Summer Movie Deals are Back!

Every summer there are deals to be had in the theater and movie industry. Spokane is no exception. Regal, in Spokane Valley, is starting their selections on 6/21-6/23 with a choice between Chronicles of Narnia and The Tale of Despereaux. In the past the movies have always been free; but it looks like the economy has caught up with them, because movies are now $1. There is always a choice between a PG and a G movie and multiple days they show--so you could feasibly do both of the selections in one week. Check out: www.regmovies.com/summermovieexpress/ for dates and movie selections.

One thing about the Regal program is that it is national. So when you are traveling or visiting grandparents in other parts of the country or state, here's a great inexpensive activity that can be used as a time filler. Movies are always so expensive to take the whole family to, so you'll be scoring points for being so "generous" when you offer to take the whole crew and pay ;)

On the north side of Spokane, the Village Theater at Wandermere has a bundle price of $5 for nine movie passes. I love this deal because all of the movies are current or recent, with a surprise movie at the end. 55cents a movie is a great price for this mom, even though I loved the sound of "free". Check out: http://www.spokanemovies.com/ for selections. (I have to admit--I was going to take the kids to see Mr Popper's Penguins, but when I saw that it would be in the summer line-up, who wants to pay $7 a ticket X 7...when I can take the whole family for less than $5 if I wait till July 25th! Frugal Moms really put their children through tests of patience!!)

If you really appreciate that word "free"--the Garland Theater has a weekly free kids throughout the summer. It's a little earlier than most, with the movie starting at 9:30am, but does feature my favorite "f" word. You just have to start your day a little earlier to get seats and situated before the curtains are drawn back. Just beware of raggedy seats and sticky floors. Something about "free" means no updates, air-conditioning or large staff to clean and maintain. But did I mention that the movie was free.

Free Summer Kids' Movie Schedule

I start to anticipate summer when I think of all the fun things we can do because we have fewer schedule restrictions. But when I start thinking about how much everything is going to cost, I could easily freak-out. But you're talking about the woman who can get blood out of a penny...well, not really, but I like a great deal--FREE's better though. So this mind-set works well with the Free Summer Kids' movies hosted by Regal Cinemas. Every area has their own schedule at their local Regal theaters--google Regal and find out what your theater has scheduled. But this is the schedule for the Spokane Valley Regal Cinemas starting next month:

6/22-6/24--Tale of Despereaux (G)

Coraline (PG)

6/29-7/1---Pirates Who Don't Do Anything (G)

Astro Boy (PG)

7/6-7/8----Charlotte's Web (G)

Planet 51 (PG)

7/13-7/15--Rugrats: The Movie (G)

Ice-Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (PG)

7/20-7/22--Rugrats in Paris (G)

Kung Fu Panda (PG)
7/27-7/29--Wallace and Gromit (G)

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (PG)

8/3-8/5----Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (G)

Monsters Vs Aliens (PG)

8/10-8/12--Doogal (G)

Hotel for Dogs (PG)

8/17-8/19--Muppets from Space (G)

Paul Blart: Mall Cop (PG)

I've already slept through several of these movies in years past--so I doubt that we will be going weekly, but it is free--so add it to the list of options. On the north side of Spokane, the Village Theaters at Wandermere do a Summer Children's Movie series as well. The kids usually buy sheets of tickets for all the movies for $5 before they let out of school. The movies are generally newer releases and more "popular"...if you know what I mean. I don't mind paying the $5 a person because $30 for 10-12 movies for 6 people is so cheap because at current ticket prices--we wouldn't even be getting in for that price with everybody at a matinee. (It's 6 people during the summer instead of our usually lucky 7--since it's falls upon me to entertain the kids day after day as Dad's generally at work).

This is "cheapness herself" speaking when I tell you my family movie tip... I don't believe in 100% gouging the theaters of their profits, especially as the movies are SO cheap for the kids series. But even without paying an arm and 2 legs to get in, it still costs me the second leg to throw popcorn on the floor and have children begging for more candy--at $4 a box. So here's what I do: I buy the large popcorn bucket with the large refillable drink. I take brown lunch sacks and cut the upper third off, while still folded...and stick those in my purse. When we are seated, I divvy the bucket of popcorn up between the paper bags and hand them on down the row. By the time the last kid's bag is filled, I'm empty and ready for a refill. No kidding--we go through 2 refills before the movie starts...and 1 during the movie. The theater provides water cups for the kids to share the large drinks--hence I score big-time with my little tribe sharing a bit of liquid sugar. We do this at least once a week during the summer and it doesn't break the bank and we still contribute to the profits of the theater--just not to the gold-plaiting on the roof. I'm set and I'm only into refreshments for $8.50. Kids are happy and I'm NOT broke for going to the theater. (I didn't tell you that I occasionally let my kids eat the candy that's in their pockets...just not MY pockets). Mother of the Year tip: it doesn't cost me anymore to let my kids bring a friend along because it only means an extra bucket of "refillable" popcorn and an extra cup. Yeah!! It's easy to be gracious when it doesn't cost any more :)