by Kimberly Solis
You can find free summer activities for kids in your city.
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Summer is just around the corner, and soon the kids will be out of school. Sure, you’d love to take them to Walt Disney World or some other amazing vacation. But, if you’re like many Americans, you don’t have the extra cash for extravagant trips. So what can you do if you want to give your kids a vacation but you don’t have the money to make it happen? Here are the top 14 free summer activities for kids that will keep them (and you) happy!
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1. Find Free Summer Activities for Kids at the Public Library
The public library has free kids activities all year long.
One of the best ways to find free summer activities for kids is to visit your local public library. Public libraries offer special programs and events when kids are out of school for the summer. Many of us have childhood memories of participating in our library’s summer reading program. This is when kids commit to reading a certain number of books over the summer to receive prizes. Some libraries ask kids to keep track of the minutes they read. Kids fill out a reading log and turn it in once they’ve completed their reading challenge. They then win prizes like coupons to their favorite restaurants, free admission to local museums and cultural events, books or other fun giveaways.
Throughout the summer reading event, kids visit the library for story times, crafts, magic shows, fun classes, author visits, exotic animal encounters and more. Most summer reading programs have a theme, and they schedule events that relate in some way to it.
Contact your local public library to get more information about what it offers during the summer and other times of the year. You’re kids can have fun improving their reading skills, get cool prizes and participate in fun events. Better yet, it’s all free.
2. Go to a Free Home Depot Kids Workshop
Home Depot offers free DIY workshops for kids.
Home Depot isn’t just a hardware and home improvement store. They host free workshops where kids can learn to build some really cool things. Not only will your kids be able to exercise their creative muscles, but they’ll also learn how to safely use tools and learn a new skill.
3. Check out Lowe’s Free Kids Workshops
Lowe’s is another home improvement store that’s in on the DIY workshop action. Each Saturday, Lowe’s offers a free DIY workshop for kids where they get to build all kinds of amazing projects. Contact your local Lowe’s for more information about their classes.
4. Find Free Kids Activities at the Apple store
The Apple store offers free summer camps that teach kids how to do anything from coding to digital photography.
Do you have techy kids? Sign them up for Apple’s Summer Camp. Kids eight to 12 years old can enroll in one of three tracks where they will learn anything from coding to art and design. Your kids attend three 90-minute sessions at a local Apple store. Parents and guardians have to remain on site during each session.
5. Visit a Splash Park
Public splash parks are free and fun for kids in the summer.
Some cities offer free splash parks in the summer. Kids can cool off by hanging out at the splash park, playing in the water and soaking up all the fun they can stand. Throw some swimsuits on the kids and drive them to the park.
6. Tour a Factory for Free
At the time this article was posted, there were about 558 free factory tours in the U.S. Maybe everyone in your family has a sweet tooth (And come on…what kid doesn’t have a sweet tooth). Live out your Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Family dreams by visiting one of 55 candy manufacturer factories in the U.S.
Kids will go crazy if you take them on a free toy factory tour. Visit the Cabbage Patch factory called Babyland General Hospital. Get up close and personal with cuddly teddy bears by taking a tour of the Chelsea Teddy Bear Company in Chelsea, MI.
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Find free factory tours near you by visiting the Factory Tours USA website.
7. Kids Can Skate for Free
Your kids can skate for free during the summer.
No, this is not a misprint. Your kids can go roller skating for free, or at least almost free. You’ll still have to pay a $4 registration fee and rent your skates. Visit the Kids Skate Free website and sign your kids up. The site helps you find a participating skate center that will give your kids free admission. Each skate center decides what days and times to use for the free passes.
8. Almost-Free Michael’s Craft Camps
Michael’s has almost-free kids crafts camps.
Okay, so it’s not exactly free, but Michael’s Camp Creativity lets your kids three years and older make all kinds of cool crafts. Michael’s is a well known craft store that also offers inexpensive classes for people of all ages. At the time of this article, Michael’s Camp Creativity costs $3 for each 30 minute camp session. Craft supplies are included. Your kids will use yarn, construction paper, glitter, glue and a host of other cool items to create their own masterpiece. Visit Michael’s for further details.
9. Lakeshore Has Activities for Kids
Lakeshore is an educational toy and material store. If you live near a Lakeshore, they have free Saturday craft classes from 11 A.M. to 3 P.M. Geared toward kids three years and older, your kids will use all kinds of fun craft materials to make puppets, masks and all kinds of cool things. Check out their website to see if there’s a location near you.
10. Play with Toys for Free at Ikea
Ikea lets your kids play with toys in the toy department for free. They also have a supervised playroom so you can do some stress-free shopping.
Ikea is a massive store that sells ready-to-assemble furniture, home accessories and kitchen appliances. If you have an Ikea store in your town, you can go shopping while your kids play with all the toys in the store for free. There’s even a supervised playroom so you can get some shopping done in peace. For more information, contact your local Ikea or visit their site.
11. Visit a Museum for Free
Bank of America Credit Card Holders Can Get Free Admission to Select U.S. Museums
If you have a Bank of America credit card, you can get free admission to more than 225 museums across the U.S. through its Museums on Us program. It happens during the first full weekend of every month. Only the cardholder gets the free admission, but most museums have relatively inexpensive entrance fees for kids. Check out the Bank of America website for information about participating museums
12. Kids Can Go Bowling for Free
Sign your kids up at Kids Bowl Free, and each one will receive two free games of bowling each day all summer long. The free passes do not include shoe rental, but it’s still a great deal. Check out the Kids Bowl Free website for more information.
13. Kids Can Learn Tech Skills at a Free Microsoft Workshop
Microsoft stores offer free tech skills workshops for kids.
You may live near a Microsoft store. If you do, your kids can take a free tech skills workshop. Kids six years old and up will learn computer programming (the cool term is “coding”) skills so that one day that can take over the world with their in-demand tech skills. Your kid can take classes in topics like coding, digital photography, robotics and digital movie making. Visit the Microsoft site to learn if there are kid workshops near you.
14. Barnes and Noble Has a Summer Reading Program and Yearlong Story Times
Barnes and Nobles has a free summer reading program and free yearlong story times.
Your local Barnes and Nobles sponsors a free summer reading program every year. After your kids read eight books, they win a free book from a select list. Don’t forget to check out their yearlong story times too.
You Can Find Free Fun for Your Kids
Just because you don’t have a lot of money to spend doesn’t mean your kids can’t enjoy a fun-filled summer. With a bit of research, you can locate lots of free or nearly free activities that feed their minds, exercise their bodies and bust that summer boredom. So when the kids are out for the summer, don’t feel too bad about missing out on an expensive vacation. Try some of these free activities and you’ll end up having an exciting summer after all.
Do you know of any other free activities for kids? Feel free to comment below.