Kids Eat FREE!

If you love eating out with your kids, raise your hand.

Strange, I don't see many hands up. Going out to eat with kiddos is not easy. I know it's better now than when my kids were 2 and under but I am still a firm believer that I should get paid to go out to eat with my kids and I get a mandatory free glass of wine to go with it.

So, that being said. I haven't found a restaurant that will pay us to bring our kids to eat but I have found plenty that offer free meals for the kids. Check out my listing of free or "almost free" kids meals in the Orlando area. Keep in mind that each establishment is different in what they offer for free. Some only offer one kids meal per adult, drinks may or may not be included as well as dessert. So, before you head out for your adventure dinner with the kids, call ahead to get the specifics as each deal is slightly different and can change at any time.

Deals by Restaurant
Gators Dockside
Kids eat free Tuesdays from 5:30PM until 8:30PM with the purchase of an adult meal. Clown & face painting!

Crispers
Kids eat free Tuesdays and Saturdays ALL DAY with the purchase of one or more adult entress.

Kobe
Kids eat free on Tuesdays with the purchase of an adult meal.

The Melting Pot
Kids eat free on Sundays with the purchase of an adult meal.

Beef O'Brady
Kids eat free on Tuesdays from 4 PM until 10 PM with the purchase of an adult meal.

Denny's
Kids eat free Tuesday and Saturdays from 4 PM until 10 PM with a purchase of an adult meal.

Papa Joe's (Lake Mary Blvd. location)
Two kids eat for .99 cents each off of kids menu on Mondays and Tuesdays with the purchase of an adult meal.

Jersey Mike's
Kids Eat Free all day on Wednesdays and Sundays with the purchase of one adult meal.

Red Brick Pizza
Kids eat FREE every Tuesday! Get a FREE kids cheese pizza with the purchase of an adult meal.

Texas Roadhouse
Kids meals are $1.99 (almost free!) on Tuesdays. Kids games in the coral from 5 PM until 8 PM.

Steak and Shake
Kids eat free on Saturdays and Sundays ALL day with the purchase of an adult meal.

Bob's Big Boy
Kids eat free all day on Tuesdays with adult meal.

Dicky's BBQ
Kids eat free ALL day on Sundays with the purchase of an adult meal.

Carmela's of Brooklyn Restaurant Pizzeria (Longwood)
Kids eat free Monday and Tuesdays with the purchase of an adult meal. My hubby's FAVORITE!

Swamp House River Front Grill (Debary)
Kids eat free Tuesday Nights with the purchase of an adult meal.

Liam's Fitzpatrick (Lake Mary)
Kids eat free on Wednesdays from 4:00 until 10:00 PM and $2.00 sundaes!

Hurricane Grill and Wings (Longwood)
Kids eat free all day Mondays with the purchase of an adult meal.

Amigos Restaurant (Altamonte Springs)
Kids eat free all day on Tuesdays with the purchase of an adult meal.

5 & Diner (Orlando) Kids eat free Wednesdays and Sundays with the purchase of an adult meal.

Maria Bonita (Orlando)
Kids eat free Tuesdays 4 PM until close with the purchase of an adult meal.

Crave (Mall of Millennia)
Kids eat free on Sundays with the purchase of an adult meal.

Christopher's Italian Restaurant (Longwood)
Kids eat free on Mondays with the purchase of an adult meal.

Metro Burger
Kids eat for just .99 cents on Tuesdays and Sundays with paying adult.


Brusters
All kids under 40 inches tall receive a free baby cone. Doggies and kitties also receive free Doggy Sundaes.


