I love weekends!  I can sleep in (or as much as anyone can sleep in who has kids) and I get to spend some relaxed time with my hubby and kids!  While I love the downtime, sometimes my family wants to be entertained!

If you are looking for some fun on a budget, her is a great list of national retailers with hands-on workshops and free events for this weekend and many more that are coming soon.

Make some memories and try a new workshop, lesson, or craft. If you enjoy these free activities, be sure and bookmark this master list of free store events or PIN It for later!

Share this fun,money-saving list with your friends and family. And, if you know of any others to include, please let us know! It is always best to call ahead and make sure that your local store or retailer is participating to avoid disappointment.

:: American Girl Special Store Events

Special events differ by location. During October, they include the Project Runway Inspired by BeForever™ tour, BeForever Postcard Craft, Decorate a Halloween Haunted House, Acorn Pouch Craft, Paper Pumpkin Craft, and more.

Many of the American Girl in store events are free, however some have a fee and some have age restrictions. Get the details here and find participating stores.

:: Barnes & Noble

October 25th Halloween story time in select stores.

Most stores also have free toddler story time, NOOK events, hands-on learning events and author events - find the times and participating Barnes and Noble stores here.

:: Bass Pro Shops

October 24th – October 31st. It’s the Great Pumpkin Free Halloween Event -make crafts, get a FREE 4×6 photo, scavenger hunts and more.

October 25th is Trunk or Treat- get more information on their Facebook page here.

: Build-A-Bear

October 24th – October 31st

Stop in for a FREE Halloween treat. No purchase necessary. You can find more information on the Build A Bear Workshop Facebook page.

:: Guitar Center

Saturday, October 25th {no age restrictions for free music lessons}

10 AM – Recording Made Easy for Pro Tools

10:15 AM – Group Guitar Lesson

More free classes are offered during the week with their Music Mentor Series. Register at the Guitar Center website here.

:: Home Depot Workshop for Adults

Saturday, October 25th from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

Sunday, October 26th from 1PM to 2:30 PM

~ Learn DIY Skills to improve your home~Topics vary by store~ You can pre-register online here.

:: Lakeshore Learning Store

Saturday, October 25th from 11 AM-3 PM and a few locations offer crafts every Sunday.

Kids make and take a Spooky Sweets Holder. Get more information here.

:: Michael’s Kids Club

Saturday, October 25th – 10AM – 12 Noon

Kids Club – for $2 per child, you can reserve 30 minutes for kids to create while you shop at Michael’s. Sessions start every half hour from 10AM – 11:30. See a store associate to sign up.Get more information here.

:: Williams-Sonoma Free Technique Classes

Saturday, October 25th {for kids} at 10 AM ~ Jr. Chefs – Halloween Cookie Decorating. Suitable for ages 5-13. To reserve a spot, contact your closest store right here.

Sunday, October 26th {for adults} ~ Fall baking. Learn how to incorporate fall fruits and spices into your baking. To reserve a spot, and find out specific class times, contact your closest store right here.

……… MARK YOUR CALENDAR! COMING SOON……..

:: Bass Pro Shops

November 15th – Santa’s Wonderland Kids Event – more info coming soon.

Outdoor Skills Workshops – free classes offered on a regular basis on topics such as archery, bass fishing, fly fishing, hunting, Successful Striper Angling (Fridays in October), and more. Contact your local store here for details.

:: Home Depot Workshop for Kids

Saturday, November 1st from 9 AM to 12 PM ~ Build a Pallet Coaster. You can pre-register online here.

:: Lego Mini Model

Friday, October 31st – Trick or Treat event at Lego Stores.

Usually held monthly in stores, kids ages 6 to 14 can build and binoculars. Contact your closest LEGO® Store here for details.

:: Lowe’s Build and Grow

Saturday, November 8th at 10AM

Kids build a Science Lab. You can pre-register starting 10/27 right here.

:: Michael’s Holiday Pinterest Party

Saturday, November 15th from 1-4 PM

Michael’s has selected 10 projects to make. Attendees will receive a special discount for shopping and the first 25 people will receive a booklet with all the projects, including instructions, plus holiday tips & inspiration.

