Special Savings for Big Apple Circus in NYC

If you'll be in the NYC area with your kids over the holidays, you're probably looking for ways to keep the family busy. From now until January 9, 2011, the Big Apple Circus will be at Lincoln Center with its new show, Dance On! In its big top, under which all seats are no more than 50 feet from the ring, you'll see monocyclists, lasso twirlers, a chorus line of 12 miniature horses and more. When you book your tickets, be sure to use this special discount code for saving up to $25 off of each ticket! 

To purchase discounted tickets to the Big Apple Circus:

•  Online: http://bigapplecircus.org/mommy11LC.aspx and submit the code MOMMY11 in the Promotional Codes box in the lower left of the page

• By Phone: Call 888-541-3750 and mention code MOMMY11 
  

Fun at a Discount: Family Deal Sites

We're always looking for good deals on things to do with the little ones. Lately I've gotten into using various discount sites, and we've found some great deals on food and activities (at least 50% off). For instance, we got half-price tickets to the children's museum (saving those for a cold winter day!). So far, I've come across two sites specifically geared toward families:

Mamapedia Sweet Deal - includes deals for the following cities: Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, L.A., Miami, New York, Phoenix, Portland, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle and St. Louis. When you make a purchase, 5% of it goes to the school or preschool of your choice.

Famgrab (click at the top to change the city) - includes deals for the following cities (all in the South): Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Louisville, Miami, Nashville, Orlando, Raleigh-Durham, San Antonio, St. Louis and Tampa. With Famgrab, 10% of the site's profits go to a different charity each month.

Each site has a different deal each day; if a certain number of deals are not sold (but you buy one), your credit card is not charged but the deal is also defunct. This seems to rarely happen. Usually there's plenty of interest in a deal--especially if it's a good one!

Tips:

• Be sure to check on the expiration dates. Sometimes you know you won't make it to a certain location before your discount expires. 
• Sign up to receive the daily deals in your e-mail. That way, you don't have to remember to check the site.
• If you find a deal you like, buy it! Remember, it won't last past the day and it may not last that long if it sells out first (many of the deals on these sites don't have a maximum number of deals, but it never hurts to be sure you have yours).
• Always carefully read all of the details to a deal. Some may have restrictions you can't work with. (However, generally, they're easy to use.)
• Keep other cities' sites in mind for when you'll be traveling. Then you can buy before you go as they come up and enjoy the discount when you're on vacation!

Know of any other family-deal sites?

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope you all have a great day tomorrow (or a whole weekend!). If you're debating where to have your family treat you, check out my posts on Means to Eat for some food deals and freebies (including free TCBY and great lunch/dinner deals)--many of which are for both today and tomorrow.

And don't forget to enter the I Spy Bag giveaway! Ends on Monday at noon EDT. 

$1 Items for Outdoor Playtime

I was just at Target and found some fun outdoor stuff for kids in the dollar section (you know, the area right inside the front doors near the registers). Little Monkey's 2nd birthday is coming up and we'll have some outdoor activities, so figured I'd pick up a few fun items the kids can play with (and of course A can keep to enjoy later). Here's what I found:

• sidewalk chalk (a multipack of large pieces in various colors)
• bucket with shovel
• plastic rake, spade and shovel set for the sandbox
• beach ball
• small, bright-colored tin buckets for take-home treats

Plus, they have some kids' gardening items such as shovels and spades and mini pots with seeds. I'm sure there was more I'm now forgetting. Check it out if you're looking for ways to entertain your kids while they're outdoors this summer!

Extra Savings Off Sale Items at Fisher-Price.com

Now through Friday, you can get an extra 20% off sale items at Fisher-Price.com. No coupon code needed; the extra discount will appear once you have items in your cart.You'll find riding toys, Little People sets, building sets, software, character items and more.

Discovery Channel Store Toy Clearance--And Extra Savings!

The Discovery Channel Store is having a toy clearance right now. AND you can apply the code TOYS for an extra 15% off! With the addition of the code, you could save up to 75%. It's only good for a week, so if you want to take advantage, do so now!

Thanks, Baby Cheapskate!

WaterWheel Play Table Deal

I'm determined not to give up on the idea that nice, warm weather is coming soon! Because of that, I've started looking into outdoor play stuff for A. We're finishing up renovating our deck, and between that and the back yard, we have lots of room for fun this spring and summer. In my search, I found a Step2 WaterWheel Play Table for $35 with free shipping, which some of you might be interested in. If you've seen it cheaper (at a store or online with free shipping), let me know. It's definitely the best outdoor toy deal on the Step2 site right now.

