Thank You, Uncle Sam
Free stuff? From the government? OUR government?
These days you’re more likely to hear about government cutbacks than bold new initiatives. Whether it’s in the form of a stripped down IRS or another looming government shutdown, it seems Uncle Sam is tightening his belt. But just because the Feds are running a little leaner doesn’t mean there still aren’t some freebies available for you at the many dot.gov sites. From free online recipes to interactive travel guides, there’s a little bit of something for everyone. Here are just a few:
Health
Health is always an important concern for many Americans.
- Looking for some new healthy recipes, including African-American and Latino dishes? Print them here.
- Or maybe you’d like to quit smoking. Check out smokefree.gov.
- Free information on various women’s health issues is available, too.
- Or take the President's physical fitness challenge and help keep the whole family fit.
Hobbies
- If you're a history buff, you'll enjoy checking out these multi-media documentaries offered by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
- Are you a numismatist or a philatelist? Coin collecting and stamp collecting are hobbies the government has lots of information about.
- Have you always wanted to research your family tree? You can find lots of links to get you started here.
Family Fun
- Want to hear Reese Witherspoon—or many other celebrities—read a children's book? Want to watch Mick Jagger sing? The White House's Music and Arts YouTube Channel has many videos that will delight you and your family.
- Kids can play this interactive game and learn what it's like to work for the FBI.
- Help kids learn “How to Become President of the United States” with this free poster.
- And speaking of kids, need information about bullying and even cyberbullying? Check out stopbullying.gov to help you try and put a stop to it.
Enjoy the Show!
Explore some wonderful art exhibits online through the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The Smithsonian also has a great kid’s page, with animal cams and other activities. If you’re in the market for some great images or maps, you can find them at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library. And why limit yourself to just one planet? Space is still the final frontier—and NASA's YouTube Channel has many fascinating videos.
See the USA
Plan a USA vacation with the tons of information available on recreation.gov, or find out which parks have free admission days. Is all the construction on the highways driving you crazy? National traffic and road closure information from the Department of Transportation is available at the touch of your fingertips. Can't get away this weekend? No worries—take a free interactive tour of the White House!
Thank you, Uncle Sam, for knowing the way to our heart is by providing us with free stuff. We love the USA!