With the last day of school looming, now’s the time to confirm your summer schedule and get the kids excited for the weeks ahead.  I recently wrote about some free summer activities that you can do anytime, which prompted some of my friends to ask about free summer events which are often sponsored by some of the nation’s retail giants.  Here are some of the 2011 summer freebies available for children of all ages (and their parents).  Enjoy!

• Cultural Events Sponsored by Target – All year long Target sponsors cultural events in cities nationwide, and the summer is a great time to take advantage of these events if you haven’t done so all year.  Depending on where you live, you can enjoy free museum entrances, concerts and theater performances.  Click here to find free events in your area.
• Entrance to National Parks – On June 21, the National Parks Service is offering free entrance to national parks to celebrate the first day of summer.  Many national parks never charge an entrance fee, making them an excellent option for exciting, free summer activities.  But those that do require an entrance fee will be free next week, so take advantage if you can.
• Bowling – As in year’s past, kids can enjoy up to 2 free games of bowling each day, courtesy of Kids Bowl Free.  Advance registration is required, so make sure to sign up now.
• Concerts – Dozens of cities nationwide are offering free summer concerts.  I’ve kicked off your search with the free concert schedules in the cities below, but making an effort to find some in your area can really pay off.

Buffalo

Dallas

Denver

Los Angeles

New York City

Miami

San Diego

San Jose

• Summer Reading Challenges – There are always a plethora of summer reading challenges for kids that offer prizes to kids who read a certain amount of books.  My favorites include HeBuddy, Barnes & Noble and the TD Bank summer reading program.
• $1 Movies – Instead of being free this year, Regal Cinemas is offering $1 children’s movies on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at participating theaters.

In recent weeks, I’ve received some interesting comments about my obsession with freebies.  I’ll spare you the details, but I’ll happily discuss the multiple reasons I love getting free stuff.  I’d be curious to hear if you have other reasons of your own – and of course, I welcome any and all rebuttals.  Here are the primary reasons why I request free samples whenever possible:

Financial value. The fiscal worth of large samples speaks for itself, but you may be surprised to learn that single-use free samples are also financially worthwhile.  Consider, for example, if a high-end hair product costs $6 per bottle.  If a bottle lasts approximately one month, you’re spending about 20 cents per use, making each single-use sample worth the same amount.  If you collect a bunch of samples each month, the savings will add up.  Of course, many free samples have more than one use, which increases their value exponentially.

Convenience. I love stocking my travel bag and backpack with samples so that I’m never stranded hungry, unclean or in pain.  Food samples are easy to pack and eat on the go, while medicine samples can come in handy at the most critical times.

Market research. It may be scary to spend money on a new product that you haven’t tried yet, but if you can try it for free, you’ll know whether that product is worth the money in the future.

Fun. With a mailbox that is frequently filled with bills, it’s refreshing to receive something fun.

So, what are you waiting for?

Request these free samples now before they’re gone!

• Free EAS nutritional shake. I sure hope this energy shake tastes as good as it looks!
• Free Red Strike energy drink. In typical fashion, this Facebook promotion requires you to like their page before you can get your free energy drink.  While you’re there, make sure to like my page as well so that you can get exclusive deals every day!
• Two free tacos at Jack in the Box.  Free tacos must be requested at Jack in the Box locations after 2pm on Tuesday, November 16^th, so mark your calendars now.
• Free sample of FIX tea. They claim that one serving of this tea has as many antioxidants as 137 cups of regular tea.  I can’t help but wonder if that’s actually a good thing….but it would be a poor marketing ploy if it isn’t…
• Free Nicorette Fruit Chill Gum.  I received my free sample of this Nicorette gum this summer, but apparently it’s still available.  I don’t smoke, but I gladly passed it along to a friend who does – after all, the free full-sized pack of gum costs over $10.
• Free SHOUT color catcher.  Not only are laundry freebies some of the highest-value freebies available, but they can also help preserve the life of your clothing, which is a valuable contribution on its own.  Make sure to sign up for this SHOUT free sample before it’s gone.
• 50 free sheets of origami paper. This free paper can make a great free art project for your kids, and perhaps they’ll find a new hobby.  You may even receive it before the upcoming winter break so you’ll have an activity to do in your down time.
• Free sample of Playtex Sport tampons. You’ll get 2 regular tampons and one super sport tampon when you receive this freebie.
• Free sample of NasalCease (for nosebleeds). If you’ve ever stuffed a tissue up your nose, you’ll appreciate what a great product NasalCease might be (we can discuss further after I try it, of course).  And if you don’t have nosebleeds regularly, you may want to keep these on hand – just in case.
• Free sample of Flint River Ranch pet food.  Choose between dog and cat food options.  Don’t have a pet?  Tell your friends who do!

