Kids Bowl Free Summer 2013

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to ABQ on the Cheap's RSS feed or email digests. Thanks for visiting!

Kids can play two free games every day, plus a family pass for $24.95 for up to four adults to play two games each a day.

Kids Bowl Free is a great summer program with bowling centers around the country, giving kids the chance to play two free games every day throughout the promotion. Sign up soon to the Kids Bowl Free 2013 promotion to get free bowling coupons every week.

The currently participating center in Albuquerque are Leisure Bowl, Holiday Bowl, Silva Lanes, and Tenpins & More in Rio Rancho. If you were registered with the program last year, you need to re-register for 2013.

Start by registering your child or children for one or more of these bowling center programs. If you sign up for more than one, you’ll need to use a different email address for each account:

Leisure Bowl Kids Bowl Free program runs until September 17, 2013, for youngsters aged 18 and under. They can play seven days a week from Noon to 6 pm.

Holiday Bowl Kids Bowl Free program runs until September 17, 2013, for bowlers aged 18 and under. At Holiday Bowl, kids may bowl free seven days a week from 9 am to 6 pm.

Silva  Lanes Kids Bowl Free runs to September 10, 2013, for kids aged 18 and under. Their free games are on Monday and Thursday from 10 am to 10 pm; on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 am to 5 pm; on Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm, and on Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm.

Tenpins & More Rio Rancho Kids Bowl Free program runs through August 31, 2013, for kids aged 15 and under. Their free games are valid on Monday to Wednesday and on Friday: 11 am to 2 pm; and on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm.

• You can register up to six children on each registration form – if you have a bigger brood, you need to create an additional account with a different email address for the other children.
• Then watch your email to confirm your subscription and then you’ll get an email with info to log in to your account and print out the coupons for 2 free games per day.
• If the young bowler’s family members also want to play, then once you’ve registered a child for the free bowling, you have the option to buy a family bowling pass for $24.95, which allows up to 4 adults to each play 2 free games a day too.
• If you don’t have your own bowling shoes, you still have to pay regular shoe rental rates
• Check the FAQ for any other details on how Kids Bowl Free works.

There’s rumor that they’re introducing mobile coupons into the program this year, so you can show them on your smart phone, iPad, or other portable device. But I don’t see any sign of that yet… maybe it’ll come!

If you don’t know where these Albuquerque bowling centers are located, you’ll find them here: Leisure Bowl is at 7400 Lomas Blvd NE. Silva Lanes is at 3010 Eubank Boulevard NE. Skidmore’s Holiday Bowl is at 7515 Lomas Blvd NE. Tenpins & More is at 1416 Deborah Rd SE, Rio Rancho.

–Tania

Opera Southwest Free Event For Kids

If you’ve got kids and want to introduce them to opera in a fun, participatory way, this Puccini & Popcorn event might be just the ticket.

The Opera Southwest Puccini & Popcorn event on Saturday May 11, 2013 at 2 pm is free to children and their parents, although you need to make reservations in advance.  The event is suitable for youngsters aged 5 – 15. Opera Southwest runs the program at the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History and this session will focus on the magic of the operative voice in an entertaining and interactive program for kids. In addition to exploring this emotive form of human expression, they’ll serve refreshments to help inspire the muse!

Puccini and Popcorn runs from 2 – 4 pm on May 11. If you want to tune-up to opera, book your space by calling (505) 831-4221 or email a reservation to Julius Kaplan, as they make it very clear they need to know who’s coming, spaces are limited, and you can’t just arrive without notice.

Mr Cheap often sings his version of opera in the shower and boy do I wish he’d take a workshop. Unfortunately, he’s a little over the target age range for this event. No, I’m not going to sing a duet with him as that would only make the suffering worse.

Albuquerque Museum of Art and History is located at the corner of Mountain Road and 19th Street, in Albuquerque Old Town.

–Tania

ABQ Folk Festival: 2 for the Price of 1 Ticket Deal, or Get $5 Off, plus Free Camping

You won’t want to miss the 2013 Albuquerque Folk Festival on Saturday June 1, and you won’t want to miss these advance ticket discounts either…

Right now you can get 2 adult tickets for $15 in a limited time deal at this link via Living Social – the regular adult ticket price is $20 each if you wait to buy on the day, or $15 each in advance. I’m not sure how long this BOGO offer runs, or if there’s any cap on the ticket quantity.

