2015 Summer things to do Free or almost free.

School's almost out and as grandparents we are looking to find out what to do with the kids.  I've composed a list of Free to Nearly Free activities.

Splash Pads- I posted a list of these last year.  Please view their website to see if prices have changed or times-    Splash pads.

Reading programs- As a Native Floridian I know there are times it's just to hot to be out and about or there's one of the almost daily thunderstorms going on.  So that's a good time to pull out the books and do some reading.  Here's some programs I found-

Orange County Library
Seminole County Library
Lake County Library
Volusia County Library- I can't locate a summer program on their page.


Barnes and Noble Read 8 books get a free book 1st thru 6th grade- and the journal
Scholastic has a school wide program
Book it and Pizza Hut have teamed up for a program that starts June 22nd with great prizes-
Book Adventures- Read Books earn points for prizes
Chucke Cheese- read every day for 2 weeks get 10 tokens
TD Bank- read 10 books earn $10 for saving account
Books a Million- earn tote bag or 4 read books

Not Free However good for a child having reading problems $30 UCF

Movie's

Regal is offering kids movies all summer long at MANY locations for just $1 per ticket!   Tues and Wed 10am
Am Star - Tuesday and Wed 10am- $3.50 includes id drink and box of popcorn

Special events at Mt Dora Community Building on Thursday 2-3

Want to beat the heat of not drive in the rain then do a movie day at home
Amazon Prime members can watch tons of free movies- Amazon Prime - Instant Video Free Trial

Netflix has a free month for becoming a member- membership as low as $7.99 a month



Bowling:  Register your kids (ages 15 and under) for the Summer Games and let them enjoy 2 free games every weekday, all summer long! Register HERE.



Play Grounds
Apopka
Winter Park
Orlando
Maitland
Sanford
Lake County

Mall Play area's -  Are great for those 100° days or thunderstorms.
Altamonte Mall has one near Sears bottom floor,
Seminole Towne lower level by Sears,they also have a train cost is $3 per person. there's also a Bungee jump in the food court.
Fashion Square No play area but does have a bowling alley- 407-730-9808

Swimming-
Wekiva Springs- $6.00 per vehicle Note go early for the park fills up quickly during summer
Kelly Park/Rock Springs $5 per vehicle same as Wekiva it fills quickly during summer
City of Orlando Pools
Know of any other places let me know.

407-730-9808

11 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday
Call: 407-730-9808
- See more at: http://orlandofashionsquare.com/cheap-thrills-to-spare-at-strikeouts/#sthash.uwRPMuqR.dpuf

11 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday
Call: 407-730-9808
- See more at: http://orlandofashionsquare.com/cheap-thrills-to-spare-at-strikeouts/#sthash.uwRPMuqR.dpuf

Ways to Keep cool in Central Florida

Looking for places to keep the kiddo's cool this summer and not leave you broke? Here's a list of Splash pads through out Central Florida for Free or a small fee..
Public splash pads in Central Florida
Lake
Tavares: Children's Splash Park, 100 E. Ruby St.; 352-742-6267; TavaresSplashPark. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends only in April and May; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends after Labor Day in September; closed October through March. $2 for anyone entering the splash-pad fenced areas; $15 for seasonal pass for Tavares residents. This is my personal favorite as well as the grandkids. They can play in the splash park great real wet then go dry of on the wooden playground.

Orange
Bithlo: Bithlo Park Splash Playground, 18501 Washington Ave.; 407-254-1905; BithloPark; call for hours and cost.
Lake Buena Vista: Magical Water Fountain at Downtown Disney Markeplace, near Once Upon a Toy, 1375 E. Buena Vista Dr.; 407-939-5277. Smaller splash pad is near Days of Christmas. Open daily; free.
Ocoee: Family Aquatic Facility, 1820 A.D. Mims Road; 407-905-3180; OcoeeAquatic. Pool has three play features. Open daily; hours vary; $1.50 for adults 18 and older; $1 for children and seniors 65 and older. Seasonal passes also available.
Orlando: Barnett Park, 4801 W. Colonial Drive; 407-836-6248; BarnettPark. Open daily 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; free. Orlando: Capehart Park, 715 Capehart Drive; 407-254-9160; CapehartPark. Open daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; free.
Orlando: Downey Park, 10107 Flowers Ave.; 407-254-9180; DowneyPark. Open weekdays through June 8; weekend cost is $1 per person per session. Sessions are 10 a.m-2 p.m. and 3 p.m.-7 p.m.; free.
Orlando: Dr. P. Phillips Community Park, 8249 Buenavista Woods Blvd., 407-254-9038; DrPPhillipsPark. Open year-round. Admission charged on holidays and weekends March through October and weekdays June through August. Admission is $1 per person per session. Summer sessions: 10 a.m-2 p.m. and 3-7 p.m. Winter sessions: 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. and 3-5 p.m.
Winter Garden: Downtown Interactive Fountain and Splashpad, 104 S. Lakeview Ave., 407-656-4155; WinterGarden. Open daily 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; free.
Winter Park: Shady Park, 421 New England Ave.; 407-599-3334; ShadyPark. Open daily; free.
Osceola
Kissimmee: Lakefront Park, 201 Lakeview Drive; 407-932-1958 or 407.518.2501; call for info.
Kissimmee: Bob Makinson Aquatic Center, 2204 Denn John Lane; 407-870-7665; BobMakinson. Open weekends only May 24-June 1; open daily 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (noon-5 p.m. Sundays) June 6-Aug. 17; open weekends only Aug. 16-Sept. 2. Age 3 and older, $5; age 2 and younger, free.
St. Cloud: Lakefront Splash Pad, Chris Lyle Aquatic Center, 3001 17th St.; 407-957-7287; ChrisLyle. Open 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily; free.
Seminole
Lake Mary: Splash Pad at Trailblazer Park, Lake Mary Sports Complex, 550 Rantoul Lane; 407-585-1494; LakeMary. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily; $2 per person or $15 for city-resident annual pass.
Oviedo: Splash Zone at Aquatic Facility, 148 Oviedo Blvd., 407-971-5565; http://www.cityofoviedo.net/node/368. Open noon-5 p.m. Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday till May 30; open noon-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday from May 31-Aug. 10.
Sanford: Fort Mellon Park Splash Pad, 600 E. First St.; 407-688-5103; Sanford. Open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and noon-6 p.m. Sunday through September. Open Friday-Sunday in March and October. Cost: $2 per person, but free from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. the first Friday each month. Season pass is $25 per person. We've visited this park too the kids like the play ground much better then the Splash pad with the dancing waters.

Winter Springs: Trotwood Park Splash Playground, 701 Northern Way and 1224 Trotwood Blvd.; WinterSprings. Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays. Cost: $3 per person; free for Winter Springs residents.
Winter Springs: Torcaso Park Splash Playground, 104 N. Moss Road; 407-327-6599; http://www.winterspringsfl.org/EN/web/dept/pr/splashplaygroundinformation.htm. Hours vary amid renovation. Cost: $3 per person; free for Winter Springs residents.
Volusia
Daytona Beach: Breakers Oceanfront Park, 13 S. Atlantic Ave.; 386-671-3402; Breakers. Open sunrise to sunset seasonally; free. Please if you share make sure you give me credit for the post.