Free Summer Activities and Discounts for Kids
As the school year closes, parents start to 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 dayΒ (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 theme parks were made for summer days. Pre-k kids get a free season pass at 15+ great parks – including 2 new parks added for the 2024 season (Elitch Gardens and Hersheypark). 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)
- Pre-K Passes are not valid for Scarowinds
- 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 Dollywoodβs 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)
- 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 ParkΒ (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 when inside the park at all times.
Free Summer Programs for Kids
Free Amusement Parks for Little 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
- Lake Compounce (Connecticut): free admission for kids 3 and under
- Legoland (Florida): free admission for kids ages 1 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
- Michigan’s Adventure (Michigan): no admission ticket is required for kids 2 and under
- Peppa Pig Theme Park (Florida): free admission for kids ages 1 and under
- Schlitterbahn Waterpark (Texas):Β 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 enjoy flexing their creative muscles with this series of 12 summer crafting projects for kids.
- 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
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 age 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 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)
- Reading journal form is available in English and Spanish
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Free Fun Games Kids
In addition to these discounted and fun free summer activities kids, check out these articles for money-saving ideas:
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What things are you doing with your kids this summer? Are there more activities and deals that should be added to the list?
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!!
Wow, lots of free stuff, there is nothing great than having free stuff.
These programs are good specially if you have many kids, it is good to save ton of money, I know there is nothing expensive to spend on your kids but nowadays need very careful calculation for your kids future, every penny counts.
There are lots of good activities available in your free list.
Very useful post, I will bookmark this page.
Thanks so much for saving this resource to your bookmarks! As prices rise at so many places, it’s great to know where to find the best deals for kids during Summer break!!
Thank you for this post. I found the list of free amusement parks for kids very helpful. We will be in Orlando and in Kentucky these vacations. Such a difference with last year that we stayed at home. So, I want to take my kids to Sea World Orlando and Kentucky Kingdom. Can’t wait to hit the road!
Hi Ann, Make sure to go ahead and sign up now for the offers that you want to use this summer 2022. Many of the free passes are good through the end of the 2022 season, but most passes need to be requested and activated earlier in the season. Enjoy!
With the end of the school year and the summer holidays approaching,many parents will be looking for ways to keep the kids busy and entertained during the long summer break. Taking the kids out for activities and entertainment parks can quickly become very expensive. So it is great to find that there are several places that provide free access for kids to take part in fun events like bowling and skating and even some free access to amusements parks.
I will share this post with all my friends that have kids that might qualify for these free and discounted events.
There are so many people making tough budget cuts due to rising costs of things, so it’s great to find deals this good to share with the kids. Thanks so much for sharing with your friends with kids!
This article was very interesting, I didn’t know about a to of these. I am glad to have found this page, as I have kids now and not too sure about activities I can do with them. I just want to keep my kids entertained over the summer. As an adult someone theses things looked like fun, like the workshops at Home Depot.
I know that when I was younger my mom always wondered what to do with me when I was out of school or the summer. So to find things to do with your kids that is both fun for them and you is great.
Thank you!
Hi Reggie, The hardware store workshops are great hands-on activities for kids. We have built a few of the projects and it’s nice to see the pride that the kids have in the projects that they build themselves!
Since my children are now on school holidays, they will dedicate a little more to some sports activity. If they have no obligation outside the home, they will sit all day with the phone in their hands. That is why the older daughter goes to folklore and the younger one trains karate. These suggestions are fantastic.
Hi Bojana, I hope that after a couple of years of pandemic restrictions, kids are ready to get back outside the home and into the world. I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the suggestions for discounted summertime activities!
Great selection of discounts and free stuff for kids. I know it’s always great to save some money on the go, but if you can learn your kid a thing or two while doing so it’s even better. I love the activities for kids, as well as community events. It’s important to include your child in everyday life and it makes community a safer place.
Thanks for providing this great selection of activities, meals and educational freebies.
Best,
Katya
Hi Katya, It’s awesome to be able to save some money while still finding ways to enrich your kid’s lives. Hope you’re able to take advantage of a few of the great offers!
Warm Regards, Alyce
Oh, I love this. I love learning discounts of the stuff kids could take advantage and learn. Exploring is a must at this age. So, parents should take the time to search for opportunities to achieve that.
And by having read your post, it made me realize that there is so much online! Getting more information about this and that discount is easier than expecting coupons on the road.
What I see most of the time are coupons from swimming pools and other outdoor activities. Yet, I haven’t seen discounts for other fields like education, music, etc. For me, these pieces of information are very important, especially for me – a married woman without a kid. I could make use of these when I have my own child. π
Hi Mecyll, I love how just how varied these programs for kids are! Crafts, coding, climbing, and robotics?!? It’s great that there are so many ways to encourage kids to try something new while they are on break over the summer. Hope this information comes in handy when you need it! π
Warm Regards, Alyce
Great stuff about deals. We are always looking for good deals, especially when we have young children. You’ve provided some great and relevant information on discounts. I see you have discounts in several areas and makes your site much more attractive. I was particularly interested in the Apple camps and free guitar lessons. I would love my kid to learn to code and play the guitar.
The Home Depot opportunity seems great; along with the kid’s bowl, skating, and movies. You have described a wonderful place where a parent can take a kid and not come home broke.
Thanks for introducing this to me.
God bless you!
Hi Ronald, Thanks so much for visiting BestRewardsPrograms.com and sharing your insights. Hopefully your kids will be able to take advantage of some of the great free and discounted programs this Summer!
Warm Regards, Alyce
I really think this is such an ingenious idea to have summer programs for children, especially when so many are free! It is so vital for our children to be able to participate in these programs, and for the parents to be involved with them! I personally love the Home Depot one because the parent and the child can learn together and be creative together!
HI Robert, The Home Depot’s monthly programs are a great way for children to bond with their parents – plus they’ll take pride in the a fun toy they that made together! It’s great that they provide this activity for children all across the country!
Warm Regards, Alyce
Summer discounts and free stuff for children is a great idea! Guitar lessons, climbing, coding, and a book club are so important for kids to use up their energy creatively. Thanks for the ideas that can keep kids happy over the summer! The nationwide listings are great but I am very interested in what programs may be available in my local area too!
Thanks Stella, I hope that you, your family, and friends are able to take advantage of a few of these great offers!
Warm Regards, Alyce