Military discounts are great but military freebies are even better. Here is a list of military freebies including museums, theme parks, wedding dresses, tax preparation and much more.
A Story Before Bed
- A Story Before Bed is a subscription site for book readings, including pre-recorded readings as well as readings that can be recorded and then shared with loved ones; A Story Before Bed offers FREE recordings for deployed service members
- Service members can record themselves reading a story and family members can watch as often as they would like to
- Members of any service who are deploying or are already deployed are eligible
- In order to apply:
- Go to A Story Before Bed
- fill out the fields on the website and register
Blue Star Discounts
What is Blue Star Families?
- Blue Star Families is a network of military family members that partners with the public and with communities to provide services and support to military members and their families through forging partnerships with groups, communities and organizations.
Where can I get Blue Star Discounts?
Blue Star Theaters
- In partnership with the Theatre Communications Group, Blue Star Theaters offer free or discounted admission to all military personnel and veterans as well as their families
- Over 170 theaters nationwide in 42 states
- Check with participating theaters for instructions on how to redeem your free or discounted tickets.
Blue Star Museums
- In partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, Department of Defense and museums across the country, Blue Star Museums offer free admission from Memorial Day through Labor Day for active duty families, including National Guard and Reserve members
- Free admission to over 2000 museums nationwide
- Go to Arts.gov to find:
- A map with links to all participating museums
- A downloadable Blue Star Museums Parent Toolkit: A Guide to Before, During, and After your Family Trip to the Museum
- A full FAQ about Blue Star Museums
- Check with participating museums for instructions on how to redeem your free entry.
Blue Star Parks
- Free annual passes to national parks that normally charge for entrance for military families at over 2,000 national parks and federal recreation centers
- Available to current U.S. military members and dependents in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserves.
- In order to redeem your free pass, visit a federal recreation site and show a Common Access Card (CAC) or Military ID (Form 1173)
- The pass covers:
- Entry into participating federally operated recreation sites for pass owner and accompanying passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle
- Entry for pass owner and three accompanying adults age 116 and older at sites where per person entrance fees are charged
- Does not cover or provide discount on expanded amenity fees i.e. camping, boat launch, interpretive fees
- See the full FAQ for the free annual national park pass for military members
- Entrance is also free for anyone at national parks that normally charge a fee on four days throughout the year. See the list of free admission days.
Brides Across America
- Brides Across America (BAA) is a non-profit that gifts weddings and wedding gowns to military and first responders.
- Weddings and wedding gowns are given away at special events twice a year at bridal salons around the country
- Events are held in July around Independence Day and November around Veterans’ Day
- Discounted wedding dresses for military and first responders can be found year-round in the BAA online story
- Military brides or fiancés of military members must be able to show proof of military deployment within past 5 years or upcoming deployment as well as that you are planning a formal wedding within the next 18 months
- In order to redeem your free wedding gown:
- Visit the BAA events page
- Register for an event
- Come to the event with proof of deployment and a military ID
- Weddings and wedding gowns are given away at special events twice a year at bridal salons around the country
Buildasign.com
- com offers free customizable “Welcome Home” banners and signs for military members returning from deployment. Promotion includes:
- one 2’x4’ or one 3’x6’ vinyl banner free
– OR –
- One 18”x24” jumbo card or corrugated plastic yard sign free
- Upgrades are available at additional cost
- Ships to APO/FPO addresses
- See the FAQ on free customizable “Welcome Home” banners and signs
- In order to redeem your free “Welcome Home” sign:
- Visit BuildaSign.com/Troops or select the “Troops” link at the bottom right of the Build a Sign main webpage
- Select the “Design” button under the Banners, Cards, or Signs box
- The promo code for your free “Welcome Home” banner or sign will be applied; from there you can customize your banner or design and select any additionally priced add-ons/features
- com has provided over 337,000 free “Welcome Home” banners and signs to military families and friends for returning military members since 2008.
eKnowledge
- eKnowledge is an resource for eLearning technology College Test Prep materials that offers discounts to military members and their families. This offer includes
- Standard access to SAT –OR– ACT materials ($350 value) for only $19.99
- Standard access to SAT –AND– ACT materials ($600 value) for only $24.99
- Premium Pro access to SAT –OR—ACT materials ($600 value) for only $49.99
- Premium Pro access to SAT –AND—ACT materials ($1000 value) for only $69.99
- All materials include video instruction, classwork, lessons and drills, practice questions, outlines, quizzes, and tracking and scheduling
- In order to redeem your discount:
- Go to eKnowledge
- Select the “Request Your Program” Button
- Choose your program(s) and proceed to checkout
Free Portal from Facebook
Eligible Veterans can receive free Portal from Facebook video calling devices thanks to a partnership with Facebook and the American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network.
Veterans and families in VA’s Office of Caregiver Support program, VA’s Geriatric Services and Extended Care program, or individuals identified as at-risk for suicide by a VA provider are eligible to receive Portals through this program.
Portal from Facebook is a home video communications device that makes it easier for people to connect with each other. The Portal video-calling devices have a Smart Camera that keeps up with the action so people can move and talk hands-free. If someone enters the room, the camera automatically widens to keep everyone in view. Portal’s Smart Sound enhances the voice of whoever is speaking while minimizing unwanted background noises.
