Today on New Day Cleveland I shared some “Money Saving Activities for Summer”.  I really enjoyed my time on New Day Cleveland and hope you were able to learn something new!  If you missed it you can watch the clip HERE and/or read below on what I shared:

* Summer Reading Program –  Head over to your local library to find all sorts of FREE activities, crafts, and events. My children have attended story time, pirate parties, animal shows, and much more at our local library so be sure to check yours to see what is available.  One event that runs every summer is the Summer Reading Program.  This FREE program is usually open to children of all ages and sometimes even adults.  Once books are read you can have a chance to win small prizes, gift certificates and more.

*Summer Movies On the Cheap –   Select Regal and Cinemark Theatres offer children’s movies throughout the summer for REALLY cheap!  Both show older G and PG cartoon and children movies (such as Madagascar and Harry Potty)  that are perfect for the younger ones as well as teens.  Both offer these movies for 9-10 weeks during the summer on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Regal’s movie times start at 10:00 am, whereas Cinemark’s start at 9:30 am.  You can get tickets at the box office at Regal  and Cinemark for only $1 each.  Cinemark offers an even better deal if you buy your tickets early; buy 10 tickets for only $5.  Be sure to get there early to get a seat!

* Zoo Passes:We love to visit the zoo year round and you can do so inexpensively by getting a zoo pass.  My area zoo is the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and you can get a family pass for as low as $72 a year!  Zoo memberships include:

• FREE unlimited admission to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and The Rain Forest for one year
• DISCOUNTED admission to more than 130 other zoos nationwide
•  INVITATIONS to member-only events
• FREE subscription to Z, our fun and informative member publication
• 10% DISCOUNT at all Zoo gift shops
• DISCOUNTS on Zoo education and camp programs, birthday parties, and events, including Boo at the Zoo, Twilight at the Zoo, and more
• ALL memberships are fully tax-deductible

One of my favorites things about this deal is that you can use your pass to get 50% your admission at more than 130 other zoos nationwide.  Heading on vacation?  Don’t forget your pass!  If you aren’t local to the Cleveland area check out your zoo’s membership to see if they offer this too, I’ll bet they do!

Cedar Point:  For those of us living in NE Ohio we are so lucky to live so close to best amusement park in the nation!  If you live close enough to visit a few times you’ll definitely want to look into a season pass to Cedar Point.  You regular pass will cover your admission from now to the end of October! If you ungrade to a Platinum pass you get even more perks!  These include:
* Entrance into the park 1 hour early
* FREE admission to Soak City
* FREE parking
* Free after closing ride nights
* Exclusive discounts
* And best of all can get in FREE at other Cedar Fair parks.

Cedar Fairs owns 11 amusement parks and 6 water parks nationwide.  Even better there are 4 parks in Ohio: Cedar Point, Soak City, Kings Island, and Wild Water Kingdom.  If you are planning a family vacation this summer and own a Platnium pass, I’d suggest visiting another area park.  This way your entertainment is already paid for!

Cedar Point is offering two other deals this season.  First, they are offering payment plans.  If you purchase your pass through May 28th, you can pay for your pass in three easy payments.  That is sure to help anyone on a budget.  The other deal Cedar Point is offering is in celebrations for reaching 1 million Facebook fans.  You can visit any day June 3-7th for the price of the Starlight admission ($32.99)!

What are your favorite summer saving activities?  I’d love to hear from you!