10 Free Things to do With Your Kids this Summer

Summer is the perfect time to have fun with family and friends. Bonfires, swimming, water balloon fights, and s’mores are always favorites! If you are looking for free activities for kids near you, here are 10 fun summer activities that won’t cost you anything.

1. Go bowling, for free! Have you heard of Kids Bowl Free? You can sign up your child to get 2 free games of bowling every day all summer long. Visit the website to see which bowling alleys near you are taking part.
2. Visit the library. Rainy days are great for getting cozy with a good book—but spending the day at the library can be even better! Check out your local library (or one nearby) for fun events like puppet shows, summer reading programs, storytimes, parties, or even live music.
3. Volunteer. Helping out in your community is a great way to make a difference and teach kids to care about others. Summer is the perfect time to volunteer because school is out and families often have more free time. You could visit a local nursing home, clean up trash at a park, or organize a canned food drive at your neighborhood grocery store. There are lots of ways to give back and have fun doing it!
4. Get outdoors. A walk outside is a great way to slow down and enjoy nature. You can take a short walk around the block looking for bugs or search for four-leaf clovers in an open field. Fresh air and exploring together is good for both you and your child.
5. Plan a picnic. Eating outside can be a fun and easy way to enjoy the day. You don’t need anything fancy—just some cheese cubes, crackers, grapes, water, and a blanket. This is a great free activity for your kindergartner. It will help them build independence, practice following steps, and prepare them to follow routines they'll use at school.
6. Stargaze. Keep the fun going into the night with stargazing. Older kids enjoy learning about constellations or sharing stories while lying under the stars. Pack a sweatshirt, drive out to the country, and relax together outside. See who can spot the first shooting star!
7. Build a fort. Rainy days are perfect for indoor fun. Gather all the blankets, sheets, and cardboard boxes you can find, then head to the basement or living room to build the ultimate fort. Whether you're reading or watching a movie, everything is more fun when you're inside a fort!
8. Visit a Farmer's Market. Walk around your local farmer’s market, explore fresh produce, and talk to vendors. It's a fun way to teach kids about local food and farming. If you're unable to go to a farmer’s market, try a virtual tour of one online or visit a local grocery store with fresh produce. You can teach kids about different fruits, vegetables, and other foods and create a “market” experience at home, even making a pretend stand.
9. Backyard Camping. Set up a tent in your backyard and spend the night under the stars. You can tell stories, roast marshmallows (even if it's just over a small campfire or on the stove), and enjoy the outdoors. If you don’t have a backyard, set up a tent in your living room (or use the fort you built!). Roast marshmallows in the kitchen, tell stories, and sleep in sleeping bags for an indoor camping experience. You can even have a movie marathon to make it feel like a special adventure.
10. Ask Google. Coming up empty handed? When all else fails, just type into Google: Free things to do in (insert city or county you live in) and hit enter. You just might be surprised what pops up!