Free and Low Cost Summer Fun Activities

Looking for summer activities to do with the family? I’m always searching for summer activities and programs that are educational, affordable and fun. I check local libraries, school districts and even local chambers of commerce for summer programs. In preparing for summer activities, I consider my kids’ interests and our family’s “must-dos” for the summer.

[bctt tweet=”From $1 movies to kids eat free places, check out a list of free or low cost summer fun activities.” username=”JoscelynRC”]

 

EDUCATIONAL

• Libraries across the country have summer programs (reading contests, music, movies) that are the free to the community and are suitable for all ages groups. More information at publiclibraries.com or nces.ed.gov/surveys/libraries/librarysearch.
• Digital Library Epic! is a digital library includes many of the best kids books, popular ebooks, and videos such as Fancy Nancy, Big Nate, Warriors, Sesame Street, and National Geographic Kids. You can download on any device and instantly access 25,000 of the best books and videos for kids. Click HERE for a one free month trial and Epic! is free for elementary school teachers and librarians.
• AudioBooks With long summer road trips and travel, having access to audiobooks is very helpful (especially when traveling with kids) and can assist with eliminating one more thing to pack. Tales2go is a great audiobook resource.  For a free 30 day trial register: HERE  and for a list of audiobooks click: HERE.
• Museums and Children’s Museums have summer hours, exhibits and special interactive programs for children of various ages. Local museums and children’s museums information can be found at museumsusa.org and childrensmuseums.org/childrens-museums/find-a-childrens-museum.
• Blue Star Museums offer free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve, from Memorial Day through Labor Day.  Get more information at arts.gov/national/blue-star-museums.
• Summer Educational Resources from U.S Dept. of Education, Scholastic, Scholastic Summer Reading, FamilyEducation.com, Barnes & Nobles (Free Summer Reading Books), Sylvan Learning Center, Lifeway Summer Reading, Book Adventure. 
• Vacation Bible Schools (VBS) are free (or donation only) camps that offer fun activities, crafts, music, and outings centered around a specific theme in a religious environment. (VBS can also be conducted as a homestudy or homeschool course or as a summer home activity as well.) Find more information about VBS, including local locations at Lifeway VBS, ChristianBook VBS, and What’s In The Bible VBS.

 

ENTERTAINMENT

• Free Bowling In select bowling centers across the U.S. and Canada, children can bowl free during the summer. Find participating bowling centers in your community at kidsbowlfree.com.
• $1 Movies Regal Cinemas, United Artists, and Edwards Theaters will be participating in the Regal Summer Movie Express. Select Regal Cinemas, United Artists and Edwards Theatres will offer selected G or PG rated movies for only $1.00 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:00am. Find participating theaters at regmovies.com/movies/summer-movie-express
• Free or Cheap Summer Movies for Kids Movie theaters offering free or low-cost movies for kids at mrfreestuff.com/free-or-cheap-summer-movies-for-kids.
• Drive-In Movie Theaters Did you know that there are still over 300 drive-in movie theaters in operation across the U.S.?  Providing affordable tickets (you usually only pay per car not per person) and a variety of meals/snacks, drive-in movie will provide a uniquely fun and special experience for the entire family.
• Children’s Theaters often offer discounted or free plays for young audiences. Find more information at tyausa.org or see Kids Night On Broadway (New York and National events) at kidsnightonbroadway.com.
• Free and Low Cost Summertime Activities in Florida for Kids (Click on picture below to see a list of activities in Florida).
  
• Backyard Camping Ideas (Click on picture below to get backyard camping ideas).
  
• 25 Free Camping Sites (Click on picture below to see a list of 25 free camping sites).
  
• 25 Summer Crafts for Kids (Click on picture below to see 25 kid-friendly summer crafts).

• 50 Fun Things for Tweens to Do This Summer

 

• 15 Swimming Pool Hacks (Click on picture below to see the pool hacks).

• How To Create Your Own Backyard Waterpark (Click on picture below to see the backyard waterpark ideas).

