Here are some fun ideas for family entertainment and kids’ Activities (most are free!) available this week and beyond. Note that each event may vary, so be sure call the designated venue/establishment ahead to verify availability, times and date of each event. 

*American Girl – Girls ages 8 and up can participate in various FREE events throughout the month of January at various American Girl store locations.  Some of the activities this month include making a cute handmade card and matching envelope, making girl- and doll-sized luggage tags, learning tips and tricks for styling your girl’s American Girl doll, fun meal & games for mom, dad and daughter as well as various activities to celebrate the sweet world of Grace Thomas— American Girl’s 2015 Girl of the Year! Your girl will get a fun baker’s apron craft to decorate for herself and her doll. Plus, she’ll decorate delicious cookies—just like ones Grace would make—and a cute bakery box for taking them home. Reservations required. For girls ages 8 and up. Check your local American Girl store for specific times and dates.  

*BabiesRUs/ToysRUs

Got old or used car seats, cribs, bassinets, strollers, travel systems, play yards, high chairs, toddler beds, etcetera? Gather them all up and take them to your local Toys R Us or BabiesRUs for the Great Trade-In Event now through February 21st. For each item that you trade in, you will get a 25% off discount on participating product categories from participating manufacturers. 

*Barnes & Noble 

Take your kiddos ages 3-5 for story time & free activities on February 7th at 11am, featuring featuring “Ready Rabbit Gets Ready!” – a fun picture book for any kid with an active imagination… or anyone in need of a very good laugh! You can go here to find your nearest participating Barnes & Noble store and for more details and other on-going store events.

 
*Bed, Bath & Beyond – Getting married and planning to start a wedding & gift registry? You can attend the FREE Rock Your Registry event at a Bed, Bath & Beyond store near you! Space is limited so you need to RSVP. You’ll get expert registry consultant advice, creative tips for entertaining, enjoy light fare and a free goodie bag!

 *Chuck E. Cheese – Check out the various coupons available for your area. They also have the printable Rewards Calendars where kids can take their completed calendars to a Chuck E. Cheese location and be rewarded 10 free tokens. 

*Cinemark – Participating Cinemark theatres are offering FREE Junior Popcorn whenever you see The Spongebob Movie 3D from February 6th-8th. You can go here for more details.

*Harkins Theatres – Get a FREE medium popcorn every time you wear your Loyalty T-shirt to the movies through the end of 2015. You’ll also enjoy $1.50 soft drink refills every time you bring your Loyalty Cup to the movies through the end of 2015.

 *Marcus Theaters – From February 6-March 22, 2015 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 10AM, you can view your favorite family flicks for just $2. You can also get 2 free passes here with voucher.

 *Lakeshore Learning Store – On Saturday, February 7  from 11AM-3PM, kids can make From The Heart Coupons.  You can go here to find your nearest store.

 *Michaels – On Saturday, January 17th from 10am-noon, kids ages 3 and up can make a String Art Heart for only $2 per child. Michaels Kids Club sessions are being offered every half hour from 10AM-12noon.

 *REI: They offer the Family Adventure Program with various classes for children and adults like hiking, biking, camping, fun Geocaching adventure, photography lessons, planning a trip and more! The selection and dates/times vary by location so check to see what your store is offering here. 

*ToysRUs – Tomorrow, February 7th, from 12PM-2PM, head on in to your local ToysRUs store for a FREE Spongetastic Event! Kids ages 5 and up will be able to build and take home a FREE Mega Bloks SpongeBob SquarePants Jellyfish Launcher! Go here for more details.

*Victoria’s Secret – On Sunday, February 8th, from 5PM-7PM, check your local Victoria’s Secret store for a Valentine’s Day Shopping Event. The first 50 customers at each store will get a FREE Love Addict Hand & Body Cream – a $14 value!

*Williams-Sonoma – Check out their Asian Cooking: Dumplings and Noodles Cooking class on February 8th to learn how to make dumplings as well as how to steam and panfry them. Call your local Williams-Sonoma store to verify their participation and to register or go here for more details. 
 
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About the Author: Jocelyn Cañasa-Brown is a working mom of two boys and is a recognized blogger and mom influencer in the Washington, DC area. In her spare time, she designs and creates her own handmade jewelry, maintains her jewelry store on Etsy and is an active moms group organizer and leader both online and offline. Hip Mama’s Place was nominated for Parents 2011 Best All-Around Mom Blog and named one of the Highest Rated Blogs and Sites on Nickelodeon ParentsConnect for the Washington, DC area. Follow Jocelyn on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.