Free Tax Preparation With VITA
- The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, sponsored by the IRS, offers free tax preparation for military members, dependents and retirees
- Those eligible include
- Active duty and active Reserve military
- Active duty and active Reserve duty dependents
- Retirees
- DOD civilians overseas and some contractors
- VITA preparers are specially trained to handle military-specific tax issues
- Preparers can also review past returns and file amendments
- Offered at sites in locations around the U.S. as well as around the world
- In order to use this service:
- Go to MilitaryOneSource
- Search for a VITA location by country or state
- Find your local VITA office and visit
GreenCare and SnowCare for Troops
- Project EverGreen’s GreenCare and SnowCare for Troops programs offer FREE lawn and landscape as well as snow and ice removal services for families of deployed military personnel and post 9/11 disabled veterans.
- Eligible members include
- Families of currently deployed military members for the entire length of the deployment
- Post 9/11 disabled veterans who have a service-connected disability from an injury occurring on or after September 11, 2001 which prevents them from doing their own lawn care; free service lasts for two years
- In order to sign up:
- Go to Project Evergreen
- Select the “Create Account” button at the bottom of the page
- Ensure you have the proper documentation required to qualify for the service (requisites are listed in the registration process)
- The organization will find a local volunteer to provide the service
- Eligible members include
Operation Love Reunited
- Operation: Love Reunited is a non-profit that offers FREE professional photography sessions and photo gifts to military families handling a deployment
- Photography sessions offered
- Pre & Mid Deployment Sessions – family sessions with 15 prints shipped directly overseas
- Homecoming Sessions – reunion sessions at the actual time and place of homecoming with 15 free digital image downloads
- Fallen Loved Ones – free photographer for memorial services
- Eligible members include
- All military families supporting an OCONUS deployment of at least four months long
- If a member is already overseas and has less than three months until they return, they only qualify for a homecoming session
- Photography sessions offered
To sign up:
- Visit Operation Love Reunited
- Select the link to complete a Session Application and submit
- Verify information with organization
- Research map to find local participating photographers
Our Military Kids
- Our Military Kids provides grants for K-12 children of deployed National Guard and Reserve members and children of wounded warriors from all services to facilitate participation in enriching and rewarding activities.
- Funds go towards athletic, fine arts, and tutoring activities
- In order to verify eligibility and apply:
- Go to Our Military Kids
- Look at and compile the required documentation at the bottom of the page
- Download the applicable form using the page links, fill out, and submit
- If eligible, a check is mailed
Saveandinvest.org
- org provides FREE financial tools and information so that military families and individual investors can make informed financial decisions.
- Military members and their families can use the site database to find free financial advice on everyday finances, credit and debt, important legislation, paying for college, transitioning to civilian life, and retirement
- Military members and their families can get their credit score for FREE using the site Free Credit Score and Analysis Tool (FICO)
- In order to qualify, contact your local Personal Financial Management Program (PFMP); this is usually part of your local Airman & Family Readiness Center, Army Community Service, Fleet and Family Support Center or Marine Corps Community Services or their equivalents.
- Your Local Educator or PFM can assist you in registering for your free FICO score
- If you do not have a Local Financial Educator or PFM, you can contact the FINRA.
Tutor.com
As of April 2020, all DoD service members, civilian personnel, and all dependent family members (kindergarten-college/adult) are eligible to use Tutor.com/military at no cost.
- Tutor.com provides FREE 24/7 online tutoring on demand in multiple school subjects including math, English, sciences, socials studies, foreign languages, business classes and AP support as well as college test prep for eligible military members and their families
- Eligibility may vary based on available funding
- Current eligibility includes all active duty members as well as full-time or deployed National Guard or Reserves members and their children grades K-12, all children of personnel KIA grades K-12, and spouses and children of active duty Coast Guard and Reservists grades K-college.
- In order to apply for free tutoring
- Visit Tutor.com
- Click on the link on the right side of the page titled “Ready to get started”
- Fill out the form provided on the new page and create your account
- Tutor.com allows you to:
- Request a tutor immediately
- Schedule an online tutoring session
- Upload a document for offline review
- Upload a picture of a homework problem for offline review
- Every tutoring session is anonymous with no information shared between student and tutor, offering complete security.
Waves of Honor Military Tickets
- Provides FREE tickets and discounts for military members and their families to Anheuser-Busch theme parks
- Permits any U.S. active duty military, drilling or activated reservist, or National Guardsman along with up to three direct dependents one complimentary admission per year.
- Includes Discovery Cove, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, and Sesame Place as well as affiliated waterparks including Aquatica, Adventure Island, and Water Country USA
- Some participating parks offer Veteran’s discounts for tickets; see park site links from the waves of honor home page to find out if a veteran’s discount is offered
- In order to qualify:
- Go to the Waves of Honor site
- Choose the link for the park where you would like to redeem your benefit
- Choose the “Active Duty Military Promotions” link
- Sign up for an ID.me account
- Once your account has been verified, you will be allowed to redeem your tickets
- Permits any U.S. active duty military, drilling or activated reservist, or National Guardsman along with up to three direct dependents one complimentary admission per year.
Holiday and Seasonal Discounts
- Many restaurants and stores offer discounts for certain holidays and seasons
- Some of the best holidays to watch for holiday discounts are:
Free Flu Shots
Service members, dependents and veterans in the VA healthcare system can all get free flu shots.