Who doesn't like free stuff? This round up of the best corporate freebies and bargains ran on ParentMap
here.
Want to support independent stores? Me too. But when it comes to getting freebies and bargains, hit the chains and don’t feel guilty about it. The big box stores will give your kids free things to tempt you into their doors. They hope you buy something, but that’s up to you.
Here are the best corporate giveaways and deals with no strings attached. We don’t do freebies that involve waiting in a long line, or having to buy an adult meal. Make sure you sign up a few weeks early for birthday clubs, though, to get your coupon in time.
Free birthday balloon at Toys ‘R’ Us
Sign your kids (through age 10) up for the birthday club and for their birthday, they’ll get a coupon for $3 off anything $3 or more and a birthday Mylar balloon. Supposedly the kids get a plush Geoffrey the giraffe toy too, but when we visited, the store was out of them “until further notice.”
Toy “R” Us also holds special events with free giveaways. Previous events have featured Hatchimals, LEGOs and Pokémon. Just sign up for the e-mails or check
the store’s event page.
$1 Mylar balloons at the Dollar Tree
The latex balloons from the grocery store are $1.50, and they start to droop after a day. Head to the
Dollar Tree instead, where you can get a Mylar balloon for $1. A store employee will fill up the balloon for you right there so they’re fresh and will last longer. The Dollar Tree has a big selection of balloons – birthdays, stars, smiley faces – that covers all special occasions.
While you’re there, pick up sidewalk chalk, craft supplies and paper party goods. The Dollar Tree is the cheapest place we’ve found for these expendable kid items.
Free kids’ workshops at Home Depot
Build a wooden toy at
Home Depot’s free kids’ workshops, which take place from 9 a.m. to noon on the first Saturday of every month. Hammers, nails, wood, paint – everything’s provided. Kids get to take home their finished project, along with a little orange apron and a pin.
You can
register online, but we would still suggest getting there early to make sure you get a kit. Make sure the kids are wearing something you don’t mind getting paint on. The workshops are recommended for kids 5 to 12, but we’ve seen much younger do-it-yourselfers too (with parents helping, of course).
Upcoming projects include making a tic-tac-toe game (June 3), a bug house (July 1) and a Penske truck (August 5).
Free cupcake and book at Barnes & Noble
Sign your kiddos up for
Barnes & Noble’s kids’ birthday club, and get a free cupcake, cookie or gluten-free Rice Krispies treat from the café. It’s an honest-to-God cupcake – not a mini-cupcake – in your choice of chocolate, vanilla or red velvet. The coupon arrives in your inbox just before your kid’s birthday, and is valid for 2 weeks. Go have a treat, play with the train table, browse the kids’ section and call it a fun family activity.
Also, kids in grades 1 to 6 can sign up for the
Barnes & Noble summer reading program. Read any eight books, record it in your journal and earn a free book.
Free LEGO builds at LEGO stores
Join the LEGO VIP loyalty program, and
register online for the monthly mini model build events at LEGO stores. It’s a different model each month. Kids 6 to 14 learn how to make it and get to take it home for free. The program fills up fast, so sign up right away.
LEGO stores sometimes have other special giveaways – find your nearest
store online for details.
Free crafts at Lakeshore Learning
Lakeshore Learning, aka every teacher’s favorite store, offers a
free craft every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. No reservations are needed, and kids 3 and up can make some art to take home. Upcoming projects include a paper frog (June 3), a feathered parrot (June 10) and a Father’s Day card (June 17).
Disney Store free events
The Disney Store has several regular free events. Every day when the store opens, one helper gets picked to receive a special key or medal. At Disney Store storytimes, kids get a free finger puppet to take home. And starting June 10, the store will hold
Summer Play Days every day at 3 p.m. where kids get a free embroidered patch.
For other special events with giveaways (they happen frequently), check the
Disney Store’s event calendar.
Pottery Barn Kids storytime
Pottery Barn Kids holds a storytime every Tuesday at 11. Attend five storytimes, and kids will get a little gift.
https://www.potterybarnkids.com/customer-service/store-events.html
E-mail discounts from your favorite brand
My oldest was late walker, and I spent a fortune experimenting with various handmade, soft-soled shoes while he stumbled around and tripped a lot. Then I found See Kai Run, a Seattle-area company that makes podiatrist-approved shoes for kids.
I bought a couple of pairs of shoes at full retail price before I wised up and signed up to get e-mail alerts for sales and clearances. Instead of paying $50 to $60 a pair, I spend less than $20.
Lesson learned: Sign up for your favorite brand’s e-mails.
Chocolate and ice cream
These sweet treats aren’t just for kids – the whole family can enjoy these freebies.
Are you a chocolaholic? Join the
Godiva Chocolate Rewards Club and you get a coupon for $10 to spend at the store for your birthday.
Love ice cream? Sign up with
Baskin Robbins for a free birthday scoop.
If it’s not your birthday, try these annual ice cream giveaways (but you will have to wait in line):
