Entertaining family doesn't have to be expensive

Looking for frugal ways to entertain your family? Good Day Atlanta discovered many great ideas for free and cheap activities!

Toddler story time at the East Cobb Library is a perfect example of what your local library has to offer. While dozens of kids sing songs about their knees and toes and listen to stories about butterflies, their parents are happy they're learning. And they're thrilled that it's free!

"When you do class fees for three kids it adds up quickly. So it is nice to come here for fun for free and they have a great time," said Kelly Ingevaldson, a mother of three.

Grandfather Jordy Gruber loves story time too, considering everything 3-year-old Noah is getting out of it.

"He's going to be going to preschool in August so it's very important for him to understand how to communicate and be with other children," said Gruber.

"We try to do programs that involve the whole family. It's really become very much a community center," said East Cobb Library Branch Manager Ansie Krige.

In addition to classes for all ages, free books, movies, and CD's, a trip to the library could also snag you a free pass to Zoo Atlanta.

"Patrons need to check out a DVD and when they return that we issue a zoo pass to them for two adults and two children," said Krige. You can also get free passes to state parks.

Coupon mom Stephanie Nelson says there are tons of great options for families that are totally free.

"Book stores also have children's story time. And a lot of people don't realize Home Depot has a free craft workshop for kids once a month," said Nelson.

Nelson says a great way to find free ideas is to Google "free kids activities" and the name of your town.

"You can get tours of the Capitol for free. The Martin Luther King Center is absolutely free. Kennesaw Mountain is free if you want to walk up the mountain. If you want to take the shuttle it's a dollar and parking is free. And all of those places have a museum or some sort of learning center," said Nelson.

Kids can also learn at the Picture Show at Merchant Exchange in Marietta. The movie theater sells tickets for $1.75 all day and for $1.00 on Tuesdays. Odi Adelakun and her two sons bought their tickets and some snacks, all for less than $14.00.

"Pretty much you can't break the bank with this, for less than $20.00 for the three of us. [We] get some popcorn, get some treats, sit down and just have a good time," said Adelakun.

"We try to cater to families, especially in the summer. [It] gives the kids something to do, escape the heat for a little while," said Assistant Manager Mark Chase.
           
For places and activities that aren't already cheap or free, Nelson suggests looking for coupons. You can find them in mailers or websites. Her new, favorite way to search is on Groupon Now. It offers big discounts, most of the time half off, for that day only.

Links:

Dollar movie theaters:

Theatre - Cinemark Movies 10
157 Banks Station, Fayetteville, GA 30214
Picture Show at Merchants Exchange
4400 Upper Roswell Road, Marietta, GA 30062
Venture Cinema 12
3750 Venture Drive, Duluth, GA 30096

Libraries:

Cobb County
Dekalb County
Gwinnett County
Atlanta-Fulton County

Tours:
State Capitol tours

History:
MLK Center

Workshops:
Home Depot - Workshop for kids
Michaels