Call me a glutton for punishment, but I actually like to go to Chuck E. Cheese. When I was younger and living in Silicon Valley, we’d head on over to the Tully Road CEC and play for hours. It’s huge! Three different levels are segregated so that most of the toddler-friendly activities are on the bottom, and most of the teen games are up top. We’d go in, coupons in hand, and play for hours for about $5 apiece. Things have changed some since then (mainly the prices!), but Chuck E. Cheese can still be a bargain. It just takes planning.
First, print out one of the rewards calendars from the Chuck E. Cheese website for each child. Choose from Potty Training, Stop Sucking your Thumb, or Clean Room. Complete two weeks for ten tokens.
Next, plan to bring your child’s report card with you. They’ll be rewarded with 3 tokens for each A, 2 for each B, and 1 for each C, up to a maximum of 15. Homeschooled? No problem. Just make up your own so that they have something to check off. I always call them first to make sure they’ll accept this – and to get a name in case the cashier doesn’t know. We’ve yet to have a problem, and of course the kids all get the maximum tokens!
Sign up at their site for special coupons. If you don’t want to give out your information, you can print their current coupon from the site. It won’t be quite as good (fewer tokens, usually), but is still a savings.
If you’re planning to go this week, there are some coupons expiring 2/4/07 at Blue Hornet. For $23.99, you can get a large pizza, large salad bar (for those of us watching our weight!), 4 refillable soft drinks, and 28 tokens. Combine them with the offers above for a great deal.
I’ve found free token coupons on those sugar-water colored ice pop thingy-s. We don’t usually buy that kind of stuff, but when they were on sale for $1.25 and included 10 free tokens, they were definitely worth it! So keep your eyes open when you shop.
Anyone else know of ways to get more tokens at CEC?