• Michaels has camp creativity classes and free and low cost in-store events during the summer that are for children and families.
• Macaroni Kid is a free weekly community newsletter that delivers family friendly events and outings within the local community. Find local information at national.macaronikid.com.
• Disney summer crafts and activities at family.disney.com/summer, family.disney.com/crafts, and family.disney.com.
• Nick Jr. offers summer fun ideas at nickjr.com/videos/summer/.
• PBS KIDS summer games and summer reading challenge at pbskids.org/read and pbskids.org/island/activities.
• 10 easy healthy and fun summer activities.
• Create DIY scavenger hunts or “survivor” style challenges for the kids. Hide stuff around the house and outside in the yard.  Create a map that they need to follow or clues they need to figure out. If you do this once a month, the first to figure out the challenge can a reward like a “no chores for the day” card. Kids enjoy the challenge since they get out of doing chores and are off their tablets.
• Garden with your kids and plant easy edible plants.

 

KIDS EAT FREE

Please call ahead to local restaurants to verify time and date of when kids can eat free since it’s subject to change.  In addition to the list below, kids eat free locations nationwide can be found at mykidseatfree.com and kidsmealdeals.com.

EVERYDAY & WEEKEND KIDS EAT FREE SPECIALS

• California Tortilla One free kid’s meal per adult meal purchased.
• Carrows From Monday through Friday, kids 10 and younger can eat for free after 4 pm. Valid for one free kid’s meal for each paying adult.
• Cici’s Pizza Kids 3 and under eat free from Cici’s Pizza buffet.
• Cafe Rio: Kids ages 6 and under get a free quesadilla and a free strawberry for dine-in with paying adult.
• Ci Ci’s Pizza: Kids under 3 eat free when accompanied by a paying adult.
• Coco’s Restaurant & Bakery: Kids 10 and under eat free every day.
• Country Buffet: Kids ages 2 and under eat free with adult meal purchase.
• Denny’s Kids can eat free at Denny’s from 4-10pm at participating Denny’s.
• Double Dave’s Pizza When you buy an adult buffet at Double Dave’s, you get one kid’s buffet free.
• Fricker’s When you dine in at Fricker’s kids eat free all day, every day.
• Golden Corral: Kids under age 3 eat free with purchase of adult entrée every day.
• Holiday Inn: Kids eat free all day every day from the kids menu – two kids per one adult (paying for a full-price entrée).
• McAlister’s Deli Kids at for .99 every day at McAlister’s Deli.
• O’Charleys O’Charley’s gives one free kid’s meal when you purchase one adult entree, all day every day. Children need to be 10 or younger to qualify for the promo.
• Quaker Steak & Lube: Free cheddar goldfish for toddlers every day.
• Tucanos Brazilian Grill: Kids ages 6 and under eat free every day.
• IHOP Kids eat free at IHOP if they are 12 and under daily. Kids can get 1 free kids’ menu item per adult meal purchased from 4-8p.
• Steak n Shake Kids eat FREE at Steak n Shake on weekends for every $8 spent.  Remember, offers may change or vary by location, so always call first to make sure your location is participating. Children must be 12 years old or under to participate.