:: Pottery Barn

Sunday, November 16th & 23rd at 10 AM – Holiday decorating from festive mantels and entryways to glistening treetops, learn decorator tips for the holidays.RSVP at your closest store, right here.

:: Pottery Barn Kids

Saturday, November 1st from 5PM – 9PM .Pajama Jam – bring your teddy bears and enjoy cookies, milk, crafting and more. RSVP at your closest store right here.

More to Explore Throughout the Year:

:: Apple Camp

Enrollment is open for kids ages 8-12 to attend Apple Camp. This is popular free camp where kids can learn to make movies or create interactive books complete with their own illustrations and sound effects. Hurry, spots fill up quickly. Go here to sign up.

:: Apple Store

Free workshops – learn the basic of Mac, iPad, iPhone, or iPod. Learn how to create slideshows with iPhoto. Edit home movies with iMovie and more! Find your local store and make a reservation for a free workshop here.

:: FREE Beauty Events

Find free beauty events at local stores with free samples and demonstrations. Visit the website that keeps track of these right here.

:: Factory Tours

Find factory tours all across the USA, go here, The site has 570 tours and counting! Many are free but some may have an admission fee. (Thanks to the Happy Housewife for sharing this!)

:: Sephora: Free In Store Beauty Classes

Join the Sephora Beauty club {it is free} and attend free beauty classes inside Sephora stores to learn everything from building a skin care routine to creating the perfect smoky eye. Classes are held on Sunday at more than 60 stores across the USA. Check with your local stores for schedules and times.

:: Home and Garden Shows

If you like Home and Garden shows, this site will give you a free pass. Check the ACS Home Show site.

:: Michael’s Show In Tell {for adults}

Learn something new with in-store demonstrations for new craft ideas, techniques, and creative new trends. From cake decorating, jewelry making, art painting, paper crafting and more, get your local calendar of events right here.

:: FREE Major League Baseball Clinics

Through the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, kids can attend a free baseball clinic in many locations across the country. The free program is called Free Legends for Youth Kids Clinics.

:: FREE Bowling

Kids Bowl for Free at select bowling centers. Just join their mailing list to get notified of the next Kids Bowl Free Day.

:: Free Fitness Classes

Lululemon locations offer free yoga classes, go here for schedules and locations. Athleta stores offer free in store fitness classes, go here for schedules and locations.

:: Free Flying Lessons

Young Eagles – kids ages 8 to 17 experience aviation and get free rides in private aircraft flown by experienced pilots. Get more information here.

:: FREE Roller Skating

Kids Roller Skate for Free: Find the closest participating facility right here.

:: FREE SKI Passport for 5th Graders

Go to www.5thgradeskipassport.com to get a free pass in Idaho or the Pacific Northwest. For other areas, search for your state with the words “5th grade ski pass + your state”, or the name of your local ski resort.

:: FREE Wine Tasting

Total Wine stores offer free wine tasting classes each weekend. Learn about specific producers, regions and varietals. Where allowed by law, participants receive special discounts on the wine being tasted. View the FREE Wine Tasting Schedule here.

:: Target – Free Community Events

Target is also sponsoring FREE community events ranging from free museum admission, free theater tickets, family activities and tours at some of our countries most famous venues. Times and locations vary by city. Find free family activities sponsored by Target in your area right here.

:: More Free Museum Dates

This site, www.freemuseumday.org, tracks free museum days in the following cities: Boston, Chicago,Los Angeles, New York, Portland, San Francisco Bay Area, and the Seattle Area.

:: Celebrate Crazy Holidays

Have some silly fun on a budget! Celebrate World Pasta Day, Artists Day, Howl at the Moon Day, and more! Get the schedule here.

* For more ideas for family fun, be sure and check Groupon, Amazon Local and LivingSocial in your area. Join each site for free and start having more fun on a budget! These vouchers make great gifts too!

For inexpensive and sometimes free tickets to local events, I am a fan of Goldstar tickets. Watch your emails for the heading “Comp Train” from Goldstar. If you are new, you can set up a free account here.

Be sure and check out your local library and parks and recreation departments for free programs and events right in your hometown!

Thanks More with Less Today!

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