Cheap Thrills

Here are a few of my kids' favorite simple, low-cost activities in the area:

• Mt. Vernon Aquatic Zoo Water Park
• Milkshakes at Nessler's Polar Whip in Energy.
• John A. Logan tennis courts
• Pirate Pete's ($10 in tokens is good for about an hour of entertainment!)
• Open bounce session at Extreme Bounce in Marion. Fridays and Saturdays from 7 to 9 p.m. for $7 per kid. Pre-K bounce on Saturdays from 6 to 7  p.m. for $5 per kid. Also open on many school holidays from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
• Family swim night at Life Center indoor pool in Carbondale. Fridays, 7-9 p.m., $5 per family.
• Snacks at Walker's Bluff General Store
• Castle Park on Giant City Road
• The 1.3-mile walking path at the new Herrin Sports Complex off of Bandyville road.
• The Custard Stand in Sesser (corner of 148 and 154)
• Rend Lake Visitor Center and the bike trail and playground across the street
• The spray park and playground at Attucks Park
• Marberry Arboretum trail
• The walk-up Dairy Queen in Carbondale
• SIU Student Center food court
• Free popcorn at the Carbondale Rural King
• Free cookie from the Kroger Bakery
• Bowling at the SIU Student Center (ask for gutter guards and a kid's ramp)
• Popcorn from the food stand at Target, Marion
• Bagels and cream cheese at Panera, Carbondale
• Eating at the counter at Mary Lou's, Carbondale
• SIU Campus Lake walking path and "obstacle" course
• Marion Library Children's Department (the friendliest librarians!)
• Herrin City Park Playground
• Crab Orchard Visitor's Center and the short paved trail next to the parking lot
• Food samples at the Neighborhood Co-op in Carbondale (best day for samples is Saturday) and the International Grocery store next door
• The walking path around the pond at John A. Logan College
• The train table at Barnes & Noble. Sign up for the Kid's Club and get a coupon for a free birthday treat.
• Pizza and Pasta Express in Carterville (pizza buffet on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays)
• Walk-in craft activities at the SIU Student Center Craft Shop
• Free samples at Sam's Club in Marion

On Our List To Try:
Perry County Jail Museum (Pickneyville)
Rural Heritage Museum (Picneyville)
Pickneyville City Park and Pool


What do your kids like?

Special Offers

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Applebee's: Kids eat free on Tuesdays, 5 to 9 p.m. Up to two free kids meals with each adult entree purchased. Dine-in only.

Burger King: At participating locations, Monday is Kids Day with $1.99 kids meals from 5 to 8 p.m.

The Children's Place: Click here to join the birthday club.

Chili's: Sign up for email alerts at www.chilis.com to find out when Kids Eat Free days are scheduled.

Hardees: Kids meals are $1.99.

Quiznos: Kids eat free on Sundays with an adult entree purchase.

Backyard Burgers: Kids eat free on Tuesday nights.

McCallister's Deli: Kids activities and special offers on Tuesdays, 5-8 p.m.

McDonalds: Tuesday night (3-8 p.m.) is Family Night. Happy Meals are just $1.99!

MotoMart: Ask for a "Milk Card" and have it punched every time you buy a gallon of milk. Then, get the 12th gallon free! (Their milk is usually about 50 cents less than at the grocery store, too!)

Sergios Mexican Grill: Sunday through Thursday kids meals are 99 cents with purchase of adult meal.

Denny's: Tuesdays and Saturdays, 4 to 10 p.m. Two children's meals from the kids' menu are free with the purchase of one adult meal. Click here to join the Birthday Club.

Fazoli's: Tuesdays, 5 to 8 p.m. Kids meals are 99 cents. Kids eat free on weekends.

Garfield's at University Mall: Kids eat free on Sundays.

Golden Corral: Every day. Children 3 and under eat free, children 4-8 eat for $3.99 with a drink and children 9-12 eat for $4.99 with a drink. Tuesday is Kids Night.

Lone Star Steakhouse: Kids eat free from kids menu on Tuesdays.

Moe's Southwestern Grill: Wednesdays. Children eat free with each adult purchase.

Sonic: Click here to join the Kid's Birthday Club. Kids meals are $1.99 on Wednesdays.

Steak 'n Shake: Saturdays and Sundays. For every $8 spent by an adult, one child eats free.

Toys R Us: Click here to join the birthday club.

Bob Evans: Offers 12 kids meals under $2.99. Kids eat free on Tuesday nights. Join the kid's Birthday Club at www.BobEvans.com and get a free meal.

Hobby Lobby: Offers a coupon (usually 40% off) in the Sunday paper or at Hobby Lobby Web site. Great for kids craft projects!

Tequilas Mexican Restaurant: Kids eat free on Sunday from the kid's menu (ages 2-11). One child per adult entree purchased.

Wendy's (Marion): Kid meals are $1.99 from 4 p.m. to close.