Frugal Fun Indoors: Summer Bucket List Movie Deals for Kids

This summer we went to the movies. Last summer I found several deals, but it was so nice that we ended up at the pool more. Each summer is different and I try to make sure we have rainy day activities and sunny day fun. Summer is my favorite time of year and I enjoy having fun with my kids. In addition to the music lessons they take in the summer we try many different things.

One of the things we don’t do is spend a lot of money. Living a frugal life is important because I stay home with my kids and homeschool. We live on one income which means we have to be careful and frugal. Our summer bucket list only holds items on it that are free, very cheap and definitely affordable. Most of my winter months are spent researching summer fun for cheap prices. I find flyers for different events and activities and store them up until it is time to make the bucket list.

Frugal Fun Indoors: Summer Bucket List Movie Deals

Historic Movie Theater Summer Movies

This summer we had the opportunity to visit a historic movie theater. It was really neat because they hold a kids’ summer session. But, better than the movie was the customer service. The Historic Artcraft movie theater was so hospitable, they had many volunteers available to help mom’s and other’s to their seats with trays. Doors were held open, and smiles were plentiful. For me, this was the best part, and the fact that is was very, very affordable. Watching movies here was on our summer bucket list.

Popcorn and a drink came with the movie. My kids’ loved that and the cheap candy. Old fashioned candy from when I was young. Funny, they thought it was some new brand, but I explained that I used to eat this candy. The movies were older movies, but getting them to see what movie theater’s used to look like was important. They were surprised that before every movie the “Star Spangled Banner ” is played, then after that a cartoon. The advertisements were all spoken and there was an actual stage. I promised my oldest son that we would visit again in the fall for a Batman movie he wants to see.

Outside Movies Under The Stars

Drive-In movies are not a thing of the past. They are still around us, and the movies are pretty good. We have had a rainy summers, so that is still on our bucket list. The last time we went to a drive in was several year’s ago when the kids’ were young. I think they would really enjoy it before the summer is over.

The drive in movie choices are limited to one or two, but every Friday and Saturday they are packed. Ticket prices are not too high and we bring our own food. Ambiance is what we are looking for when we go to the Drive In. Growing up I did go to a few, but not too many. By the time I was a teenager there were only a few left around me. Outdoor movies are nostalgic.

Another great way to watch movies is under the stars. Several parks host outdoor movie nights and they are free. Those are my favorite. We pack a big blanket with a bunch of little blankets and watch movies in the park. As it gets colder we pack hot cocoa.

Cinemark Movie Theater Summer Bucket List

In addition to the other movie suggestion is the Cinemark Movie theater summer kids’ series. We weren’t able to make many of those, but they also hosted a summer series. They had a lot of great selections and each one was weekly throughout the summer.

Cinemark is one of our favorite because the seats recline and they have hot and cold features. Drinks and popcorn aren’t too bad, but for our larger family we buy one and split between us. No one ever is able to finish all of the popcorn anyway.

AMC Summer Movie Camp

Finally, in our summer movie series is the AMC chain. Along with all of the others’ they also host a summer kids’ series. Each one of the movie theaters’ offer something different, and the movies are always good. Some old, and some new. Seeing a movie on a hot summer day with air conditioning is inevitably a good deal.