Museums, Gardens and Markets Offer Deals to Frugal Family

We're all watching our family budgets these days. Whether shopping with coupons or looking for two-for-one deals, we're taking advantage of all sorts of offers and savings that help us stretch our dollars.

This column is dedicated to giving you five great local deals each week that will help your family's bottom line, and since we do the scouting for you, you can save time as well as money.

You are a big part of this column. Let us hear about the deals you've seen. Just add them to our comment box. Then come back each week and see what we've uncovered together.

Spring is blooming with new fresh ideas and new activities. This week, Frugal Family scoured our local sources to come up with great some great free (or super inexpensive) creative workshops  This week, there is an abundance of local, free and/or inexpensive creative workshops for young children.  A few of these workshops locally are  “technically” located in Kennesaw, although they are actually just minutes from the Marietta Square. The creative adults in the family will appreciate a free writing workshop being offered by a local author. And everyone in the family will enjoy great finds at a huge flea charity market taking place this weekend benefiting homeless and abused cats.

Mommy & Me at the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History – “Curious George Rides a Bike” from 10 to 11 a.m on Thursday and “Down By the Station” from 10 to 11 a.m on April 14. This event is $5 per child and includes admission to the museum. Designed for children ages 3- to 5-years-old and their parents. The museum’s history, themes and exhibits provide a fun, exciting starting point for educational activities.   No reservations required. Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History; 29 Cherokee St. in Kennesaw. For information call 770-427-2117, ext. 3173 or send an e-mail to  children@southernmuseum.org.

 Kiddie Gardener Series  at Smith-Gilbert Gardens - “Wiggly Worms” on Friday and "Earth Day" on April 22. This series occurs on the second and fourth Friday of every month at 10 a.m. and is a time for kids 3- to 5-years-old to come hear a garden-related story, sing, create art and walk around the gardens. You are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy after the program. All children must be accompanied by an adult.  All programs are $5 per child, which includes admission to the Gardens. Reservations are recommended. Smith-Gilbert Gardens, 2382 Pine Mountain Road in Kennesaw. For reservations or information, call 770-919-0248 or send an e-mail to lvanderhoff@smithgilbertgardens.com.

Lowe's Build and Grow (FREE) Childrens’ Craft Clinics. Register to build a Sports Pinball Game from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday. Build and Grow kid's clinics are a great way to help build confidence, and each participant receives a free apron, goggles, a project-themed patch and a certification of merit upon completion of their project. Register in advance to avoid all spaces being full. 2650 Dallas Hwy. (770) 794-4778 www.lowesbuildandgrow.com 

For adults:

Write Your Own Story Workshop. A free workshop at 11 a.m. on April 14. Best-selling author and Kennesaw resident Margaret Johnson Hodge provides tips and tools to tap into your own creativity as you begin – or continue – your journey as a writer. The workshop will be hands-on, complete with methods on getting past writing block and tackling the hardest part – the first page! Workshop will include handouts and on-site exercises. Pre-registration for this event is required. Kennesaw Library. 2250 Lewis St. in Kennesaw. To register, call the library at 770-528-2529.  

Good Mews Spring Charity Flea Market. Saturdays and Sundays from April 10 through May 2. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdaysa and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays, rain or shine, near Aldi’s in the East Lake Shopping Center, 2145 Roswell Road. New merchandise will be added each weekend through the end of the sale. All proceeds benefit Good Mews Animal Foundation, a local non-profit organization, which operates a volunteer-based, no-kill shelter for homeless, abused, and abandoned cats. www.goodmews.org