Deals by Day of the week
Monday:
Christopher's Italian Restaurant
Papa Joe's
Hurricane Grill and Wings
Carmela's of Brooklyn Restaurant Pizzeria

Tuesday:
Crispers
Maria Bonita
Amigos Restaurant
Carmela's of Brooklyn Restaurant Pizzeria
Swamp House River Front Grill
Bob's Big Boy
Red Brick Pizza
Papa Joe's
Texas Roadhouse
Denny's
Beef O'Brady
Kobe
Metro Burger
Gator's Dockside

Wednesday:
5 & Diner
Liam Fitzpatrick's
Jersey Mike's

Saturday:
Crispers
Steak and Shake
Denny's

Sunday:
Crave
5 & Diner
Dicky's BBQ
Steak and Shake
Jersey Mike's
Melting Pot

Hope your free meals make your dinner out with your kids a little more enjoyable. Even though you are saving money, I still recommend the mandatory glass of wine!

FREE Building Classes

I can't say that I love going to Home Depot and Lowe's. I usually go there for my basic home needs and for my garden. BUT I do love their FREE kids building programs! These are programs for children 5 and older and are held at least once a month at your local stores. This program is nationwide and not limited to Florida stores. Lucky for my kids, there is a Home Depot and Lowe's within 10 miles of my house.

What are the kids building programs? They are different sessions where you and your kids can complete a simple building project together. The store supplies the kits free to the kids. We have made everything from bird houses to game boxes. They love the accomplishment of making something but the biggest reward is the time spent with their favorite adults. These programs are free but do require you register ahead of time.

Here are the details:

Home Depot
Home Depot's projects include everything from toolboxes, fire trucks and mail organizers, as well as more educational projects, such as a window birdhouse, bughouse or Declaration of Independence frame kit. In addition to the free project kit, each child receives a kid-sized orange apron, similar to The Home Depot associates' aprons, and an achievement pin. This Saturday, August 6th, the kids will be making pencil boxes. Please be aware that this is for kids ages five through 12 years.

If you want to sign up for this program for this Saturday, August 6th, it's from 9:00 AM -12:00 PM and the minimum age is 5. Please call your local store to sign up today!! What a great way to get back into school mode WHILE having fun and it won't cost you a dime!

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ContentView?pn=Kids_Workshops&langId=-1&storeId=10051&ca

Lowe's
Lowe's program is similar to Home Depot but they reccommend that the kids be in first grade through fifth grade. Also, Lowe's projects are always made of wood. There are two school themed projects for the month of August. The first session of August is being held, August 13th, 2011, at 10:00 AM, where kids can make a school house photo holder. August 27th at 10:00 AM, the kids get to build a school locker. Unfortunately, the August 13 class is full at my local Lowe's. There was availability at neighboring Lowe's. You MUST register online in order to sign up for the class. Don't wait as the classes do fill up! Also, the first 50 kids to register and be present at the store at 10am will receive a kit, aprons and goggles, in addition to all the materials to make their project.

http://lowesbuildandgrow.com/Home.aspx

Remember that your child must be at least 5 years of age and accompanied by an adult who can assist with them with their project. You can't just be there on your phone while your child builds. Get in there and help and have fun with the kids!!!!

Rivership Romance and Kids?

This just in....coupon spotted in the "Look Local" book gives you $7 off each adult ticket.
<---Looky Looky to the left to save $$$. You don't have to have coupon in hand, just have to mention it when making your reservation!!!

I have to admit it. I have never been interested in going on the Rivership Romance in Sanford. It just doesn't sound fun to me or romantic, as the name would suggest. For those of you who LOVE the Rivership Romance, my apologies. It's just that having dinner on a boat as I cruise around Sanford just doesn't do it for me. But just heard about a fun kid event as a very reasonable price and you know me and my boys! So, Rivership Romance is adding kid fun (Gatorland will be there!) and games to that boat ride and I am reconsidering.

Rivership Romance will be having a Family Fun Day Cruise on September 25, 2011 and the boys and I will be there.

Here are the details from Rivership Romance:

Come unwind and enjoy some great family fun. Bring the family out for some affordable family fun and enjoy a taste of some "Real Florida" cruising!

Family Fun Day Cruise...

