If your break is already feeling too long and your kids are starting to get bored, here are some fun (and free) family activities that won’t bust your budget.
Bank of America Free Museum Weekends
Bank of America cardholders can get free general admission to over 100 museums nationwide the first Saturday of every month. The next free weekend will be this weekend, January 2nd and 3rd. All you need is a photo ID and any Bank of America card. Click here for details and to locate a participating museum near you.
Hollywood Video – Free Kids Rentals
For a limited time, choose from 100s of titles and get a free kids rental from Hollywood Video! The offer is valid at participating store locations (you may want to call your store first to make sure they are participating). Limit 1 free rental at a time – valid on DVDs only. Details are here.
Home Depot Kids “How To Workshops”
The first Saturday of every month, Home Depot offers “How To” workshops for children between the ages of 5 and 12. The workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety as they are completing their project. The next workshop is this Saturday, January 2, from 9 am-noon at all Home Depot stores. Click here for more details.
Target Free Family Fun Days
Target is offering free admission to over 40 museums across the United States the first weekend of every month. The next free day is January 2nd or 3rd (depending on your area. If you live in the Houston area, the Museum of Fine Arts has a free “First Sunday” from 12:15-7 p.m. (Admission to this museum is also free on Thursdays, courtesy of Shell Oil Company Foundation)
Check out a list of other participating locations here.
LOCAL EVENTS: If you live in the Houston area, here are some free local events!
Buffalo Soldiers National Museum – free admission on Mondays (except holidays). Learn more about the museum here.
Children’s Museum of Houston ~ The Children’s Museum hosts Free Family Nights every Thursday from 5-8 p.m. The free admission includes access to all hands-on exhibits as well as other programming. Parking is $3. Details are here.
Contemporary Arts Museum Houston – Admission is always free. Details are here.
Discovery Green – Enjoy natural gardens, a children’s playground, and water features. Learn more about the park here. Ice skating (through January 18, 2010), balloon rides (through February 28, 2010), and dining are available (these activities do have fees associated with them – see the website for details).
The Health Museum – Admission is free on Thursdays from 2-5 p.m. Learn more about this museum here.
Holocaust Museum of Houston – Admission is always free! Click here for details about this museum.
Houston Zoo ~ The Houston Zoo offers five free admission days. Details are here.
The dates are:
New Year’s Day (Friday, January 1, 2010)
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, January 18, 2010)
President’s Day (Monday, February 15, 2010)
Columbus Day (Monday, October 11.2010)
The Day after Thanksgiving (Friday, November 26, 2010)
The John C. Freeman Weather Museum – Admission is free on Thursdays from 12-4 p.m. Learn more about this museum here.