Then gather up the family to enjoy fabulous folk music and dance at the Albuquerque Folk Festival on Saturday June 1, 2013.  The festival runs from all day from 10 am to 11 pm at the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, with performances on three stages, music and dance workshops, lots of great stuff for kids, and jam sessions for all.

Albuquerque Folk Festival tickets cost $20 for adults on the gate.  BUT if you miss the BOGO offer to get 2 adult tickets for $15 via Living Social (only available at the link, not from the festival itself), you can still save $5 on adult tickets simply by purchasing tickets in advance from the music shop locations listed at the festival’s website. That brings the adult ticket price down to $15 per person, which is still a pretty good deal for a full day of entertainment.

Plus you can camp free of charge on the Balloon Museum grounds, with admission to start camping from Friday May 31 at 3 pm, and you don’t have to decamp until Sunday at 2 pm. That means you can make a weekend of it, and join in the jamming on Friday and Saturday nights! Camping is available for tents and RVs, see the info at the website.

Other ticket prices for the festival:

• $5 for kid’s tickets for ages 12-18, and the festival is totally free for children aged 11 and under.
• $15 for seniors (65+), students aged 18-25, and military spouses.
• $5 for active duty military
  For all the reduced rate tickets, take your ID!  There’s no advance purchase discount for these, only for adult tickets.

This year’s folky fun includes:

• A slate of first-rate folk music performances including Le Chat Lunatique, Squash Blossom Boys, Zoltan Orkestar and many more.
• Storytelling, giant puppets and a children’s tent with dance, music, and games
• Music workshops from ABCs of Banjo, to Build a Washtub Bass, to Celtic Singers
• Jamming  and a band scramble (take your instrument – there’s a free instrument check room to leave it when you’re not playing)
• Dance workshops from contra dance, to Scottish country dance, to belly dancing with a veil (I never go anywhere without my veil!)
• Food vendors, and they usually have folk and musical items for sale too
• A barn dance

Albuquerque Folk Festival offers far more activities than we can possibly mention, so check out their site to see all the options for this great family-friendly event.

Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum is located at 9201 Balloon Museum NE

–Tania

Albuquerque Founders Day Fiesta

Albuquerque Founders Day Fiesta 2013 celebrates the city turning the grand old age of 307, and the Fiestas de Albuquerque party includes music, entertainment, kids’ activities, demonstrations, and more…

Albuquerque Founders Day Fiesta is on Saturday April 20, 2013, from 10 am to 5 pm. Here’s a reminder that all the day’s fun is focused around Old Town, with various areas dedicated to five different eras of our history and heritage: the Native American Era, the Spanish Era, the Mexican Era, the Territorial Era, and the Albuquerque Now Era.

Founders Day free activities on April 20 include:

• Music and dancing at the Gazebo and entertainment throughout Old Town
• 3:30 pm Presentation of Proclamations at the Gazebo and a sing-along of Happy Birthday and Las Mañanitas accompanied by Mariachi Nuevo Sonido and Mariachi San Jose at the Gazebo.
• Kids’ area in Plaza Don Luis and children’s activities including a rock wall for climbing, face painting, and panning for gold.
• Entertainment including Shelley Morningsong, Syd Masters, African American drumming, Red Feather Performers, USA Dance Formation Team, and Yjastros Flamenco.
• Plus a spotlight on Navajo Code Talkers, a Billy the Kid program, demonstrations from santeros and tin makers, and more…

Here’s the full Fiestas de Albuquerque schedule.

Happy birthday Albuquerque! You look better with every new candle on the cake!

–Tania

Free Junior Ranger Day for Kids at Petroglyph

To celebrate National Junior Ranger Day and National Park Week, Petroglyph National Monument hosts a day of free activities for kids on April 20, 2013, including see a wolf!

Pack a picnic lunch and take the family to join in the free events at Petroglyph National Monument Visitor Center this Saturday April 20 from 10 am to 3 pm.  Here’s the Junior Ranger Day schedule:

• 10 am:  See a live wolf with Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary
• 11 am: Safe solar viewing – I guess that’s the solar telescopes!
• 1 pm:  See a raptor presentation
• 2 pm: String a shell necklace

Usually, all the participating children have received Junior Ranger awards too.  I’ve no idea if that will be happening this year (there’s no mention of it) but we can hope so!

No reservations are needed, and there’s no fee to enter Petroglyph National Monument or to join in the activities. Call them at (505) 899-0205 x333 for any other info.

