FREE Things To Do With The Kids

Since we are tight on cash this summer, I have been working hard to find free or almost free things to do with the kids.  We have two great playgrounds in Chelsea that I'm sure my 4 year old would be happy to go to every day, my 12 year old, not so much... So I signed up for www.kidsbowlfree.com They will give you a coupon for one free game of bowling per day per child all summer long.  A lot of the movie theaters around are also doing super cheap movies (mostly on Tuesdays at 10 am) so check your local theater.  We have a "Cheap Seats" movie theater about 20 minutes away from us, where it's $1 per person all week, and Tuesday all day, it's half price.  I've debated getting a zoo membership since the kids both like going to the zoo.  It's a pretty pricey expense up front, and we don't have any zoos SUPER close, so it's about an hour drive each way.  BUT it's just as expensive to pay for one visit for the family as it is to buy a family pass. So as long as we go at least twice in the season, it pays for itself.  On Thursdays evening in downtown Chelsea they have "Sights and Sounds" where they have bands or musicians on every corner and artists and various other great things going on in downtown.  This week there is also a basketball shootoff.  So I'm sure we will be heading out there most Thursdays.  After dark (9:30ish) they also have an outdoor movie showing that shows on the side of the building.  So that's another option.  If you read this and have any other great options for FUN and FREE things to do with kids, I would love the input!