MONDAY

• Arizona Pizza Children eat free with each adult meal purchase.
• Arooga’s Buy one adult entree and snag a free kid’s meal. Kiddos must be 12 or younger to qualify for the freebie.
• Brewzzi Spend at least $12 on your entree and get up to two free kid’s meals. Kids need to be 12 or younger to qualify.
• Bruster’s Real Ice Cream Free ice cream cones for children under 40 inches tall.
• Buffalo Wild Wings: Children 12 and under eat from the kids menu for either $0.99 or $1.99 when accompanied by a paying adult. Price depends on the location.
• Cinzettis Children under 12 eat free from 5-9 pm.
• Cody’s Original Roadhouse Two children under 10 eat free with every adult entree purchase.
• Cici’s Pizza Free food for children under 3 all day.
• Culvers Children 12 and under receive a free cup of custard with each meal.
• Holiday Inn Children eat free with every paying adult.
• Fuddruckers Children under 12 eat free from 4-9 pm with each paying adult.
• Gatti’s: Kids 12 and under get free kid’s buffet with the purchase of adult buffet at regular price. Limit 1 child per adult.
• Garduno’s Restaurant Children under 12 eat free with each paying adult.
• Golden Corral Up to two Children under 10 eat free from 5-9pm.
• Indigo Joe’s Children eat free from 5- close.
• Islands Children eat free all day.
• KC Masterpiece Children under 12 eat free from 4-close.
• Millies Restaurant & Bakery Children eat for $.99 all day.
• Moe’s Southwest Grill Children eat free all day with an adult entree purchase.
• Macaroni Grill Free children’s ice cream with meal purchase.
• On the Border Mexican Grill Children receive a free sundae with meal purchase.
• Piccadilly Children under 6 eat free all day.
• Quaker Steak and Lube Children eat free from 5-10 pm with paying adult.
• Red Robin Children 10 and under can eat for free (and Tuesday in select locations) from 5-9pm
• Rock Bottom Cafe Every Monday and Tuesday, kids 12 and younger eat free here.
• Salsarita’s Free for children all day with an adult meal purchase.
• Shoney’s Children under 4 receive a free meal with an adult meal purchase.
• Skyline Chili Feed your little ones 4 and younger for free from 4 – 9 pm on Monday nights.
• Spaghetti Warehouse When you buy one adult entree at Spaghetti Warehouse, you get one kid’s entree for $1.99. Kids must be 10 or younger, and there’s a limit of 2 kids per adult.
• Sweet Tomatoes Children 2 and under eat free all day.
• Texas Road House Children 12 and under eat free all day (check local location for participation).
• TGI Fridays Children under three eat free all day (depending on location may also be on Tuesdays).
• Woody’s BBQ Kids 10 and younger eat for free from 3 pm to closing every Monday.

TUESDAY

• Applebees With each paid adult entrée, 2 children (ages 12 and under) will eat for free from 5-9 pm. (Kids eat free on Mondays at select locations so call ahead to verify).
• Backyard Burgers Children under 12 eat free after 4 pm with an adult meal purchase.
• Beef O’Brady’s Children under 12 eat free from 4-8 pm.
• Bennigans Children eat free all day with a paying adult.
• Black Eyed Pea Children under 12 eat free from 5- close with an adult entree purchase.
• Bob Evans: Kids eat free with adult purchase from 4-9pm.
• Brewzzi Children under 12 eat for free with an adult purchase of $12 or more.
• Captain D’s Seafood Up to two children per adult receive free meals all day.
• Chevy’s Fresh Mex: Kids age 10 and under eat free – 2 kids for one adult meal purchase.
• Chick-fil-A: Kids eat free with each adult purchase, 5pm to close.
• Cici’s Pizza Free food for children under 3 all day.
• Cinzettis Children under 12 eat free from 5-9 pm.
• Cody’s Original Roadhouse Two Children under 10 receive a free meal per adult purchase.
• Coco’s Resturant Children under 10 eat free all day with an adult entree purchase.
• Culvers Children 12 and under receive a free cup of custard with each meal.
• Dennys 2 children eat free per adult purchase from 4-10 pm.
• Famous Daves Children eat free all day, check location for participation.
• Fazoli’s Children 12 and under eat for $.99 from 5-8 pm.
• Freebirds Buy an adult entree and get a free burrito or quesadilla meal for your kiddo. The offer is valid from 10:30 am – 9 pm on Tuesdays for kids 11 and younger.
• Friendly’s Children eat free all day and depending on location discounts available on adult meals.
• Fuddruckers Children eat for $0.99 eat from 4-9 pm.
• Gator’s Dockside One child per adult under 12 eats free from 6- 8:30pm.
• Godfather’s Pizza Children under 10 eat free from 11-2pm & 5-8 pm.
• Gold Star Chili Children under 10 eat free per adult purchase.
• Holiday Inn Children eat free with every paying adult.
• Ikea Kids ages 12 and under eat free all day Tuesday, plus get free organic baby food.
• Islands Children eat free all day.
• Lone Star Steakhouse Kids eat free all day. Two kid’s entrees with each adult entree. Not valid in Orlando, FL.
• Marie Callender’s One free kids’ meal with each adult purchase on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
• Moe’s Southwestern Grill Kids eat free from 4-9pm with a paying adult.
• Macaroni Grill Free children’s ice cream with meal purchase.
• Millies Resturant & Bakery Children eat for $.99 each all day.
• Norms Restaurants Children eat free all day with the purchase of an adult entree, drinks are not included.
• On the Border Mexican Grill Children receive a free sundae with meal purchase.
• Perkins Kids 12 and under eat free – one freebie with purchase of adult entrée. Plus every day, kids ages 12 and under get free milk, soda, or juice, plus a free dessert with purchase of a kids meal.
• Ponderosa Steakhouse Kids eat free from 4pm to 9pm. You can get up to 2 free kids’ meals with each adult entree purchased.
• Piccadilly Children under 6 eat free all day.
• Pizza Hut Children eat free in the evening, check for participation.
• Planet Sub Children eat free all day with a paying adult.
• Pluckers Children eat free all day.
• Pizza Street Children under 9 eat free from 5-8 pm.
• Rockyard American Grill Children eat free all day with the purchase of an adult entree.
• Ruby’s Diner Children eat free from 4-close, check with your local Ruby’s for participation.
• Salsarita’s Free for children all day with an adult meal purchase.
• Shoney’s Children under 4 receive a free meal with an adult meal purchase.
• Sweet Tomatoes Children 2 and under eat free all day.
• Salty Iguana Mexican Restaurant Children under 12 eat free all day.
• Siblings Restaurant Children under 10 eat free from 5-9 pm.
• Space Aliens Children 10 and under receive a free pizza and 10 game tokens.
• Texas Roadhouse Children under 12 eat free all day, check with your local resturant for participation.
• TGI Fridays Children under 3 eat free all day.
• Tony Romas Children under 12 eat free all day.
• Uno’s Pizzeria & Grill Kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entree.

