“Free Canadian stuff” means more than just free samples or giveaways. These freebies can also come in many other forms like gift checks, vouchers, or even free tickets and access to events where your family can enjoy a fun weekend or simply bond together.
Regardless, the key is knowing where to search for free Canadian stuff for your family. We’ll walk you through the best places to find them, how to score freebies online, and how to make the most of these opportunities where the only thing you’ll be paying is a tiny slice of your time and effort.
Best Places to Find Free Stuff in Canada
Online Platforms for Freebies in Canada
In the digital age, the internet is arguably the best place to find Canadian freebies. Many online platforms are made specifically to connect people who want to give away or trade items – here’s a rundown:
- Freecycle: A platform where users give away items they no longer need. It’s an easy way to get items like books, clothes, furniture, and so much more – without spending a dollar.
- Craigslist: A platform with even more variety when it comes to free stuff. Simply plug in your Canadian city/area and check “free stuff”.
- Kijiji: Similar to Craigslist, Kijiji’s free section allows Canadians to give away and browse for free items locally.
- Free Stuff Finder: Provides you with the latest offers from trusted brands all over the world, including restaurant deals, product samples, gift cards, and so much more
- Red Flag Deals: Shows you the latest deals for a variety of products, from fast food and self-care to video games and apparel
Other platforms offer their products for free in exchange for your feedback or experience with their items, for example:
- Topbox Circle: Offers free makeup and beauty products for free or at a discounted price
- PINCHme: Allows you to try multiple products for free when you write a review
- Social Nature: An app that offers either 100% cash back or a free voucher if you’re a “match” for your chosen product, based on a short survey you’ll have to complete.
- Try Products: Offers a variety of products from different brands worldwide
- Healthy Snack Boxes: Works just like Try Products but is focused on snacks and munchies for health-conscious people
For freebies specific to childcare or parenting, you can try these platforms:
- Canadian Parent: A great resource for parents offering free samples, baby products, and parenting tips.
- Huggies No Baby Unhugged: Offers a box of Huggies diapers and wipes for free
- Sobeys Baby Be Healthy: Offers expecting mothers nutritional consultations with certified professionals
- Similac: Offers coupons and free baby formula samples
- Amazon Baby Registry: You get a free welcome baby box, redeem points, and enjoy big discounts when you apply for membership
Lastly, you can go check out these Facebook groups for parenting support, donations, item swaps, and exclusive deals shared by Canadian parents.
- Mamas for Mamas
- The New Mom Project
- New Parents – Newborn, Baby and Toddler Support Group
- Children’s Clothing Exchange
Local Community Resources for Free Items
In addition to online platforms, local community resources are another great way to find free stuff, though what’s available can vary by location.
Community centres often host free events or offer free items through local donations. Many local churches also run programs where they give away clothes, food, and other essentials. BabyGoRound, in particular, distributes gently-used baby gear.
Moreover, on top of providing just books, public libraries host free cultural events and community programs with educational materials and activity kits. Although, you can also check to see if there’s a Little Free Library nearby, where you can pick up books for free.
In a lot of cases, even neighborhoods organize free exchanges where families can swap items they no longer need.
How to Score Free Canadian Stuff and Samples Online
The most common ways you can score free products and samples online is by:
- Signing up for a company’s club or program, or subscribing to their newsletter
- Writing a review or providing feedback about their product or service
- Participating in social media giveaways
One thing you should always keep in mind is the fact that these freebies aren’t just gifts – they’re part of the company’s marketing efforts to spread the word about their products.
With that said, “providing maximum value” in return for the company – for example, sharing honest and thoughtful feedback – should help your chances of grabbing more samples down the line.
Freebies from Canadian Parent
Canadian Parent is Canada’s #1 site for parenting resources – and yes, we’re proud to say it, even if it sounds a little biased! We’re dedicated to helping Canadian families with our collection of informative guides and a steady stream of exciting giveaways.
We’ve handed out all kinds of goodies – from baby essentials like diapers, wipes, and clothes to grocery gift cards, perfumes, movie tickets, and more – to help parents like you try products for free and see if they truly work for your family.
Want to Get A Freebie Today?
Sign up on the Canadian Parent website to claim your first free offer – no credit card or payment info needed!
Tips for Staying Safe While Finding Free Stuff Online
It may be exciting to get free stuff online but keep in mind that not every freebie website is legitimate. Unfortunately, some sites are scams designed to steal your personal data and even payment details.
If you’re exploring websites or platforms besides the ones we’ve shared, make sure to watch out for these red flags:
- Spammy, poorly designed website, filled with grammar mistakes
- Websites that ask for credit card information and other unnecessary personal details
- Offers that seem too good to be true, often hiding unfavorable or undisclosed terms.
- Sites with overwhelmingly bad reviews or warnings from other users (Facebook groups and Reddit discussions are great for getting a feel for a site’s legitimacy)
Monthly Freebie Opportunities in Canada
Seasonal Freebies You Shouldn’t Miss
Some freebies are available on a monthly/seasonal basis and may include anything from free product trials to coupons for essential items. We’ve listed in the table below typical deals and offers for each month.
| Month | Gimmicks |
| January | Winter clearance sales(e.g. discounts on winter gear) New Year fitness deals (e.g. discounted gym memberships, free fitness challenges, meal kit free trial) |
| February | Valentine’s Day Deals(e.g discounted chocolates and gifts) Family Day Freebies(e.g. free tickets to museums or parks in select provinces) |
| March | Spring Break deals(e.g. discounted hotel stays) Spring cleaning deals(e.g. discounts on cleaning supplies and gardening tools) St. Patrick’s Day freebies(e.g. free crafts and kids’ kits) |
| April | Easter sales & freebies(e.g. free Easter bags, discounts on chocolate and Easter-themed toys) Gardening offers(e.g. Free gardening workshops) Seasonal allergy freebies(e.g. samples of allergy relief products) |
| May | Mother’s Day promotions(e.g. free spa day vouchers) |
| June | Father’s Day freebies(e.g. free printable Father’s Day cards) Summer kick-off sales(e.g. discounts on sunscreens and outdoor gear) |
| July | Canada Day deals(e.g. discounts on red-and-white clothing and accessories) Summer essentials freebies(e.g. free samples of sunscreen) Outdoor activity offers(e.g. discounts on camping gear) |
| August | Back-to-School Sales(e.g. discounts on backpacks and school supplies) Lunchbox snack offers(e.g. free samples of kids’ snacks and munchies) Summer clearance deals(e.g. big discounts on outdoor gear) |
| September | Fall kick-off promotions(e.g. Discounts on fall apparel for kids) Thanksgiving planning deals(e.g. discounts on roasting pans and kitchen supplies) |
| October | Halloween deals(e.g. discounts on costumes and decorations, pumpkin carving freebies and halloween candy) |
| November | Black Friday sales(e.g. discounts on electronics and home goods) |
| December | Holiday shopping deals(e.g. discounts on gift items like toys and games, free holiday-themed crafts)Winter deals(e.g. free entry to holiday light displays, winter apparel discounts, etc.) |
The list is just the tip of the iceberg! With hundreds of brands jumping on these marketing gimmicks, you’ll find countless deals and offers by checking out the online platforms we mentioned earlier, or by following your favorite brands on social media.
Birthday and Anniversary Freebies
There’s more to look forward to on your birthday than just cakes, balloons, and well-wishes. Many brands celebrate with you by offering free goodies as a gift. Here are a few examples:
- Denny’s – Free breakfast (just show your ID as proof of your birthday)
- Starbucks and Tim Hortons – Free coffee on your birthday (as long as you’re signed up for their rewards program)
- Baskin-Robbins – Free ice cream when you join their birthday club
- Sephora and Clinique – Free skincare and beauty product samples when you sign up for their rewards program
- Thrifty Foods – Free cake for your child’s 1st birthday with a birth certificate
But the celebration doesn’t stop at your birthday! Many brands also offer deals and giveaways during their anniversaries. For example, Walmart gave rollbacks for customers during their 30th anniversary.
To stay in the loop about birthday deals and upcoming anniversary celebrations, be sure to follow your favorite brands on their social media pages.
How to Get Free Stuff Delivered to Your Home in Canada
The easiest and most reliable way to get free stuff delivered to your home is by signing up for membership or loyalty programs offered by your favorite brands.
