Olivia Goes to Venice Kids Event at Borders

Borders is celebrating the release of Olivia Goes to Venice. Enjoy this special kids event for all Olivia fans, age 5 -8 on Saturday, October 2 at 11:00 AM.  Participating stores, dates and times may vary so check your local store.


Please note this is not a costume character event.

Home Depot Kids Workshop

October 2 from 9:00 AM to noon, Home Depot will offer a FREE how to workshop for families with children from 5 – 12 years old.  To commemorate National Fire Safety Month, they will teach children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety through building a wooden fire safety boat. Participates will get to decorate and keep their crafts along with a kid-sized Home Depot apron and achievement pin. Can't make to a workshop, kits can be purchased online at Homedepot.com/kidsworkshops .

Lowes Build And Grow Clinic

Your kids won't want to miss this one! Bring them to Lowe's on Saturday, September 25th at 10:00 AM and they can build this awesome Fire Truck! This kit includes a working siren and stickers!   Each participant receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project. Be sure to register in advance.

National Museum Day

Saturday, September 25, 2010 is National Museum Day and over 1,000 museums are offering free admission. Find a museum participating in your area here and then print your ticket for up to two free admissions here.

Thanks Money Saving Mom

Art of Washing Hands

If you are a teacher, homeschooler or a parent who wants to reinforce the importance of washing your hands you can order (while supplies last) up to four packs (8 in each pack)  of this "ICKY BANDS" for FREE!!!  You can also take advantage of the Teacher Resources page under the Class Activities tab. There are fun, free printable exercises you can incorporate into your lesson plans. 

Thanks Craving Freebies

Little Tikes Dollhouse

Little Tikes Classic Dollhouse is on sale for $54.99 (61%off).  Use the code save2011 for an additional 10% off!  That means you can get a $139.99 dollhouse for only $49 plus shipping and handling($19.95) !  What little girl wouldn't love this?
Thanks Southern Savers 

 



Homemade Applesauce

I live in Florida and there is not an apple orchard anywhere yet every September I think about how much fun it would be to pick apples and make applesauce.  When the kids were little we picked apples a couple of times on vacation in Vermont and Ohio and have wonderful memories of this fun family activity. I wonder why we never took them to pick oranges?  If you are looking for a place to take your family to pick some apples or other produce check out this website for places near you.  I recommend you call ahead to be sure the place is still in business before hitting the road.
Then once you have all those delicious apples make this simple homemade applesauce with your kiddos.

Ingredients
3 to 4 lbs of peeled, cored, and quartered cooking apples (Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Fuji, Jonathan, or Mcintosh)
4 strips of lemon peel - use a vegetable peeler to strip 4 lengths

Juice of one lemon, about 3-4 Tbsp

3 cinnamon sticks

1/4 cup of dark brown sugar

white sugar to taste

1teaspoon of vanilla

1/2 cup of water

1/2 teaspoon of salt

Instructions:

Put all ingredients into a crockpot. Cover and simmer for 4-6 hours.  Remove cinnamon sticks and lemon peels and place apples in a bowl.  Mash with potato masher or a fork. ENJOY!

Bonus:  Your house smells go good!!

Toys R Us Coupon

We all know it is never to early to start your Christmas shopping. Print this great coupon from Toys R Us to save a few extra bucks. Coupon expires 9/26/2010. 

Free Birthday Surprise

Birthdays are fun but when you can get something free it is even better!  My birthday is this week and my mail inbox is full of great free offers for me to enjoy.   I thought I would share some of my favorite offers available to kids on their special day. 

Sign your kids up for Sonic's Birthday Club and they'll receive a FREE Wacky Pack Kid's Meal on their birthday.

Join the Red Robin eClub and receive a special sign-up gift plus a FREE burger on your birthday!  This is for all family members.  It is good a week before and a week after your birthday.

Sign your kids up for  Burger Kings Club BK and they will get a kids meal on their birthday.

Great American Cookie will give you a free cookie slice on your birthday.

Become a Chunk Spelunker at Ben & Jerry's to get FREE ice cream on your birthday.

Kids can join Deeqs and get FREE ice cream at Dairy Queen on their birthday. Kids under 13 need a parent to sign up for them.  You can join Dairy Queen's Blizzard Fan Club and get a coupon via email for a FREE 16-ounce Blizzard on your birthday.

Join the Cold Stone Creamery Birthday Club to receive a coupon for free ice cream on your birthday. Best of all, you can register every member of your family for this!
 

When you sign up for  The Children's Place Birthday Club, you'll receive a coupon for 15% off on your birthday and your kids' birthdays!

