Author: Kristina   Published: 08/19/2024    Updated: 08/19/2024
Inside this post we share 40 cheap or free things to do with kids outside of your house! These are great adventure ideas when you don’t want to spend a lot of money!
Need a simple adventure idea this week? Try one of these cheap or free things to do with kids!
Adventures don’t need to be expensive! One of the ways I survive daily with young kids is by getting out of the house every day… even just for a few minutes! Sometimes we don’t even make it out of the car, but just getting OUT changes everyone’s attitude and helps make the day go better.
Here are 40 cheap or free things to do with kids that we love:
Visit the Pet Store: Sometimes we even do a Pet Store Scavenger hunt there!
Ride Escalators at the Mall: Riding elevators can be fun too! This is a great way to get out energy.
Do a Grocery Store Scavenger Hunt: Have kids help you tackle your list by turning it into a scavenger hunt.
Go to the Library: Sometimes there are events or even a free story time you can go to as well!
Visit a New or Favorite Playgrounds: Look up playgrounds near you and try and hit a new one (or one you haven’t been to in awhile). Follow local Instagram accounts that share about playgrounds and adventures for kids.
Go to the Bookstore: Sit down and read together and enjoy time exploring books! You don’t have to buy anything.
Attend a Free Concert in the Park: Enjoy live music at free community concerts during the summer months.
Explore Nature Trails: Print out a nature scavenger to use (scroll down).
Get Slurpees at 7-Eleven: Or grab a smoothie at a local shop. Yum!
Explore a Nearby Beach or Lake: Spend the day playing in the sand, collecting shells, or wading in the water at a local beach, lake, or river.
Check Out Farmers’ Markets: Stroll through, sample fresh produce, and let the kids pick out their favorite fruits.
Visit a Community Garden: Explore a local garden to learn about plants and gardening.
Attend a Street Fair or Festival: Participate in community events that often have free entry and kid-friendly activities.
Play at a Splash Pad or Pool: Cool off at local splash pads or public pools, often free or with minimal entry fees.
Explore Public Art: Go on a walking tour of your town to spot murals, sculptures, and other public art.
Visit an Animal Shelter: Many shelters allow families to visit and interact with animals, teaching kids compassion and responsibility.
Visit a Petting Zoo or Farm: Some community farms or petting zoos offer free or low-cost visits to see animals up close.
Visit Local Museums on Free Days: Take advantage of free or donation-based entry days at children’s museums or science centers.
Attend Free Workshops or Classes: Some local stores, such as craft or home improvement stores, offer free workshops for kids.
Visit a Fire Station: Many fire stations offer tours or open houses where kids can meet firefighters and see the equipment.
Take a Ferry Ride: If your area has a ferry service, take a short, scenic ride—sometimes these are free for young children.
Explore a Botanical Garden: Many botanical gardens offer free entry on certain days, or have areas open to the public year-round.
Go to a Sports Field: Visit local sports fields or courts for a casual game of soccer, basketball, or baseball. Invite some friends to join you.
Explore a Historic Site: Many communities have free or inexpensive historic sites or landmarks that you can explore and learn about together.
Go on a Photo Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of things to find in your town (like a statue, a red door, or a flower) and take pictures of them as you find each one.
Try Bird Watching in a Park: Bring binoculars and a simple bird guide to a local park and see how many different species you can spot.
Participate in a Nature Clean-Up: Join a local community clean-up event at a park, beach, or nature trail—it’s a great way to teach kids about taking care of nature! You can also do your own Litter Scavenger Hunt.
Visit a Local Cemetery: Older kids might enjoy exploring a historic cemetery, where you can discuss local history and maybe even do some gravestone rubbings.
Attend a Parade or Community Walk: Participate in or watch a local parade, charity walk, or fun run that is free to the public.
Explore a University Campus: Many university campuses have interesting architecture, art exhibits, or gardens that are open to the public.
Attend a Local Church Event: Many churches host free or inexpensive community events throughout the year.
Attend a Free Outdoor Movie Night: During warmer months, some parks or communities host free outdoor movie nights where families can gather and watch a movie under the stars. Local movie theaters also often offer cheap summer movie days.
Visit a Community Recreation Center: Many rec centers offer free or low-cost open gym times, toddler play areas, or indoor swimming pools.
Visit a Local Airport Viewing Area: Many airports have designated viewing areas where families can watch planes take off and land.
Attend a Local High School or College Sporting Event: Cheer on a local team at a high school or college sporting event—many of which are free or have low-cost admission.
Go Fishing at a Local Pond or Lake: If you have access to a local pond or lake, take your child fishing (many places offer free or low-cost youth fishing days).
Visit a Local Art Gallery on Free Admission Days: Explore local art galleries or community art shows that offer free admission on certain days.
Go on a Picnic at a Scenic Overlook: Pack a picnic and head to a scenic overlook, hilltop, or waterfront area to enjoy the view while eating together.
Visit a School Playground After Hours: Many school playgrounds are open to the public after school hours and on weekends.
Visit a Police Station: Many police stations offer tours or open houses where kids can meet police officers and see the equipment and vehicles.
Printable Cheap or Free Activity List
Here are 40 simple cheap or free things to do with kids. These are adventure ideas and activities you can try with young kids outside of the house. These are great to do with a group of friends too!
Printable Nature Hunt
Print this out and take it with you on your adventures in nature! Kids can color on or cross off each animal or nature object as they find it.
Have any other favorite inexpensive adventures for toddlers, preschoolers, or older kids? Share them in the comments. You can use many of these all year long!
August 19, 2024 | All Activities, All Parenting, Big Kid, Blog, Preschooler, ToddlerReader Interactions