Free or cheap things to do with kids in the summer

[Enchanted Minnie]

I apologize if it's been done before I just thought we could put together some ideas on what to do with the kiddos in the summer that doesn't break the bank!

-Kids Bowl Free. Just go to their website sign your kids up. They get 2 free games a day. You can buy an optional adult package. It includes 4 adults that get to bowl 2 games with the kids. It's $24.95 total for the summer.

-Summer movies. I know Regal theater used to do this during the summer and it used to be free. But I just saw the dollar theater (yeah right now it's a couple of bucks except for Wednesdays) is doing it. In our area at least it's either $.50 or $1.

-Museums. In our area on the 1st Sunday of every month New Mexico residents get in free. Maybe see if it's the same in yours?

-Movies under the stars. The parks show family friendly movies on Fridays and Saturdays. Just bring a blanket and a picnic

-Disney store. Sometimes they have events and activities for the kids, like a drawing session.

Any others in your area?

 

[rnorwo1]

Our library system often has great activities, free plays, etc. We have a local parenting magazine that lists all of the activities in the area that I refer to frequently. Our zoo membership is fairly affordable and they have a fabulous playground we visit often, plus we can use it at other zoos during short weekend trips to other places.

 

[Greta]

this weekend Lowes home improvement stores are having a Monster's University craft session - go on thier website to sign up free and fun

 

[Deffenm]

Our metro parks has free events/activities during the summer. We are also doing the reading program through the library. Barnes and Nobles also has events during the summer along with their reading program. We also look into free concerts in the park, festivals (this weekend is the annual arts festival), have picnics at parks that have water play areas, do the free crafts at home depot and Michaels. We also do the u-pick at farms. It is not free but we will eat the fruit anyway so might as well pick it ourselves. We have a zoo membership so go there a lot as well. We never run out of things to do in the summer.

 

[dzneelvr]

I used to take DD and DS to area parks, both town and state, to hike, play on the equipment, and bird/nature watch. A picnic lunch from home or a drive-through for food (bring beverages from home) was alot of fun for us!

 

[Egdisney]

Along with free bowling there is also kidsskatefree.com.

 

[CopperWife]

The first Saturday morning of the month, Home Depot has a kids "do-it-yourself" workshop where they can build a project. Last month it was a little flower planter thing.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

Great thread Every summer I find myself saying that we are going to take a break from signing up for pricey camps and classes (and all the running around that goes along with it) and look into alternative activities, so I am so glad I came across this thread!
We are also membership holders for our local zoo and children's museum. For my family, the cost of an annual family membership pays for itself after a couple visits. These make great, affordable days trip and we will usually pack a lunch and switch up which exhibits/areas we do on different visits. We also love participating in our library's summer reading program and they offer free activities (storytimes, themed crafts, Lego building sessions, etc.) that are part of the program. Our school district also offers a summer activity program which includes various sports clinics, swim instruction, etc. for a low fee. Lastly, my kids decided that this summer they were all going to work together on a "project" that will last for the duration of their summer break. This weekend they are going to decide if that project will be learning a new skill together (e.g., studying a new foreign language and doing crafts/cooking projects, etc. related to that culture) or "building" something together (e.g., a fort for the backyard), we'll see...

 

[MrsNnr]

Enchanted Minnie is correct. Regal, and a couple other theaters are doing summer G and PG movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10am for $1 a movie. Look it up, depending on city and state the date it starts varies. For my theater it starts June 11th and runs 9 weeks.

 

[powelweb]

If you are in the Boston area, the Highland Foundation is once again doing its Free Fun Fridays in 2013 where they arrange for 6 different museums or events to be available for free to the public on fridays all summer long.

Most don't need a ticket- it's just show up and enjoy, but a few do require you to arrive and check in to obtain a ticket, and the Reagal Theater does require all kids to be 5 years or old for their performances.

here's a link to the schedule for the summer- http://www.highlandstreet.org/freefunfridays.html

Enjoy....

 

[Enchanted Minnie]

I forgot about a few of those! I need to look at the Home Depot website for our area projects! The boys would love that!

We used to have a Zoo pass for a few years. But the kids seem less interested in our local zoo the older they get.

We'll definitely head over to the library too. The kids loved that last summer!

 

[MSSANDRA]

In our area, minor league baseball tickets are often free. Area business often sponsor a game and the tickets are free for the asking. Just avoid the concessions.

Bon Fires in the back yard. You can invest in a fire pit or create one yourself and it is a favorite activity for summer. A bag of marshmallows is cheap and kids like it better than going to the movies!

Plant a small garden! Free produce and the kids love to water and pick the vegetables!

Cook with the kids. You have to eat anyway. Teach them to make muffins and omelets, and pancakes....whatever!!

QT runs......Not sure if QT is regional or not but it is a very nice convenience store that has huge slushies for .79. About once a week in the Summer, we will call for a QT run, mostly at night between dinner and bedtime. They have a huge selection and you can create any flavor combo you choose!!!

 

[Enchanted Minnie]

this weekend Lowes home improvement stores are having a Monster's University craft session - go on thier website to sign up free and fun

I just signed the boys up for this and the one on the 22nd. They are excited! Thank you for the tip!

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

In my area free kids movies can't wait do it every year

 

[jerseygirl81]

You can get a season pass to state parks. We goe to the ones in our area that have beaches it's a great way to spend the day, swimming, fishing, barbecue. They tend to be busier on a hot weekend but a lot less people during the week. Linda

 

[momof2gr8kids]

We have a kids day program at many of our local parks that is free. They have staff that do arts & crafts, games, etc. with the kids. They have offsite excursions as well as a community centre to hold indoor activities if it's raining. Perfect way for the kids to have some free fun with kids their own ages.

We have a weekly concert in the parks at our waterfront which includes crafts, facepainting, etc.

Many free festivals - kite festival, dragon boat festival, etc. Although many of these free things have lots of tempting cash grab kiosks!

Lots of outdoor activities here - beaches, hiking trails only minutes away.

Michael's craft store has free craft classes for kids some Saturdays.

 

[Colleen27]

My state lets you purchase an annual state park pass as a $10 upcharge on your license plate fee. Since we get it every year, we make heavy use of the state parks around us for summer recreation.

Check with the local library to see what they offer. My youngest is at an awkward age, too old for preschool activities that include 2-3yos but too young for the school-aged programs that start at 5, and the library has been the best place for us to find things that are at her level.

If you have a good parks & rec program, take advantage of it! My daughter is on the community swim team - $45 for 4 days of practice/week plus weekly meets (including bus transportation to away meets) for 7 weeks. Summer playground is $40 for the whole summer - 4 days a week/4 hours a day of supervised, organized play time at a community park.

The Home Depot, Lowes, Michaels project programs are great too.

Look into 4H to see what might be available. My kids have all been part of a completely free school garden program that runs all summer, and my daughter has started showing her produce at the fair the last few summers. The fair offers a cheap, fun day too if you can steer clear of the carnival rides and food - we pack a picnic, spend our time in the exhibition barns (esp the one that has the petting farm), watch the barrel racing, etc.

But mostly we spend the summer outside - our town has a beach and a couple of very nice playground parks and a bike trail, and we have big veggie garden that requires a little attention every day as well as a fire pit to enjoy in the evenings.