How To Find Free Kids Activities Near Me

Wondering how to find free classes for children in the area ? We have your guide to finding affordable entertainment for your family all year round.

Wondering how to find free activities for kids near you? We have your guide to finding affordable entertainment for your family all year round.

Photo by Brett Sayles via Pexels

Have you ever wished you could get your kids to do more, but your bank account just doesn't have enough room for it? Everything is VERY expensive these days, from food to movies to concerts and events.

Photo by Kevin Bidwell via Pexels

Keeping the kids busy when your budget is tight can often be a challenge. How can families take the place of children and do everything without spending money? Although many activities can be very expensive, there are still ways to keep yourself busy without breaking the bank.

Photo by Rosemary Ketchum via Pexels

The truth is, you can have fun with your family all year round without spending a lot of money. My family of four is always busy and we don't spend a lot of money on it.

Photo by Hiếu Hoàng via Pexels

Here's how to find some of the best free local activities for your family.

Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva via Pexels

Access to the local library

Not only is your local library a great resource for free books , videos, and more, but they can also host fun events!

We regularly attend free concerts, classes, craft days and more at our local library. We dyed tie-dye, learned how to code, discouraged wars and more.

Photo by Kampus Production via Pexels

Our local library even hosts overnight camps and movie nights. They have tents that you can visit and you can camp out, build a fire, make s'mores and watch kids movies.

Check your local library's website and Facebook for events in your area. Many of these free events and classes have a limited number of participants, so RSVP.

Be sure to read our post here for more good reasons to bring your kids to the library !

Also, be sure to check your local library for tickets to local events they may be hosting.

Image by Johnnys_pic from Pixabay

Our library offers registration tickets that give families free access to our Science Center, Zoo, Children's Museum and other attractions. It's a great value and worth a few minutes to order.

Pexels image from Pixabay

Go outside

Summer, spring, autumn or winter, whatever the weather, there is something to see outside. In the summer you can swim at the beach, go to the park, play outside or have a picnic.

Image by Viktorija32 from Pixabay

In the cold months, play in the snow, make a snowman , go sledding or skating. There is so much to do and it's good exercise too! Don't miss these outdoor activities with kids .

Image by Mirchi - See my collection on Pixabay

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE OFFER REGISTRATION

Did you know that many zoos and museums offer free entry ? It's a great way to get out of the house without breaking your budget and expose your kids to new information and ideas.

Photo by Luke via Pexels

EVENTS ON FACEBOOK COMPARED

Even if you're not a big fan of social media, it's still worth joining Facebook to find free classes near me. Follow events near you. There are so many free things to do to keep you busy!

Check out some of our favorite free activities for kids near me on Facebook Events. From community parties to free movie nights, cool classes, festivals and outdoor events. Even in a small community, you can find many activities for free or very cheap.

Image by F. Muhammad from Pixabay

You can also find food programs! Many churches, fire departments and charities host great lunches, breakfasts and bingo nights that you can attend for free or with a small voluntary donation.

Some social networks to watch are TV and radio stations, community event groups, libraries, parks and recreation departments, and community organizations.

Image by Mario Fligner from Pixabay

SEE FREE TICKETS

Want to go to a local ball, concert or game? Did you know that sometimes you can get a free ticket?

When we search for free activities for kids near me, we look for free tickets on local social media and people who are giving away tickets for last minute events when they can't make it. It's a great way to get to football games, outdoor concerts and drive-in movie nights.

My husband often gets free concert tickets , free theater tickets and other opportunities in local Facebook groups.

Many radio stations and companies give away tickets when you tune in for a local or long distance radio show. We also discovered that sports teams also give away tickets when they host charity fundraisers. We regularly attend free sporting events and donate small canned goods.

Image by Scott Webb from Pixabay

You can even get free tickets to theme parks and other major attractions, especially if you have preschoolers. Don't miss these things kids can get for free .

Don't miss these tips on how to get to a concert for free .

Image by Rudy Anderson from Pixabay

WIN TICKETS TO LOCAL EVENTS

Want to see the latest shows and events, but ticket prices are out of your budget? Use some of your free time to try to win tickets!

My husband and I make hundreds of dollars in event tickets every year by checking out radio and social media contests to find out what's going on in our area.

Photo by Stan Petersen from Pixabay

SEE INCOME-BASED PROGRAMS

If your family has a low income, you may qualify for a discount! Some cities and counties offer additional programs where families can qualify for free or discounted admission to local attractions.

Iowa (where we live) has a great program that offers free admission to many attractions as well as 75% off family admission to other attractions. Check with your local recreation or parks and recreation department to find out what programs are available.

Image by Dimitris Vetikas from Pixabay

EXCHANGE THESE GIFTS

Are you earning Coca-Cola Rewards, airline miles or points for other programs? In this case, you can exchange it for free admission to a theme park , aquarium, zoo or other attraction.

We have traded ours in the past for many different adventures and saved hundreds of dollars on admission!

Family adventures don't have to be expensive, and with a little planning and research, you can even visit the sights for free. It's a great way to expand your family's horizons and add more activities to your calendar without breaking the bank.

Know of some great ways to find free activities for kids that we missed? Leave them in the comments below!