Frugal Family Finds: The "School's Almost Out" Edition

Shhhh… what’s that sound? Do you hear it? Is it the cicadas? No, It’s the sound of your kids opening their mouths to tell you they are bored before school even lets out. Shut down the sound because Frugal Family Finds has enough music, ice cream, books, fairies, flowers, museums. clothes and more to keep them whine-free at least for a week or so.

 1. Wheaton Municipal Band – Wheaton

 The Deal – From the classics to swing and to marches galore, let the concert begin. Free music is the air and Bring your blanket or grab a chair there to enjoy the 2011 concert season kick off on Thursday, June 2nd at 8 p.m. in Memorial Park, just north of downtown Wheaton. The season concludes with a special Saturday night indoor concert on August 6 at Edman Chapel.

Offer Good- Thursday nights through August 4th

 2. Planter’s Palette- Winfield

Popular plant resource and nursery, Planter’s Palette is hosting a Fairy Festival for all ages from Saturday, June 4 – Sunday, June 12. Kicking off the fest is free fairy face painting from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and a fairy parade at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 4. All participants in the parade will receive a certificate for 10% off all fairy garden merchandise on Saturday only. The ladies big and small can enjoy the Fairy Garden Tea Party on Saturday, June 4 at 11 a.m. with tasty treats and lemonade while beautiful garden fairies share stories and fairy lore for $35. Call for registration 630-293-1040 ext. 2.

Offer Good- Festival runs through June 12th

3.  Glen Ellyn Library – Glen Ellyn

The Deal - I scream, you scream, we all scream for free ice cream. On Monday, June 6, you can scream in delight at the fifth annual ice cream social sponsored by the Friends of the Library from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Glen Ellyn Library parking lot. You’ll find ice cream, ice pops, and entertainment including a juggler, a storyteller, airbrush tattoo artists and face painters. Visit the library basement form 4:00 till 8:30 for a used book sale.

Offer Good- Monday, June 6th

4. Museum Adventure Pass- Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn and Wheaton Libraries

The Deal: The Macy’s Museum Adventure Pass program provides free admission to 17 unique cultural destinations throughout the Chicago area to library cardholders. The pass loan period is seven days. The admission offers vary per museum and some offer admission for two or four people per pass, or by carload. Pass includes Brookfield Zoo, Cantigny and Chicago Botanic Park among other museums and attractions.

Offer Good- While supplies last

5. L.L. Bean  - online

The Deal:  You and your kids will need something to wear to all the fun-filled summer activities from the woods to the pool to the parks and L.L. Bean is giving you a permanent hall pass to avoid all the schlepping with “Everyday Free Shipping.” Offering free shipping and handling in the US and Canada, free shipping will be applied automatically to all qualifying orders – no minimum purchase, coupons or promotion codes are required. Most packages in the contiguous U.S. will arrive in 2 to 5 business days.

Offer Good- Until further notice

6. Amazon.com - online

The Deal: Looking for something to read this summer that will immerse you in rich language, an engaging plot, and deep imagination? Get instant access on the cheap with these novels, now available for $3.99 or less for a limited time for your electronic reading device, app or phone.

Offer Good- Through June 12th

7. Wheaton Public Library  – Wheaton

The Deal – What R U Reading? The Wheaton Library’s summer reading club for 6th through 12th graders invites you to log on and register beginning June 6. You can even keep track of your reading on your Smartphone or iPod Touch. 
 Prizes will be awarded for every 20, 40, and 60 hours spent reading as well as weekly prizes including gift certificates to Yorktown Mall, Amazon.com, Enchanted Castle
, Chik-fil-a, Culver's Custard, Banana Republic, Bath & Body Works, Jamba Juice, Oberweis and more!

Offer Good- Through August 13th