Money Saving Duo

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mid-Michigan

4th and 5th Graders Can Get Free Lift Tickets in Michigan Through the Cold is Cool Passport Program

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Whether you live in Michigan or are planning your next winter trip here, you and your family can hit the slopes for reduced rates if you have a fourth or fifth grader in your family thanks to the Cold is Cool passport program.

Kids skiing

The Michigan Snowsports Industries Association (MSIA) has brought back its Cold is Cool Ski & Ride Passport App for families with fourth and fifth graders. Families can download the app for $25 and get up to three free lift tickets or trail passes at 29 different participating ski areas – including Mid-Michigan’s very own Snow Snake Ski & Golf in Harrison, MI – for their fourth and fifth grade children.

In addition to the lift tickets donated by the participating ski areas, the Cold is Cool Passport includes a coupon for 20% off a helmet purchase and $20 off the purchase of $100 at participating ski shops across the state. Some ski areas have also included coupons for equipment rental and free or discounted lessons.

Learn more and register today!

Free and Fun Family-Friendly Events in Mid-Michigan August 2019

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Summer may be almost over, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty left to do in the Mid-Michigan area! Check out this month’s family-friendly free and fun events we’ve discovered.

Fun and Free Family Friendly Events in Mid-Michigan August 2019

August 1-3rd – Midland’s RiverDays features music, food, hot air balloons and more all for free! Get the details and plan your family’s adventure.

August 3rd – Catch the first Movies by Moonlight in downtown Mt. Pleasant! The first show is A Dog’s Purpose, rated PG. Movies start at 8:30 pm.

August 3rd – Alma Church of the Nazarene is hosting a community picnic and everyone is invited! Stop by between 3-6 pm for food, fun and back to school giveaways.

August 5th – Celebrate the addition of an amphitheater at Island Park in Mt. Pleasant with a free concert and ribbon cutting! Concert to begin at 7pm.

August 8th – Stop by downtown Mt. Pleasant for another installment of Thrilling Thursdays and celebrate space! Build and launch your own water bottle rocket and enjoy Tang and moon pies. Event kicks off at 6pm at City Hall.

August 9th – Play it Safe at this free community event brought to you by ICCU. Stop by Island Park in Mt. Pleasant between 12noon and 4pm for games, prizes, crafts and more! Plus, the first 200 kids will receive a free bike helmet! Get more details here.

August 9th – NCG Cinemas kicks off their Free Family Film Festival. Free films include Hotel Transylvania 3, the Goonies, Wonder Park, and How to Train Your Dragon 3. The festival runs from August 9th – August 31st.

August 10th – Stop by the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum for another Kids & Culture event! This month kids will get to take a peak into Mexican culture and explore through crafts and games. The event is from 10am – 12noon.

August 11th – 17th – Visit the Midland County Fair this week for some animal fun!

August 24th – Victory church is hosting a free community carnival that will feature food, games and carnival rides. Stop by between 2-5pm.

August 28th – Have you ever wanted to read to an animal before? Your family can at Leaman’s Green Applebarn today at 10am.


Free Family Fun Activities in Mid-Michigan May 2019

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You may have noticed that we completely SKIPPED a month of free family fun activities this last April. We apologize for the inconvenience, but sometimes life just gets busy. And April was REALLY busy here at the MSD household.

We’ve finally adjusted to our new rhythm and we’re excited to share some fun and free activities just in time for May.

Free Family Fun Activities in Mid-Michigan May 2019

May 4th – FREE comic book day! Check out your local comic bookstore or see if your local library is participating. In downtown Mt. Pleasant, Hall of Heroes, LLC will have over 50 different FREE comic books to choose from! Plus, you’ll find some great deals throughout the store and can stick around to enjoy the 1966 Batman movie showing at the Broadway Theater across the street for only $2 a person.

The Chippewa River District River Library is also hosting a Mini-Con this year where you can pick up a FREE comic book (while supplies last) when you visit the library between 12 noon and 2 pm. Additionally, your family can participate in a variety of activities around the library and even meet LEGO Batman!

May 6th – FREE slice day at Bell’s Pizza! Stop by anytime during open hours and claim your free slice of pizza. Limit one slice per person.

May 11th – Enjoy a free movie at the Ideal Theater in Clare! Stop by the theater at 2 pm for a family-friendly show. Hosted by the Coleman Wesleyan Church Women’s Ministry.