Sunday, September 25th, 2011....Boarding 3:30; Cruising 4-6pm

friendly entertainment....Kids activities...Face painting...Animals from GATORLAND...Affordable family friendly menu to purchase from...Great river views!
All this for only $15 adults; $10 children +tax & port fee.

Call the Rivershop Romance office at 1-800-423-7401 to make reservations.

Take me out to the ballgame WITH the kids!

Are you dying to go to a MLB game but don't want to pay the $$$$? I stumbled upon something a couple years ago that is offered by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. It's a Family Fun Day. It's for all the Sunday home games. The total price for the ticket is $26.50 and that is all the fees included with the ticket. That price includes a voucher for a hot dog, snack, and Pepsi product. We even got to go down to the field and run the bases at the end of the game! Such a fun day! We have gone in the past to see the Yankees play the Rays but unfortunately this year the Yankees aren't playing on any of those Sundays! The stinky Red Soxs are playing one of these games for those of you who are brave enough to cheer for them!

Anyway, it's a great deal and they have fun free things all over the stadium for the kids if the baseball game, hot dog and soda aren't enough! My boys, big and small, loved it! Games start at 1:40 PM.

To buy tickets, go to http://mlb.mlb.com/tb/ticketing/family_fun_days.jsp and click on the green button next to the game you wish to attend and fill in the number of tickets needed in the "Family Fun Day" box.

As part of the St. Petersburg Times Family Fun Days, the Rays feature special promotional giveaways which are given to the first 10,000 kids 14 and under in attendance. Postgame, kids can run the bases or take part in a wiffle ball home run derby in left field. The giveaway on the next family fun day is a Back to School Kit. How convenient!

http://mlb.mlb.com/tb/ticketing/family_fun_days.jsp

School Supplies for pennies....

I just went shopping for my kids school supplies and scooped up some deals! Since I already have made a list for my deals, I figured I would share. See below....


Also, are you sitting here thinking "I have no idea what school supplies we need?" Well, if you go to your local Office Max, they have a convenient display with all local school supply lists. I loved this as my husband was complaining that our new school had a longer supply list. One look at the other school list and he was proved wrong. Our new school has a shorter list! Ha Ha!


So, here are some of the best deals by store for this week ending August 6th:

Walgreens:
Composition notebooks 59 cents
Colored pencils 39 cents
2 pocket folders with prongs 11 cents
Notebook filler paper 59 cents
6 pack of Papermate highlighters 39 cents
24 pack of crayons 59 cents
1 subject notebooks 39 cents
2 pack of pink erasers 29 cents with coupon in store circular
Fiskar Scissors 79 cents with coupon in store circular
3 pack of glue sticks or one bottle of liquid glue 59 cents with coupon in store circular
4 pack of dry erase markers 99 cents with coupon in store circular


Office Max:
Composition notebooks 50 cents
Post It Notes, buy two, get one, plus coupon in store for free totebag with purchase of two)
Rulers 1 cent
Crayons 1 cent
Pencils 10 cents
3 pack of glue sticks 50 cents
Dry erase markers, Buy two, get two


Staples
2 pocket folders 1 cent
2 pack Sharpie markers 25 cents
2 pack pink erasers 10 cents

Tuesday, Aug 2, 2011
Lights! Color! Action! Make Believe Theater at the East Branch Library
Lights! Color! Action! Storyteller and puppeteer Katie Adams performs Mariposa Martinez and More Tales from Latin America . Stories with a dash of Spanish words, and a splash of colorful shadow puppets. Two special school age shows at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the East Branch Library (Oviedo). Free, for kids grades K-5. Call your local library for more
http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/misc/ann_attach/22_Mariposa_Martinez_Poster_-_East.pdf

Wednesday, Aug 3, 2011
All A-Board: Board Games & Fun at East Branch Library
3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Cool off inside and play crazy board games with other school age kids (K-5th grade). Join the fun at East Branch Library (Oviedo) Confetti Club. Free. Call your local library for more information.

