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.

Qdoba restauarants are celebrating Cinco de Mayo with free kids' meals and $1 beer.

Kids eat free all day on Saturday with the purchase of an adult entree. No coupon required.

The beer offer applies to all bottled beers. And you don't need a coupon for that deal either.

Qdoba restaurants in the Raleigh and Charlotte areas are participating.

Keep your kids busy for free with the help of upcoming events at local Home Depot and Lowes Home Improvement stores and the Lego Store at Crabtree Valley Mall.

First up, mark your calendar for the Home Depot Kids Workshop this Saturday, March 3. From 9 a.m. to noon, kids ages 5 to 12 are invited to build a race car and learn tool safety.

The kids will also receive a free apron, pin and certificate.
Click here for more details on the kids' workshops, which are held the first Saturday of every month.

Next up, the Lego Store at Crabtree Valley Mall will hold its next Mini Model Build on Tuesday, March 6.

Lego fans ages 6 to 14 are invited to make a free miniature model. The build begins at 5 p.m. and continues while supplies last. This month's free miniature figurine is a Lego garden, complete with snake.

Looking ahead to next Saturday, March 10, Lowes Home Improvement will hold its next Build and Grow Clinic for children in first through fifth grades.

The project is a "carnival hoops" game. It looks like a miniature basketball goal with its own mini ball. The first 50 children present receive the building kits, aprons and safety goggles. Sign up online here.

If you're got growing kids and a shrinking budget, consignment sales are a great way to outfit your kids at a fraction of retail prices.

And right now is prime shopping season for spring consignment sales in the Triangle.

Most sales offer early shopping days for volunteers and sellers, and many offer discounts in the final days of the sale. I highly recommend clicking on the links to individual sales to get sale hours, directions and discount information.

Here are a few upcoming sales and their public sale dates:

Keep the kids busy for free with upcoming activities at the Lego store, Home Depot and Lowes Home Improvement stores.

If you're looking for free entertainment for the kids this weekend, Home Depot is hosting its monthly kids' workshop.

From 9 a.m. to noon this Saturday, Jan. 7, kids ages 5 to 12 are invited to build a bank in the shape of a storage shed.

The kids will also receive a free apron, pin and certificate.

Click here for more details on the kids' workshops, which are held the first Saturday of every month.

What a week for buying school supplies.

The office supply stores are offering penny and nickel deals and the drugstores and grocery stores all have deals.  Even Toys R Us is getting in on the act with sales on Crayola products.

On top of that, North Carolina's sales tax holiday starts Friday so keep that in the back of your mind as you're studying the deals.

Here's a store-by-store breakdown:

If you've got a Lego lover in the family, take them to the Lego store at Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh for an opportunity to build a free mini model.

Some members of the Triangle’s very active martial arts community will
put their many hours of studies and practice to the test today.

The youths and adults are going to be tested for black belt ranking
during an open house and black belt promotion ceremony being held 10
a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Karate International of Durham.

Visitors are welcome to watch and can register to win door prizes or to
take a free introductory karate class. Parents’ bank accounts can get a
break, too.

This programmable TV remote with a simplifed interface promises easier channel surfing while keeping their eyes and ears safe from unwated content. Or maybe you find yourself watching Blue's Clues when the kids ar not around?