Kids Bowl Free at Your Local Bowling Center

Posted on June 27, 2012 by | 1 comment


Can the kids bowl for free? Yes you can all summer long, thanks to Kids Bowl Free program.

kids bowling for free summer

What Is Kids Bowl Free

Select bowling centers and schools around the country are participating in the first ever Kids Bowl Free program. This program gives a registered kid, 2 free games per day all summer, courtesy of the participating bowling centers along with the schools and organizations.

How To Get Free Bowling Games

Signing up is very easy. It takes only a few minutes.

  1. Visit www.kidsbowlfree.com and choose your state to start registering. Click on the map on the right side of the homepage.
  2. Choose your local bowling center and click the link.
  3. Start registering for your kids by entering Parents and Kids information. Click join button.
  4. After signing up, you’ll get confirmation email and email to the coupons. The coupons are sent out weekly each Sunday morning. Click the link in the email and print.
  5. Take the coupon to your bowling center and play for free. You need to pay the rental shoe fee. In this case with Poway Bowl, I paid $4 per kid.

How To Get The Coupons

There are 2 easy ways to get the coupons:
1. Click on the link in the email sent to you, or

2. Visit www.KidsBowlFree.com and log into your account, print the coupons and redeem.

When can I go to Redeem the Coupons?

Each bowling center has their dates and times posted in the right column on their registration page. These are the times when you can come for the free games. Limit 2 games per kid per day. For Poway Fun Bowl, the dates are June 8th – August 19th from 11 am to 3.30 pm.

Free Kids Bowling Summer

The Family Pass

The Family Pass was created to allow for adult family members to enjoy bowling along with the kids throughout the summer as well. The Family Pass starts from $24.95 and includes 2 games per person per day.

The Family Pass covers up to 4 adult family members. You may have 1, 2, 3, or 4 adults on the family pass. The price of the pass covers all 4 members.   You may purchase the family pass at later time or anytime during the program.

Here’s the Deal: Enter code summerfun20 to save an extra 20% off the already great price of $24.95  This code will expire on June 29th at 11:59pm ET.

Review

When we went there on Tuesday, there was no line and there were many empty lanes. We redeemed the coupon and got the shoes on the front desk. Paid $4 for one kid. The lane was automatically closed after we finished the second game. My son was happy and so was I. And I’ve already planned for the next visit.

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Vacation Bible School 2012 at Churches

Posted on June 21, 2012 by | 1 comment

One fun and enriching activity for kids, which is held usually in summer, is Vacation Bible School. This 1-week bible study program is targeted to as little as 2 1/2 year olds to 10 years, sometime over. In this program, they are learning about God and bible, making craft, singing, socializing and learning new skills such as arts, theater, sport or cooking.

vbs at rbcpc

You can find this program at various churches, small or big, throughout San Diego. Just check out their website. I usually register my kids at Rancho Bernardo Church Presbyterian Church (RBCPC) because it’s the closest one to my home (although I am a member of a different church).

wallpaper at vbs

Registration is $30. Other churches may not set a fee but accept donation. If you are interested to enroll your kids, do so months before. Usually registration opens as early as March. Classes tend to fill up quickly, so register early.

Some churches offer specific-interest summer camps instead of bible school. Like Church at Rancho Bernardo, they offer Summer Theatre Arts Camp instead of VBS. And I heard from a friend of mine that it is good.

example of craft vbs

Solana Presbyterian Church has Kids Games annually. It’s basically just like VBS, plus it includes sports, cooking, scrapbooking, music and others. They have opening and closing ceremonies with games, craft, booths and foods to enjoy.

To get involve with your kids, you can sign up to be a volunteer. The church always need volunteers. Next year, I plan to sign up so I can be with my youngest daughter. That way she can feel comfortable joining the VBS.

So if you are looking for summer activity that is low-budget, enriching, and fun, this is the one you can’t just miss. It’s a must. You can sign up your kids at 1 or more VBS at different time during summer to fill your empty schedule.

Do you have a favorite VBS that you attend regularly? I’d like to hear one in the comments.

