Fun Things to Do in the Summer: Movies on the Cheap

Movies are fun things for summer. I share five ways your kids can enjoy movies this summer on the cheap…plus some free ones.

Movies can be another way to experience culture, adventure, and excitement.

Reasons I Love Taking My Kids to the Movie Theater

• Opportunity to practice appropriate theater behavior
• Socializing with other kids their age
• Makes it more fun because it’s in a different setting
• Big, comfy reclining chairs
• Big screen with surround sound experience
• Books we’ve read come to life
• Create understanding or humor in serious or difficult conversations
• Get out of the house

Five Free Ways to See Movies

1.  Library – checkout new releases or old classic movies for a few days or a week.  You may also be able to take advantage of a Family Movie Night, hosted at the library featuring free refreshments.

(Affiliate link below)
2.  Amazon Prime – a program that offers free two-day shipping on certain Amazon.com purchases, access to Amazon Instant Video, and the ability to borrow books from the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library.

3.  Contests & Giveaways like the ones on this site.

4.  Parks & Recreation – take advantage of programs your city, town, or county sponsor like movies on the lawn or movies at the pool.

5.  Redbox – Sign up for their email list and the text list to receive codes for free movie rentals.

Five Cheap Ways to See Movies

1.   Summer Movies at Local Movie Theaters (& Chains) – Check for $1-$2 summer movies for kids to enjoy this summer.  Tickets and treats are often available at a lower price.  Some theaters, will offer a $4 package including admission and a kid’s tray with popcorn, drink, and a snack.

2.  Social offers – Sites like Living Social & Groupon.  Recently, there was a Groupon deal in our area for 1/2 off Fandango movie tickets.  Then, you can redeem the Fandango tickets at your local theater.

3.  Redbox – Again, I would highly recommend signing up for their email list and the text list to receive weekly promo codes for Buy 1 Get 1 free movie rentals or X cents off each movie rental.

4.  Child Swap – Alternate with other parents to take a group, that way you don’t have to attend (and pay your way into) each movie.   Pool with other parents / rotate taking the kids.  Recently, the children’s ministry at our church took the elementary aged kids to see Monsters University.

5. Streaming Services  – Redbox, Netflix, Hulu & (affiliate link) Amazon Prime offer TV shows, movies, and original series.  Depending on the service you choose, content can be watched on your TV, computer, tablet, phone, or gaming device.

_{Photo Credit: D. Sharon Pruitt}

How do you save money on movies for your family?