  
  WEDNESDAY

   

• Bruster’s Real Ice Cream Free ice cream cones for children under 40 inches tall.
• Cici’s Pizza Free food for children under 3 all day.
• Culvers Children 12 and under receive a free cup of custard with each meal
• Holiday Inn Children eat free with every paying adult.
• Carrow’s Resturant One child under 10 eats free from 4- close with the purchase of an adult entree.
• Damon’s Grill One child per adult eats free.
• East Coast Wings Go to East Coast Wings from 3:30 pm to closing for a free kid’s meal.
• Firehouse Subs One child eats free per adult purchase from 4-9 pm.
• Garduno’s Resturant Children 12 and under eat free with a paying adult.
• Gatti Town Buffet One child under 10 per adult purchase eats free.
• Jason’s Deli Purchase one adult entree and get one free kid’s meal.
• Jeffrey’s Sports Grill One child under 12 eats free from 5-9 pm.
• Little Itty Bitty Burger Barn Two children under ten eat free from 5-8 pm with an adult meal purchase.
• Luby’s Children under 10 eat for $2 per child from 4:30- close.
• Lucille’s Bad to the Bone BBQ Children under 12 eat free all day.
• Macaroni GrillFree children’s ice cream with meal purchase.
• Millies Resturant & Bakery Children eat for $.99 each all day.
• On the Border Mexican Grill Children receive a free sundae with meal purchase.
• Perkins Children eat free all day.
• Piccadilly Children under 6 eat free all day.
• Qdoba Mexican Grill Children eat free all day, participation may vary.
• Rainforest Cafe Children eat for $1.99 in the evening.
• Salsarita’s Free for children all day with an adult meal purchase.
• Shoney’s Children under 4 receive a free meal with an adult meal purchase.
• Smokin Okies BBQ Children under 9 eat free with an adult meal purchase.
• Sweet Tomatoes Children 2 and under eat free all day.
• Zarda BBQ Children eat free all day.

