Free Summer Activities and Discounts for Kids☀️
As the school year closes, parents look for fun activities kids can do over their summer break. 🏖️☀️🩴Make the kids summer a memorable one and take advantage of free summer programs kids that will encourage kids to get out of the house! Find great offers for free youth summer programs and summer discounts for kids. Find free movies, theme parks, books, and more ways to enjoy free summer activities and cheap summer fun!
Free Summer Programs Kids
Browse all the great discounted summer activities for kids below and also be sure to check the Free Stuff for Kids article for great year-round freebies for kids!
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Summer Discounts for Kids
Encourage your kids to take a break from the video games with fun things to do summer kids that will have them excited to get out of the house!.
Free Attractions for Kids
Free Summer Activities for kids
Take advantage of summer deals for kids on top-rated attractions at locations all across the USA!
Free Bowling for Kids
Let kids improve their bowling scores with the summertime Kids Bowl Free program. This is one of a few free summer programs teens can enjoy (ages 15 and under). Sign up online to get your summertime kids bowl free coupon.
- Kids Bowl Free: Two free games of bowling for kids each day (see details)
- NOTE that bowling shoes are required (you may bring your own bowling shoes or rent them from bowling alley)
- Older family members can get summer bowling passes at a discounted rate
Free Skating for Kids
Enjoy regular roller skating with the summer Kids Skate Free program.
- Kids Skate Free: Free roller skating vouchers for kids each week (see details)
- NOTE that roller skates are required (but you may bring your own skates to the skating rink)
- The program has a one-time admin fee per family of $4 for the summer
Free Amusement Parks for Kids
Amusement Parks Free Preschool Pass for Kids
Amusement theme parks were made for summer days. Pre-k kids get a free season pass at 18 great parks. Advance online signup is required to redeem all free theme park season passes.
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: Free Pre-K season pass at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island (see details)
- Busch Gardens Williamsburg: Free Pre-K season pass at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA (see details)
- California’s Great America: Free Pre-K season pass at California’s Great America and South Bay Shores waterpark (see details)
- Carowinds: Free Pre-K season pass at Carowinds and Carolina Harbor Waterpark (see details)
- Cedar Point: Free Pre-K season pass at Cedar Point and Cedar Point Shores Waterpark (see details)
- Dollywood: Free Pre-K season pass at Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country (see details)
- Dorney Park: Free Pre-K season pass at Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom (see details)
- Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park: Free Pre-K season pass at Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park (see details)
- Hersheypark: Free Pre-K season pass at Hersheypark and ZooAmerica (see details)
- Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex: Free Pre-K Explorer Pass at Kennedy Space Center VC (see details)
- Kentucky Kingdom: Free Pre-K season pass at Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay (see details)
- Kings Dominion: Free Pre-K season pass at Kings Dominion and Soak City Waterpark (see details)
- Sea World Orlando: Free Pre-K season pass at SeaWorld and Aquatica Orlando (see details)
- Sea World San Antonio: Free Pre-K season pass at Sea World San Antonio (see details)
- Silver Dollar City: Free Pre-K season pass at Silver Dollar City and White Water (see details)
- Stone Mountain Park: Free Pre-K season pass at Stone Mountain Park (see details)
- Valleyfair: Free Pre-K season pass at Valleyfair and Soak City (see details)
- Wild Adventures: Free Pre-K season pass at Wild Adventures, including Liberty Farms Petting Zoo, Discovery Outpost, and Ohana Bay (see details)
- Worlds of Fun: Free Pre-K season pass at Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun (see details)
Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times while inside the park.
Free Amusement Parks for Little Kids
Theme Park Discounts for Kids
In addition to the parks with free preschool passes, there are more than 20 theme parks where the youngest kids can free admission at all times! No season pass or tickets are required for little kids (up to ages 1, 2, or 3) at these top amusement parks.
- Canada’s Wonderland (Ontario): no admission ticket is required for kids 2 and under
- Disney (USA): free admission for kids 2 and under
- Dutch Wonderland (Pennsylvania): free admission for kids 2 and under
- Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park (Colorado): free admission for kids 2 and under
- Fun Spot America (USA): free admission for anyone who is not doing the rides (rides are not recommended for children under 24 months)
- Gilroy Gardens (California): free admission for kids 2 and under
- Hersheypark (Pennsylvania): free admission for kids 2 and under
- Idlewild and SoakZone (Pennsylvania): free admission for kids 2 and under
- Kennywood (Pennsylvania): free admission for kids 3 and under
- Kings Island (Ohio): no admission ticket is required for kids 2 and under
- Knott’s Berry Farm (California): no admission ticket is required for kids 2 and under
- Lake Compounce (Connecticut): free admission for kids 3 and under
- Legoland (Florida): free admission for kids ages 1 and under
- Michigan’s Adventure (Michigan): no admission ticket is required for kids 2 and under
- Morgan’s Wonderland (Texas)
- Free ticket for children ages 1 and under
- Free ticket for individuals with disabilities or special needs
- Peppa Pig Theme Park (Florida): free admission for kids ages 1 and under
- Schlitterbahn Waterpark (Texas): no admission ticket is required for kids 2 and under
- Sesame Place (Pennsylvania): free admission for kids ages 1 and under
- Six Flags (USA): free admission for kids 2 and under
- Story Land (New Hampshire): free admission for kids 2 and under
- Universal Studios (Florida): free admission for kids 2 and under
- Wild Waves (Washington): free admission for kids 3 and under
Kids must always be accompanied by an adult when inside these parks.
