Summer Fun: Camping at the Lake

A friend and her family went to a campground a few months ago and looked like they had a great time.  Since we were planning a trip, I called her to get the lowdown on the campground.  We loved it!  The campground is wooded and near a lake.  There's a beach with sand.  A Nature Hut where a Naturalist is on site to share her knowledge with the kids.  A playground and ball field.  Oh, did I mention there was a lake?  So beautiful!

Nana & the kids at Toccoa Falls

That's our trip in an nutshell :)

Summer Fun: Plan for Summer 2010

My plan is to keep the kids busy!  My step-son will be here in July and I don't want him to get bored.  One of the challenges I need to address is finding age appropriate activities which 2, 4 and 13 year old children can participate in and have fun.  We're planning to take a camping trip one weekend in July and we also have our District Convention one weekend.  I'm looking for weekly activities for the kids.  So here's a run down of some things we might be able to do over the next two months:

Free Movies provided by Regal Cinemas (check your town for listings)

Tellus Science Museum - Free admission 1st weekend of every month (Cartersville)

Fernbank Museum of Natural History & IMAX (Atlanta)

Fernbank Science Center & Planetarium (Atlanta)

Coca Cola Space Science Center (Columbus)

World of Coca Cola (Atlanta)

Georgia Aquarium (Atlanta) Purchased Mommy & Me tickets earlier this year (woo hoo!)

Noah's Ark (Locust Grove)

Cochran Mill Nature Center - hiking and picnicking near the waterfalls

Bowling - check out specials, you can bowl for $.99!

Welcome All Park - swimming

Adams Farms or other farm for Blueberry picking

Skating - Fayetteville or Douglasville

I don't know if we'll do all of these things but at least I have a list I can check and see what we can do or what they might want to do.  It looks like most of these places have a variety of activities for children of all ages.  

I'll share what we do under my new "Summer Fun" button.  Isn't it cheerful!?!

Do you have any suggestions for our area in Georgia?

Enjoy!

Family Fun: Zoo Atlanta Coupon Code

After reviewing the report for most hits for my blog, I was surprised to see Zoo Atlanta Coupons as one of the most frequently viewed posts.  I thought I'd share the recent coupon code from Savvy Shopper.  Savvy Shopper is a coupon booklet mailed to your home.  Inside are coupons ranging in food and entertainment to dentistry and granite counters.  You will need to have the coupon from the Savvy Shopper mailer in order to take advantage the coupon code "SAVVY SHOPPER" to receive $3 off general admission.  This coupon is good for up to 4 people and expires 12/31/10.  It's not valid with any other offer or discounts.  

My Momma and I are taking the kids to the Zoo on Thursday, so I'll let you know how it works with a senior discount.

***Update*** You can combine the $3 off coupon with a seniors admission to get in even cheaper!  YEAH!!!

Enjoy!

FREE Family Fun: National Park Week

 

The United States Park Service will be waiving the entrance fees for 392 National Parks across the country April 17-25, 2010;  including many here in Georgia. 

Get outside and enjoy the weather with your family!

Thanks Field Trips with Sue!

Enjoy!

Family Fun: Strawberry Festival 2010

On Saturday in visited the Ottawa Farms Strawberry Festival.  I was blown away at all the fun activities they had for everyone.  And the strawberries...oh my...the strawberries!  They were hugemongous!  Evidently they get a burst of energy with a late frost and explode in size and production.  We had alot of fun.  Here's some of the pictures (unfortunately, I didn't realize there was smudge on the lens until AFTER the majority of the pictures were taken, oh well.  The memories will be with us forever!)

The little kids rode the ponies and LOVED it. 

Hunter screamed and cried when he had to get off. 

I think he thought it was HIS horsey...poor baby.

The older kids rode the "WIZZER".
They were so dizzy when they got off, they could barely walk!!!

They had FREE duck races! Austin won!

I was so proud of my little ones, they actually TOUCHED the alligator, 

but my 13 year old said "NO WAY!"...LOL!

These are some of the strawberries that were picked.  

We have the "Siamese Strawberries", The Biggest and the smallest, 

two of the most twisted.  And then to show you just how big the big one was...there were so many which were that size...unbelievable...I'm holding it in my hand!

Stay tuned tomorrow for the Strawberry Recipe Round Up.  

Enjoy!

This post has been linked to:

• Wordful Wednesday at Seven Clown Circus
• Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Mom
• Wordless Wednesday at A Lot of Loves
• Wordless Wednesday at Newlyweds Blog

New Restaurant.com Promo Code 80% Off

Restaurant.com Gift Cards starting at $15.00 for $25 cards. Use code CHOW to save an additional 80% Off thru 4/6/10.

