Marlborough Deals and Free Family Activities

The recent rainy weather reminded me of the importance of fun indoor activities for kids. Here are a few ideas to keep  in your back pocket for the times when your children announce that they are bored, or your work-at-home spouse has requested silence for an important conference call. 

1. There is a free concert tonight at the .  From 6:30 to 8 p.m., the library will host the Anick 14th Young People’s Performing Arts Festival Concert in the Bigelow Auditorium. Young musicians from Northborough, Westborough, and Shrewsbury will be showcased. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents to take young children to a live musical performance right in their own town! For more information, visit the Friends of the Marlborough Public Library page .

2. Free bowling  at AMF Town and Country Lanes in Shrewsbury! Sign up your kids at the AMF Freebowling website and each Sunday you’ll receive free bowling coupons! A fun activity to have available during those rainy summer afternoons!  Weekly emails with coupons will be sent starting May 29. Sign up for AMF E-club to learn about other deals and promotions AMF Town and Country Lanes is located at 405 Boston Turnpike (Route 9) in Shrewsbury.

Reading is a great quiet activity for kids.  Some local merchants have some great reading incentive programs. Your kids will benefit by knocking off that summer reading list and by getting some cool freebies!

3. Get a free book at this summer by participating in the “Double Dog Dare” program! Kids ages 12 and under who read 10 books are eligible to pick one of many selected titles. This deal is good through August 26. While you are there, ask about the summer book club for older kids and other childrens events.

Get a free book at Barnes and Noble when you participate in the Barnes and Noble  Summer Reading Imagination’s Destination. When kids read 8 books, they can pick a free book. Complete the journal and turn it in to a participating Barnes and Nobles before September 6. Kids can pick a free book from a list of selected books. Barnes and Noble bookstores in our area that are participating, include the Framingham store, 1 Worcester Rd., and in Worcester at Lincoln Plaza, 541D Lincoln Street.

has a great program that encourages summer reading and saving too!  Your kids need to read 10 books and record them on the Summer Reading form.  They then can bring the form to their local TD Bank branch and have $10 deposited into their new or existing Young Saver account. Kids can either print out the Summer Reading form or pick one up at their local branch. Summer reading offer good through September 30. After setting up their accounts, your kids can bring their change to the TD Bank Hudson branch, 177 Broad St., put it through the Penny Arcade coin counting machine, get a receipt, and bring it to the teller to have the funds deposited in their accounts. Be sure to review the terms and conditions  about the TD Bank Young Saver account.

4. Get 30 percent off your purchase at when you bring in a gently-used clothing donation. Donations will go to the Goodwill. This offer is good until May 29.

5.  Gas deal: Purchase $30 of qualifying products at CVS, and receive a coupon for a $10 gas card when you checkout and use your Extra Care card. Offer good through May 28. Check out this week’s ad or visit your local CVS for details on this offer.

As always, please refer to the merchants directly regarding the terms and conditions for their offers. Let me know if you find any other great deals!