san diego – Hewes Family Fun

I love clothing swaps- if you have read my blog, you know it’s one of my favorite ways to refresh the kids’ wardrobes (and my own). Now that the kids have grown into adult-sized clothing, I’m always looking for a good swap with clothes in all our sizes.

And, as always, if you are looking for more information about clothing swaps, check out my post (with other San Diego, CA area resources) here.

October has many great swaps, including Halloween costume swaps!

Porchlight Halloween costume swap

Date: Saturday, Oct 3, 2026
Time: 1–3 PM
Location: 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, Suite F (behind Denny’s & Mic Drop Comedy)
Details: Please bring clean, gently used kids’ costumes, dress-up clothes, accessories, and costume pieces in good, wearable condition.

Daydreamers Landing Halloween clothing and costume swap

Date: Sunday, October 4, 2026
Time: 2pm-6pm
Location: Daydreamers Landing, 8575 Los Coches rd #1, El Cajon, CA
Details: Bring your gently used Halloween costumes and outfits (shirts, dresses, pajamas, etc.) and give them new life!

Goth Clothing Swap at San Diego Goth Picnic

Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Pioneer Park (1521 Washington Place, San Diego)
Details: Free, all-ages community swap. Bring clean, gently used items and a blanket to display them.

Slow Down Swap Party at SD Climate Week

Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Garden of the Sky at the University of San Diego
Details: Hosted by I Love A Clean San Diego during Climate Week, featuring a free clothing swap (limit 1 grocery bag of donations), a fix-it clinic, and an upcycled fashion show

Women’s Clothing Swap in La Mesa

Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: The Chapel at Grossmont (5651 Water St, La Mesa, CA 91942)
Details: Free swap for women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories. Items should be freshly laundered. [1]

New-to-You Clothing Swap in Spring Valley

Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Spring Valley Library (836 Kempton St, Spring Valley, CA 91977)
Details: Free community clothing exchange organized by I Love A Clean San Diego.

The Good Loop hosts clothing swaps in Southern CA frequently, but has nothing currently planned. I recommend following them on Instagram to stay in the know.

Let’s Go Girls SD also hosts clothing swaps frequently. Check out their Instagram page.

October is Kids Go Free Month 2026 Edition!

September 30, 2026Abby H.

October is a great time to be a kid in San Diego!

This October 1-31, kids 12 and under receive free admission at many arts, cultural, and science museums and historical sites in San Diego County.

For those of us with curious kids, this is perfect! Kids can get into over 40 museums in the San Diego area for free with paying adults (all the info can be found here).

Some of the participating organizations include:

Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Fleet Science Center (Galleries only)
Heritage of the Americas Museum
Japanese Friendship Garden
Living Coast Discovery Center
Maritime Museum of San Diego
Marston House Museum & Gardens
Mingei International Museum
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
Museum of Making Music
Museum of Photographic Arts
San Diego Air & Space Museum
San Diego Automotive Museum
San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum
San Diego Chinese Historical Museum
San Diego History Center
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat)
Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center
Timken Museum of Art (it’s always free for everyone, FYI)
Women’s Museum of California

A full list can be found here. Oh, and as part of free October, Kids can get into the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park free when accompanied by a paying adult! Other Kids go free attractions include: Legoland, Sea World, and the USS Midway!!

*Some museums charge fees for special exhibitions, programs or films. Some museums may limit offer use to once per month per guest. Purchase of a Balboa Park Explorer Pass does not qualify as a paid adult admission for the Kids Free in October program.

FREE Fall Shredding Events in San Diego County

September 13, 2026September 4, 2026Abby H.

You know what I have a lot of? Paper documents that need to be shredded. I found tax returns from the early 2000’s the other day while looking for an envelope.

If you’re in the same boat, here are some free local paper shredding events coming up this fall:

Santee Fall 2026 Community Clean Up and Shred Event
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Santee City Hall, 10601 Magnolia Avenue, Santee, CA 92071
More information about the event is available here.

City of Coronado Paper Shredding and E-Waste Collection
Date: October 17, 2026
Time: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: City Hall, 1825 Strand Way
More information about the event is available here.

City of El Cajon Shred Event
Date: November 14, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Wells Park, 1153 E. Madison Avenue
City residents may drop off personal documents to be shredded on site by certified shredding trucks. Limit two banker’s boxes per resident.
Be prepared to show proof of residency with a driver’s license or a utility bill.
More information about the event is available here.

Residential Clean Up Event (Julian, CA)
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Location: Julian Library (1850 CA-78, Julian, CA 92036).
All of the event details can be found here.

Score Sweet Freebies with Your Library Card!

September 6, 2026September 4, 2026Abby H.

Courtesy of https://arthur.fandom.com/wiki/Library_Card

September is Library Card Sign-up Month! If you don’t have a card, it’s one of the easiest things you can do to open the door to free (and cheap) entertainment.

Not only can you check out books in the library, but you can also gain access to apps like Libby, where you can borrow digital books, audiobooks, and digital magazines.

