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Summer movies -- for free or a buck

Posted May 19 2009, 01:41 PM by Joan Melcher
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With school coming to an end, many parents are looking for ways to keep their kids entertained -- and even educated -- over the summer months.
We’ve found plenty of possibilities, for free or next to nothing.

And they’re all related to one of America’s favorite pastimes -- watching movies.

First, the educational. Here’s a sampling of free online resources.

  • The KidsKnowIt Network offers 33 free educational movies for elementary grades on topics as diverse as adjectives, food chains, Lewis and Clark, and the planet Mars.
  • “Planet W.” is a charming story, delivered in 16 “chapters” or videos that relate the adventures of Pete Neat and Dr. Lucas as they explore sociological and environmental quandaries.
  • BrainPOP offers some free movies and a free trial subscription.

Now for pure entertainment.

DeepDiscount.com is offering a buy-one-get-one-free for kids movies. When you buy a DVD from a list of 520 titles, you get another of equal or lesser value for free. The offer ends at noon CDT May 25.

The movie theater chains are also going out to their way to make it a fun summer.

Gina at Moneywise Moms has compiled an extensive list of summer movie bargains. All theaters are showing G- and PG-rated films, and most offer the free or deeply discounted tickets to all ages, but you’ll need to check details with a participating theater near you.

Here are a few of the possibilities:

  • The Free Family Film Festival, sponsored by the Regal Entertainment Group,  features nine weeks of free movies for kids and parents, with selected films screening at 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Tickets will be available at the box office on the day of the show; check your local theater for more specifics.
  • The price of admission is $1 at AMC Theatres’ Summer Movie Camp. Movies with a “wild” theme will be shown at 10 a.m. every Wednesday from June 17 to Aug. 5. Admission and ticket proceeds go to the Children’s Charity and the Will Rogers Institute.
  • Cinemark Theatres will be screening 10 weeks of movies for kids for an advance purchase of a $5 punch card. Films will be shown on weekday mornings, and $1 tickets also will be available at the door for each movie; check with your local theater for show times and scheduled films.
  • Classic Cinemas will host its Wednesday Morning Movie Series, with movies shown every Wednesday at 10 a.m. from June 17 through Aug. 12 for $1 a ticket.

Related reading:

Free reads and learning opportunities for summer

9 ways to save on movie tickets
 
Fun for under $1 -- no, really
 


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Comments

 

I wonder if these theatres will let the kids bring their own candy and drinks?

While I like the idea of morning kids movies, as it costs the theatre very little (projectionist, concessionist, manager) to come in two hours early, I think they'll make back much more in concession sales. That doesn't sound like much of a bargain.

Bill in Houston (Posted 05.19.09 3:07 PM ) Report Abuse

When I was growing up, some local theater workers were on strike. Their comment to those contemplating crossing the picket line to see a movie was: "Go ahead and see the film....but don't buy any food or drinks". Tickets can be a loss leader, especially in the first few weeks a movie is out (since profits are split between the theater and Hollywood on a sliding scale throught out the theater run). And prices on theater food are just awful - ten bucks for some syrupy fizz water and a handful of corn kernels with "buttery topping"? Yikes.

Susan (Posted 05.19.09 5:17 PM ) Report Abuse

Thanks for the link, Joan! Re: snacks and drinks--when we tried this last year, there were plenty of families in there with sippy cups and their own snacks, mostly because the age of the crowd was preschoolers. I found it easy to not spend extra money because my kids were young, plus it's early in the morning, so you can just say, "We'll eat lunch afterward." If you do want refreshments, some of the theaters offer special kid-size snacks (smaller cup and popcorn) for $2 or so.

Gina (Posted 05.20.09 6:54 PM ) Report Abuse

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