Did you know there are big box retailers that offer FREE fun? Check this out to learn about some of the companies I’m aware of and feel free to share additional ideas in the comments!

As a family, we aim to reduce consumerism and shy away from name brands and big box retail stores, BUT, I do make one exception and that’s when those big name stores offer FREE fun! Even I can’t resist! The other thing I love is we’ve been able to participate in these free events while traveling!

First up is Michaels, the arts and crafts store. On select Sunday afternoons (often 2-4 pm), they offer a window of time for kids to come in and do a make-and-take craft. When we visited Spartanburg, South Carolina, we tried this out for the first time and both my daughter (4 at the time) and I made tie-dye shirts. (See our experience on Instagram.) We got to pick out our shirt style and size from the t-shirt aisle in the store, the Michaels employee requisitioned it (aka made it free) and then provided the aprons, instructions and supplies for us to add the colors. Then she provided bags for us to take them home and told us how to finish them up three days later. This is still one of my favorite shirts and was such a fun experience for my daughter and I to do together.

Tip: Call the store you plan to go to and verify that they indeed are doing the craft, as advertised online. (Trust me, I’ve learned from experience. For example, the downtown Silver Spring, Maryland location still does not offer in-person events.) Then reserve your spot online at the store you plan to go to.

Next up is Home Depot, the home improvement store. They offer a free kids workshop, typically on the first Saturday morning of each month between 9 am – 12 pm. I reserved her spot (to guarantee her a kit) online and my parents took her to the one in Spartanburg, South Carolina. This one was hosted outdoors. She was given an apron, a pin, and the necessary supplies to assemble, paint and decorate a bean bag toss (a mini cornhole). I am not one to use a hammer and nails, but my Mom is. This is such a great way to engage other family members and introduce your child to something new. See her fun on Instagram! Similarly, she enjoyed a different creation at the Home Depot in Michigan with her cousin and my in-laws!

Tip: Book your spot online in advance as you do not want to show up to the store and have your child disappointed. If you do not show up, they will give away your kit at the end of the allotted window.

Their competitor, Lowe’s, also offers a similar kids workshop. These workshops are typically the third Saturday of the month, but always check their calendar and sign-up in advance to reserve your spot. They offer different one hour windows, usually between 10 am – 1 pm. We finally gave this a try in January and loved it! We built a toolbox together and the instructions were super easy to follow. We’re already excited to return in February! Make sure they “check you in” so your child gets credit as there are different milestones to work towards.

Tip: Book early if you’re in an area that only has one location within a reasonable distance. They’re usually available almost a month in advance for sign-up online. If you do not show up, they give away your kit at the end of the allotted window to walk-ins.

The last company I’ll highlight is Ikea, the Swedish company that offers furniture and home décor. The first step is to sign-up for their free Ikea loyalty card and add it to your Apple wallet or traditional wallet or purse. Every time you go there you can get a FREE coffee, with FREE refills! This is like a parent’s dream! Their restaurants usually have big windows, lots of seating and a couple of kid friendly (geared for little kids) items to touch. Drink your coffee hot!

Also, Ikea offers FREE childcare in their Smaland, while you shop. I love a kid free walk around Target with Starbucks, but free coffee and free childcare, I’m honestly blown away! The child must be potty-trained, must wear socks and there is a range for acceptable height (instead of age) which is 37 to 54 inches. The Smaland at the location closest to us (in College Park, Maryland) has been closed for some time, but they do offer a long table of free kids crafts and coloring in the restaurant on Wednesdays from 12 pm – 1 pm and 6 pm – 7 pm (always double check in case it changes and you may need to make online reservations or walk in and show your free family card, which I have saved to my Apple wallet). Plus with the FREE card, you can buy one adult entrée and get kids entrees for free the same night (which for us is like $12 for the three of us to eat). We have been multiple times and my daughter loves this! Check the College Park location for other offerings too! And we have visited many locations across the United States that have their own unique kids offerings (like at the one in Vegas, Addy got to paint a picture frame and make a placemat that got laminated and at the one in Minnesota by Mall of America she loved the little snoopy house and riding the slanted escalators).

Tip: We have always been on weekdays in the late afternoon, which have never been busy. If you go on a weekend, expect that many others may have the same idea and there could be a wait for Smaland. 

So now you know! Big box retailers do offer kid-friendly FREE fun! I hope you’ll take advantage of these great offerings. Affordable family travel can be where you live or where you travel to. If you found this page without subscribing to my newsletter, I encourage you to check it out and subscribe. Here’s my Inaugural Newsletter and my second newsletter, Sunshine State of Mind.

And while there isn’t a craft or project to take home (although on occasion, we’ve seen coloring sheets), Barnes and Noble bookstore is another big box company that offers story time which is typically on Saturdays at 11 am! Please share any other free big box retailer offerings in the comments! We love adding new things to our list for the DMV area and for when we travel.