11 Things You Can Get for Free in May

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Happy mother with daughter on Mother's Day
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April showers brought May flowers — and a bouquet of fabulous freebies!

From gratis frozen coffee and Mother’s Day flowers to complimentary comic books and museum admission for the nation’s heroes and their families, we’ve rounded up some of May’s best deals. We hope that they will help you achieve your spring savings goals.

And for even more options, head on over to Money Talks News’ freebies page.

Free $10 off at Staples — through June 17

senior couple drinking coffee on computer
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Help protect the planet — and earn a little extra green — when you recycle supplies at Staples this month.

Bring in your old tech for recycling by June 17 and you’ll receive $10 back in rewards.

You can also score $5 for recycling batteries, ink and toner, writing supplies and shred, and $2 when you bring in ink or toner cartridges. Learn more.

Free comic book — May 6

comic book
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Free Comic Book Day will take place on May 6, and you know what that means: You can enjoy one or more of 43 terrific titles at absolutely no cost!

This year’s selection includes 13 Gold Sponsor comics and 31 Silver Sponsor comics, providing fans with an opportunity to explore new titles and genres from a variety of popular franchises.

If Animal Crossing, Smurfs, Spider-Man, Star Wars or The Umbrella Academy pique your interest, you can learn more here.

Free Mother’s Day flowers at Lowe’s — May 14

Woman with flowers
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In honor of Mother’s Day, Lowe’s is offering all “the moms and other special friends in our lives” a complimentary 1-pint flower ready for planting.

The stores will also host an exciting array of activities and giveaways throughout Mother’s Day weekend. Supplies are limited, so register now.

Free things at Costco — ongoing

A long line at Costco during the coronavirus pandemic
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Attention Costco members! Did you know that your membership includes a variety of complimentary services and money-saving perks?

These include free hearing tests, lifetime tire maintenance, gratis tech support and much more. See additional benefits.

Free TCBY for moms — May 14

Woman eating frozen yogurt
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In celebration of Mother’s Day, TCBY locations are offering moms a free 6-ounce serving of delicious fro-yo on Sunday, May 14.

Simply bring Mom to a participating location during normal business hours — we advise calling the store first to confirm — so she can enjoy a treat as cool and sweet as she is on her special day. Get details.

Free museums for military families — May 20 through Sept. 4

Military
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Active-duty military personnel and their families can enjoy free admission to museums across the country through the Blue Star Museums program.

Complimentary admission — which begins on Armed Forces Day, May 20, and runs through Labor Day, Sept. 4 — is provided by a “partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with the Department of Defense and museums across America,” according to the program.

Find participating museums. And thank you for your service!

Free frozen coffee at Rita’s Italian Ice — ongoing

Woman eating Italian ice
Zigres / Shutterstock.com

Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is introducing its new line of Cold Brew Frozen Coffees, and all of its app users can enjoy one for free during the promo period.

Stop by your local shop to enjoy a cool and creamy Caramel, Mocha or Original Cold Brew on the house. Although Rita’s doesn’t specifically mention an expiration date for this deal that started in April, some sources are reporting the offer is good through May 14. Get details.

Free bowling for kids — ongoing

Family bowling
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Summer is fast approaching, and if you’re looking for fun, affordable ways to occupy your children or grandchildren, take advantage of the Kids Bowl Free program.

Register to enjoy two free games of bowling every day, all summer long at select lanes across the country. Age limits may apply. See participating centers and sign up.

Free fishing days — varies by state

Wisconsin man showing off fish
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Want to catch a big one, but don’t have a fishing license? Not a problem. Free Fishing Days allow anglers to cast their rods without having to purchase a license — perfect for beginners looking to try out the sport.

Free Fishing Days vary by state, but many states are hosting such days in May. They include:

  • Connecticut
  • Indiana
  • Minnesota
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota

Get more details.

Free national parks for fourth-graders — ongoing

Rocky Mountain National Park entrance
Jamie Carroll / Shutterstock.com

Is your child or grandchild in the fourth grade? Enroll them in the Every Kid Outdoors program, which offers fourth-graders and their families free admission to national parks and historic sites for an entire year. The program is supported by federal government agencies including the National Park Service.

Don’t miss out on this complimentary, hands-on learning experience. Get details and a pass.

Free food — ongoing

woman with groceries
mavo / Shutterstock.com

The price of many items now is soaring — including grocery items.

If the higher cost of groceries is straining your wallet, it’s time to fight back! Check out our tips for cutting food costs in “5 Ways to Fill Your Pantry With Free Food.”

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