30 Days of Summer Fun on a Dime - Day 2/FREE Bowling

Day 2 of Summer Fun on a Dime holds no surprises! If you are a semi-faithful reader of this blog, you know my kids love to bowl. (If you want some fun reading, check out my Mom Review on our bumper bowling experience a couple of years ago!)

If your kids love to bowl and you want to get 2 FREE games per day throughout the entire summer you should sign up for either (or both) of the following programs:

Summer Unplugged: Valid at AMF facilities only. Read more about it at my previous post here.
Kids Bowl Free: Valid at many bowling alleys in our area. Check for a location near you and get the details here. FYI, I've already signed up for both of these bowling offers and I've noticed a whole lot of "extra" unnecessary email with the Kids Bowl Free option.

Your FREE voucher's for the week will arrive in your email inbox each Sunday or Monday morning. Keep in mind, shoe rental applies and rates vary according to the bowling alley you choose.

(As an aside, if you haven't already done so, you may want to sign up for the AMF e-club. Signing up will get you free bowling coupons in your email inbox and to your mailbox throughout the year. We like to use them in the winter, especially!)

KidSmart Consignment Sale: Public Sale Starts Today!

The KidSmart Consignment Sale public sale starts today! Thousands of Clothes (maternity, baby, toddler, juniors), shoes, toys, boutique items, jumpers, swings, strollers, and more!!

Sale hours are Saturday, June 2 from 9am-8pm and Sunday, June 3 from 9am-3pm. The sale takes place at the Events Building in Clarence, NY (11177 Main St.)

For the latest updates and pictures of items that will be at the sale, be sure to check out the KidSmart Consignment Facebook page!

This has been a sponsored post on behalf of KidSmart Consignment Sale.

Saturday Fun 6/2/2012

FRIDAY:

M & T First Fridays at Albright Knox - there are 2 events that are completely FREE for NON-members. See them here.

National Donut Day (Had to throw that in!): Dunkin Donuts customers will receive 1 FREE donut with purchase of any drink

FRIDAY, SATURDAY and SUNDAY:

Town of Porter's Founder's Day Celebration: Kids events include: Children’s games & prizes, Petting Zoo, Bounce House, Pony Rides, Popcorn, Fire Truck, Geo-caching. Cost is FREE. Get details here.

SATURDAY:

4th Annual Kids Day at Monkey See, Monkey Do Children's Bookstore in Clarence, NY. 1-3pm/Cost is FREE. Get details here.

Renaissance Festival at the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum. Cost is $. Details here.

Zooper Saturday Event at the Buffalo Zoo: Elephantastic! from 11am-3pm. (Cost is $ but FREE if you are a member)

Grossology at the Buffalo Museum of Science. Cost is $ (unless a member). Get details here.

KidSmart Consignment Sale in Clarence, NY. Cost is FREE. Get details here.

Play 60 Ultimate Field Day for Kids at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Cost is $. Get details here.

Teach Me to Fish for Kids and Parents in East Aurora: 10am-1pm Youth Educational fishing outreach event, free, 10th annual Teach-Me-To-Fish, a free hands-on seminar with outdoor writer, Forrest Fisher, for kids and parents at the East Auroa Fish & Game Club, 1016 Luther Rd., East Aurora, NY.
Come learn about fishing, kids will have hands-on rod and reel demonstrations, knot learning, lure rigging, get free area fishing maps and free Sahlen’s hot dog lunch and ice cream dessert. Special activities include fishing, knot tying, casting, how-to-fish seminar (10 min), and use of free rod/reels/bait. 50 FREE rod/reel fishing outfits for kids in attendance. Every child present will win a fishing prize!

Independent Health Kids Run: Cost is FREE. Get details here. (Includes refreshments and $2 admission to the Buffalo Zoo)

Art Alive at the Albright Knox Art Gallery from noon-2pm: A Living Art Contest. Bring the family for an afternoon of your favorite art, brought to life! View the creative recreations of popular artworks and vote for your favorites in the People's Choice Awards. Cost is FREE. (ETA: POSTPONED BECAUSE OF WEATHER UNTIL NEXT WEEK)

Home Depot Kids Workshop from 9am-noon. Build an Organizer. Cost is FREE

30 Days of Summer Fun on a Dime - Day 1/Summer Reading Programs

Reading...yes, I know kids can have a love/hate relationship with reading. I loved to read as a child. Growing up in the middle of nowhere in Colorado our closest library was 45 minutes away! When I was a little girl I would have read all the books I chose at the library in the car on the drive home!