The following benefits are available from the San Diego County and City of San Diego Library networks. Check with your local library to see what benefits and events they host!

Get out on the Town: Reserve free or low-cost family day passes to local museums and attractions (like the New Children’s Museum, Museum of Us, and San Diego Museum of Art) using your San Diego Public Library or San Diego County Library card.

Get into Nature: CA State Library Parks Pass: Check out a physical vehicle-entry pass for free admission to participating California State Parks for 14 days.

Digital Research Databases: Use your library card for free access to online subscriptions, language learning software, and digital archives.

Skill-Building & Wellness Classes: Access free instructional classes covering healthy aging, programs for adults with disabilities, and wellness activities like yoga or meditation.

Learning for the whole family: ABC Mouse is available for free with your library card, and it’s a great resource for young kids. There are resources for kids of all ages, including help with homework!

Free Events: Most local library systems host free events. Our local branch hosts activities for kids, families, teens (laser tag once a month at the library after hours!), and seniors. There are tons of events every month– scroll through and find something that interests you!

8/29/26 Free Teacher Supply Event (San Diego, CA)!

August 22, 2026July 23, 2026Abby H.

If you are a San Diego, CA area teacher, check out this awesome free event!

Date: August 29, 2026

Time: TBD

Address: 1069 Graves Ave. Suite 100, El Cajon, CA 92021

Stock up for the new school year — for free! ECS Federal Credit Union is hosting a Teacher Supply Drive exclusively for ECS member educators. Gather supplies for your classroom, enjoy some bites, WIN AMAZING RAFFLE PRIZES, and explore resources from vendors and partners!

All supplies are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Selection may vary.

For more information or to pre-register, click here.

Fall 2026 Clothing Swaps!

August 3, 2026August 3, 2026Abby H.

I love clothing swaps- If you have read my blog, you know it’s one of my favorite ways to refresh the kids’ wardrobes (and my own). Now that the kids have grown into adult-sized clothing, I’m always looking for a good swap that will have clothes in all of our sizes.

And as always, if you are looking for more information about clothing swaps, check out my post (with other San Diego, CA area resources) here.

Here are the Fall 2026 Clothing Swaps in the greater San Diego, CA area:

The Good Loop hosts clothing swaps in Southern CA frequently, but has nothing currently planned. I recommend following them on Instagram to stay in the know.

Let’s Go Girls SD also hosts clothing swaps frequently. Check out their Instagram page.

Upcoming JCP Kid’s Craft Events for August and September!

August 1, 2026July 30, 2026Abby H.

I’m all about fun, free (and cheap) activities for kids. JCPenney has two events coming up that fit the bill! Check out these fun, free crafts from JCPenney’s.

Visit the Kids Zone inside JCPenney on August 8, 2026, from 11 AM to Noon, and kids can create an axolotl pouch. The Craft includes a pencil pouch, markers, and a small notebook. Great for back to school!

If you are busy that day, there is an event in September!

On September 12, 2026, from 11 AM to Noon, kids can come create a cabin picture frame. This craft includes wood sticks, foam pieces, glue dots, a marker, and a magnet.

Free Backpacks & School Supply Round Up (San Diego County)

July 25, 2026July 31, 2026Abby H.1 Comment

It’s that time of year- Back to school is looming. School supplies and backpacks are getting more expensive. However, there are several opportunities in the San Diego, CA area for free backpacks, school supplies, and even free haircuts for kids at selected events. For more information about each event, click the links or images (they are linked to the events).

Back 2 School Jam – Spring Valley School supplies, backpacks, and resources.

Back 2 School Jam – Spring Valley School supplies, backpacks, and resources.
Spring Valley Gymnasium, 838 Kempton St, Spring Valley, CA 91977
Sat, August 1, 2026 10:00 AM –1:30 PM

NAACP’s 24th Annual Back 2 School Stay in School Rally
MiraCosta College (Clock Tower Area), 1 Barnard Drive, Oceanside, CA 92056
Sat, August 1, 2026 10:30 AM –12:30 PM

Buddy’s Backpacks is WILDLY popular here in East County. It starts at 9am, but last year, when we drove by at 8 am, there were already over 200 people in line. If you are dedicated to attending this event, consider arriving very early.

Backpack & School Supplies Giveaway
Radiant Life Church, 10060 Carmel Mountain Road, San Diego, 92129
Sat, August 1, 2026 10:00 AM –12:00 PM

Southern Indian Health Council – Back to School Bash
Golden Acorn Casino & Travel Center, 1800 Golden Acorn Way, Campo, CA 91906
Sat, August 1, 2026 11:00 AM –2:00 PM
CCAE is in Central Escondido, CA. This is a newer event, and they have supplies for 200 students. There will be backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, and more.

