Free Places for Children to Go in the Summer

Schoolchildren around the country wait anxiously for the freedom of summer vacation, but having your kids around the house all day can prove to be a real challenge. It is difficult to keep children occupied during the summer months even if you have a flexible schedule, as daily activity costs can quickly add up. If you need to get your kids out of the house on a limited budget, look for free activities around your city.

  1. Get Outside

    • The local park or playground can be your best friend when summer rolls around. Load up the kids and a few snacks like sandwiches, water and chips, and head down to the park for the day. Children can meet new friends and keep themselves busy while you chat with other parents. Some parks may even have fairs or events during the summer. Just be sure to keep your kids and yourself safe from the sun with a strong sunscreen. Hiking trails, visiting the beach or lake shore and outdoor art exhibits and fairs are other outdoor activities that children enjoy when the weather is nice.

    Learn Something

    • If you live in a large city, you probably have several museums within driving distance. For instance, Chicago residents can choose between the Shedd Aquarium, the Adler Planetarium, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry. Visit the websites of museums in your area and find out if they offer free access days. Additionally, try enrolling kids in a free reading course for the summer, or bringing them to the local library to research their favorite topics. You can also use web resources to create your own nature or historical tours of the area in which you live.

    Local Businesses

    • Depending on where you live, local businesses may have free days for certain age groups and activities. For instance, bowling alleys across the country participate in the "Kids Bowl Free" program, which allows children of certain ages to play two free games per day, every day, all summer long. In addition, some movie theaters offer free children's movies at certain times on the weekends, and indoor playplaces are usually free to enter.

    Community Resources

    • Your community may sponsor special projects for kids. For instance, many communities have a community center with things like tennis courts, basketball courts and indoor gyms. The community pool is always an effective method for beating the heat, or you can try dropping older kids off at a local skate park or BMX course. Find out what special resources your community offers and use them to your advantage.

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