Get started right away this summer with one of these great FREE Kids Summer Reading Programs!

Book Adventure - Sylvan offers this FREE reading incentive program. Book Adventure is a fun, free way to motivate your child to read! Kids in grades K-8 can find a book, take quizzes on what they've read, and earn prizes for their reading success.

There are hundreds of books to choose from in all reading levels. These are common books that can be found at your local library. Once they have earned enough points they can trade them in for some really neat prizes!

Half Price Books – They are offering kids ages 14 and under a chance to earn a $5 Gift Card for reading just 15 each day throughout the summer!

Pottery Barn Kids Summer Reading Challenge - details here.

PBS Kids Summer Reading Challenge – This challenge kicks off on June 6th and includes a FREE six week reading program and the chance for your kids to win daily prizes for their participation.

Barnes & Noble Imagination Destination - This summer reading program through Barnes & Noble gives your child the ability to earn a FREE book after reading 8 books and keeping track of them in a reading log.

Local Public Library - Don’t forget to check out your local libraries to find out which programs they’ll be offering this summer. (Reading programs vary by library location)

Mayor Byron Brown's Summer Reading Challenge: Each child who successfully participates in the Summer Reading Challenge will receive an invitation to the
program’s final ceremony where he or she will be given a certificate of achievement, prizes donated by area businesses and cultural organizations, and entry into a raffle for the chance to win several great prizes. Last year, prizes raffled off included computers, bicycles, video game systems, school supplies and many other items.

Chuck E. Cheese – Earn 10 FREE tokens every time your child reads for 2 weeks in a row. Just fill out the form and bring it in to claim your free token.

Williamsville Space Lab Planetarium Transit of Venus

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity from 6:03pm until sunset and it is FREE to view at the Williamsville Space Lab Planetarium!

Special Astronomical Event - Transit of Venus

A transit of Venus occurs when Venus passes directly between the Sun and Earth. This alignment is rare, coming in pairs that are eight years apart but separated by over a century. The most recent transit of Venus was a thrilling sight in 2004. After the June 2012 transit of Venus (the last one in your lifetime), the next such alignment occurs in 2117.

The three planetariums around Western New York (Williamsville Space Lab, Buffalo State, and Lackawanna) are planning educational events in the days leading up to the transit. We will tell you about the history and scientific importance of these events as well as methods to view the event live with safety. Check back here for more details as this once (well, twice, but only one more left) in a lifetime event. In the mean time, you can learn more about the event here: www.transitofvenus.org

Get much more details by visiting this link!

Tops Cooking School - Father's Day!

Top's Cooking School offers the following Father's Day themed cooking classes!

Little Chefs Ages 3-6 with Parent
Brunch for My Daddy & Me on Saturday, June 16, 10 AM – 12 PM
$15 per person (if eating)

Daddy is fun, loving, understanding, our strength and support. Let’s make him a breakfast he will always remember! Pancake Sandwiches, Hash Browns, Melon Fruit Bowl with Banana Dressing, and a Take Home Craft

Jr. Chef Ages 7-10
Dinner for Dad on Thursday, June 14, 6 – 8 PM
$15 per person, Dads welcome!
Make a Fathers’ Day meal that will be sure to make Dad smile. It will be a treat that will make his day! Mighty Meatballs & Spaghetti, Caterpillar Rolls, Coconut M&M Brownies

Aspiring Chefs Ages 11 and up
Honor and Celebrate Dad on Wednesday, June 13, 6-8:30 PM
$18 per person, Dad’s Welcome!
Dad is a blend of love, wisdom, and understanding. Let’s make his day relaxing while you make him brunch. Egg Dipped Monte Cristo Sandwich, Homemade Chili Home Fries with Cheese, Green Salad with Berry Dressing, Chocolate Strawberry Trifle

Cooking Classes for Home Schoolers!
West Seneca Cooking School Only

Hurray for Dads!
Friday, June 15, 11am-1 pm
$15 per student
We’ll be making a fun and tasty meal to celebrate Fathers’ Day and show Dad how much we love him. Chicken Roll-Ups, Colorful Green Bean Medley, Fancy Braided Bread, My Own Apple Pie

Call ahead to register! Amherst and West Seneca locations only.

Jr. Jills Cheerleaders Workshops and Chance to Perform at the Kids Day Game!

For cheerleaders and dancers 7-17 years of age. Click on the picture above to enlarge it and read the rest of the details! Download the application here.