By Rachel Jeffers
When the days seem to be dragging on and there is little left in the think tank or the bank, entertaining the family can be hard to do. We’ve curated a list of ways to beat the heat without beating too much out of your wallet.
AC Included Activities
Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center in Buford offers free exhibits for families to explore, specifically the STEAM Lab and the Discover H2O zone. The Sterner Stream is fun to explore as a natural habitat for turtles, frogs and aquatic life in the wetlands. They have five miles of walking trails that lead you to the historic Chesser Williams House to accompany your STEM experience.
Check out the big screen at a low price at various movie theaters in Gwinnett. Regal Cinemas offers $1 movies Monday through Thursday at 11 a.m. all summer long. Similarly, AMC at Sugarloaf Mills offers $3 movies as part of their Summer Movie Camp series with showings on Monday & Wednesday.
Looking for a fun, screen-free activity? A local Grayson family has created a Free Kids Puzzle Exchange! Think of it like a Free Little Library, but for puzzles! Bring a puzzle (300 pieces or fewer, to keep it kid-friendly) to 2621 Falcon Ridge Dr., Grayson, GA 30017 and swap it for a new one.
No Pool, No Worries.
Gwinnett has plenty of family-friendly splash pads that are free to enjoy!
Big Splash Interactive Foundation | Town Center Park, 330 Town Center Ave., Suwanee, GA
Fountain at E.E. Robinson Park | 650 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Sugar Hill, GA 30518
Fountain at the Mall of Georgia | 3333 Buford Dr., Buford, GA
Rabbit Hill Park River Channel | 400 Rabbit Hill Park, Rabbit Hill Rd., Dacula, GA
*This park offers a shallow river channel for splashing and floating small boats.
Foodie Freebies
Chick-fil-A’s Cow Appreciation Day is on July 14. How do you appreciate a cow? Simple: dress like a cow, get a free entree. Visit your local participating Chick-fil-A location on Tuesday, July 14, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. dressed in spots, hoofs or a tail and receive a free breakfast, lunch or dinner entree. Photos are encouraged!!
Bruster’s Banana Thursday – BYOB!
BYOB at Bruster’s Ice Cream is still a thing! Your local Bruster’s will SPLIT the cost with you on Thursdays in the summer. Be sure to bring a banana and they will provide the ice cream and toppings for a banana split that’s 50% off the regular price. And they won’t forget the smallest (under 40”) and hairiest members of your family. Babies and doggies receive free cool treats, too. *Participating stores only, offer may vary.