2022 List of Free Summer Activities for Kids
Summer is here so it’s time for our 2022 List of Free/Super Cheap Summer Activities for Kids. This list will be growing throughout the next few weeks so make sure to check back later!
If you are looking for ways to keep the kiddos entertained this summer (without breaking the bank) check out our list of FREE or super cheap things to do with kids!
Reading Programs
All kids that read 8 books this summer can score a FREE Book from Barnes and Noble!
This summer, kids in grades 1-6 earn a FREE book through the Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program. Read any eight books and record them in your Summer Reading Journal (see links below). When you’re done, bring it to a Barnes & Noble store and choose your free book! Redeemable 7/1-8/31. Learn more here.
Chuck E. Cheese
Your children can earn 10 FREE tokens every time the 2-week reading chart is filled out. Just fill out the form and bring it in to claim your free tokens. Half Price Books
Children 14 and under who read 300 minutes over June and July (that’s only 5 mins/day) will receive Bookworm Bucks. I don’t see where it says how much you’ll get, but it was $5 previous years. You have until August 29, 2019 to claim your Bucks.
Teens can also earn HPB Bookworm Bucks by reading any of the listed titles and writing a short review.
New York Times
Every Friday from June 13 through Aug. 23, children aged 13-19 can read one article in the NYT and write in about why they read it or what interested them. At the end of the week, judges from the Times newsroom pick favorite responses and publish them here. Aside from broadening their horizon’s and randomly posting some of the selected weekly responses, there doesn’t look to be any “reason” to do this. Still, 15-year-old-Goob would have gone crazy over this offer so maybe there’s a kindred Hiffer out there who would enjoy this. H-E-Buddy Grocery Stores
Your kids will receive a package of cool prizes after they read 10 books. You do not need to live near a H-E-B grocery store to take advantage of this. Just fill out the form and mail it in. The package arrives in 3-4 weeks. Local Library
Check your local library. Almost all libraries do a story time for preschool age children every week throughout the year and do a special summer program that includes school aged children. (ie: Our local one has special guests and does a reading program where kids can earn prizes). Save money using your local library.
Pizza Hut Book-It Program
Kids can earn FREE personal pan pizzas for reading books! Homeschoolers can enroll as well.
Pottery Barn
Every Tuesday at 11am, join Pottery Barn Kids Book Club for readings, activities, and more! Your child receives a special prize after attending five events. TD Bank Summer Reading Program
When your children read and keep track of 10 books this Summer, $10 will be added to their Young Saver Account for FREE!
Full List of Summer Reading Programs for Kids!
Weekly Free Events:
Kids Skate Free
Looking for something to do with the kids this summer? Join the Kids Skate Free Program and your kiddos will get free skating passes every week for an entire year!
Skate rentals are not included ($3 normally) and the age requirements and available times vary by location. Make sure to enter your zip code to find a location near you. Click on the rink name and you will see the restrictions for that location. Normally adults can get in free if the kids are skating. If your kiddos have their own skates – this awesome fun time can be totally free!
Kids Bowl Free
Sign up for the Kids Bowl Free program and your kiddos will each get 2 free games everyday this spring and summer. Shoe rentals are not included ($4 each for us) and the age requirements and available times vary by location. Learn how to save even MORE with this program HERE!
AMC Classic
Kid-Friendly Movies plus a KidsPack every Wednesday for just $4 (+tax). Please note: this series is at participating AMC Classic theatres, see details here. Classic Cinemas
Beginning June 5th, Wednesday Morning Movie Series. Each Wednesday morning at 10 am ticket prices are just $1. All movies are rated G or PG. See full list here. Harkins Theater
There are 2 options: you can buy the season pass and it is less than $1 per movie and there are 10 movies in the season, OR buy tickets the day of the movie for $2 per ticket. Showtimes are at 9:45 am. Regal Cinemas $1 Movies
All summer long you can see movies for just $1 a ticket for select PG movies! Showtimes are at 10 a.m. and a portion of proceeds goes to Will Rogers Institute. See locations and films. NOTE – new movies aren’t up yet! Showcase Cinemas Bookworm Wednesdays (select locations)
Each Wednesday, kids can bring in a book report (unless you are six and under and then admission will be free) – which will cover the cost of admission! Program runs every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. CineMark Century Theaters
There are 2 different money-saving movie programs at CineMark. Pay $5 per person for 10 shows when you buy them in advance. Or if you buy your tickets at the show they are $1 each. Show days are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, depending on location: see participating CineMark locations. (Note: some Rave Theaters are now owned by CineMark. Call your location for participation) Cineplex (Canada)
Attend Saturday mornings at 11 a.m. for Cineplex Family Favourites. Watch a family fave film each week for only $2.99 at participating locations. See movie list here. AMF Bowling Centers
The Free Bowling Offer from AMF is back again this summer!
Simply register your kids into the AMF Summer Games Program program and they can bowl three games per day, every day, all summer long!
Free activities throughout the year:
Home Depot Kids Workshop
First Saturday of each month 9am-12pm (get there early. Includes a free project, apron, and project pin. Michaels
Make It Take It projects. Some require a purchase and some are free. For monthly schedule (says whether it’s free or requires a purchase on the schedule) Pottery Barn
Free story time every Tuesday 11-11:30am. Kids receive a Book Club Passport on their first visit and a special gift after their 5th visit. To find a store near you (as well as seeing other kids events that they have) Bank of America – Free Museum Days
If you have a Bank of America card, you can get one free admission (for the cardholder) to several different museums, zoos, science centers, and gardens all over the country for free the first weekend of each month. National Parks
Free entrance to National Parks (many of which charge fees usually). GO HERE to see upcoming days.
More info and to find ones that are always free: http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm
