Cvs Candy Freebies And Promotional Offers How To Get Free Sweets And More At Cvs

Nov. 20, 2025, 10:02 a.m.

Tags: cvs candy

CVS, one of the largest pharmacy and convenience store chains in the United States, regularly offers free products and promotional deals to its customers. Among these offers, candy freebies have been particularly popular, allowing shoppers to enjoy sweet treats without spending money. This article examines the various ways customers can obtain free candy and other products at CVS, including the requirements, methods of access, and specific promotions that have been available.

CVS operates an ExtraCare Rewards program that serves as the foundation for most of their promotional offers. This loyalty program is free to join and can be accessed through either a physical ExtraCare card or the CVS Pharmacy mobile app. Many of the free offers, including candy promotions, are available exclusively to ExtraCare Rewards members. To take advantage of these deals, customers must scan their ExtraCare card at in-store kiosks or through the mobile app, where digital coupons for free products are then made available.

The company frequently runs limited-time promotions where customers can receive free candy bars or other sweet products. These promotions often require a small purchase or are offered as rewards for loyalty. For instance, some promotions have allowed customers to purchase a participating candy bar for $0.99 and then receive $0.99 back in ExtraCare Bucks, effectively making the candy free. Other promotions have directly provided coupons for free candy bars like Milky Way or Dove after scanning an ExtraCare card at the in-store kiosk.

In addition to standalone candy promotions, CVS has included free candy as part of larger promotional events. For example, the company has run "ExtraCare Extra Thanks" events where a different free product was offered each day for two-week periods. During one such event in July 2020, Gold Emblem Gummy Bears were among the free items available. These events typically required customers to have the CVS Pharmacy app with their ExtraCare card linked to access the daily free offers.

CVS has also utilized social media platforms to distribute free candy offers. In some cases, customers have been able to obtain free candy or beverages by liking the CVS Facebook page and entering their ExtraCare card number and email address on a special offers page. This approach demonstrates how CVS leverages digital channels to distribute promotional offers and engage with customers.

The availability of free candy at CVS has often been tied to specific time-limited promotions. For instance, some offers were explicitly stated to expire on particular dates, such as March 18, 2017, for an Easter candy promotion featuring Cadbury and Hershey's products. Other promotions, like those offering free candy after Extra Care Bucks, were available for shorter periods and typically ended within a week or two.

How to Access CVS Freebies

To take advantage of CVS freebies, including candy promotions, customers must first enroll in the ExtraCare Rewards program if they haven't already. This program is free to join and can be done in several ways:

In-store: Visit any CVS location and ask to sign up for an ExtraCare card. The physical card will be issued immediately.
Online: Visit the CVS website and complete the registration process to receive a digital ExtraCare account.
Mobile app: Download the CVS Pharmacy app and sign up through the application, which also allows for digital card storage.

Once enrolled, customers can access free offers through various methods:

In-Store Kiosk Scanning

Most CVS locations feature red coupon kiosks near the entrance. To access free candy offers through these kiosks:

Locate the ExtraCare coupon kiosk in the store
Scan your ExtraCare card (physical or digital via the app)
Navigate through the available offers on the screen
Select any free candy coupons that appear
The coupon will print and can be used immediately in that transaction

According to sources, this method has been used for promotions where customers received coupons for free Milky Way or Dove candy bars after scanning their card.

Mobile App Access

The CVS Pharmacy app has become an increasingly important platform for accessing free offers:

Download and open the CVS Pharmacy app
Ensure your ExtraCare card is linked to your account (found in the "deals & rewards" section)
Check the "deals & rewards" section daily for new offers
Free candy offers will appear as digital coupons that can be applied at checkout

During the "ExtraCare Extra Thanks" event in July 2020, customers who linked their ExtraCare card in the app could access daily free products, including Gold Emblem Gummy Bears, through this section.

Social Media Promotions

CVS occasionally distributes free candy offers through social media platforms:

Like the CVS Facebook page
Navigate to the special offers section
Enter your ExtraCare card number and email address
Claim the free candy or beverage offer

This method has been used for promotions where customers could receive free candy or beverages by following these steps.

Candy-Specific Free Offers at CVS

CVS has offered various types of free candy promotions over time. While specific offers may change, the following examples illustrate the types of candy freebies that have been available:

Free Candy Bars with Purchase and ExtraCare Bucks

One common promotion structure involves purchasing a qualifying candy bar and receiving the same amount back in ExtraCare Bucks:

Scan your ExtraCare card at the in-store kiosk
Select the offer for a free Hershey's or Mars candy bar
Purchase a participating candy bar for $0.99
Receive $0.99 back in ExtraCare Bucks to use on a future transaction

This effectively makes the candy bar free while also providing additional rewards for future purchases. Sources suggest that customers can maximize this deal by splitting purchases into separate transactions, allowing them to use the ExtraCare Bucks immediately on their next purchase.

