Summer "Treasure Hunts"

Summer is here!  

I love everything about summer:

• the heat (because heat = water play and I LOOOVE playing with water!)
• lazy days (ie. no hectic schedules w/ school, activities, homework, projects, etc.)
• endless time together (see above)
• free summer deals (see my previous posts about free movies and free zoo visits!)

However, despite my best efforts, I still hear those dreaded words "I'm BORED!"  OK, maybe I don't so much love this part of Summer. But I found something I DO love to help bust that B word! This Massive list of Summer Boredom Busting Ideas!!!

She does a weekly series called Works For Me Wednesday where she shares a tip about something she's found that worked for her to make life easier/better/more fun, and invites her readers to link up their own as well. They have been fun and enlightening to read! I'm not sure I can keep up with posting my own each week, but I sure do enjoy reading hers, so I thought I'd share her link. And maybe I'll post a few of my own when time allows ; ) 

Since today's WFMW is about Summer ideas, I figured this list is a universal necessity for parents in the Summer time, so I wanted to do my part to spread the word about it and share an idea of my own:

I like free. I really like free and educational.And I especially like free, educational and creative! This idea I cam across in  a magazine years ago has become one of our favorite boredom busters for the Summer Time. We call it our Summer Treasure Hunt. And its so simple, fun and time consuming!

1. Grab a bucket
2. Go OUTSIDE!
3. Fill said bucket with all sorts of natural treasures (cool leaves, funny shaped sticks, even BUGS of all shapes and sizes)
4. sit on driveway sorting through all the "goodies" you found, picking out out favorites, then put them all back
5. go inside (to cool off!) and write/draw/use play dough to recreate (and recall!) favorite finds

Somewhere (don't remember where) I recently read about a summer idea that expanded on this even further, but since my kids are young (oldest is 6) it doesn't work for us, yet. However, for those with older kids, they would love it: go online together researching those favorite finds to learn more about them. Write these facts on a paper under a photo or drawn picture of the find. Put all these sheets together to create a Summer Nature Journal. What a fun keepsake to have at the end of the summer! Silly as it sounds, I never thought to create a keepsake from this collection of Summer Treasure Hunt Finds. But starting now, I totally will!

Let me know if you have any fun Summer Boredom Busting Ideas! Let's keep this list going and growing!!

FREE Movies are back!!

Every Summer, Movies 278 in Hiram does a Free Family Film Festival!!  HOORAY!!! I love Free Family Fun!  They show the free movies on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. You can see the schedule of movies for this summer here:

(click image to follow link and see other locations as well)

Regal Cinemas used show free movies, too. But this summer they changed it to $1 showings. Bummer. But still, $1 admission is better than $8, so if you don't live near Hiram for the free movies at 278, check out the dollar movies Regal at Town Center in Kennesaw. Or you can check out their other locations as well.  Just go to Regal Cinema's main website.

If you live even further, check with your local theater and see if they have similar programs. I would be surprised if none do. It's a great marketing idea for them as well! Hey... if they don't maybe you could suggest it to them and be the one who brought free family films to your area! Wouldn't THAT ROCK?!


OH! Also, remember, you can review any movie before you go see it at Focus on the Family's PluggedIn Online website. It is incredibly helpful if you like to be picky about what you let your kids watch. We sure do! The great news is that they all usually show a great selection of family friendly movies during the Summer film festival series.




Do you know of other fun, free stuff to do in the Atlanta Area? if so, please share with us all in the comments below! We could all use more free fun!

Free Zoo Visits!!!

I LOOOOOVE when I find awesome and FREE stuff to do with my family!!!  This was super-exciting for me and my animal loving brood!!

Zoo Atlanta has partnered with the Georgia Public Library to offer free admission for a family of 4!  You can read all about the free Zoo Atlanta Family Pass here.



Hooray!!! My kids get a thrill out of going to the zoo! Now Dad and I can too cuz it's F-R-E-E!!!!


If you don't live near the Atlanta area, check with your local zoo. A staff member told me she thought several other zoos were doing similar programs, so maybe your is too? If not... suggest they do! You could be the one to pioneer their Family Pass Program!


Do you know of other cool, free stuff to do in and around Atlanta? If so, please share in the comments below! We'd all love to hear about it!

Did Someone Say **FREE** Movies?!

Yes! I only found out about this at the end of last summer so I was THRILLED to see it offered again!! In effort to help spread the word, I thought I would post the info here on my blog!

Apparently, several theaters in the area have offered free movies during the summers for the past several years! That's right! FREE MOVIES! This is incredible on so many levels:

1. First of all, who couldn't use more FREE fun this summer with the kids?!
   
   
2. Second of all, if you have small kids, you never really know if they will be able to sit through an entire movie in the theatre. While it would be an exciting experience for them, you may not feel like shelling out $20 or more to "see" if they can. BUT - if it's free, WHY NOT?!
   
   
3. An entire theatre of bouncing children ready to watch a fun family-friendly film, suddenly you realize you don't have to worry if they are overly excited (ie: a bit loud) - all the kids are! And, oh yeah - IT WAS FREE!!

Families in Cobb County can click here for information on Regal Cinemas' "Free Family Film Festival" and to find the theatre near you and the list of movies they are showing . Fellow Kennesaw/Acworth families - YES - Regal at Town Center IS ON THAT LIST!!! They show the Free Family Films on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:00 AM.

Families in Paulding County, Hiram / Dallas area the 278 Theatre is also showing Summer Family Films! Click here to see their list of movies. Movies 278 does their Free Family Films on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00. They take the fun even further by offering FREE popcorn in exchange for a canned food donation! If you forget your can- don't worry, they offer popcorn & drinks for just $1.00 during the Free Family Films! How cool is that?

If you know of other theaters showing free family movies this summer or other fun and free family events, let us know! Leave a comment below!

Have a Fun & Safe Summer!!

Blessings,
Dianne