–Tania 

Balloon Museum Spring Break Family Day: March 13

The Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum Spring Break Family Day might be just the answer if you’re looking for something different (and cheap or even free) to do with the kids while they’re off school.

The Albuquerque Balloon Museum Spring Break Family Day is on Wednesday March 13, 2013.  Take a picnic to enjoy on the lawn, kids have plenty of space to run around there and join family day activities.

If you go for the free Stories in the Sky program from 9:30 to 10:15 am  you can stay on for the rest of the day’s activities for free too! After 10:15 am you pay regular museum admission.

The Stories in the Sky program is for kids aged 6 months to 6 years and is free for children and accompanying adults. On March 13, the Stories in the Sky line-up includes music by the Sage Harrington Duo and stories by Laurie Magovern.

The rest of the Spring Break Family day activities run from 10:15 am – 3 pm and include:

• Kite-flying (take your kite) or make a windsock to fly outside
• Games with bubbles and parachutes, sidewalk art, and weather scavenger hunts around the museum.
• Butterfly demonstrations with Wings of Enchantment and a butterfly presentation at 1 pm
• 11 am – Live music by the Sage Harrington Duo
• 12 noon – Live music by the New Mexican Marimba Band
• 1:45 pm – Balloon sculpture with Tall Paul

And of course you can check out the Balloon Museum exhibits while you’re there. I hope they’ll have the hot air balloon simulator in action. I love that gizmo – but always ‘land’ in the river.

Balloon Museum Spring Break Family Day events on March 13 come with regular museum admission from
10:15 am. (It’s free admission earlier if you go for Stories in the Sky from 9:30 to 10:15 am.)

• Adults:  $4, or $3 for New Mexico residents. Take NM resident ID to get the $1 off admission!
• Seniors aged 65+:  $2
• Children 4 – 12:  $1
• Kids aged 3 and under get in free!

Some activities depend on weather, so let’s hope it’s a warm and calm day. If you miss the Spring Break Family Day, then maybe take the family to the Balloon Museum on Sunday morning - it’s free admission for all every Sunday from 9 am to 1 pm, barring Balloon Fiesta weeks.

Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum is at 9201 Balloon Museum Dr NE.

–Tania

Free Fishing Fair for Kids: February 23

Water is not in great abundance in New Mexico, so any activity that encourages water recreation is great by us. Fishing definitely ranks right up there, so here’s a chance to get the youngsters outside.

The Kids’ Fishing Fair at Tingley Beach on Saturday February 23 is for children aged 4 to 12 years old and it’s completely free for all! The Fishing Fair runs from 10 am to 2 pm, with interactive discovery stations and activities to learn about fishing around Tingley Beach.

There is also a free fly-fishing class on February 23 where kids can learn how to make a fly, tie a fly and cast a fly rod to catch trout. This class is open to children aged up to 15 years, and you can drop in to that at any time between 9 am and 1 pm.

It’s a bit confusing having the two events overlapping but at slightly different times and for different ages. However, the free fly-fishing class, led by ABQ Biopark Tingley Beach volunteers and New Mexico Trout experts, is a regular monthly event. The next one after February 23 will be on March 28 from 9 am to 1 pm.

Note that kids aged 12 years or older need a New Mexico fishing license. If you don’t have one, they’re apparently no longer selling them at Tingley Beach but the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish gives a list of where to buy a NM fishing license. I understand that the nearest vender to Tingley Beach is at the Kmart on Central Avenue, west of the river.

No registration is required for Saturday’s fishing fair, just turn up.

Tingley Beach Kids’ Fishing Fair and fly-fishing lesson takes place on Saturday February 23, 2013:

• Fishing fair from 10 am – 2 pm for kids aged 4 to 12
• Fly-fishing lesson from 9 am and 1 pm for youngsters aged up to 15
• Where: Tingley Beach
• Price: Totally free!

Tingley Beach is part of the Albuquerque BioPark.

–Tania

Opera Southwest Free Event For Kids

If you’ve got kids and want to introduce them to opera in a fun, participatory way, this Puccini & Popcorn event might be just the ticket.

The Opera Southwest Puccini & Popcorn event on Saturday February 23, 2013 at 2 pm is free to children and their parents, although you need to make reservations in advance. Opera Southwest runs the program at the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History and this session led by conductor Oliver Prezant will focus on ‘The Magic of the Operatic Voice’ in an entertaining and interactive program for kids. In addition to exploring this emotive form of human expression, they’ll serve refreshments to help inspire the muse!

