Looking for something to keep the kids busy on a rainy day! It is also great for my 3 year old that is home while the others are at school! Check out Kabongo! GoGo Kabongo develops cognitive skills that are essential to reading. Fun, educational children’s games will build confidence and stay challenging with auto-leveling games that advance at your child’s pace. Discover three different games in each habitat, each with six levels.

My daughter gets all excited! She feels so grown when I let her play on the computer.

Looking for something to keep the kids busy on a rainy day! It is also great for my 3 year old that is home while the others are at school! Check out Kabongo! GoGo Kabongo develops cognitive skills that are essential to reading. Fun, educational children’s games will build confidence and stay challenging with auto-leveling games that advance at your child’s pace. Discover three different games in each habitat, each with six levels.

Find more kid friendly sites, and FREE Summer Fun with Summer Savings Shortcuts!

Looking for something to keep the kids busy on a rainy day! Check out Kabongo! GoGo Kabongo develops cognitive skills that are essential to reading. Fun, educational children’s games will build confidence and stay challenging with auto-leveling games that advance at your child’s pace. Discover three different games in each habitat, each with six levels.

Find more kid friendly sites, and FREE Summer Fun with Summer Savings Shortcuts!

Just wanted to remind you that I have a lot of great info on my Summer Savings Shortcuts page. It includes tons of freebies, activities and recipes for you and your kids to try over the Summer!  I have even started adding kid friendly (educational) websites.

I will continue to add to the page as I find new fun things to do!

Summer is almost over, don’t let these pass you by!

Please join EBATES and The Giveaway Alliance in a Back 2 School Live Chat on Wednesday, July 27, 2011 from 8 – 9 PM EST.

We will be discussing all the HOT back to school deals, ways to save this back to school season and more!

We will also have fabulous prizes to giveaway during the Live Chat!  This is a chat you don’t want to miss!

Ebates will be giving away “goodie bag” giveaways during the Live Chat, including gift cards, an iPod Shuffle and other goodies totaling $600!

RSVP HERE and then come back on 7/27/11 when the chat will turn LIVE.

The Giveaway Alliance is very excited to announce that we have also partnered with Ebates to bring you a fabulous giveaway just in time for Back To School – Enter to win an iPad 2 and $200 Cash - Ends 7/30/11.

This weeks Savvy Living Discussion is all about saving money while you are traveling this Summer.  Join me in the Ebates Savvy Living Community and tell me what are you tips to saving money at the airport, and while traveling.

Ok.  We have one of these, and I have been asked a gazillion times where we got it from!  It is amazing for the beach or soccer games.  At this price you can’t beat it!

Brylane Home marked down the Umbrella Table/Cooler Plus Seating for Two In A Portable Tote, lowering it from $89.99 to $34.99. Use code BHAFFBRADS cuts it to $26.24 & $7.99 shipping!

It is available in five colors. Two sling chairs with armrests and drink holders, an insulated cooler table, and a 64-inch umbrella, and a drawstring shoulder tote with straps.

Plus, Shop through Shop at Home to get 4% Cash back!  Hurry and get one…you will love it!

Just wanted to remind you that I have a lot of great info on my Summer Savings Shortcuts page. It includes tons of freebies, activities and recipes for you and your kids to try over the Summer!  I have even started adding kid friendly (educational) websites.

I will continue to add to the page as I find new fun things to do!

I have added a few new ones this week!

Participating Wehrenberg Theaters (including Cedar Rapids) will be showing free kids movies this summer on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 AM. This program runs from 6/1/11-8/4/11. Click here for a list of movies that will be shown and participating theaters.

They also offer a discounted popcorn and drink combo for the events!

For more Summer Fun Shortcuts check here!

Here is another Summer Kids Movie Program.  Carmike Cinemas is offering $1 Kids Movies on Thursdays.  You can also get a $4 kids tray that includes a drink, popcorn, and fruit snack!

Just head over here to see details and participating locations.

You can find more Summer Savings ShortCuts Here!