With Labor Day behind us and the long school year ahead, you can probably use a bit of a pick me up…so why not sign up for these awesome freebies?  As always, I’ve tested them all out today so I know that they’re still valid rightnow…but don’t wait long or you may miss out.  You’ll get these freebies over the next few weeks so you can keep smiling throughout the fall and winter.  Enjoy!

Free Taste the Fire meal at El Pollo Loco, TODAY ONLY (September 15, 2010).  Meal includes a flame-grilled chicken leg or thigh, salsa and warm tortillas.  Printed coupon must be presented, no purchase necessary.

Free sample of Quaker Life soft baked cereal bars.  Select either Banana Walnut Bread or Cinnamon Roll Raisin Pecan.  What’s your preferred flavor of these free cereal bars?

Free tub of Cottonelle Fresh flushable wipes.  All you need to do to snag this freebie is suggest that your friend also request a free box of flushable wipes.  It’s a win-win situation!

Free sample of Crest toothpaste. Complete Crest’s two question survey to see if you qualify for Crest Pro-Health Clinical Gum Protection or Crest with Scope.

Free class at Baby Boot Camp, an international fitness center for mothers and babies.  Find a location near you quickly and easily on their website and sign up for your free class today!

Free sample of Tena overnight pads.  Special thanks to Walmart for sponsoring these free bladder control pads, along with so many other freebies!

3 free issues of Seventeen magazine.  They don’t even ask for your credit card when you request these free magazines, so you won’t have to go through the hassle of cancelling or the fear of getting charged.  I’d say that was pretty awesome…if I was a teenage girl.

Free sample of Pringles Xtreme.  I’ve never eaten these Xtreme potato chips, but the regular ones are awesome in my book, so I’m thinking, the more flavor, the merrier.

Want to fill your mailbox with something other than bills and adverts? Why not fill it with freebies? Here are the best ones I’ve found lately. As always, I’ve checked them all today and can assure you that as of Sunday morning they’re all still available. But you’d better act now – you never know when supplies will run out!

1. Free Bath & Body Works Forever Sunshine Body Lotion. This offer is good today only, and no purchase is necessary, so if you’re out getting some last minute Father’s Day gifts, go snag a free sample of this lotion for yourself.  Just print out this coupon (which I found on the wall of their Facebook page), and bring it over to your local store.  It’s that easy!
2. Get 5,000 Spirit Air Miles.  Sign up before June 30, 2010 and your account will be credited within 45 days.  All that’s left is to start planning your vacation!
3. Free orange chicken at Panda Express. Good after 9pm only, this deal is a good one if you get the late-night munchies or need dinner on the way home from a late night of work.  No purchase necessary.  This deal is good until July 11, 2010, and is not valid at airports or stadiums.  You must bring this printable coupon in order to get your free orange chicken.
4. Free Gel Blasts from PowerBar. I’ve never tried these, but they sound like fruity, gummy bursts of energy.  If you’re an athlete or a tired mom, I’d say it’s definitely worth registering for these free samples by mail.  The offer is good until August 31, 2010, or while supplies last, so I’d definitely recommend registering while you can, just in case.
5. Free Red Strike energy drink from Murphy USA. To get your coupon for a free energy drink via email, you must like their Facebook page and follow the simple directions.  While you’re there, why not like Billy.com too?
6. Free Beech Nut Next Steps kit. This kit contains some parenting information as well as a coupon for a free Beech Nut product.  No mention is made of how long this kit will be available.
7. Free sample of Real Time Pain Relief.  You can get 3 applications of their topical pain relief cream free when you sign up on their site. No mention is made of how long this offer will last.  You can also get 30 uses free if you pay for shipping.