Mr Cheap often sings his version of opera in the shower and boy do I wish he’d take a workshop. Unfortunately, he’s a little over the target age range for this event. No, I’m not going to sing a duet with him as that would only make the suffering worse.

Puccini and Popcorn runs from 2 – 4 pm on February 23. If you want to tune-up to opera, book your space by calling (505) 831-4221 or email a reservation as they make it very clear they need to know who’s coming, spaces are limited, and you can’t just arrive without notice.

Albuquerque Museum of Art and History is located at the corner of Mountain Road and 19th Street, in Albuquerque Old Town.

–Tania

Free Meet A Wolf

Meet a friendly wolf (or two!) on Sunday December 16, 2012.

This free wolf encounter event is one to note on your calendar for Sunday if you’re as fascinated as I am by these beautiful and mysterious beasts. Meet the real thing for yourself in a Wolf Meet and Greet presentation on December 16 at 12:30 pm at the Open Space Visitor Center.

Stephanie Kaylan of the Wanagi Wolf Fund will take at least two of her friendly wolves or wolf-dogs along. I know from experience that Stephanie is a very lively and interesting speaker on the subject of wolves and their relationship with humans. In fact, you can read my profile of her in a recent series I wrote of MSN.com Albuquerque Insider Profiles  for their Re:Discover Albuquerque project.

The family-friendly event is free, although donations to the non-profit Wanagi Wolf Fund are welcome as this is a holiday fundraiser.  There will also be a photo-op with Hokshila the timber wolf for a $10 donation (I think Bindi the wolf will be there too, but don’t hold me to that) and you can shop for wolf calendars, stocking stuffers and wolf-fur filled ornaments, plus buy raffle tickets, to be drawn straight after the presentation.

Arrive early to be sure of a seat at the beginning of the presentation, as late arrivals are not guaranteed admission.

Interesting note: Wanagi is Lakota for “The one who guards and protects the spirits of those who have passed onward.”

• When: Sunday December 16, 2012
• Time: 12:30 – 2 pm. Arrive promptly for the 12:30 start as late arrivals aren’t guaranteed admission.
• Where: Albuquerque Open Space Visitor Center
• Price: Admission is FREE but donations to the Wanagi Wolf Fund and Rescue are very welcome.

Albuquerque Open Space Visitor Center is located at 6500 Coors Boulevard NW. (East of Coors at the end of Bosque Meadows Road, between Montano Boulevard and Paseo del Norte.)

–Tania

Holidays Take Flight at the Balloon Museum

Santa in a balloon? Well, nearly. Meet Balloon Pilot Santa in this festive free event for all the family!

Holidays Take Flight at the Albuquerque Balloon Museum from 11 am – 3 pm on Sunday December 2.  

The Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum will host seasonal merry-making  including live entertainment, decorating cookies, making balloon holiday cards, and the launch of a remote-controlled hot air balloon – weather permitting.  AND of course meet Balloon Pilot Santa and take pictures!

Admission is free, and according to info received from the museum, the entertainment line-up includes:

• 11 am – New Mexico holiday music from Los Primos and a performance by the Enchantment Handbell Ensemble. Wow, the Ensemble is going to be busy this weekend! They’re playing at the Festival of Trees too. Their bells will be all (w)rung out! Ha!
• 12 noon – A sing-along holiday concert with Susie Tallman & Friends
• 1 pm – Carols from the Manzano High School choir
• 2 pm – Nahalat Shalom Community Klezmer and dances

This event also includes a New Mexico Holiday Shopping Village, featuring Rock Me Baby Records, Zap Oh!, Bounce-n-Boogie, Costitas, Glo’s Bows and other retailers, for your gift shopping delight. The museum’s own gift store also has some rather cool things in it – I love browsing in there. Hot chocolate and holiday treats will be available for purchase.

If you care to take along a new and unwrapped toy for Albuquerque kids in need, the Balloon Museum will accept donations during the event for the Toys for Tots program organized by the US Marine Corps.

Holidays Take Flight at the Balloon Museum

• When:  Sunday December 2, 2012
• Time:  11 am – 3 pm
• Where:  Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum
• Price:  Free admission to the museum and event

Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum is located at 9201 Balloon Museum NE.

–Tania

Next Page »