I am so excited to share this post with you. You and your family can enjoy free weekend events (or almost free events) in October, all across the USA. There are also a few free events happening during the week that I have included.
There are also a few free events happening during the week that I have included.
Feel free to forward this to friends and if you know of any others to share, please send me a comment or email so I can keep this list updated. We can be frugal and have some fun!
It is always best to call ahead and make sure that your local retailer is participating to avoid disappointment.
:: AC Moore
Saturday, October 26th 1- 3 pm
Spirograph” Make and Take Event
Sunday, October 27th 1-3 pm
Candy Making – Witch’s Fingers Demonstration
Learn more at the AC Moore website.
:: American Girl
October In-Store Events include Bitty Twins’ Ballerina Paper Doll Craft, Doll ‘ Dos & How-Tos with clip-in hair colors to take home, Date with My Dad, Acorn Pouch Craft, Bitty Baby’s Story Time, Paper Pumpkin Craft, Bitty Twins’ Ballet Story Time, Just Mom and Me, Decorate a Halloween Haunted House, and American Girl Day at the Rink (NYC only).
Events vary by location and minimum age. Find events specific to your area at the American Girl website here or call 877-247-5223.
:: Barnes & Noble
Now through October 31st
In select stores, Voyage of the Imagination, create and share adventure-themed stories with Rory’s Story Cubes & Mudpuppy’s Jungle Animal Make-a-Mask. Enter your zip code here to find a participating store near you.
:: Bass Pro Shops
Now through October 31st
It’s the Great Pumpkin Halloween Events – free activities from costume parades, crafts, free photos and more. Get all the details and a schedule here.
:: Guitar Center
Free Classes through their Music Mentor Series. Register at the Guitar Center website here.
1) Saturday, October 26th at 10 am – Recording Made Easy: Mixing and Publishing
2) Saturday, October 26th at 10:15 am – Group Ukulele Lesson
:: Home Depot Hands On Workshops (for grown-ups):
Saturday, October 26th from 10 – 11:30 am
Sunday, October 27th from 1 – 2:30 pm
Free Do-It-Yourself workshops ~ {workshops may vary by store} Head to the Home Depot website to learn more!
:: Lakeshore Learning – free crafts for kids
Saturday, October 26th from 11 am to 3 pm
Tricky Treat Cup- Make and take a cute holder for your treats. Get more information here.
:: Michael’s Kids Club Workshops
Saturday, October 26th – every half hour between 10 am and 11:30 or 12 noon
Halloween fun ~ make a treat bag, face painting and a Halloween parade. Wear your costume!
~The cost is $2 per child for a 30 minute reservation. Let your kids explore their creativity while you shop. Sessions start every half hour from 10 am – 11:30 or 12 noon every Saturday. Get more information here.
:: Michael’s Show In Tell (for grown-ups)
Learn something new with in-store demonstrations for new craft ideas, techniques, and creative new trends. Get your local calendar of events right here.
:: Pottery Barn Kids: Events and Activities
Spooktacular Story Time
Tuesday, October 29th at 11 am.
Children are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes! The New York store event will be on Saturday, October 26th at 10 am. Kids of all ages are invited for story time. Members receive an official book club passport at their first story time, plus a special gift after attending five story times. Go here for more information.
:: Target – Free Community Events
Target is also sponsoring FREE community events ranging from free museum admission, free theater tickets, family activities and tours at some of our countries most famous venues. Times and locations vary by city. Find free family activities sponsored by Target in your area right here.
:: Toys “R” Us
Saturday, October 26th from 10 am – 12 pm
All Toys “R” Us locations – free Cra-Z-Loom Bracelet Making Event. Go here for more details.
:: Williams-Sonoma: Free Cooking Technique Classes
Free technique class: Sunday, October 27th
Classic Crusts – Step by step instructions to prepare beautiful crusts; a standard piecrust, a sweet piecrust, and a classic graham cracker crust. Class sizes are limited. For more specific times and details, please call your local store. You can get more information here.
-
Hour-long technique classes are free and include tastings of prepared dishes.
-
Participants enjoy 10% savings on select same-day store purchases.
-
Available at all stores; class times vary by store location.
COMING SOON……………………..
:: Veteran’s and their families
Sunday, November 10th and Monday, November 11th
The 5th annual B&Bs for Vets offers free rooms at participating B&B’s. So far there are 261 and counting! Do you have a friend who is a veteran? Be sure and tell them about this great free offer. Go here for more details.
:: Bank of America: Free Museum Weekends
Saturday, November 2nd & Sunday, November 3rd
Bank of America’s Museums on Us is offering free admission to more than 150 museums nationwide. Simply present your Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card along with a photo ID to gain free general admission to any participating institution. Cardholders only; guests are not eligible for free admission. For more information about Museums on Us, visit: http://museums.
Bank of America has also recently rolled out its Museums on Us site for mobile. You can check it out here on your mobile phone: http://museums.
:: Home Depot Kids Workshops
Saturday, November 2nd from 9 am – 12 pm.
Sail a Mighty Ship – Come build The Home Depot’s spectacular Tabletop Ship!
- FREE hands-on workshops; designed for children ages 5 – 12.
- Workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills, tool safety and instill a sense of pride and accomplishment.
- All kids get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin. One workshop kit, apron and pin per child.
You can register online at the Home Depot website.
:: Lego Stores
Tuesday, November 5th
Free mini-model building event. Go here for details.
:: Lowe’s Build & Grow
Saturday, November 9th 10 am – 11 am.
Make and take a #48 race car with a pull back motor. Register your kids online here. Kids build a wooden project and get a free apron, goggle, patch and more!
:: Pottery Barn Decorating Classes and Events
Sunday, November 17th & 24th at 10 am
Decorate your home for the holidays. From festive mantels and entryways, to glistening treetops and beyond. RSVP at your local store here.
:: You May Also Enjoy:
- To find pumpkin farms, hay rides, corn mazes, and Halloween festivals, visit Pumpkin Patches & More. Looking for some spooky fun? Visit a website called HauntWorld.com.
- To find an orchard near you, try Pick Your Own . This friendly site is also a good source to find related fruit and vegetable festivals all across the country.
- Find local Farmer’s Markets and those across the USA at Localharvest.org .
- If you like Home and Garden shows, this site will give you a free pass. Check the ACS Home Show site, there are several Home and Garden Shows happening all across the USA during October.
- Kids Roller Skate for Free: Find the closest participating facility right here.
- Kids Bowl for Free – select bowling centers participate, join their mailing list to get notified of the next Kids Bowl Free Day.
- Young Eagles – kids ages 8 to 17 experience aviation and get free rides in private aircraft flown by experienced pilots. Get more information here.
- Yoga Month in October – Get one free week of Yoga at a studio near you. There are over 2,000 studios participating this year. Get the details and print out your free pass here. For new students only.
- Free Beauty Events – find free beauty events at local stores with free samples and demonstrations. Visit the website that keeps track of these right here.
