Community Corner
Favorite Freebies for Kids
Who said there was anything wrong with being a cheap parent? Here are five freebies your kids will love.
As some of you may know, our family loves a deal. In fact, when my husband and I were dating (and broke), it evolved into a game and a rule was decreed: if we went somewhere and received something free, it constituted a date. Considering how often we have been to Costco and enjoyed free samples in our relationship, we may hold the Guinness World Record for number of dates in a relationship. When my husband jokes that I’m a cheap date, he is not kidding.
There is something magical about getting something for nothing. Kids know this, which is why our house is filled with worthless toys from fast food kids’ meals. I use this to my advantage to bribe, I mean, to give positive rewards for good behavior to my children. Whether it be a simple thanks for helping me get my errands done or a bigger reward for repeated potty training successes, it is prudent to have a secret arsenal of goodies in your back pocket. Here is my go-to list of freebies for kids around town (besides the ever-handy Costco & Sams’ Club samples). You get even more online from sites such as here—just Google “freebies for kids”.
- Birthday freebies. Join the email mailing list at your favorite eateries and they will often send you an email for a free birthday treat. I sign up every member of our family and that gets us four free scoops at Baskin-Robbins and Coldstone Creamery, entrees at Red Robin and IHOP, etc. Many of these are good for the a time span during the month of the birthday, not just a single day.
- Free cookies. Many of the bakeries at local grocery stores will give children a free cookie. They are just the thing to stave off tantrums and relentless requests for candy in the checkout line.
- Free books. Most local libraries and bookstore chains sponsor a summer reading program that will score your kids prizes from In ‘N Out coupons to free books. Some Glendora elementary schools sponsor a similar reading program during the school year too!
- Free balloons and stickers. Besides offering free samples, Trader Joe’s will often have balloons and stickers at the checkout register to hand out to kids.
- Free chocolate. Personally, this is my freebie to reward myself for getting my kids to behave. Or, it is my stress relief when they are being uncooperative, depending on the situation. Sign up online at Godiva.com to join their club and get a free piece of chocolate from their stores in the mall every month! I usually hoard this for myself and end up getting the kids a piece each of the “Gems” from the bulk bins.
