Everyone is feeling the sting of inflation these days, especially families. But there are ways to save money in Renton, especially if you know where to look.
So, let's jump into 10 ways to save money in Renton as a family with kids of all ages. The key is to plan ahead and know where to find everything, from free museum passes to free dance classes in Renton and beyond.
1. Get Free Tutoring Help in-person or online
In the Renton area, we're lucky to have amazing libraries. Our King County Library System offers a wealth of free programs. One of the most important is free tutoring and after-school help. There are three ways to get free tutoring in Renton:
- Online with Brainfuse: You can get free one-on-one, real-time tutoring from 1 pm to 11 pm daily with Brainfuse. This is for students in grades K-12, college, and adult learners. Learn how to sign up here.
- In-person at the library with StudyZone: Find your closest library and check the schedule for StudyZone. Each library, including Renton, Renton Highlands, and Fairwood, has volunteer tutors who provide homework help for students in grades K-12. Drop in anytime during StudyZone program hours. Bring homework or practice materials to work from.
- Online with StudyZone: Tutors are available for specific subjects during set hours. Check the schedule and sign up for a Zoom link.
2. Repair Bikes and Household Items with Free Help
Make the most out of every dollar by making things last longer... repair them! Get help from experts at free events. Here are two great places to start:
- Free bike repair from BikeWorks: The BikeMobile repair van regularly visits Renton, Skyway, and Tukwila. All repair services are free or on a sliding scale. Most bike parts are offered at cost, and they have used parts to fit almost any budget. The BikeMobile operates in spring, summer and fall.
- Free community repair events: At community repair events, skilled volunteer "fixers" try to repair and mend small household and personal items. King County hosts many events from March through September. Here's the schedule. They can often mend electronics, small furniture, and clothing/textiles (small enough to be carried by one person).
3. Go to Museums for Free
Did you know you can use your library card to get free passes to local museums? Get a free King County Library Card for each family member and sign up for free museum passes. Reservations can be made two weeks into the future. New passes are released every day at 2 pm. Sign up for free museum passes here.
- Free museum passes change each week and can include KidsQuest Children's Museum in Bellevue, MOHAI (Museum of History and Industry) in Seattle, The Museum of Flight in nearby South Seattle, the Seattle Aquarium in downtown Seattle, and Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle.
4. Register for Free Dance Classes at the Family First Community Center
If your kids want to learn ballet, hip hop or just love to dance, we have some good news. The Family First Community Center has a regular schedule of free dance classes for kids. Professional instructors will inspire everyone! There are free classes for adults too. The first step to register is to get a FREE Family First Community Center membership. Then, check the schedule and register. It's fun and fantastic exercise for all.
5. Try Free Basketball and Soccer Clinics for Kids and Teens
Speaking of the Family First Community Center, did you know they also host free basketball and soccer clinics for kids? Their free sports programs include a series of Seattle Storm Youth Basketball Clinics for kids in grades 1 to 6, and a free weekly Youth Soccer Clinic with Ballard FC Foundation for teens, plus 4th and 5th graders with a parent/guardian present. Become a member for free. Some programs allow drop-ins, making the Family First Community Center super convenient for busy families.
6. Shop at Thrift Stores
Thrift shops are a great way to save money in Renton, especially on children's toys, games and books. Many of our smaller local thrift shops have an impressive housewares section. You can find new dishes, pots and pans, small household appliances, and beautiful crystal. Many items have never been used. Thrift shops are also great places for kids' clothing and clothes for teens and tweens. This past summer, I bought 10 pairs of boys shorts for $2 each and my kids loved them.
- Our top 2 thrift shops near Renton are Saint Margaret's Thrift Shop in Factoria and Mercer Island Thrift Shop. Both shops donate 100% of profits to local, small charities. (They are also great places to donate your used stuff.)
7. Enjoy STEM Education Activities with the Environmental Science Center
The Environmental Science Center (ESC) is a nonprofit that offers environmental education programs for all ages at local beaches, streams, forested areas, libraries, parks, and school gardens. Kids will love the hands-on science activities and crafts, plus the chance to explore nature with an expert teacher. Families with kids ages 13 and up can also take a guided walk at Seahurst Park or along the Cedar River while learning about the birds and plants around you. Check out all their fantastic free programs and have fun exploring nature!
8. Participate in Non-Religious Programs at Faith-Based Organizations
Did you know that many of our local faith-based organizations offer free, non-religious programs for kids and families? There are some great options if you're open to participating in activities at churches, synagogues, mosques, or temples. (If this isn't a good fit for you, jump to #9.) Here are two examples:
- Renton’s King of Kings Lutheran Church volunteers run a free PONY baseball team for kids ages 13 and 14 (here's information from Spring 2024). The baseball program is non-religious and non-denominational. All are welcome!
- Volunteers from Fairwood Community United Methodist Church offer a monthly free program called SPROWT. It's for kids in grades 6 to 12 to explore new hobbies and skills that lead to success in school and life. The non-religious program is a mix of monthly workshops covering basic cooking, money management, photography, and more.
9. Visit State Parks with a Free Discover Pass
We have fantastic state parks near Renton! And you can visit them with a free Discover Pass parking pass from King County Library System. Our libraries have 100+ passes available; you can check one out for 14 days. A Discover Pass allows you to park at any Washington State Park, including Saltwater State Park in nearby Des Moines. See our favorite three parks here.
10. Earn Free College Credits in High School AND Get Free College Tuition
We have two amazing programs open to teens and young adults who attend Renton School District schools: Running Start and Renton Promise.
- Running Start is for high school students. While in high school, you can take free classes at a participating college and earn college credit for free. It's offered at Renton Technical College and Bellevue College. You can even earn an associate degree while finishing high school. (You earn your high school diploma and associate degree simultaneously.)
- Renton Promise is for high school students who want to go to college: The program offers free tuition at Renton Technical College (RTC) for graduates of any Renton high school. Students can get up to two free years at RTC! It's open to Hazen, Lindbergh, Renton, or Talley High School graduates.
There are many ways to save money in Renton as a family, including free art classes, concerts, fitness groups, music clubs, and much more. Check our events calendar for all the free stuff near you! We add new community resources every day.
Supporting a family is tough whether your kids are babies, school-age, teens, or young adults. Seattle's Eastside is a particularly pricey place to live and raise a family, and Renton is not immune to the rising cost of living. So, plan ahead and save!
