11 FREE Activities to Enjoy with the Family Before Summer 2022 Ends!

When school begins, there are lots of activities to do too but each comes with its own hefty expense. While you enjoy the freedom of summer, take advantage of free activities to help offset those busy schedules and costly events that are just around the corner. Before summer ends, spend as much time as possible with family while enjoying a financial break with these 11 free activities! Use the links provided to get you on the path to similar no-cost opportunities near you!

Skating

Bring back the roller rink fun that grandparents flocked to as a child! There’s nothing like a set of wheels and skating will get you and your kids up, out, and moving! The rink will get them started on a pastime that could become a favorite at home as well!

Free Bowling

Sneak in a little math with this fun activity! Bowling can brush up on number skills by calculating scores, averages and figuring out mathematical ways of adjusting the angles to get to the last pin standing or solve a split situation. Kids (and adults) will also benefit from building muscles, increasing flexibility, cardio, low-impact exercise, and even stress relief while at the lanes!

Reading

Anyone can pick up something to read from almost anywhere. But during July and August, Barnes & Noble bookstores give kids the opportunity to choose a free book during the summer reading program from the books listed on the Reading Journal, then pick it up from a nearby store. If there’s no Barnes & Noble near you, check out your local library for endless choices of fun, free reading material!

National Parks

National parks are an adventure waiting to happen! Each is unique with opportunities you haven’t seen or thought of! Some activities are not free, including the entrance fee. But there are days when all National Parks will offer free admission to everyone. Two of those 2022 summer dates are August 4, celebrating the  Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act, and September 24, which is National Public Lands Day. There are more than 400 parks available, so don’t miss the chance to see and visit an incredible, new place!

Kids Eat Free

Eating out is an activity in itself! And with any activity comes the need to eat! It’s a win-win especially when the meal is free! There are many restaurants that cater to kids with a meal or a treat…or both! Kids eat free at Applebees on certain days of the week based on location. At Denney’s, kids eat free when adults order an entrée, limited to two free kids’ meals per adult. Moe’s has a kids eat free night on Tuesdays and kids’ meals include a drink and cookie! Red Robin has a deal that includes “kids eat free” one night of the week, a free sundae on their birthday and royalty rewards members get a free burger during their birthday month along with every 10th item being free. Offers can vary per location, so always check with your local favorites. These are just the tip the iceberg of “free”, so google your way around until you uncover more!

Home Depot Weekend Workshops

On the first Saturday of each month from 9:00 ’till noon, many Home Depot stores offer free workshops for kids to create and build awesome projects from pre-cut materials. There are also virtual field trips and projects galore! Follow the link and check out all Home Depot has to offer your kids this summer!

Movie Deals

Regal Cinemas has a summer express series with $1.00 movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m.! Not quite free, but it’s close and the cool air conditioning during the show is absolutely no cost to you! You can find the movie listing here!

Free Factory and Business Tours

Check with businesses and colleges to catch some free tours that are fun and educational with many offering free samples of their products! Kids will love to see how candy, ice cream, cheese, chocolate and so much more are made while anticipating a taste of the process! Here is a great place to start as you explore all the possibilities of fun and free this summer!

Swimming Lessons

Summer is a lot more fun when you can swim. Most of all, it is a must in water safety. Whether you are learning the basics or becoming a stronger swimmer, many YMCAs offer an average of one million lessons to kids each year. If there is no YMCA nearby, check into other city or county-owned facilities for lessons offered for free. If the free spots are taken, search the same locations for affordable options that are less costly than private lessons and still a whole lot of summer fun! To get you started, click here for your local YMCA info!

Every Kid Needs to Get Outdoors

With an Every Kid Outdoors Pass, the sights are unlimited! Biking, hiking or simply strolling through deserts and forests is a definite. Catching a glimpse or an up-close sighting of sea life emerging from the water is always likely! Your pass is a ticket to the great outdoors and all of its glory! You could leave with photos and books worth of knowledge captured in any of these outdoor experiences! You can even bring a car full of family and friends for free! Click on this link to learn how to get your pass for free summer fun!

Michael’s Camp Creatology

As we know, Michaels has a creative edge, and kids ages six and up can get in on the action! Keep this spot accessible to catch the events as they arrive on the year-round calendar then sign up for your kids to join in and get creative with the best…for free!