Wednesday, Aug 3, 2011
Lights! Color! Action! Make Believe Theater at the Central Branch Library
Lights! Color! Action! Storyteller and puppeteer Katie Adams performs Mariposa Martinez and More Tales from Latin America . Stories with a dash of Spanish words, and a splash of colorful shadow puppets. Two special school age shows at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the Central Branch Library (Casselberry). Free, for kids grades K-5. Call your local library for more information.
http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/misc/ann_attach/22_Mariposa_Martinez_Poster_-_East.pdf
Wednesday, Aug 3, 2011
Lights! Color! Action! Make Believe Theater at the Northwest Branch Library
Lights! Color! Action! Storyteller and puppeteer Katie Adams performs Mariposa Martinez and More Tales from Latin America . Stories with a dash of Spanish words, and a splash of colorful shadow puppets. A special school age evening show at 7:00 p.m.at the Northwest Branch Library (Lake Mary). Free, for kids grades K-5. Call your local library for more information.
http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/misc/ann_attach/22_Mariposa_Martinez_Poster_-_East.pdf
Through August 10th:
One World, Many Stories - Children's Summer Reading at the Library
Calling all kids who love adventure and going new places! Get your reading log, and read your way around the world and through the summer by signing up for One World, Many Stories Summer Reading. Win a prize for reading 20 days! Registration begins June 1st at your local branch library. Please check in for this program at your local Seminole County Library.

Ongoing events:
Looking for a free and safe activity for your kids this summer? Freebowling.com thought you might be. They have set up a free bowling program, with the intended effort of keeping kids entertained this summer in a safe, secure and fun way. They are also doing this to say thank you to the individuals, churches, schools and other organizations that utilize their bowling centers in the spring, fall, and winter seasons (freebowling.com).
To make this happen, participating bowling centers are pairing up with schools, and allowing kids (there is an age limit set by each individual center) to play two free bowling games, everyday this summer (it is not clear if shoes are included – check with the participating bowling alley you sign up with).
There are guidelines and restrictions to this offer, but if you live in an area where bowling centers are participating, sign up! There are no fees, signing up is easy, and there is even the opportunity to purchase a bowling pass for the entire summer for 4 family members at the cost of $19.95 per family (freebowling.com).
Guidelines and important information:
• You must have a participating bowling alley near you.
• Each bowling alley sets its own age restrictions.
• Each bowling alley sets its own date parameters for when this summer program begins and ends.
• Each bowling alley can set dates and hours where the promotion is not good.
• Parents must sign their children up - kids are not allowed to sign themselves up.
• A portion of every family 4 pack (19.95 per family) will be donated to build youth activities in the fall.
To sign up:
• Find a participating bowling alley near you by going to www.kidsbowlfree.com
• Click on the Bowling Center’sLink
• Fill in the required information
• If you would like to purchase the family pack good for 4 people (2 games each a day per person @ 19.95 per family), you can also do this here.
• You will be sent emails each week with your free bowling coupons for that week (they will be dated). Or you can log into your account, and print your coupons at anytime.

What's going on this week....

Tuesday, Aug 2, 2011
Lights! Color! Action! Make Believe Theater at the East Branch Library
Lights! Color! Action! Storyteller and puppeteer Katie Adams performs Mariposa Martinez and More Tales from Latin America . Stories with a dash of Spanish words, and a splash of colorful shadow puppets. Two special school age shows at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the East Branch Library (Oviedo). Free, for kids grades K-5. Call your local library for more information.

http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/misc/ann_attach/22_Mariposa_Martinez_Poster_-_East.pdf

Wednesday, Aug 3, 2011
All A-Board: Board Games & Fun at East Branch Library
3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Cool off inside and play crazy board games with other school age kids (K-5th grade). Join the fun at East Branch Library (Oviedo) Confetti Club. Free. Call your local library for more information.

