Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Fall Break Freebies and Fun Things to Do!


Fall break is almost here (or is already happening for some kids)! Time to find some fun activities that won't break the bank.
One of my favorite offers is the "culture pass" available at most libraries. You "check out" free admission (for 2 or 4) to one of many museums around the valley. For more information or to see the available museums, go to: http://phoenix.showup.com/page/culture_pass These passes do go fast so don't be too disappointed if the museum you want to visit is already checked out!

If you're looking for something different, think of how much fun your kids would have taking a tour of a candy factory, a stuffed animal factory, the PING factory, or a working dairy farm!


Take a tour of the Cerreta Candy Company in Glendale:
For those of us who want to experience a real-life Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, 30-minute tours are offered FREE of charge Monday-Saturday at 10 AM and 1 PM. (no reservation required) The tour shows kids how chocolates and candies are made. Very cool. They even sell golden tickets. For more information go to: http://www.cerreta.com/
Take a free tour of the stuffington bear factory:
20-minute tours are offered free of charge at 1 PM every Monday-Saturday (no reservation required) Fun for kids of all ages! http://www.stuffingtonbear.com/
Tours of PING Golf are offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (except major holidays) by reservation only. They start promptly at 9 a.m. A limited number of people are allowed on each guided tour, and during the busy season (October through April) they are often booked months in advance. Lots of fun for older kids, adults, and golf lovers of all ages! Call 602-687-5385 or 1-800-474-6434 to make a reservation. 
For a fee ($9 for adults, $6 for children 2-12), families can take the Shamrock farm tour. They tout it as an "adventure". Reservations required, for more information, go to: http://www.shamrockfarms.net/farm-tour
During the month of October, you can  take advantage of their kids ride free promotion, every Saturday one child goes free with a paying adult. If you "like" Shamrock Farms on facebook, show a printout or proof on your mobile device and get free ice cream at the end of your tour!


At Fry's Food Stores they have a limited number of coupons for a free child admission when you purchase an adult admission at the Sea Life Aquarium at Arizona Mills Mall. They also offer twilight tickets (6-9PM) for $5 off if you buy them online http://www.sealifeus.com/phoenix/phoenix-home
If you want to check out the attractions around Papago Park, I found some great coupons at: http://www.papagosalado.org/coupons/

Included are:
2 for 1 admission at the Hall of Flame Museum
$2 off admission to the Desert Botanical Gardens
$2 off Adult Day admission to the Phoenix Zoo
2 for 1 admission at the Arizona Historical Society
2 for 1 admission to the Pueblo Grande Museum

Another fun fall activity is going to a pumpkin patch. There are several offered throughout the valley:

Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek: http://www.schnepffarms.com/
Open Thursday-Sunday in October. Discount tickets available at Frys.
Open 7 days a week from 9-6. Hope you got the half priced tickets Groupon was offering last week!
Mother Nature's Farm in Gilbert: http://www.mothernaturesfarm.com/Pumpkin.htm
Open 7 days a week from 9-9. You can fill out a request for a coupon on their website.

Open 7 days a week through October. To get $1 off per person, go to: http://www.vertucciofarms.com/coupon.html

Hope these deals help you have a fabulous fall break!!! :-)