Just wanted to remind you that I have a lot of great info on my Summer Savings Shortcuts page. It includes tons of freebies, activities and recipes for you and your kids to try over the Summer!  I have even started adding kid friendly (educational) websites.

I will continue to add to the page as I find new fun things to do!

Looking for something to keep the kids busy on a rainy day! Check out Kabongo! GoGo Kabongo develops cognitive skills that are essential to reading. Fun, educational children’s games will build confidence and stay challenging with auto-leveling games that advance at your child’s pace. Discover three different games in each habitat, each with six levels.

Find more kid friendly sites, and FREE Summer Fun with Summer Savings Shortcuts!

Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11 am to 2 pm, you can stop by your local Michael’s store for a Passport to Fun event. Each session will feature a different country and crafts for the kids to make that represent that country. It is a FREE event!

• June 21:  Sweden – Swedish Paper dolls & flag
• June 23:  Germany – Loden Hat & Cowbell
• June 25:  Egypt – Mummy & Hieroglyphics
• June 28:  Bahamas – Flower lei & festive tropical can hug.  Make-It Take-It with purchase of can hug.
• June 30:  Canada – Maple leaf & Moose
• July 2:  USA – Bead Flag & Log Cabin Caddy
• July 5:  Italy - Foam Pizza & Suncatchers
• July 7:  Australia – Koala Bear & Boomerang
• July 9:  India – Elephant & Henna Hand
• July 12:  Russia – Bear & Nesting Doll puppets
• July 14:  France - Frenchman & Wood Eiffel Tower
• July 16:  United Kingdom – Shamrock & Foam Crowns
• July 19:  Japan – Origami Dog & Foam Printing Block
• July 21:  Greece – Olympic torch & Greek pot
• July 23:  Mexico – Flower & Sun
• July 26:  China - Tangram & Chinese Lantern
• July 28:  South Africa – Lion & Friendship Bracelet
• July 30:  Brazil - Snake & Mask

*Some crafts require a purchase.  All crafts are while supplies last and are for ages 3 and up.

Looking for more Frugal Fun? Check out these Summer Savings Shortcuts!

It is that time of year.  The kiddos are out of school or soon to be out of school and it is Mom’s job to entertain…on a budget. I run out of ideas myself a couple weeks into the madness. So, join us tomorrow ( 6/14 ) night and 9 PM EST for a Live Chat all about Summer Fun!

I will be co-hosting with Amy (Modge Podge Rocks) and Amy (The Idea Room), so the creativity will be flying!  I can’t wait to get some great ideas!

For those of you new to Live Chats, they are super fun, and easy. Just click here at 9 PM EST 6/14 the chat will be live.  It is like a girls night out from the comfort of your couch…and your P.J.s

Oh, I forgot to mention!  One lucky chat participant will win a $10 Starbucks Gift Card!  YUM!

This is ideal to keep the kids busy this Summer.  Whether it is in the car, plane, train or at home. Currently, Amazon has various School Zone Preschool & Elementary Workbooks priced at only $1.40 plus FREE shipping through Amazon Prime.  If you don’t have prime remember you can sign up for Amazon Mom and snag free Prime!

This deal gets even better! These Workbooks qualify for the 4-for-3 promotion where you will get the lowest priced book, magazine, or home & garden item FREE whenever you buy 3 (automatically deducted at checkout)!

That makes the cost of each workbook as low as $1.05 shipped, which seems like a pretty great deal!

Here are some of the books available!

• Hidden Pictures Discovery, $1.40
• Same or Different Get Ready Book, $1.40
• Mazes Preschool Activity Zone (Ages 4-6), $1.40
• Lowercase Alphabet, $1.40
• Uppercase Alphabet, $1.40
• Beginning Sounds, $1.40
• Multiplication Facts Made Easy (Grades 3-4), $1.40
• Time, Money, & Fractions (Grades 1-2), $1.40
• Preschool Basics, $1.40
• Dot to Dots Numbers, $1.40
• …and more!