Wednesday, Aug 3, 2011
Lights! Color! Action! Make Believe Theater at the Central Branch Library
Lights! Color! Action! Storyteller and puppeteer Katie Adams performs Mariposa Martinez and More Tales from Latin America . Stories with a dash of Spanish words, and a splash of colorful shadow puppets. Two special school age shows at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the Central Branch Library (Casselberry). Free, for kids grades K-5. Call your local library for more information.

http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/misc/ann_attach/22_Mariposa_Martinez_Poster_-_East.pdf

Wednesday, Aug 3, 2011
Lights! Color! Action! Make Believe Theater at the Northwest Branch Library
Lights! Color! Action! Storyteller and puppeteer Katie Adams performs Mariposa Martinez and More Tales from Latin America . Stories with a dash of Spanish words, and a splash of colorful shadow puppets. A special school age evening show at 7:00 p.m.at the Northwest Branch Library (Lake Mary). Free, for kids grades K-5. Call your local library for more information.

http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/misc/ann_attach/22_Mariposa_Martinez_Poster_-_East.pdf

Through August 10th:
One World, Many Stories - Children's Summer Reading at the Library
Calling all kids who love adventure and going new places! Get your reading log, and read your way around the world and through the summer by signing up for One World, Many Stories Summer Reading. Win a prize for reading 20 days! Registration begins June 1st at your local branch library. Please check in for this program at your local Seminole County Library.

Ongoing events:
Looking for a free and safe activity for your kids this summer? Freebowling.com thought you might be. They have set up a free bowling program, with the intended effort of keeping kids entertained this summer in a safe, secure and fun way. They are also doing this to say thank you to the individuals, churches, schools and other organizations that utilize their bowling centers in the spring, fall, and winter seasons (freebowling.com).
To make this happen, participating bowling centers are pairing up with schools, and allowing kids (there is an age limit set by each individual center) to play two free bowling games, everyday this summer (it is not clear if shoes are included – check with the participating bowling alley you sign up with).
There are guidelines and restrictions to this offer, but if you live in an area where bowling centers are participating, sign up! There are no fees, signing up is easy, and there is even the opportunity to purchase a bowling pass for the entire summer for 4 family members at the cost of $19.95 per family (freebowling.com).

Guidelines and important information:
• You must have a participating bowling alley near you.
• Each bowling alley sets its own age restrictions.
• Each bowling alley sets its own date parameters for when this summer program begins and ends.
• Each bowling alley can set dates and hours where the promotion is not good.
• Parents must sign their children up - kids are not allowed to sign themselves up.
• A portion of every family 4 pack (19.95 per family) will be donated to build youth activities in the fall.
To sign up:
• Find a participating bowling alley near you by going to www.kidsbowlfree.com
• Click on the Bowling Center’sLink
• Fill in the required information
• If you would like to purchase the family pack good for 4 people (2 games each a day per person @ 19.95 per family), you can also do this here.
• You will be sent emails each week with your free bowling coupons for that week (they will be dated). Or you can log into your account, and print your coupons at anytime.

First Day on the Playground

Well, I have to start somewhere and here I am. It's like the first day of school. I am not sure what to expect but like years past, I am optimistic for a good school year. In this case, I am hoping for a good blog.

First, I hope this blog log will be a source of information for events and deals for the Orlando metro area to include Seminole (shout out), Orange and Volusia counties. It started because so many of my friends told me I am already doing this but just not in this format. So, I hope to continue to inform my old friends and new friends on all the good things going around and also how to do them without incurring too much cost. If you know me, you know I love a deal!!!!

For those of you who don't know me, I am a Mom to two wild and wonderful boys who don't like sitting still. I'm resourceful and always looking for things to do. I have been married for ten years to the most wonderful man and the biggest Yankee fan I know, who doesn't like sitting still either!

So, here goes nothing. I hope you find my blog interesting and helps you have more fun things to do in your life while saving some $$ at the same time.

Betsy