Direct Free Candy Coupons

In some promotions, CVS has provided direct coupons for free candy without requiring a purchase:

Scan your ExtraCare card at the in-store kiosk
Receive a printed coupon for a specific candy item, such as Milky Way or Dove bars
Present the coupon at checkout to receive the candy free of charge

These promotions have been available for limited time periods and typically required customers to scan their card at the kiosk during the promotional period.

Free Candy as Part of Larger Promotions

CVS has included free candy as part of broader promotional events. During the "ExtraCare Extra Thanks" event in July 2020, Gold Emblem Gummy Bears were offered as one of the daily free products. To access these offers:

Ensure the CVS Pharmacy app is installed on your device
Link your ExtraCare card in the app's "deals & rewards" section
Check the app daily for the free product of the day
Visit a CVS location to claim the free item

These daily free offers were available for two-week periods, with different products offered each day to encourage repeat visits.

Seasonal and Holiday Promotions

CVS has frequently offered free candy during seasonal and holiday periods:

Easter promotions have included free Cadbury and Hershey's candy bars
Limited-time offers for free candy have been distributed with specific expiration dates
Holiday-themed promotions have featured various candy brands

These seasonal promotions often require customers to act quickly, as they are typically available for only a short time before expiration.

Other CVS Free Product Categories

While candy freebies are popular, CVS offers free products across multiple categories. Customers can find free samples and promotional items in the following areas:

Health and Wellness Products

CVS has offered free health-related products through their promotions:

Free Ibuprofen during the "ExtraCare Extra Thanks" event
Free sanitizer wipes through the CVS Clinic
Various free over-the-counter medications during promotional periods

These offers typically require ExtraCare membership and may be accessed through the in-store kiosks or mobile app.

Personal Care Items

Free personal care products have been available through CVS promotions:

Free Tone Body Wash
Free 5-count box of sanitizer wipes
Free Razors (Schick Intuition, Quattro, or Hydro 3)

These promotions often require customers to scan their ExtraCare card at the in-store kiosks or access offers through the mobile app.

Food and Beverages

Beyond candy, CVS has offered free food and beverage items:

Free Vitamin Water
Free Crush beverages
Free beverages through Facebook promotions

These offers typically require ExtraCare membership and may be accessed through various methods including in-store kiosks, the mobile app, or social media promotions.

Photo Services

CVS has occasionally offered free photo products:

Free Kodak Photo Books through buy-one-get-one-free promotions
Free photo prints during special promotional periods

These offers typically require customers to use manufacturer coupons in conjunction with CVS sales.

Household Products

Free household items have been available through CVS promotions:

Free laundry detergent samples
Free household cleaning supplies

These promotions often require ExtraCare membership and may be accessed through in-store kiosks or digital offers.

Tips for Maximizing CVS Freebies

To get the most value from CVS freebies and promotional offers, customers can follow these strategies:

Always Scan Your ExtraCare Card: Make it a habit to scan your ExtraCare card at every checkout and at the in-store kiosks. This ensures you don't miss out on any available offers or ExtraCare Bucks.
Check the App Daily: The CVS Pharmacy app updates offers regularly, so checking daily can reveal new freebies and promotions that weren't available previously.
Split Transactions: When purchasing items that generate ExtraCare Bucks, consider splitting transactions to use the rewards immediately on your next purchase. This is particularly useful for candy promotions where you receive the same amount back in ExtraCare Bucks.
Monitor Expiration Dates: Pay attention to expiration dates for both offers and ExtraCare Bucks. Plan your shopping trips accordingly to ensure you can use rewards before they expire.
Combine Offers: When possible, combine manufacturer coupons with CVS promotions to maximize savings on items that aren't free but are heavily discounted.
Follow CVS on Social Media: Like the CVS Facebook page and follow other social media accounts to stay informed about exclusive promotions and free offers.
Shop During Promotional Periods: Time your shopping to coincide with known promotional periods, such as the "ExtraCare Extra Thanks" events or holiday-specific promotions.
Check Multiple Sources: Different sources may report on different promotions, so checking various deal websites and CVS communications can help you discover all available offers.

Conclusion

CVS offers a variety of free candy and other product promotions through their ExtraCare Rewards program. These promotions can be accessed through in-store kiosks, the mobile app, or social media platforms. Common candy freebies include direct coupons for free candy bars, promotions where customers receive the purchase amount back in ExtraCare Bucks, and free candy as part of larger promotional events.

To maximize these offers, customers should ensure they have an active ExtraCare account, scan their card regularly, check the mobile app daily, and be mindful of expiration dates. By following these strategies, shoppers can enjoy free candy and other products while taking advantage of CVS's various promotional opportunities.

The availability of free candy and other products at CVS demonstrates the company's commitment to customer loyalty and engagement. Through their ExtraCare Rewards program, CVS provides regular opportunities for customers to obtain products without cost, making it an attractive option for deal-seeking shoppers.