Summer is here, and with it comes that familiar question every parent asks around this time of year: how do we keep the kids entertained without draining the bank account? Between rising temperatures and gas prices, a summer of constant outings can feel out of reach fast. The good news? Fresno is packed with budget-friendly options that don’t skimp on fun. Here are 5 great ways to keep everyone happy (and cool) this summer without breaking the budget.
1. Regal Movie Express
Once again, Regal Cinemas is offering a fantastic deal for summer weekday mornings. Monday through Thursday at 11am, Regal theaters offer $1 movie admission for popular kids’ movies, plus $3 discounts on Dippin’ Dots cups and snack packs (which include a junior-sized drink, popcorn, and fruit gummies). These showings began June 1st and run through August 13th. Click here to see what movies will be playing each week.
2. Fresno County Library Events
The Fresno County Public Library does an incredible job of offering fun events for children, teens, and even adults all year long, and summer is no exception. This summer, kids can enjoy checking out their favorite books and movies, plus Bubble and Science Shows and reptile encounters with Reptile Ron. These free events rotate between library locations, and advance registration is requested to keep group sizes manageable so everyone can truly enjoy the experience. Check out dates and times and register online here. There’s also a summer reading challenge for all ages you can join here.
3. Bowlero Summer Season Pass
Bowlero offers a season pass that includes 2 daily games of bowling and shoe rental for the entire summer, for only $59.99 per person. At this price, you’ll need to select a single location (Lucky Strike locations in Fresno, Clovis, or Visalia), or you can upgrade to the Premium Pass for $74.98, which includes all locations plus a $5 arcade card per visit and 15% off food and non-alcoholic drinks. Bowling is such a fun activity, but it’s really gone up in price over the years, so this pass will likely pay for itself in just 2-3 visits. It’s a fantastic deal! Passes are available online here.
4. Fresno Grizzlies Game Deals
We’re so lucky to have baseball right here in Fresno, and thanks to great sponsors and partnerships, your family can enjoy a game at a reasonable price (plus score some amazing extra perks) by attending on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening. Tuesday nights are Two for Tuesdays, where you get two tickets for the price of one and receive 2 Maya Cinema Family Day passes for free. And on What a Deal Wednesdays, you can get 2 tickets to the game, 2 hot dogs, 2 sodas, and 2 tickets to Island Waterpark, all for $39! (Island tickets are valid Monday through Thursday.) To buy either package, or any other game tickets, click here.
5. Indoor Playground Memberships
Fresno has two highly rated indoor playgrounds, both offering reasonably priced memberships for daily use, perfect for escaping the heat while still letting the kids burn off energy in a safe, fun environment. Synctron is a huge indoor free-play arena suitable for all ages, and it also has a comfortable parent lounge area with refreshments. Reviewers mention helpful staff members throughout, ensuring everyone’s safety, plus comfy couches in the lounge that stay within sight of the kids. Kids Empire in Riverpark skews a bit younger, but is also known for exceptional staff and customer service, cleanliness, and reasonably priced snacks. Synctron offers monthly memberships with 1.5 hours of play time per day, starting at just $15.99/month for weekdays, or $26.99/month for daily access including weekends. Kids Empire offers a summer use pass for 60 days, at $69.90 per child.
Summer doesn’t have to mean choosing between fun and your budget. With deals like these scattered all across Fresno, there’s something for every family and every kind of day, whether you’re cooling off indoors, cheering on the Grizzlies, or catching a $1 movie. Here’s to a summer full of memories with less financial stress!
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