THURSDAY

• Backyard Burgers Children under 12 eat free after 4pm with the purchase of an adult meal.
• Bruster’s Real Ice Cream Free ice cream cones for children under 40 inches tall.
• Captain D’s Seafood Up to two children per adult receive free meals all day.
• Carrow’s Resturant One child under 10 eats free from 4- close with the purchase of an adult entree.
• CB and Potts Children eat free all day.
• Cici’s PizzaFree food for children under 3 all day.
• Culvers Children 12 and under receive a free cup of custard with each meal.
• Damon’s Grill Children under 12 eat free all day with the purchase of an adult meal.
• Hometown Buffet: Kids ages 11 and under eat for $0.99 – 2 kids for each adult dinner purchase.
• Holiday Inn Children eat free with every paying adult.
• Macaroni Grill Free children’s ice cream with meal purchase.
• Mellow Mushroom Buy a large specialty pizza and get up to two kid’s meals for free. Note that this isn’t valid with other discounts or coupons.
• Old Country Buffet Kids eat for $1.99 every Thursday from 5-8pm for Family Night. Kids also get fun VeggieTales freebies, including cotton candy, coloring games, and masks.
• On the Border Mexican Grill Children receive a free sundae with meal purchase.
• Piccadilly Children under 6 eat free all day.
• Ryan’s Kids eat for $1.99 every Thursday from 5-8pm for Family Night. Kids also get fun VeggieTales freebies, including cotton candy, coloring games, and masks.
• Salsarita’s Free for children all day with an adult meal purchase.
• Shoney’s Children under 4 receive a free meal with an adult meal purchase.
• Sweet Tomatoes Children 2 and under eat free all day.
• The Locker Room Children under 12 eat free from 4-9 pm.

FRIDAY

• Bruster’s Real Ice Cream Free ice cream cones for children under 40 inches tall.
• Cici’s Pizza Free food for children under 3 all day.
• Chicken Out Rotisserie Get a free kid’s meal with the purchase of one full-price adult meal.
• Culvers Children 12 and under receive a free cup of custard with each meal.
• Holiday Inn Children eat free with every paying adult.
• Macaroni Grill Free children’s ice cream with meal purchase.
• On the Border Mexican Grill Children receive a free sundae with meal purchase.
• Piccadilly Children under 6 eat free all day.
• Salsarita’s Free for children all day with an adult meal purchase.
• Shoney’s Children under 4 receive a free meal with an adult meal purchase.
• Sweet Tomatoes Children 2 and under eat free all day.

SATURDAY

• Bruster’s Real Ice Cream Free ice cream cones for children under 40 inches tall.
• Cici’s Pizza Free food for children under 3 all day.
• Culvers Children 12 and under receive a free cup of custard with each meal.
• Dennys 2 children eat free per adult purchase from 4-10 pm.
• El Torito Children under 12 eat free before 3pm with a paying adult.
• Holiday Inn Children eat free with every paying adult.
• Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant On Saturdays and Sundays you can get two free kid’s meals for each adult meal you order.
• Macaroni Grill Free children’s ice cream with meal purchase.
• Maggiano’s All kids under 5 eat free on Saturdays.
• On the Border Mexican Grill Children receive a free sundae with meal purchase.
• Perkins Children eat free all day.
• Piccadilly Children under 6 eat free all day.
• Quiznos Free kid’s entree with the purchase of an adult meal.
• Salsarita’s Free for children all day with an adult meal purchase.
• Shoney’s Children under 4 receive a free meal with an adult meal purchase.
• Sweet Tomatoes Children 2 and under eat free all day.
• Shari’s Resturant Children eat free from 4-9 pm.
• Steak n’ Shake One child eats free per adult entree purchase of $9.
• Texas Land and Cattle Up to two children under 12 eat free per adult meal purchase between 11-4 pm.