Back 2 School Jam – Lakeside. School supplies, backpacks, and resources.
Lakeside Teen/REC Center, 9911 Vine St, Lakeside, CA 92040
Fri, August 7, 2026 3:00 PM –6:00 PM

Super Saturday | CSAM ’26 Community Event Backpacks, school supplies, and resources.
County of San Diego Child Support Services, 3666 Kearny Villa Rd, San Diego, CA 92123
Sat, August 8, 2026 9:00 AM –1:00 PM

Backpack Giveaway and Family Resource Fair
The O’Farrell Charter School (outdoors lower lot), 6130 Skyline Dr, San Diego, CA 92114
Sat, August 8, 2026 8:00 AM –10:00 AM

Talk Back: If you know of other similar events, please leave a comment!

7/24/2026 Friday Freebies and Deals!

July 24, 2026Abby H.

Comic Con is this weekend, and while the littler and I aren’t going, the big guy is going with his dad on Sunday.

The rest of the week is full of gym visits, swimming at night, and playing video games during the day to avoid the heat. I’m so tired of it being hot and humid.

The love affair with shaved ice continues… If you are looking for a good electric shaved ice machine, this is the one.

My Birthday Freebie list can be found here. The list mostly offers what you can find in Southern California.

If you live outside Southern California, check out this list: Free Birthday Stuff: Get The Best 100+ Freebies on Your Birthday!

Looking for some summer fun for you and the kids? Here is my list of frugal fun activities in San Diego County.

For free food resources, please refer to my comprehensive list, available here. It is focused on San Diego County, but additional resources are available outside my area.

Freebies:

Here Are 6 Ways To Get Free Baby Formula Samples
FREE GREENIES Dental Chew Treats
FREE Week of Smoothies at Tropical Smoothie Cafe
FREE Internet for 5 Years and a FREE Hotspot for Students
4 FREE Frozen Drinks at Casey’s Every Friday
FREE Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream, Night Cream and Neck & Face Roller
FREE Handcrafted Drink Every Monday at Capital One Cafe
FREE Coffee Mate Situation-Sip Mixed Fruit Flavored Creamer on July 27th
FREE Lunchables Snackables Chatterbuy Kit
FREE Febreze Fabric Refresher After Walmart Cash
We Rounded Up The Best Free Stuff for Senior Citizens: 20+ Freebies
Get Free Seeds for Your Garden
FREE Sample of Halo Holistic Dog Food
Free Charburger at The Habit Burger Grill for Your Birthday
FREE Whopper at Burger King with the Whopper Guarantee
FREE e.l.f. Hair Collection Event at Target
Sign up for a Free Healthy Snack Box
FREE Reward Every Week with Panda Express Wok Wednesday
FREE Wireless Zone & TCC Backpack & School Supplies Giveaway
Kids Eat Free: Big List Of Verified Restaurants Where Kids Can Eat For Free
3 FREE Boxes of Kraft Mac & Cheese Restaurant Edition
FREE Sample Pack of Saba Pads or Liners
FREE Moonpig Greeting Card + FREE Shipping
FREE Sample of Thayers Hydrating Milky Cleanser
Get Free Travel Guides: No Credit Card Needed
FREE Rubbermaid TakeAlongs Food Storage Set at Walmart
FREE Tree Hut x Lisa Frank Sugar Scrub at Target After Cash Back
FREE Maison Aurélle Designer-Inspired Fragrance Sample
FREE Pure Leaf Mental Focus Iced Tea
FREE 8×10 Photo Print at Walgreens

Deals:

Subway BOGO Deal: New Subway Coupons for July and August
Up to 30% Off Sandals at Target
P&G brandSAVER Coupons: Get Digital & Printable Coupons From Your Favorite P&G Brands
Kate Spade Gemini Mini Bag ONLY $69 (Reg $189)
Get The Latest Upside Promo Codes: Instant Discounts & Cashback
Craftsman 5-Gallon Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum ONLY $39.88 (Reg $70)
Bogg Bag Accessories on SALE – Score Phone Holders, Dividers & More | Prices Start at $5.99
Moving? Sign up for these RARE Coupons
Reebok Back to School Sale: Up to 40% Off + Extra 50% Off Sale Styles
Huge Walmart Furniture Clearance – Prices From $19.60
Elmer’s Disappearing Purple School Glue Sticks 30-Pack ONLY $7 on Amazon
Victoria’s Secret Sale – New Coupons, Freebies & Deals on Panties, Bras, & More as low as $2.99
Eureka Max Swivel Deluxe Upright Vacuum ONLY $49.86 (Reg $90)
Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Air Fryer 3-Qt ONLY $31.97 (Reg $50)
Save on 12-Pack Coca-Cola & Pepsi with These New Soda Deals For as Low as $0.33/Can
Disney Store: 20% Off Back to School & Sleepwear Orders of $60+
Ninja 10-in-1 Everyday PossibleCooker Multi-Cooker ONLY $66 at Walmart + Free Shipping!
Blink Wired Floodlight Camera ONLY $29.99 (Reg $100)
Lenox Butterfly Meadow Melamine 4-Piece Bowl Set ONLY $9.35 (Reg $21)
Spider Man Toy Organizer ONLY $14 (Reg $35)
Home Expressions Bath Towels From $3.24 at JCPenney (Reg $12)
3-Piece Comforter Sets as Low as $19.99 (Reg $80)

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