Go ahead — be a freeloader!
Lack of cash doesn’t have to mean forced isolation at home this summer. Instead, challenge yourself to spend some leisure time doing things that don’t cost a dime.
Can it be done? Yes. Start by mining printed community calendars. The Internet, of course, is a great source (check out ‘s entertainment and lifestyle calendars). Municipal websites along with local government offices, markets and grocery stores often post event that can fill a social calendar for weeks with free or low-cost outings.
Does free equal fun? Choose wisely. Families with children might gravitate toward a free story hour at the local library while the 9-to-5 crowd might prefer free happy-hour snacks.
What follows is a dozen ideas to help you revel in frugality by enjoying a weekend of freebies.
Thrifty Nibbler
If you can handle the occasional sidelong stare, rotate endlessly around the food sample stations at Whole Foods, Costco and Sam’s Club.
Splurging on a drink also grants access to free happy-hour buffets at some restaurants and bars, like the awesome wings doled out at the College Inn (4400 E. Eighth Ave.) from 5 to 7 p.m. on Fridays (with a two- drink minimum), or the free tacos at Poppies (2334 S. Colorado Blvd.), offered at 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Not Just for Nerds
Public libraries stock extensive CD and DVD collections, including new releases, and all of them can be checked out for free. Many will go to extensive lengths to find a requested film, even if that means getting it from an out-of-state library. Libraries also offer free crafting events, classes, book clubs and get-togethers such as the Wii challenges at Denver’s Byers Branch Library (675 Santa Fe Drive). Preregistration for that event is required.
Cool Off
Let go of your inhibitions and run through a water fountain. Don’t just watch the kids have this kind of warm-weather fun. Join in and get wet already! While wading in most city fountains is illegal, Denver has a few that are interactive, including: City Park H2Odessey, next to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Bear Creek Park on Hampden and Sheridan, and Stapleton Central Park on MLK Blvd and Central Park Blvd. There is also a spray ground feature at Argo Park in Globeville that is part of the swimming pool area on 47th and Logan. All Denver Parks and Recreation swimming pools and recreation centers are FREE to all youth 17 and under for the entire summer.
Online Gaming
Get sucked into free virtual games such as Vampire Wars on Facebook, Bubble Spinner on , or back-in-the-day fun like PacMan on , a site that offers more games than one person could play in a month. If more is merrier, try out a free MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game) at .
Meeting of the Minds
Log on to and chose from more than 1,400 groups of like- minded folks. Some are into high-tech gadgets. Others go for kayaking, international cuisine, or doggy playdates. Attendance for the first gathering is usually free. Better yet, why not create your own Meetup group? On average, a newly formed Meetup group will generate 10 members in two weeks, says spokeswoman Ann FitzGibbons.
DIY Maintenance
Here’s an idea that will save money now, and down the road: Teach yourself to change the oil in your car. You can watch an instructional video at . You also can use your car’s owner’s manual to guide you through the process.
Outdoor Couture
Free outdoor performances are abundant during the summer. The Boulder Ballet, for instance, offered a series of free performances around the metro area in June. Many of these events happen in parks, which means they’re a great opportunity for picnicking. And, you won’t have to fight over who gets the best seats. Upcoming free concerts include events each Friday at Stapleton Northfield and the annual City Park Jazz program on Sundays.
Raid the Fridge
Make a meal using only the ingredients that are already in the house. You can up the fun factor by asking friends to bring over what they found in their kitchen, and then challenging them, a la Iron Chef, to a “best recipe out of nuthin’ ” contest. One easy idea: Use leftover veggies and the meat of your choice for a quick fried-rice dish.
Horsing Around
This idea is also a chance for a change of scenery. Evergreen’s Main Street is the site of free rides on the horse- drawn Towne Trolley every Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. through Sept. 5. What you spend on gas can be reimbursed via discounts offered to trolley visitors by many of the local merchants.
Time to Digitize
Take out all those old prints holed up in photo boxes and dusty albums. Scan them, organize them and save them to CDs or DVDs. Then surprise a friend or relative with blackmail-worthy prints they thought were long gone.
Movie Night
Have each family member or a group of close friends bring over their favorite movie, then watch them together. Have fun with themed movie parties such as “Teen Slasher Night,” “Blaxploitation Night” or “Spielberg’s Magic.”
Popular Podcasts
Get up to date by listening to free audio programs from some of the nation’s top news outlets, including NPR, ESPN and the New York Times online at the iTunes Store. Plenty of video clips, lectures and audio books also can be found from specialized to general interests topics. Need more? . is great for music videos, and . offers an array of old TV shows.
What do you do for free fun? Share your ideas with other readers by leaving a comment after this story at . Sheba R. Wheeler: 303-954-1283 or swheeler@denverpost.com.
WEEKEND PROJECT
Spa-less pampering
Treat yourself to an inexpensive homemade facial using common ingredients from the kitchen. This recipe for a cleansing pumpkin mask comes from .
YOU WILL NEED:
1/4 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon safflower oil
1 egg yolk
DIRECTIONS
Mix ingredients in a small bowl. Massage mixture over your face, avoiding the eyes. Lie back and let the pumpkin soften and rejuvenate your skin for 20 minutes, then wash off the mask with cool water.
This article has been corrected in this online archive. Originally, due to a reporting error, the story contained incorrect information about
municipal fountains. Wading in Denver city fountains is illegal with the exception of the interactive fountains listed above.
