Our free show the other day at the Elementary school talent show got me to thinking. There are so many free places to take kids or almost free places that parents can take their kids to have a good time. One thing to keep in mind is though many places charge admission, generally kids 3 and under or 4 and under can get in free. So your costs is only the price for you.

1. Swimming at the Public Pool.
Cost: Generally under $10 for the whole family or $1 to $3 per person.

2. Elementary school playground during non school hours.
Cost: Free

3. Elementary school sponsored events. IE: kids seasonal concerts, talent shows, carnivals etc.
Cost: Free to a few bucks per person. Look for your local elementary school websites for a calendar of events

4. Playhouses. Chuckie Cheese, Mcdonalds, Burger King, etc. Many of these places have free toy structures to play in. You don't have to buy the meal or pay for the tokens, just walk in grab a seat and let them go. I highly recommend hand washing and sanitizer though.
Cost: Free

5. Head over to a local park pack a picnic and a bag with a kite or a large bubble wand for a few hours of fun.
Cost: Free

6. Go to the nearest lake with some leftover bread ends and hamburger buns that aren't going to get used.
Cost: Free

7. Go see a movie in the morning. Even matinée prices can runs $6+ but some movie theaters show popular kids movies for free around 10AM call up some local theaters and ask if they offer this. Regal and AMC theaters are the best places to check first.
Cost: Free

8. Gyms for kids occasionally offer a free session or an open house to try out their gyms. Usually it's a free hour and there's no requirement to sign up for a membership. Those mailers packed with coupons for local business sometimes have coupons for these free sessions.
Cost: Free

9. Library's and city community centers in some areas set up a room full of toys and games for young children during the morning hours. Preschoolers can play for a few hours and make new friends.
Cost: Free to about $3

10. Go to the toy store. I use this as a tool to teach my daughter the value of money. Head for the closest toy store and go window shopping. Let them make a list of toys they want for their birthday or Christmas but also let them pick out 1 toy that costs under $3. There are sometimes areas with cheaper toys, make this your last area for browsing.
Cost: $3 per kid

11. Go to the museum. Sometimes there are programs just for the youngest kids that are free or cheap. Art museums sometimes have arts and crafts for younger kids on certain days before noon.
Cost: Free to about $5 per person.

12. Most libraries offer story time for kids under 5 for free.
Cost: Free

13. Go fishing at the local lake
Cost: Free if you have your own bait, $2-4 if you need to buy some.

14. Find a free festival. There may not be one in your city this weekend but there may be one in a local city. Look online for a city guide and a calendar of events. Sometimes there are free shows, plays, or just some fun stuff to walk around and look at.
Cost: Free

15. Local high schools tend to be a great source of free or cheap activities. Go watch the big kids play sports, put on a concert, or even a play.
Cost: Free to $5 per person.

16. Head to a residential neighborhood with low traffic that they are unfamiliar with. Grab the bikes and trikes and go for a ride. Your street is same old same old, but a new neighborhood means new things to look at and see.
Cost: Free

17. Go for breakfast. Find a kids eat free restaurant and pick up one of the cheap $5 breakfasts for yourself. you both eat good and it's cheaper than dinner
Cost: Under $10 after food, drinks, and tip.

18. Find a fish hatchery and let em watch the fish go by
Cost: Free

19. Pet stores are almost as good as the zoo to younger kids. Let them watch the birds, fish, reptiles, and other animals to their hearts content. This is my daughters favorite "zoo" during the off season.
Cost: Free

20. Head over to a playground you drive by after work all the time but never take them too. The toys are different from their local park so it's a whole new experience.
Cost: Free

21. Find a Parade. During the summer there are usually parades when cities hold their annual fairs.
Cost: Free

22. Malls are sprouting up play area's with plastered structures that resemble breakfast foods (Supermall, Auburn, Wa) and other cool things that younger kids can climb on. There are generally a padded wall and benches surrounding the structures so that you can sit and watch your kids.
Cost: Free

23. Your friend's backyard is a new adventure. When it's warm out, grab the water toys for some water play. To you it's just a visit to a good friend of yours, to them it's somewhere other then their own backyard to play in the water and have a blast.
Cost: Free

24. Take a ferry. Everyone else is using them to get to work, but if you live in an area with a ferry you just became the coolest parent. Take them on and let them sit up top if it's safe and allowed and watch the water.
Cost: $1.50 to $4 per person.

25. Head to the beach for treasure finding. Watch carefully what they pick up. If seashells are available great, but sometimes finding the soft, smooth, shiny rocks that can be just as entertaining.
Cost: Free

26. Go to the farm. If you know someone with a farm, ask if you and your preschooler can come and hang out with the animals, maybe even feed the chickens
Cost: Free

27. Go to a "new home' open house. New residential areas are sprouting up fast and many have example homes that are built and fully furnished to show prospective buyers what the finished result could look like. This is generally best if there are just two of you so you can be on your child's toes the whole time. Tell them you two are going to go explore someone else's house.
Cost: Free


28. A horse track is exciting and fun. Kids are generally free so your only cost is you and maybe parking.
Cost: Under $10

29. Local Zoo's often offer buy 1 get 1 or kids in free with paid adult coupons. Search online for coupons.
Cost: Under $10

30. Take a passenger train just for the ride.
Cost: Varies greatly depending on location. Under $15 round trip through local cities.

bump

Nice post!

Thanks for listing these places.
We used to visit public pools especially when too hot.