What outdoor toys do your kids love? What do you plan to buy for the summer?

Free Easter Basket and Candy With $20 Purchase at Build-A-Bear

Now through April 4, 2010, you can get a free Easter basket with candy when you spend $20 at Build-A-Bear Workshop. While supplies last and candy may vary by store.

Thanks, Coupon Cravings!

Kids Book Sale at Barnes & Noble This Weekend

Barnes & Noble is having a kids book sale this weekend (ends Sunday, March 7, 2010): Buy one children's book, get one 50% off. If you purchase via bn.com, use coupon code H4U9M3W at checkout. If you purchase in-store, you can use this coupon.

Consignment Sales for Great Bargains on Toys and More

The time for spring/summer kids consignment sales is here! I LOVE going to consignment sales. They don't come often enough, in my opinion (generally, twice a year). Many of my daughter's toys and books (plus clothes!) have come from them--including some of her favorites from when she was a baby. After I've bought items at a sale, I'll often later see the same things at places like Target for three or four times as much as I paid.

Many cities have multiple of such sales, which sell clothes, toys, baby gear and more. Be sure to check out listings near you and be on the lookout for signs. Several cities list their sales on thebargainwatcher.com. You can also find listings (and ratings) at consignmentmommies.com. If you're in the market for toys/games/activity mats/bouncers, be sure to check these sales out (for babies to young kids). They offer some great savings and many of the items look brand new. Before you go, check recall lists when shopping for toys; many sales try to eliminate those items, but they can only do so much. All battery-operated items are supposed to have working batteries in them for checking how they work. If they don't, I wouldn't buy the item unless it's a REALLY good deal and you don't mind taking the gamble. Also be sure all parts are included. And remember, one of the best parts about buying toys at consignment sales is the ability to try them out before you buy! If you're bored with it, chances are your child will be too.

And if you have items your kids have outgrown or are no longer enjoying, consider signing up to sell at a sale. I was a seller for the first time last fall and had a great experience. Having some extra pocket money (or money to spend on consignment items) is always nice. 


Share your tips for shopping at consignment sales! Also, I'll be posting some links for sales I know about on the Busy Little Monkey Facebook page. If you have some to share, add them there as well so it can become a resource for other readers.

UPDATE: Check out the Discussion tab on the BLM Facebook page to view or add to the list of reader-recommended kids consignment sales!

Big Apple Circus is Coming - Plus a Special Discount Just for You!

The Big Apple Circus is in full swing! Performances start in Atlanta on Friday. Your little ones can see Bello the clown, a juggling artist, an aerialist, a trapeze artist, equestrians and more. The performance lasts 2 hours and 5 minutes, including intermission. Children under 3 are free with a paid adult. For updates and info, check out @BigApple_Circus on Twitter and the Big Apple Circus Facebook fan page.

Check out the upcoming dates and cities:

Feb. 12-28, 2010 - Atlanta (Stone Mountain Park)

Mar. 6-27, 2010 - Washington, D.C.

April 3-May 16, 2010 - Boston

May 22-June 6, 2010 - Queens, NY

June 11-July 4 - Long Island, NY

Busy Little Monkey readers can get up to 30% off per ticket to the Atlanta performances. Deals for other cities will be forthcoming. I'll keep you posted! To purchase your discounted tickets to the Big Apple Circus in Atlanta:

Online: http://bigapplecircus.org/atlpop.aspx and submit the code POP10 in the Promotional Codes box

By Phone: CALL 888-541-3750 and mention code POP10

In Person: Big Top Box Office 10 a.m.–6 p.m. daily. No service fee. Bring a copy of this blog post

*Offer good on select seat locations and performances. Must present this blog post to receive discount at the box office. Performance schedule subject to change. Offer is subject to availability; not valid on prior purchases; cannot be combined with other discounts or promotions. This offer can be revoked at any time. Discount amount varies. Limit 8 tickets per order. No refunds or exchanges. Telephone and Internet orders are subject to standard service fees.

Get Your Circus Deals!

If you live in Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati or Dayton, and you're thinking about going to the circus when it's in town, check out some special deals shared by 5 Vinez Monkeys. (FYI, the last day for the circus in Charlotte is tomorrow).