I’m sharing some great information about free upcoming events in the Twin Cities area, taken from a list of events across the USA from a great site called More With Less Today (shared with permission):
Free Upcoming Events All Across the USA
American Girl
October In-Store Events include Bitty Twins’ Ballerina Paper Doll Craft, Doll ‘ Dos & How-Tos with clip-in hair colors to take home, Date with My Dad, Acorn Pouch Craft, Bitty Baby’s Story Time, Paper Pumpkin Craft, Bitty Twins’ Ballet Story Time, Just Mom and Me, Decorate a Halloween Haunted House, and American Girl Day at the Rink (NYC only).
Events vary by location and minimum age. Find events specific to your area at the American Girl website here or call 877-247-5223. (There’s an American Girl store at the Mall of America.)
Barnes & Noble
October 19th through October 31st
In select stores, Voyage of the Imagination, create and share adventure-themed stories with Rory’s Story Cubes & Mudpuppy’s Jungle Animal Make-a-Mask. Enter your zip code here to find a participating store near you.
Disney Stores Halloween Dress Rehearsal Event
Friday, October 18th from 5 pm – 6:30 pm ~and~
Saturday, October 19th from 11 am -12:30 pm
Come dressed in your favorite Disney character costume, and join us for games and a costume parade! All Princesses, Heroes, and Characters are welcome. *Minimum age for participation is 3 years. While supplies last. Event limited per session based on store capacity.
No lineups prior to 30 minutes before event begins. Event subject to change or cancellation without notice.
Find your closest Disney Store here. (There’s one at the Mall of America.)
Guitar Center
Free Classes through their Music Mentor Series. Register at the Guitar Center website here.
1) Saturday, October 19th at 10 am
Recording Made Easy: Garage Band Effects
2) Saturday, October 19th at 10:15 am
Group Ukulele Lesson
Home Depot Hands On Workshops (for grown-ups):
Saturday, October 19th from 10 – 11:30 am
Electrical Updates – learn how to install a smoke alarm, test your home’s electrical safety, select the right LED bulbs and more.
Free Do-It-Yourself workshops ~ {workshops may vary by store} Head to the Home Depot website to learn more!
Lakeshore Learning – free crafts for kids
Saturday, October 19th from 11 am to 3 pm
Creepy Creatures Mask- Make a goofy monster mask that you can wear. Get more information here.
Michael’s Kids Club Workshops
Saturday, October 19th – every half hour between 10 am and 11:30 or12 noon
Duck Tape Costume (Powered by Duck Tape®) – be a crafty superhero for Halloween. And for just $3 more, you can purchase a t-shirt and create a complete costume.
~The cost is $2 per child for a 30 minute reservation. Let your kids explore their creativity while you shop. Sessions start every half hour from 10 am – 11:30 or 12 noon every Saturday. Get more informationhere.
Michael’s Show In Tell (for grown-ups)
Learn something new with in-store demonstrations for new craft ideas, techniques, and creative new trends. Get your local calendar of events right here.
Pottery Barn Kids: Events and Activities
Story Time is every Tuesday from 11 to 11:30 am. Kids of all ages are invited for story time. Members receive an official book club passport at their first story time, plus a special gift after attending five story times. Go here for more information.
Toys “R” Us
1) Saturday, October 19th from 10 am – 12 pm.
Free Cra-Z-Loom Bracelet Making Event. This free event will take place every Saturday during October. Go here for more details.
2) Saturday, October 19th from 12 – 2 pm
All Toys “R” Us locations
For kids ages 5 and up. Build an exclusive LEGO DC Super Heroes The Joker Mini Mech Bot. Quantities are limited, one per child. Go here for more details.
Williams-Sonoma: Free Cooking Technique Classes
Free technique class: Sunday, October 20th
Hands-Off Cooking – Discover easy ways to save time in the kitchen by using a slow cooker, food processor, and bread machine. Class sizes are limited. For more specific times and details, please call your local store. You can see the calendar of store events here.
- Hour-long technique classes are free and include tastings of prepared dishes.
- Participants enjoy 10% savings on select same-day store purchases.
- Available at all stores; class times vary by store location.
COMING SOON………………………………………….
Bank of America: Free Museum Weekends
Saturday, November 2nd & Sunday, November 3rd
Bank of America’s Museums on Us is offering free admission to more than 150 museums nationwide. Simply present your Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card along with a photo ID to gain free general admission to any participating institution. Cardholders only; guests are not eligible for free admission. For more information about Museums on Us, visit: http://museums.bankofamerica.com.
Bank of America has also recently rolled out its Museums on Us site for mobile. You can check it out here on your mobile phone: http://museums.
Home Depot Kids Workshops
Saturday, November 2nd from 9 am – 12 pm.
Sail a Mighty Ship – Come build The Home Depot’s spectacular Tabletop Ship!
- FREE hands-on workshops; designed for children ages 5 – 12.
- Workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills, tool safety and instill a sense of pride and accomplishment.
- All kids get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin. One workshop kit, apron and pin per child.
You can register online at the Home Depot website.
Lego Stores
Thursday, October 31st
Kids dressed in costume will get a FREE LEGO Monster Key Chain. Go here for details.
Lowe’s Build & Grow
Saturday, November 9th 10 am – 11 am.
Make and take a #48 race car with a pull back motor. Register your kids online here. Kids build a wooden project and get a free apron, goggle, patch and more!
Pottery Barn Kids
Tuesday, October 29th at 11 am
Kids are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes while they read along to a few favorite stories. Guests will receive fun seasonal stickers. The New York store will host this event on Saturday, October 26th at 10 am. To get more details, go here.
You May Also Enjoy:
- To find pumpkin farms, hay rides, corn mazes, and Halloween festivals, visit Pumpkin Patches & More.
- To find an orchard near you, try Pick Your Own . This friendly site is also a good source to find related fruit and vegetable festivals all across the country.
- Find local Farmer’s Markets and those across the USA atLocalharvest.org .
- If you like Home and Garden shows, this site will give you a free pass. Check the ACS Home Show site, there are several Home and Garden Shows happening all across the USA during October.
- Kids Roller Skate for Free: Find the closest participating facility righthere.
- Kids Bowl for Free – select bowling centers participate, join their mailing list to get notified of the next Kids Bowl Free Day.
- Young Eagles – kids ages 8 to 17 experience aviation and get free rides in private aircraft flown by experienced pilots. Get more information here.
- Yoga Month in October – Get one free week of Yoga at a studio near you. There are over 2,000 studios participating this year. Get the details and print out your free pass here. For new students only.
- Free Beauty Events – find free beauty events at local stores with free samples and demonstrations. Visit the website that keeps track of these right here.