Be sure to look around, and remember, whenever you buy 3 you’ll get the 4th workbook FREE (deducted at checkout)!  I am ordering mine right now.

Schools out and the kids have their report cards to show off their achievements!  Take those report cards to these great Retailers to snag some super freebies!

Note: These deals may or may not be offered at your local store(s). Please call ahead to confirm that they are participating!

Peter Piper Pizza: Free 7 inch 1 topping pizza for good grades on report card

Chuck E. Cheese: Bring in a recent report card with good grades and receive free game tokens. (Food purchase is required)

Cheryl & Co: Free cookie for every A on report card

Krispy Kreme: Get a free donut for each A on your report card (up to 6).

Baskin Robbins: Free scoop of ice cream for a good report card

Chick-Fil-A: Report cards with all A’s and B’s will receive a free 8 piece chicken nugget.

McDonalds: Free happy meal for report cards with all A’s

Pizza Hut: Report cards with 3 A’s or more will receive a free personal pan pizza and drink. Dine in only.

Limited Too: Take a report card in within 30 days of it being issued and receive a $5 same day discount for good grades.

Noah’s Bagels: Kids in grades 1-8 will receive one free bagel for every A on their report cards.

Thanks for this great list Mama Cheaps!

Here are some great deals and sweeps from Redbox!

Now through August 1, you can enter for a chance to win one of two $10,000 prizes! Easy ways to enter:

• Rent a movie or game at a redbox kiosk (and provide a valid email address at checkout
• Reserve a rental online at redbox.com
• Enter their email address at www.redbox.com/summer
• Text SUMMER to 727272

Get more details here!

Plus don’t miss out on these Summer Savings…Especially with the kids home!

Rent 2, Get 1 Free!

Now through June 12, rent any two items at once and get a free promo code good for a one-night DVD rental.

$0.50 off Wednesdays

• For a midweek treat, each Wednesday between June 22 and July 27 redbox is offering 50 cents off select family title (PG-13 and under) when reserved online.

Find your nearest redbox location by visiting www.redbox.com or via the redbox iPhone^® or Android mobile apps.

For more Shortcuts to Summer Savings….check here

Summer officially starts for us on Thursday at about 1PM.  That is my kids last day of school, and the beginning of a great summer vacation.  Now, if you are like me you are wondering how you are going to keep your kids busy on a budget.  NEVER FEAR! I have got you covered!

GO LOCAL

Check your local area for great kids activities at the Library, Parks, and Recreation Centers.  There are tons of local free activities for the kids during the summer.  These are totally worth checking in to.

GET CREATIVE

Take the kids to the dollar store or the local craft store and snag some craft supplies.  Get creative and make some projects.  I currently have recipes for playdough, and making your own snow cones.  Don’t worry.  I have tons of project posts on the way for the kiddos.  My kids are actually excited about being mini bloggers this summer.

SPECIAL OFFERS

One of my favorite parts of summer is all the special offers!  There are tons of free movies, free bowling, great reading programs etc.  You can find all of them on my Summer Savings Shortcuts Page

GO ONLINE

On those rainy days when the kids want to play on the computer, why not let them play some educational games…that don’t seem so educational!  I will be adding more links, but you can go here and see some of our favorite kids sites.

STAY TUNED

Over the next few weeks I will be posting kid friendly crafts, recipes, and ideas.  I have 3 little people ready to be product testers, and we will be posting all of our ideas right here.  Hope we can help keep you entertained frugally this Summer!

We love the Lowes Build & Grow Free Clinics! I always post each one once the project is announced however I wanted to share the schedule for 2011 Lowe’s Build and Grow Free Kids’ Clinics are:

• May 7th
• May 28th
• June 11th
• June 25th
• July 9th
• July 23rd
• August 13th
• August 27th
• September 10th

All classes are on Saturday and start at 10:00 AM

Visit Lowes.com/BuildAndGrow to register.  The classes are available to register monthly. These are great to keep the kids busy this summer!

Looking for some Frugal Summer fun!? Check out these Summer Savings Shortcuts!