Summer's almost here, which means the clock is ticking on lining up activities for the kids. Do yourself -- and your budget -- a favor, and don't spend a ton of money to keep them busy.

Instead, take advantage of all the free and cheap summer programs offered by local and national businesses. They will keep your kids reading, bowling, making movies, watching movies and touring museums -- all without breaking the bank of mom or dad.

On top of that, Triangle-area libraries are kicking off free summer reading programs that reward kids -- and in some cases, adults -- for reading. Free book bags, stickers, weekly rewards and prizes, story hours, puppet shows, book clubs and contests are all in the works. Call your local library for details.

If you know of any summer-on-the-cheap programs, please leave a comment below so I can add it to the list.

Summer's almost here, which means the clock is ticking on lining up activities for the kids. Luckily, you don't have to spend a ton of money to keep them busy.

Several local and national businesses are hosting free and cheap summer kids programs that will keep your kids reading, bowling, making movies, watching movies and touring museums.

On top of that, Triangle-area libraries are kicking off free summer reading programs that reward kids -- and in some cases, adults -- for reading. Free book bags, stickers, weekly rewards and prizes, story hours, puppet shows, book clubs and contests are all in the works. Call your local library for details.

I'll add more activities as I find them. And if you know of a summer-on-the-cheap program, please post it in the comments section.

Mark your calendar: Bobby Deen, star of "Not My Mama's Meals" on the Cooking Channel, will be signing copies of his latest cookbook at 7 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Barnes & Noble store in Cary.

Deen, whose latest book is "From Mama's Table to Mine," takes his mother's indulgent dishes into healthier fare. His mother, Paula Deen, is a Savannah restaurateur, Food Network star and cookbook author who revealed last year that she has diabetes.

The bookstore is located 760 SE Maynard Road, Cary.

Here's a great birthday freebie opportunity for the kids:

Sign up for the Barnes & Noble Kids' Club and your children will receive free cupcakes on their birthdays.

Along with the birthday treats, membership in the kids' club, which is free, also gets you

Barnes & Noble is updating its Nook tablet line with two new versions running Android 4.0. A 7-inch tablet will be priced starting at $199 for an 8GB model, and the Nook HD+, a 9-inch tablet will start at $269 for the 16GB model. The tablets can now be pre-ordered at barnesandnoble.com and are expected ship at the end of October. It should be available in B&N stores, Best Buy, Target, and WalMart in Novemeber.

The Competition:
Amazon Kindle Fire tablet with an 8.9-inch diagonal screen, which starts at $299.
Apple iPad with a 9.7-inch diagonal screen and $499 starting price.
Google Nexus 7 starting at $199.

7-inch Nook HD:
1440×900 resolution display, 243ppi  
TI OMAP 4470 1.3GHz processor
1GB of RAM
8GB and 16GB with microSD slot
WiFi, Bluetooth

9-inch Nook HD+:
1920×1280 resolution display, 256ppi
TI OMAP 4470 1.5GHz processor
1GB of RAM
16GB and 32GB with microSD slot
WiFi, Bluetooth

With the end of the school year just days away, it's time to start scoping out ways to keep the kids busy without spending a lot of money.

Triangle movie theaters, bookstores and bowling alleys are all offering special programs over the next three months -- many of them completely free.

So parents, before you panic, peruse this list of free and ultra cheap summer activities. I'll add more as I find them. And if you know of a "summer on the cheap" activity, please post it in the comments section.

The Kindle Fire has been a successful device for Amazon, but Barnes & Noble  may be looking to disrupt that with a new lower-cost version of the Nook Tablet.

The current 16GB Nook Tablet is priced $50 over the $199 8GB Kindle Fire. According to The Verge, Barnes & Noble is releasing a cheaper 8GB version of its Android tablet to compete more directly with the Fire.

The Verge's source indicates the new tablet could launch as early as Wednesday.

Does B&N have to undercut the Kindle Fire's price to draw consumers?

Book retailer Barnes & Noble is reportedly updating its Nook Color tablet crucially ahead of rival Amazon's anticipated tablets.

Digitimes reports that shipments from parts suppliers indicate a September launch for the 7 inch tablet. Amazon is expected to launch two tablets starting as early as October.  

The current Nook Color straddles the line an e-reader with tablet abilities, but is highly regarded as a best buy among Android tablet enthusiasts who enjoy the device for its ease of rooting to transform it into a full blown Android tablet.

The impending release a Nook Color 2 could bring discounts for the current tablet.
 

If you want to go to the book signing for Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis on April 11, you have to go that day to the Barnes & Noble in Cary at 9 a.m. to get a wristband.

The book signing isn't until 2 p.m. The store is located across from Cary Town Center mall. 

Only 450 numbered wristbands will be given out. There are other guidelines in terms of what books she will sign so call the store at 467-3866 or stop by for details. 

De Laurentiis is on a national book tour for her new cookbook, "Giada at Home: Family Recipes from Italy and California." 

Remember, if you want to enter to win a copy of Giada's new cookbook, go HERE.