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20 Summer Activities For Kids in San Diego

Posted on June 16, 2012 by | Leave a comment



Summer activity del mar fair 2012

Visiting Del Mar Fair is one of many great summer activities for kids. Photo is Del Mar Fair seen from far.

After hours of searching (I started before the school ended), finally I came out  with a list of 20 activities for this summer 2012 that we plan to do with my little two kids. They are 6 1/2 and 2 1/2 years old.

Each activity needs to be free or low-budget, new or we like it so much that we need to do it again, local in San Diego, family friendly, great for learning experience, and above all it’s fun.

20 Summer Activities for Kids in San Diego

  1. Visiting Little Italy
  2. Watching movie at Santee Drive in Theatre
  3. Riding the rides at Del Mar Fair 2012
  4. Beach Picnic
  5. Exploring Old Town
  6. Visiting Queen Califia Magical Garden
  7. Watching fireworks at Sea world summer night
  8. Joining VBS June 18-22 at RBCPC
  9. Kids Bowl Free at Poway Bowling Center
  10. U Pick Blueberries in Temecula near San Diego
  11. Stargazing at Sycamore Canyon/Goodan Ranch Park
  12. Visiting San Pasqual Historic Park (due for closure on July 1st, 2012)
  13. Celebrating 4th of July 2012
  14. Learning Chinese and Indonesian
  15. Brushing up some lessons and Bible verses
  16. Swimming
  17. Making wind turbine
  18. Making mobile airplane
  19. Baking cookies
  20. Library Summer Reading Program

Whenever  we have done one activity and I have posted a review, I’ll change the item list to a link so you can click and read in detail our experience and see some photos. I’ll also add more if I find other interesting summer activities. So it might be over 20 over time.

So do you have a list of your summer activities for kids? Share with us in the comments!

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Del Mar Fair 2012

Posted on June 16, 2012 by | 1 comment

San Diego County Fair or a.k.a Del Mar Fair 2012 has been open since June 8, 2012. It’s located on Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, CA 92014. Open every day from June 8 to July 4 2012, except Mondays (except July 2nd).

del mar fair from top view

Del Mar Fair Tickets

Before going there, I asked my kid to finish reading 10 books so he could earn a free admission ticket. Normally this ticket is $7 for ages 6-12 and free for 5 and younger.

Just download a reading certificate to keep track the books your kids read,  have a librarian signed it and bring the certificate to the admission gate. That’s all you have to do.

For adult tickets, I went to Albertson to get them at $11 each (instead of $13 at the gate).

Parking

Free parking offered at the nearby Horsepark. There will be free shuttle buses that carry people to or from Del Mar Fair to Horsepark. I highly recommend people to use this free parking facility. When we came we only waited for a few minutes for a bus to come. And no long line. There is often long line on weekends or holidays.

waiting shuttle bus at horsepark to Del Mar Fair

When going home, just go to the same bus stop for Horsepark and wait for the bus.

Safety First

When arriving, we just went straight to the admission gates. Have your bags ready for checking at the metal detector gates.

Also it’s a good idea to get the kids band at the information booth right after the entrance once you get in. On the band you may write your name and cellphone number in case the kids get lost. Wrap it around your kids’ wrists.

del mar fair kids safety wristband

Another thing suggested by the drive, take the photos of your kids on your smartphone or camera, just in case something happens.

Time

We went at a perfect time on Wednesday almost noon time. It was cloudy and there weren’t many lines and crowds. We got in and out  pretty fast. There were more people in late afternoon.

Another reason we chose Wednesday is on that day they have Pepsi Pay-one-price Ride day. It means you can buy a $30 wristband at the fair or online that allows you unlimited access to all rides in Fun Zone and Kiddieland, except the arcades. This really offers good value especially for the kids and the accompanying adult because usually we end up spend many tickets.

Wristband can be purchased online and redeemed at special booths at the fair.

Rides

All rides are divided into 2 areas, the Fun Zone for adults and the Kiddieland for kids. Most rides require certain height (sometimes age) to be able to ride on alone or with an adult. So mom and dad you have to get some tickets too or get your wristband.