May 11th – Its another Kids & Culture Saturday! This month, visit the CMU Museum of Cultural and Natural History from 10 am – 12 noon for an educational, fun and free event.

May 17th – Register for Family Trivia Night at the Chippewa River District Library. The game begins 6pm and pizza and refreshments are provided. Plus, there will be PRIZES! Trivia questions are for elementary aged through adult.

May 18th – Stop by the Barnes & Noble bookstore in the Midland mall for free story time fun! Today at 11am, story time will feature the Dr. Seuss classic “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”

May 19th – Stop by and celebrate Hope Well Ranch’s 15 year anniversary! Its free to attend, but after you learn more about this great organization, you may want to consider providing a donation to support their mission if you are able. The event will feature the Incredible Dr. Pol, the Palooka Brothers string band, food trucks, Maxon’s Blue Country Barbeque, Cruisin’ Chef, the Grub Hub, kids games, ranch tours and more!

May 25th – Join Living the Good Life Alpaca Acres for their free community event, the 3rd Annual Alpaca Palooza in Harrison, MI. There will be live music, unique vendors and all sorts of fun photo opportunities! Stop by anytime between 10 am – 4 pm.

Are there other opportunities happening in our community we should know about? Share in the comments or on our Facebook page!

Free Family Fun Events in Mid-Michigan March 2019

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Looking for some ways to welcome Spring? We’ve got you covered all March long with our list of FREE family fun events happening throughout Mid-Michigan.


Photo by Benjamin Manley on Unsplash

Calling all LEGO fans! Stop by your local Barnes & Noble for a special LEGO architecture build event on Saturday March 9th at 6pm! For those of you in mid-Michigan, Barnes & Noble is located in the Midland Mall.

It’s time for another Kids & Culture event, this time at Off-Broadway Performing Arts Studio! Stop by Saturday March 9th between 10 am – 12 noon for a fun and free family-friendly event.

Another great opportunity this month is a comedy magician show taking place at Plachta auditorium on Central Michigan University’s campus on Tuesday, March 12th at 7 pm. Trent James, the award-winning comedy magician, is sure to wow you, making this an evening of fun for everyone. Free to attend and open to the public.

Not sure if this show is right for you? The video below will give you a sneak peek into a Trent James show.

We’re told that March 12th is FREE pancake day at IHOP! Stop by and enjoy your free shortstack and, if you’re able, consider donating to help children battling critical illness while you’re there.

And if you love free food, you might want to mark down March 20th on your calendar. We’re told that Dairy Queen will be serving up free ice cream cones that day, but haven’t been able to officially confirm it. Check with your local Dairy Queen to see if they will be participating.

Stop by the Chippewa River District Library, Shepherd branch for Create, Make and Take Craft time on March 13th at 3:30pm. All materials will be provided – you just need to bring your creativity!

Grab your favorite board game and head on over to the Salvation Army in Alma on March 15th at 6pm for a free family game night! Movies will also be playing in the chapel.

Looking for an opportunity to introduce your family to the orchestra? Creative 360 in Midland will be hosting the Midland Community Orchestra Small Ensemble and invites everyone to come and listen March 15th at 7pm. More details can be found on the Great Lakes Bay Parents website.

Did you know that Michigan is one of the top maple syrup producers across the nation? In 2017 it was ranked as the 7th top producer of this sugary confection. On March 16th, your family can discover how maple syrup is made during Maple Syrup Day at the Chippewa Nature Center! The event is free for kids and members, but $5 for adults who aren’t members at this time.

Stop by the Chippewa River District Library, Veterans Memorial campus for a rescheduled family date night featuring Kim Darst from Husky Haven Sled Dogs and her incredible story of racing in the Iditarod! Attendees will get the opportunity to see her sled gear and interact with one of her dogs! Be sure to arrive early to this event taking place March 17th at 2pm. 

Take a break from technology and stop by the “Pop” in carnival taking place at Finch Fieldhouse on Central Michigan University’s campus March 22nd from 6 – 8 pm. CMU’s Recreation, Parks and Leisure services RPL 430 class is partnering with Angel Wings to host a family-fun night where kids and adults can play classic carnival games like ring toss and mini bowling. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged to help support the local charity.

Are there free family-fun events we missed? Share them in the comments or on our Facebook page.