FREE Family Fun: Noah's Ark Animal Rehabilitation Center

Located just south of Atlanta in Locust Grove, is an animal rehabilitation center called Noah's Ark.  The facility is located on 250 acres and care for a variety of animals including a zebra, lion, bear and tiger.  There is no admission fee but they greatly appreciate donations.  Noah's Ark is opened Tuesday through Saturday from 12 noon - 3:00 p.m.  What a great way for your children to see wild animals up close and personal!  

Thanks Tara, Brandy & Barbara!

Enjoy!

Family Fun: Nearly FREE Movies!

Check out this great deal Leah found:

Toy Story 1 and Toy Story 2 on Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Packs 

plus two FREE movie tickets for only $3.98!

Read the step-by-step instructions on how to score this deal at Mama Cheaps.

Thanks Leah!

Enjoy!

Family Fun

Georgia Aquarium has extended their Mommy & Me tickets.  I've written about this before.  It really is a good deal, especially if you have more than one kid under 5 years old.  The offer includes one adult admission, up to four (4) children under the age of 5 and Parking.  This offer is valid Monday-Friday and tickets purchased through March 19, 2010 can be redeemed through December 31, 2010.  

Thanks Brittni!

 _____________________________________________________

Over the weekend, my friend Jessica invited us to Michael's to take advantage of their Knack Classes.  These are FREE classes for the kids.  You only need to purchase the materials.  It was so much fun and Haylei loved it!  You can read about the upcoming classes Michael's will be offering.  This weekend they are offering classes on bead necklaces and making a ladybug clay pot (only $1!!!).  Isn't that the cutest thing!  Make sure you sign up and register to receive the emails since they include a 40% off coupon.  You can use these coupons to purchase the needed materials to further reduce the cost. 

Thanks Jessica!

Family Fun: Going to the Movies

Have you been to the Movies lately?  My husband is absolutely dying to see Avatar, but I absolutely refuse to pay $10.50 a ticket!  By the time you add popcorn and a coke, we're talking about $30 just for the night.  That's my weekly grocery budget this month!

There are a couple of different thrifty solutions to this problem:

1. Locate a movie theater in your area that shows movies for $1.00.  There are usually at least one that get the movies later than everyone else and charge anywhere from $.50 up to $1.75.  Sometimes, they will even let you bring your own popcorn and drinks from home. There are at least two in our area that I'm aware of, Fayetteville and Marietta (thanks to Jennifer for that one!)
   
2. Rent the movie from your local video rental store.  These usually have rental fees for $.99 a movie.  Or you can rent a movie from Red Box.  They offer FREE movie rental promo codes on the First Monday of each month.
3. Sign up for video rental service by mail.  The two most popular are Netflix and Blockbuster.  We actually have Netflix and love it.  We've been using it for about 3 years now.  You pay a monthly fee and receive movies in the mail.  There are several different options to choose from, as little as $4.99 for for one DVD at a time with a limit of 2 rentals a month; to $23.99 for four (4) DVDs at a time with unlimited instant TV viewing from your computer. (I'm not endorsing Netflix and I didn't get paid to tell you that, this is just from our experience with them.)
4. If you are "dead-set" on seeing the movie at the theater on the big-screen (and you do not have a "cheap $1.00" movie in your area), you can save a couple of dollars by going early to a matinee seating.  These are usually showtimes before 3:00-4:00 pm.  You will need to check with your local theater for the exact time and costs, but going early can save you as much as half of a regular priced ticket. 

By choosing one of these thrifty solutions, you are saving anywhere from 50% (matinee viewing)  up to 100% (FREE Red Box promo) of the cost of movie-going.

Enjoy! 

This post has been linked to:

• Thrifty Thursday at My Coupon Teacher
  

Family Fun: Georgia Aquarium Mommy & Me Tickets

I've posted about these before, and I'm so happy they brought them back again this year! 

The Georgia Aquarium is offering their Mommy and Me tickets for $25. 

This offer includes: one adult admission, up to four (4) children under the age of 5 and parking.  Make sure you purchase them online by February 28, 2010 so you can take advantage of this great sale.  This offer is valid from Monday-Friday and tickets purchased by February 28, 2010 are redeemable through December 31, 2010.  So you have a quite a while to use them. 