 

Kids can register for the Kmart Birthday Club to receive a birthday pack that includes $5 in Birthday Bucks, a birthday crown, a pack with surprise goodies and a happy birthday certificate!

Sign up your children ages 1 to 10 for the Toys 'R' Us Birthday Club, and each year on their birthday  they'll get a call from Geoffrey, a birthday card with a $3 gift card,  and more.

 

What is your favorite birthday freebie?

Borders Cat in the Hat Event

Filled with both adventure and silliness, THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT!, is based on the acclaimed The Cat in the Hat's Learning Library book series. It will appeal to preschoolers' natural curiosity, and engage them in the process of scientific exploration and discovery. Saturday, September 18, at 11:00 AM join Border's in celebrating this new PBS kids series! There will be stories, games, stickers and more! This is not a costume character event. Check here to see if your local store is participating.
In the meantime visit http://www.seussville.com/ for games and activities.

Pampers Gift to Grow Code

There is a new 20 point code available from Pampers Gift to Grow! Head over to Pampers Gift to Grow and enter GIFTS2GROWBONUS.

Blockbuster Rent One Get One Free

This is a great weekend treat.  You can rent a movie for you and your sweetie and get one for the kids for free.  I love cheap entertainment, don't you?

Old Navy Baby Sale

Old Navy Baby sale is going on now thru September 23rd.  You can get up to 40% off all baby and maternity items.  Get free shipping on purchases over $50.00 using the code ONSALE at checkout.  Or use this in store coupon to get 30% off one baby item or 40% off when you use your Old Navy credit card.

Free Kids Meals at Boston Market

Have your children decorate this greeting card and bring it into a Boston Market location, you can get up to two free kid’s meals with an adult meal purchase. This promotion is valid through September 19, 2010.


Thanks Savvy Spending

Granola Bites

I have to bring  snack for my sons soccer team on Saturday and thought I would makethese granola bites. These nutritious little balls are easy to make in large quanities and will give them a boost of energy at halftime.  They are so easy to make and make a great afternoon snack, a special treat in a lunchbox or anytime you need a little extra energy. 
Ingredients
2 bananas
1 cup peanut butter (I prefer chunky)
1 cup of Rice Krispies, wheat germ or old fashioned rolled oats
Coating options: mini chocolate chips, shredded coconut, chopped nuts, powdered sugar or cocoa powder

Instructions

In a medium bowl, mash together the banana and the peanut butter.
Stir in cereal choice. Roll individual tablespoons of the mixture into balls, then roll the balls in one, or a mix, of the coatings listed above. Chill until firm.
*You might find it easier to chill the balls first then roll in the mix.
Makes about 30 balls.

Note: I have never tried this but I bet you could substitute the peanut butter for Nutella. Sounds yummy to me.

Picture courtesy of Joy of Baking

Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic

Bring your child to Lowe's on Saturday, September 11th and they can build this fun Leash Hanger! Even if you don't have a pet, they will have a blast building it!  The clinic starts at 10:00 AM and sign up is required.

Blow Paint Monsters

Picture & idea from mayamade.blogspot.com

When I saw this craft in a magazine I thought, "This would be easy, different & fun to do with my 2 year old." So I gathered all the supplies needed and took them outside (anything relatively messy, especially paint is done outside in our house!) to our patio table. I pour the paint on the paper and give her a straw so she can "blow" the paint. I thought she'd love that part since she loves straws, but no!! All she wanted to do was this:

PLAY WITH A BUCKET OF WATER!

The age for this craft is 2 1/2 & up and my daughter is not quite 2 1/2 so maybe in a few months we can try again. I'm sure if you children are older and aren't quite as active as my little one they will love this craft! Lesson learned: sometimes the simplest things can keep a toddler entertained, don't over think it!

 

           Materials

• Tempera paint in multiple colors
• Plastic containers or paper cups (one for each paint color)
• Water
• Card stock

• Drinking straw, cut in half
• Glue stick
• Googly eyes (optional)
• Scissors

          Instructions

1. Pour a small amount of each paint color into a separate container. Thin the paint with water, stirring in a spoonful at a time until it's the consistency of heavy cream.
2. Help your child put a few spoonfuls of paint in one or more colors onto the card stock. Next, have her blow gently through the straw to spread the paint and create little monster limbs and tentacles.
3. Let the paint dry, then glue on googly eyes or you can color some on. Cut out the monster, if desired, and mount it on another piece of paper.
   
   Age: 2 1/2+

Pampers Gift to Grow Code

There is another new code from Pampers available! Just head over to Pampers Gifts to Grow and enter SEPFACEBOOK2010 to snag a 10 points. Expires 9/30/10.
Be sure to grab the 20 point code I posted 8/31/2010.