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Free bowling and skating summer fun for children

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Summer is not far away and it is already time to start thinking about activities for our children to do. For many children, summer signifies sleeping in and spending the remaining waking hours on electronics playing video games, watching television, texting and anything else that can be done while in a reclined position. If figuring out ways to keep your children physically active during the summer months is challenging, I have got some ideas for you and both are free.

Kids Bowl Free and Kids Skate Free are two individual summer programs that provide an opportunity for children to get up, get out, exercise and have some fun. Children registered in the bowling program receive two free games per day at the participating center. The skating program allows participants to skate free during specified hours using issued program passes.

Both bowling and skating can be enjoyed by children of all skill levels from the first-time player or skater to the more skilled in either sport. Participation in one or both programs will provide regular exercise, help your child burn calories and give them an alternative to being sedentary during summer vacation.

There are several locations throughout the United States participating in both programs with centers and rinks across the country. You must register with the locations you want to use. Below is a list of participating bowling centers and skating rinks in Tennessee. Check the participating location to learn the days your child may bowl and skate for free, as well as the age of child that may participate in the programs. A skate or bowling shoe rental fee may apply.

BOWLING CENTERS
Tennessee (see participating bowling centers)
Cities: Chattanooga, Clarksville, Collierville, Cookeville, Cordova, Dickson, Hendersonville, Hermitage, Johnson City, Knoxville, Lexington, Memphis, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Savannah, Smyrna and Tullahoma.

Currently there is no listed participating center in the Jackson area. See how you may change that.

SKATING RINKS
Tennessee (see participating skating centers)
Cities: Clarksville, Cookeville, Cordova, Greeneville, Jackson, Johnson City, Memphis, Milan, Murfreesboro and Tullahoma.

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©2015-2016 Kid Madison. Article by Jennifer Smeltser. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the publisher http://kidmadison.com/.

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SM Museum Day Live!: Free Museum Admission

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The Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day Live! returns this year again giving you free admission for one day to more than 400 museums across the country. Yes, there are a lot of museums in the United States and that number only represents the ones participating in the event. The annual event will be held on Saturday, March 12 and there are seven participating museums in Tennessee.

In order to visit a participating museum of your choice, you will need a ticket, which is free. Although the tickets and admission are free, only one ticket may be used per household, per address. The ticket allows admission for two people to one museum. Additional museum guests from your household must pay to enter with you. You may register online and download your ticket. That sounds like a really educational way to spend the weekend and free always sounds really good.

If you know you will be in another state that weekend and would like to take in a museum tour, see what museums are participating where you will be visiting.

Participating Tennessee Museums
Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum, 30 Casey Jones Lane, Jackson, TN, 38305
West TN Delta Heritage Center/Tina Turner Museum, 121 Sunny Hill Cove, Brownsville, TN, 38012 (free everyday)
Museum of Appalachia, 2819 Andersonville Highway, Clinton, TN, 37716
Homesteads Tower Museum, 96 Highway 68, Crossville, TN, 38555
Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, 700 Hall of Fame Dr., Knoxville, TN, 37915
Dixon Gallery and Gardens, 4339 Park Avenue, Memphis, TN, 38117
Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, 546 Hwy. 360, Vonore, TN, 37885

Find a participating museum near you.

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©2015-2016 Kid Madison. Article by Jennifer Smeltser. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the publisher http://kidmadison.com/.

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TN Sales Tax Holiday 2015

tax_free_2015Oh, wouldn’t it be wonderful if every day were a tax-free day in Tennessee? Well, since it is not, take advantage of the upcoming Tax-free Holiday, which is celebrated annually in the state of Tennessee. The holiday dates this year are Friday, August 7, starting promptly at 12:01 a.m. and the tax-free period continues until the clock strikes 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 9.

Before you get started on your shopping spree, here are a few things to note to prevent confusion and disappointment when checking out:

  • Exempt purchase items include clothing ($100 or less), school supplies ($100 or less), and computers ($1500 or less). All retailers are required to participate in the holiday with the exception of those who only sell to business purchasers. If a retailer sells to both businesses and individuals, they are also required to participate. Along with that, business purchases do not qualify for exempt purchase status during this holiday…{read more}
  • Store coupons reducing the value of an item to less than $100 makes that item eligible for the tax-free status.

  • Internet sales delivered to Tennessee also qualify during this holiday period, so if you prefer to stay home and shop, that is an option.
  • Taxable services for labor and rental costs are not exempt during this period.

Note: Something to consider. Tennessee charges seven percent (7%) tax on taxable items. Be sure the savings is worth the purchase before spending money that would be better saved.

Learn more about Tennessee’s Tax-Free Holiday.

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Pink Palace offering free summer membership

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The Pink Palace Museum is back with its summer special offer that includes a Summer Trial Membership giving you 90 days of free access to its family of museums. The membership may be used at the Pink Palace Museum, the Historic Properties and the Lichterman Nature Center.

The Summer Trial Membership is valid for two adults and up to 10 related children that are 17 years old or younger. The membership is a personal family membership, expires Wednesday, August 31, 2016 and you must sign up online by Tuesday, May 31, 2016 to take advantage of the offer.

The membership also offers access to the Trial Membership Party, which will be held in July; a savings of $1 on each ticket for the Planetarium Tickets, CTI 3D Movie Tickets and Combo CTI 3D/Planetarium and a 10 percent discount at Bella Caffe and in the Pink Palace Museum Store (audio, video and clearance are not included).

You may sign up any time during the month of May. Once you register, your 90 days begins. Registration is easy and can only be done online. Once you hit the submit button, your membership card will be immediately available and ready to use. Get your membership now!

Don’t miss a thing! Subscribe to the Kid Madison blog and get our articles in your inbox!

©2015-2016 Kid Madison. Article by Jennifer Smeltser. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the publisher http://kidmadison.com/.