It's our experience that visiting the Georgia Aquarium around the holidays are not a good time to visit.  It's overcrowded and your visit feels rushed.  I would suggest visiting on an "off-day" like Monday or Thursday.  Choose a day when the kids are back in school from a holiday break.  This will ensure you have a good time and can move at your own speed.

Thanks Atlanta on the Cheap!

Enjoy! 

Family Fun: Callaway Gardens

Callaway Gardens is offering FREE admission again this year from January 1- February 28, 2010.  No purchase required!  We took advantage of this last year and had a ball!  We toured the Butterfly House and walked around the Azalea Bowl.  We brought a picnic supper and ate nearby Mr. Cason's Vegetable Garden by the lake.  It was so much fun!

Thanks Southern Savers!

Enjoy!

Family Fun: Zoo Atlanta $9 Tickets

Jennifer at Atlanta on the Cheap found a great deal on tickets to Zoo Atlanta.  You can get tickets for ONLY $9 and use them until March 31, 2010.  But you have to hurry, the offer expires 12/28/2009.  Go HERE to read the details.


Enjoy!

Family Fun: Circus in Atlanta Feb 2010

Are you looking for some family fun?

Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus will be coming to Atlanta in February 2010 (Friday February 12- Sunday February 21).

Ticketmaster is offering a special 50% off discount on opening night when you order your tickets by December 24, 2009. This discount is available for only Club Seats and Price Levels 5-7. Use promo code Z3962. There are additional fees, service charges and taxes which are not included in the promo discount price.

FREE to all ticket holders is the All Access Pre-Show featuring Clown College. Arrive an hour before showtime to participate!

Another special offered through the circus is "Baby's First Circus". If your child is under 12 months old, they can attend for FREE!

Enjoy!

Family Fun Friday: Georgia Aquarium $20 Tickets

The Georgia Aquarium is offering a tickets for only $20 (regular price is $35 for adults). You can take advantage of this special price by wearing your Atlanta Falcons gear to the Aquarium the Friday before a home game. Tickets are available at the box office or online, just make sure you are wearing your Falcons gear when you arrive! Tickets are available for the following date:

• December 11, 2009

Enjoy!

Family Fun Friday: Georgia Aquarium $20 Tickets

The Georgia Aquarium is offering a tickets for only $20 (regular price is $35 for adults). You can take advantage of this special price by wearing your Atlanta Falcons gear to the Aquarium the Friday before a home game. Tickets are available at the box office or online, just make sure you are wearing your Falcons gear when you arrive! Tickets are available for the following dates:

• December 4, 2009
• December 11, 2009

Enjoy!

Family Fun Friday: $20 Tickets Georgia Aquarium

The Georgia Aquarium is offering a tickets for only $20 (regular price is $35 for adults). You can take advantage of this special price by wearing your Atlanta Falcons gear to the Aquarium the Friday before a home game. Tickets are available at the box office or online, just make sure you are wearing your Falcons gear when you arrive! Tickets are available for the following dates:

• November 27, 2009
• December 4, 2009
• December 11, 2009

Enjoy!

Georgia Aquarium: Last Day for Mommy & Me $25 Tickets

If you have not taken advantage of this offer yet, today is the last day to purchase tickets. Georgia Aquarium is offering their Mommy & Me tickets. The tickets are only $25. This admission ticket is for one (1) adult ticket, FREE admission for children age 5 and under (maximum four (4) kids per paid adult) and FREE parking (which is usually $10). This is available for Monday-Friday through November 19, 2009 and can only be purchased online. Ticket purchased online before the offer expires on November 19, 2009, can be used through December 13, 2009 (with the exception of November 23-26, 2009).

Enjoy!

Georgia Aquarium: Princess Day 11/21/09

That's right! On Saturday November 21, 2009 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. the Georgia Aquarium is offering FREE admission to girls 12 years old and under dressed in their princess costumes. Of course it's FREE with one paid adult admission but it would still be a great day with your little princess! Read more about it HERE.

Thanks Hannah!

Enjoy!

Toys R Us & Hasbro Deal Ends 11/14/09

Currently at Toys R Us, you can purchase $25 worth of Hasbro board games and receive a $10 Toys R Us Gift Card. But you can also take advantage of a Hasbro Games Rebate. Toys R Us has the games on sale this week and this offer expires November 14, 2009!

Read what's on sale HERE at Southern Savers. And she has an easy scenario that would essentially leave you OOP $3.93 or $.56 each after gift card & mail in rebate!

The kids and I love to play board games, so I think I might run out later this week to pick up on this deal or maybe we'll wait until Friday or Saturday so Austin can help pick out some new games.

Enjoy!