Most programs are free to join. All you need to do is create an account on their website or app, providing basic details like your name, email, and address (so they know where to send the freebies).
Brands That Offer Free Shipping on Samples
Getting freebies delivered right to your doorstep – with free shipping – is a common perk from many baby brands. In fact, companies like Huggies, Pampers, Similac, and Enfamil often send out free baby samples.
Some brands, like Beauty Sense and Walmart, also offer free shipping on samples, but these might come along with a minimum purchase or order.
Double-check a brand’s website for their shipping policy. This way, you’ll know if shipping is truly free or if there are any fees to watch out for.
Maximizing Social Media for Freebies
As we’ve said many times earlier, following brands on social media is a great way to keep a tab on the latest deals and giveaways.
To participate, you might need to follow the page, share a specific post, tag a friend in the comments, use a branded hashtag, share the giveaway in your stories, or even download an app – sometimes, it’s all of the above!
Beyond just hosting a giveaway, some brands take it further by running fun challenges instead, for example, submitting a photo or answering a creative question. Sure, a bit more effort is required, but the rewards are likely bigger and more worth it too.
A tip we have is to use hashtags like #giveaway, #freebies, or #contest to help you discover active promotions, especially those from brands you haven’t even heard about.
Saving Money With Free Stuff in Canada
For some parents, hunting down affordable deals and free Canadian stuff is like a fun side hustle. For others, it can be a bit overwhelming.
Either way, it’s not rocket science. When you search for and collect free diapers, toys, meals, and other essentials, you save money that can go toward other household expenses.
If you’re in the “it’s exhausting” camp, here’s another way to look at it: freebies give you the chance to try products yourself instead of relying on someone else’s opinion (and let’s be honest, their “firsthand” experience might actually be secondhand, thirdhand, or who knows how far down the line).
Not only does this give you peace of mind, but it also helps you avoid wasting money on things that might just gather dust in a drawer (and take up valuable storage space!).
So, at the start of each month, take a look at those seasonal offers we mentioned earlier. Knowing what’s available throughout the year helps you plan ahead, snag the best deals, and keep your spending in check.
Free Resources for Parents
Parenting isn’t a walk in the park – we all know that. It’s a lifelong journey filled with highs and lows, and it takes commitment, patience, and support.
So, we’ve listed down some free resources that parents can turn to for valuable tips, well-being advice, and family support.
- Canadian Parent: We offer informative, research-backed, and up-to-date guides on parenting.
- Government of Canada: Provides information on family health, work-life balance, and creating a safe environment for the family
- Family Education Centre: Offers free resources for parents who are new to Canada
- Anxiety Canada: Focuses on self-care for parents, with tips on managing anxiety for yourself and your family
- Canadian Centre for Men and Families: Dedicated to supporting fathers and husbands in the family unit
- Working Women Community Centre – Tailored for immigrant women and their families navigating life in Canada, promoting diversity and inclusivity
Free Activities and Experiences for Families
In Canada, you don’t have to spend a dime to have a blast with your family. There are plenty of free activities and entertainment options for everyone to make lasting memories.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Visit Museums
- Canadian Museum of Nature (Free on Thursdays, 5 to 8 PM)
- Burnaby Village Museum (Open seasonally with free admission)
- The Parliament of Canada (Take a free tour and learn about Canada’s government)
2. Explore Nature and Parks
- Niagara Falls
- Assiniboine Park (One of Winnipeg’s most popular and loved parks)
- Mount Royal Park (The best park in Quebec for leisurely walks, nature watching, and outdoor activities)
3. Go on Family-Friendly Hikes
- Boardwalk Beach Trail (Ontario)
- Skunk Cabbage Boardwalk Trail (British Columbia)
- Johnston Canyon (Alberta)
4. Joining Cultural Events/Festivals
- Calgary’s Inglewood Night Market (A bustling market featuring local vendors and a lively atmosphere)
- Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival (North America’s largest and longest-running fringe event, offering unique and engaging performances for all ages)
- Halifax International Busker Festival (Watch world-class performers, from musicians to comedians, showcase their talents).
Lastly, be sure to attend any free events hosted by your local community, like outdoor movie nights, craft fairs, backyard BBQs, and mini-sports tournaments. These are perfect opportunities for family fun that’s accessible and close to home.