pattern is as follows:

1. Paper Products

In this section, I place the plates, napkins, and silverware. Of course, I skip this step if tables are preset with these items.

2. Meats

A platter of meats followed by breads and condiments fill the next section on the serving table.

3. Sides

Placed next to the meats are the sides, including salads, vegetables, and fruit.

4. Desserts

If desserts are included on the table, then I add them at the end. Depending on the setup, I usually serve dessert after dinner is complete.

5. Drinks

If I only have one table, then I set the drinks with cups at the end. This way, guests do not carry their drink through the food line as they fill their plates.

With a simple setup plan that works with any type of gathering, I can quickly prepare for guests without lots of fuss. Inviting friends on the fly is possible with a plan in place. Entertaining others does not require china and crystal glasses. Thank goodness. 🙂

Planning a simple summer picnic and barbecue need not take lots of time and energy. In using time wisely to plan ahead to keep refrigerated items cold and organizing the food layout, you can focus on relaxing and enjoying your evening.

With Labor Day weekend coming, consider inviting some friends for an enjoyable summer picnic and barbecue. Happy planning!

Question: How do you keep the refrigerated dishes cold?

Summer Picnic & Barbecue Planning Guide – Part 3 of 5

August 7, 2012 by Tracy

Summer picnic and barbecue planning guide

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Buck Lava)

With back-to-school responsibilities underway, I almost forgot that Labor Day weekend is less than a month away. Without my monthly blogging plan, I would have overlooked this opportunity.

Our family enjoys attending an annual cookout and camp out with friends. But if those plans change, I will refer to this series for hosting a summer picnic and barbecue.

In part 1, we looked at the food options and started planning our menu. Then in part 2, we continued planning by distributing the responsibilities since our friends willingly offer to help. Today, I will share simple ways for creating an inviting space.

Part 3: Creating an Inviting Space

With the goal of having a great time, I keep our decorations simple and small for a couple of reasons:

1. Decorating is not one of my strengths. I enjoy matching items, but my style is simple and practical.

2. Frugal-minded, I prefer to invest in items that will last. Getting lots of matching disposable paper products with banners and other cute items translates to tossing those items later or storing more items in my home. As I have spent much time decluttering my home, I evaluate every item coming back into the clean, empty spaces.

Keeping to the basics creates an inviting space. My basics are food area, seating, and open space for play.

1. Food Area

Usually I choose either a table outside or my kitchen counter. If using my outside table, I choose a simple table cloth and secure it well. If using my kitchen counter, I clear the counter of extra items to keep the food centralized.

2. Seating

Offering plenty of seating options gives our guests choices to move about chatting with friends. Movable chairs are my favorite as friends can relocate throughout the party. If I am short on chairs, then I borrow or setup smaller tables and chairs for the children.

3. Open Space

Since our parties always include our children, I plan extra space for them to run and play. Setting up our picnic and barbecue close to the house, I leave a large space in the backyard for the children to play. If your space is limited consider using half of the space vertically or horizontally for play.

If time and funds permit, I also enjoy a simple centerpiece, candle, flowers, or confetti for an added touch. With a little creativity, I can create an inviting space full of color and festive flare with an assortment of food, solid colored napkins, and simple white plates, plastic ware, and cups.

As you consider your next summer picnic and barbecue, creating an inviting space does not need lots of extra items. But if you have the decorating gene, then enjoy this process. I know others who thrive with a blank slate to paint a masterpiece. However, I am content focusing on food, seating, and open space with a little extra color to brighten our afternoon or evening event.

Next week, this series will continue with part 4 – keeping refrigerated dishes cold and organizing your food layout. Until next time, happy planning while using time wisely!

Question: What are your upcoming plans for Labor Day weekend?

Summer Picnic & Barbecue Planning Guide – Part 1 of 5

July 17, 2012 by Tracy

Summer picnic and barbecue - planning your menu

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

As I sit in a comfortable air-conditioned room writing this post, my outside garden is feeling the full weight of the summer heat.

It’s hot this week, and my kids are ready to meet friends for another visit to the water park to cool off.

In keeping our home comfortable and enjoying visits with friends, summer picnics and backyard barbeques win my choice for summer entertainment.

A summer picnic and barbecue with friends does not need all the bells and whistles. You do not need a Martha Stewart centerpiece nor spend hours preparing for some outdoor fun.

To share my simple strategy for a summer picnic and backyard barbecue, I will cover the following topics in this 5-part planning series:

Summer Picnic and Barbecue Planning Guide

Part 1: Planning the Menu

Part 2: Distributing the Responsibilities

Part 3: Creating an Inviting Space

Part 4: Keeping Refrigerated Dishes Cold

Part 5: Enlisting Cleanup Helpers

Part 1: Planning the Menu

When planning a summer picnic or barbecue, I start with these 3 broad food topics to choose the menu:

1. Meat (choose 1-3 types)

Hamburgers
Hot Dogs
Bratwurst
Chicken
Beef
Shrimp

2. Sides (add 2-5 options)

Salads: green, pasta, potato, etc.
Corn on the cob
Veggie cups or tray
Fruit tray
Deviled eggs
Mac and cheese
Chips

3. Dessert (top off with 1-2 choices)

Watermelon
Strawberry shortcake
Homemade ice cream
Apple pie
Brownies

With the menu decided, I then create a list with all the items needed at the picnic. This list would include condiments, sauces, dips, buns, paper products, and beverages.

Knowing the big picture helps me answer questions and distribute the responsibilities evenly, coming in Part 2 of this 5-part series.

As you endure the summer heat, consider hanging out with friends at a summer picnic or backyard barbecue hosted at your home or at a local park. To begin this adventure, start planning your menu and look for a free evening on your calendar to host your summer bash. I’ll walk you through the process. It’s painless, I promise. 😉 Happy planning!

Question: What foods do you enjoy serving for a summer picnic or backyard barbecue?

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