How to Save Money at Indoor Play Centers {Fun Things to Do in the Summer}

Indoor play centers and fun things to do in the summer go hand in hand. I share five inexpensive ways your kids can enjoy indoor play centers this summer. 

Indoor play centers are a great way to have some fun things to do in the summer and stay cool. Indoor play centers often feature inflatables, play areas, play zones, go karts, laser tag in a completed family entertainment center.

Pick the Right Day

The weekends are typically the busiest days of the week for children’s activity centers.  Ask if there are special prices and offers available at the beginning or middle of the week for deep savings.  One of our local go kart centers offers two hour unlimited activities on Thursday nights. Other centers have $1.99 specials on admission, equipment rental, and meals on Monday.

Check The Website for Promotions & Special Offers

Our local inflatable center has “Pop IN Playtime,” “Family Jump,” and seasonal specials during winter, summer, and holidays).  These are times the center has set aside for fun as a family or when parents can drop the school-age kids off to enjoy a parents’ date night. Look for a tab called “Deals,” “Specials,” or “Promotions.” You may or may not need to print out a coupon.

Sign Up For The Email Club

In advance of each holiday and during school breaks, we receive emails keeping us aware of the specials offered.  Sometimes these offers are different than what is posted in the website specials. It’s a nice reward to be able to plan some special outings in our schedule or to have some rewards to offer the kids for good behavior, grades, or fun. Deals delivered straight to your inbox. Score!

Pre-Pay

Ask if there are summer passes, pre-pay cards, or other similar offers available.  You will often receive a discounted rate if you purchase tickets or passes in bulk. You can enjoy the center for the entire season by purchasing in advance. Or, you may be able to pay a lower price per visit by purchasing a card with a set number of admissions. Even if it’s not advertised, ask!

Coupons

Check your Groupon, local newspaper for coupons, partnerships with local schools, or tokens awarded for good grades and/or performing chores. These are often advertised on Thursday so that parents can plan their weekend events accordingly. Ask your child’s school if they have any affiliations or offers available at your local center. You could also check the center’s website for a “Rewards,” or “Activities” tab offering free tickets or tokens.

Fun Things to Do in the Summer:

*Reading On the Cheap
*Movies on the Cheap
*State Fairs on the Cheap
*Make A Routine
*Top Five XBOX Accessories For Kids
*Rethinking Summer Vacation

_{Original Images via Flickr Creative Commons – Doug Waldron &  Jim Trottier}