Free and Discounted Activities for Kids
Fun things to do during Summer with kids
Take advantage of summer deals for kids on top-rated activities.
Free Gym Memberships for Teens
Help your kids stay fit and strong over the summer with this incredible free High School Summer Pass offer that allows teens to visit the gym all summer for FREE!
- Planet Fitness: Free gym membership for teens ages 14 – 19 all summer long (see details)
Discounted Crafts for Kids
Let kids flex their creative muscles with this series of 12 summer crafting projects.
- Michaels: Free crafting classes for kids on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 am – 12 pm at Kids Club Camp Creatology (see details)
- Classes are free, but supplies are not provided – project material kits (for 3 of the 12 projects) are $15 at michaels.com
Free and Discounted Movies for Kids
Free Summer Programs for Kids
Enjoy great deals on family-friendly movies this summer at theaters across the country. These weekly free summer events kids love are great for the whole family.
- Cinemark: Discount admission ($1.50) to weekly screenings of family-friendly movies from Summer Movie Club (see details)
- Everyone (kids and adults) receives tickets to these screenings for $1.50
- Children aged 11 and under should be accompanied by an adult
- Marcus Theatres: Discount admission ($3) to weekly Kids Dream Family Film Series movies (see details)
- Marquee Cinemas: Free admission to select family-friendly movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9:30 am (see details)
- Regal Movies: Discounted admission ($2) to select family-friendly movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (see details)
- Showcase Cinemas: Free admission to a select children’s film on Wednesdays with a book report at Bookworm Wednesdays (see details)
- Accompanying parents or guardians and children under six years of age receive free admission and do not need to submit a book report
Free Reading Program for Kids
Reward their love of reading by letting them earn a free book this summer.
- Barnes & Noble: Free book with completion of kids’ summer reading program at (see details)
- The reading journal form is available in English and Spanish
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Amusement Freebies for Kids
In addition to these discounted and fun free summer activities kids, check out these articles for money-saving ideas:
What things are you doing with your kids this summer? Are there any additional activities or deals that should be added to the list?
Hi there,
I really enjoyed this roundup of free summer activities and discounts for kids. With the cost of family outings continuing to rise, resources like this can make a real difference for parents looking to create memorable experiences without stretching the budget.
I especially like the idea of mixing outdoor adventures with local community events. Sometimes the simplest activities end up becoming the most memorable ones.
Have you found that local libraries or community recreation centres often add new free programs throughout the summer that families should keep an eye on?
Thanks for putting together such a helpful resource!
Hi, Bryce, that is a smart point because local libraries, parks departments, and community recreation centers often roll out extra free summer programs as the season moves along, especially for reading challenges, kids’ workshops, movie days, and family activity nights. Checking those calendars regularly is one of the easiest ways for families to find budget-friendly summer activities and local discounts without much planning.
A good mix of free outdoor activities, community events, and simple kid-friendly outings usually gives families the most value and the best memories. That kind of low-cost summer fun can stretch a family budget while still keeping the season full of things to do.
This is so cool!
We are surrounded by so many awesome…and free…things we can do with our kids. How fabulous of you to make a comprehensive list of them. I homeschooled my kids. They’re both grown now, but we never paid for anything! Museums always have a free day (Is that still a thing, or am I dating myself?) It pleased me to see that Barnes & Noble offers free books in their reading program. That’s pretty exciting.
I’ve never been into theme parks, but all the discounted movies are real appealing. Come on grandkids!!!
Hello, Anna! There are definitely still museums that offer free days – it’s always a good idea to check your favorite museums’ websites (and social media) to find out when you can take advantage of these great deals. Enjoy!
Thank you for all of the ideas! I have 3 boys who need to find something other than computer and video game screens! The bowling and skating opportunities would be great because they can get some of their pent up energy out, but Michael’s crafting would be fun too! We are definitely checking these options out!
Hello, Kelly! I’m so glad to hear that you’ve found some fun free activities for boys this summer. Free bowling and free skating all summer is such a nice perk for kids! I hope you all enjoy your summer break!!