All rides need coupons with different amount. The Giant Ferris Wheel needs 6 while the small one only 4 coupons (maybe, sorry I don’t remember). Compare to buying coupons, I find that purchasing a wristband saves more money. The coupon adds up quickly. Each is 75 cents.

Tips: there are many ticket booths scattered around in the Fun Zone or Kiddieland. So if one booth in front of you have a long line you can go and find another one that’s empty.

Grand Ferris Wheel always at Del Mar Fairgiant slide ride for kids


canoe ride small for kids at Del Mar Fair 2012photo with alien

Foods

Del Mar Fair is widely know as the home for the wackiest foods you have to try. From  chocolate covered bacon to totally fried frog legs are available for you to choose. There are so many fried and grilled foods.But my dear husband decided to cook for us that day to eat there so we can save some money.

There are also many mouth-watering sweet treats such as potato donuts,  funnel cake (just knew they have red velvet funnel cake there, which I really wanted to try),  whipped cream puff, ice cream and many more.

Concert

Del Mar Fair has tonnes of shows and concerts, which we didn’t care to go last time because we thought we went there just for the rides. We would come back later for the show.

One show I was happy to be able to see is Bandaloni, the One Man Band. There was this one man with a bunch of instruments attached or wired to him so he could play a full music alone. This man was so amazing and talented that I simply couldn’t imagine how he could do it.

bandaloni performing at Del Mar Fair 2012

We spend our whole afternoon there just for the rides. To visit all booths, shows and rides, we need at least 2 days. Usually on July 4th, there are a lot more going on plus they have Fireworks (for about 30 minutes the last time we went). So on that day you can spend your whole day there until evening. But beware, the parking can be chaotic too.

So have you been to Del Mar Fair? What is your favorite food, ride or show? Do share your story.

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Pukis – A little Twist to Pancake Mix Recipe

Posted on June 16, 2012 by | Leave a comment

I make a little twist to the pancake mix and create this easy and yummy ‘Pukis’ recipe. Great for breakfast or anytime snacks. It doesn’t need a long time to make but gone very quickly in my family.

Pukis is one of popular snacks from Indonesia. It’s like a pancake, only baked in a ship like shape. Delicious and tasty – often with fillings such as raisin, cheese, chocolate sprinkles and fruits.

pukis from pancake mix recipe

Originally, Pukis is made from a totally different recipe than Pancake. But since I have a big bag of Krustaez Pancake Mix from Costco I need to finish and don’t want the hassle to make Pukis from the scratch, so I’ll just use this pancake mix with a little twist to its recipe.

To cook this you need an iron-cast mold for cooking on the stove. Pukis mold is not something you can find here in the US. But you can use any iron cast mold such as Danish Pancake Pan or Takoyaki Pan. Also you need a cover for your pancake mold to keep the heat inside.

Danish-style Pancake Mold or Takoyaki Mold

Pukis – Pancake Mix Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Pancake Mix
  • 1/2 cup Sugar
  • 1 box (200 ml) Kara Coconut Milk
  • 1 cup cold Water
  • 1 tbs butter or margarine, heated for the mold
  • Filling (optional): raisin or chocolate sprinkles, cheese sticks, or anything you like.

How to make:

1. Mix pancake mix, coconut milk, water, sugar in a big bowl with a big wide spoon or spatula. Mix until all ingredients blend well. Press any big lump against the bowl to break it apart. The pancake batter doesn’t have to be perfectly smooth. If there are only just tiny small lumps and it’s mixed well then I would stop mixing.

2. Heat up the pukis mold on the stove with medium heat. When it’s warm, brush the mold with the liquid margarine and a little baking brush so the batter won’t stick.

3. Fill up every cups in the mold with the batter up to 3/4 of the height. 
pukis from pancake mix recipe on the mold
4. Scatter some raisins (or any filling you want) on top of the batter.
pancake mix with sprinkle
5. Close the mold and let it cooked until it’s brown on the bottom. Remove them and put on the plate.
Cook pukis pancake recipe
pukis pancake out from the mold
Tips : If it’s burned too fast then let down the heat a bit.
One recipe makes about 25 pukis pancakes. You can store the leftover in the fridge for later time.
So I want to know what you think about this recipe. And if you have other pancake recipe mix you want to share.

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