Family Night Out Discount Tips
Taking the entire family out for some good clean fun can chip away at your budget pretty quickly, especially if you have a large brood. But that’s only if you don’t take the time to do your research beforehand. If you do, you’ll find that the Internet is replete with discounts, rewards programs, and a slew of other money-saving resources, many of them tailored specifically to large families. We’ve rounded up some of the best discount ideas for family night in this handy guide:
Use a Groupon for dinner. Discount websites like Groupon.com, LivingSocial, and Amazon Local have taken off in recent years, not only boosting the sales of small businesses, but also making nights out more affordable for families, couples, and friends. Plug in your city and search Groupon for a deep discount on a meal at one of your local restaurants. Even the city’s most popular eateries might show up on the list. You can also check out OpenTable.com, which allows you to book a table at a restaurant nearby and also earn points towards free family meals in the future.
Grab discounted movie tickets. Websites like discountmoviepasses.com help offset the ever-increasing price of movie tickets, meaning a night at the theater with your entire clan might actually be a possibility without breaking the bank. AMC theaters also offer a rewards program for a nominal annual fee that’ll earn you $10 back for every $100 you spend. You might even find movie tickets on sale at retailers like Costco, and you could snag two for as little as $16.
Join an ice cream shop’s rewards program. Frozen yogurt shops, ice cream parlors, and even many cafes offer punch cards so that you can earn a free ice cream after a few visits. The more punches you acquire, the more free goods—and those punches will add up quickly if you’re bringing the entire family along for fro-yo.
Look for discounts on Facebook. Many amusement parks, family fun centers, and other businesses post exclusive discounts on Facebook that you won’t find elsewhere. So follow any businesses in your city of which your kids are fans. That might include indoor inflatable playgrounds or trampoline parks, maybe even the local pool or a water park nearby. You can also keep track of local businesses on Twitter and Instagram if you’re really concerned about missing a deal.
Bowl at off-peak times. Most bowling alleys offer discounts during the weekdays, so look up your local alley’s rates to see how they fluctuate. Some also promise discounts to families that might even include shoe rentals. The same could be true of your local roller or ice-skating rink, so check out these businesses’ websites for a fun night out, too.
Find free events in your city. Especially during the summer months, most cities put on free events for their citizens. Check out your town’s website for updates about outdoor concerts and festivals at your local parks. Throughout the year, your public library might also hold storytime and craft nights for families with little ones.
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