SUNDAY

• Arriba Mexican Grill Kids under 10 eat free when dining in. One free kids meal per adult entree. Cannot be used with other coupons or offers.
• Blue Mesa Grill Kids ages 5 and under eat free with the purchase of adult brunch from 9AM to 3PM (may vary by location!)
• Bruster’s Real Ice Cream Free ice cream cones for children under 40 inches tall.
• Cici’s Pizza Free food for children under 3 all day.
• Culvers Children 12 and under receive a free cup of custard with each meal.
• Holiday Inn Children eat free with every paying adult.
• Jason’s Deli: Kids eat free all day at select locations only, and for $0.99 at other locations.
• Jose Pepper’s Kids can eat for free all Sunday at Jose Pepper’s.
• D’Amico and Sons Children eat free in the evening.
• Dickey’s Barbeque Children under 12 eat free all day with a paying adult.
• Firehouse Subs Children eat free from 4-9 pm with paying adult.
• Garcia’s Mexican Resturant Children eat for $1.49 all day.
• Go Roma 2 children under 12 eat free per adult purchase.
• Hooters Children eat free from 11- 11 pm.
• La Mesa Mexican Grill Children under 12 eat for $0.01 all day.
• Macaroni Grill Free children’s ice cream with meal purchase.
• Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant On Saturdays and Sundays you can get two free kid’s meals for each adult meal you order.
• Mel’s Diner Children eat free all day with an adult meal purchase.
• Moe’s Southwest Grill Buy one adult entree and get one free kid’s meal. The offer is valid every Sunday from 4 pm to closing.
• On the Border Mexican Grill Children receive a free sundae with meal purchase.
• Planet Sub Children eat free all day with a paying adult.
• Qdoba Mexican Grill Children eat free all day, participation may vary.
• Salsarita’s Free for children all day with an adult meal purchase.
• Shari’s Resturant Children eat free from 4-9 pm.
• Shoney’s Children under 4 receive a free meal with an adult meal purchase.
• Slim Chicken’s Head over to Slim Chicken’s for free meals for kids aged 10 and younger.
• Souper! Salad! On Sundays kids age 4 and younger eat for free!
• Sweet Tomatoes Children 2 and under eat free all day.
• Steak n’ Shake One child eats free per adult entree purchase of $9.
• Tropical Smoothie Cafe Children eat free all day.
• Tumbleweed Southwest Grill Children under 12 eat free all day.
• White Castle Kids eat free 4-8PM with purchase of $4 adult meal. May vary by location.
• Zebb’s Deluxe Grill and Bar Children under 10 eat for free all day.

 

OUTDOORS

• Road Trip There are many free or inexpensive fun and funky roadside attractions throughout the U.S.A.  Load up the kids in the car and go for a day trip by planning to see unique attractions along the way.  Plan your trip (and where to find the attractions) by using roadtrippers.com, roadtripusa.com, visittheusa.com and roadtripnation.com.  You can also rent an RV for a day or weekend cheaper than staying at a hotel. See more about RV rentals at cruiseamerica.com and Go RVing.
• YMCA has summer camps, exercise and swimming lessons for the entire family at affordable prices. (Financial scholarships to attend camps are also available).  Information about the YMCA and summer camps can be found at ymca.net and ymca.net/camp. The YMCA also provides military outreach initiative and respite child care at ymca.net/military-outreach.
• Little Leagues offer a wonderful opportunity for children to be part of an organized sport, be active and learn sportsmanship. (Financial scholarships are also available).  Local leagues can be found at littleleague.org/LeagueFinder.htm.
• Summer Camps, whether day or extended, offer the opportunity for fun outdoor experience, educational venues, and structured play.  (Often income based scholarships are also available depending on camp).  A directory of summer camps can be found at summercamps.com and acacamps.org.
• U.S. State Parks have camping specials for families during the summer, including free entrance days in the national parks. Information is available at nps.gov/index.htm, nps.gov/findapark and camping.about.com.  All active duty military can receive a free annual pass to National Parks and sites.
• Going to the beach is a family favorite summer pastime. Find more information about local, national and worldwide beaches at tripadvisor.com/Inspiration-g1-c1-World.html, travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10/beach-cities-photos/, Florida’s best beach town, Best beaches and Best national park beaches.
• Swimming Pools Need a refreshing dip in the pool on your next summer trip? Looking to do some water aerobics or swim training? Find the nearest public pool at usms.org/placswim, swim.isport.com/swimming-pools/US, swimmersguide.com and swimming.org/poolfinder.
• Theme Parks and Water Parks have special summer hours and discounts for families to enjoy a day at the park. Locate local amusement parks at ultimaterollercoaster.com/themeparks, themeparkcity.com/USA_index.htm and themeparks.about.com.
• Petting Zoos and Pick Your Own Farms are a fun family outing that provides access to animals, fruits and vegetables. Find local petting zoos and pick your own farms at pumpkinpatchesandmore.org and pickyourown.org.
• Zoos and Aquariums offer special hours, discounts and children activities during the summer. Find local zoos and aquariums at officialusa.com/stateguides/zoos,  aza.org and americanzoos.info.
• Volunteer Match has a comprehensive list of volunteer opportunities that are age appropriate including virtual volunteer options at volunteermatch.com.

Looking for other summer ideas? Check out our summer guide available: HERE