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13+ Totally Free Things to Do With Kids Near You

Kids are expensive. Are you looking for “free things for kids to do near me?” Making family memories while doing things with the kids doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, there are a lot of free things for kids near you. In addition to great local choices like visits to parks, playgrounds, hiking, and creek stomping, there are several totally free things for kids from national retailers, organizations, and kids’ programs all across the USA.

Free things for kids and families to do, free stuff for kids, near you! That means free activities for kids, family-friendly fun, free admission to museums, and lots more. That’s great news for families spending time together on a budget!

This is the list you want.

Free things to do for kids near you all year long.

Free things to do for kids across the USA

Bucket List of Free Things to Do for Kids Anywhere in the USA

Don’t miss any of these free activities, experiences, and projects for kids. Make some family memories and don’t spend a dime!

Home Depot Kids Workshop

Home Depot offers free kids’ workshop kits once a month. On the first Saturday of every month head to Home Depot for a free kids’ workshop. Pick up your kit and complete it at home. In-person workshops will very soon again be an option. Sign-up in advance to be sure your child will get their kit, but most of the time you can just stop by and join in the fun.

Lowes Kids Workshop

Lowes Home Improvement offers free kids workshops once a month in-store. Let the kids build and make something all their own. You won’t even have to deal with paint and wood bits all over your house. Just enjoy the free activity and bring your child’s creation home. You do need to sign-up in advance for these workshops, but they are totally free.

JCPenney Free Kids Craft

On the second Saturday of each month head to JCPenney for Kids Zone free crafts. Kids can make a totally free craft with all the supplies included, and parents will get a 10% off store coupon.

Kids Bowl Free

Did you know kids can bowl free all summer long? It really is true. Just sign up for Kids Bowl Free. Two games a day are totally free. If you don’t have bowling shoes, you will need to rent shoes, but you will not pay for the games. There’s even a family pass you can purchase for a one-time fee that lets grown-ups bowl all summer long, too. Check out Kids Bowl Free for a summer of free fun away from the screens.

Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops Holiday Free Photos

At both Christmas and Easter, kids can get a completely free 4×6 photo at Cabela’s along with a holiday visit with Santa or the Easter Bunny, plus fun activities and little treats.

At Christmas time visit Santa and get a totally free photo with Santa.
At Easter, kids can visit and get a photo with the Easter Bunny for free.

Kids Eat for Free!

Meal time can get expensive, which is why we love kids eat free deals. There are a number of restaurants that offer kids’ eat-free days all across the country. Get a free kids’ meal at these national chain restaurants.

Apple Kids Camp and Kids Classes

The Apple Store offers totally free Apple camps in the summer along with kids’ class activities throughout the year. During camp kids can bring their own iPad device or the store will provide one for kids to use. Kids will learn to use various Apple apps to create music, stories, and more that they can present to the other kids in the camp. Kids also get an Apple Camp t-shirt. Reserve camps and classes in advance. In fact, camps fill up so quickly, you’ll want to fill out this Apple camp form to be notified when reservations are open.

4th Grade National Park Pass: Every Kid Outdoors

4th graders can bring their families along to National Parks for free with the Every Kid Outdoors, 4th Grade National Park Pass. In most instances, the 4th-grade pass gets all occupants of the car with the 4th grader into the park for free. So, go visit a National Park for free with your 4th grader.

Viewing wildlife at Yellowstone National Park

Kids in Parks

Have kids who like to earn free prizes? The TRACK Trail, Kids in Parks program sends prizes to kids who hike, bike, and even play disc golf at parks with Track Trails. They’ll learn about nature and even history as they complete each TRACK Trail, which makes this free thing for kids both an educational opportunity and an incentive to earn fun prizes. See how one family enjoyed Kids in Parks in this review.

Smithsonian Museum Days

Once a year you can get free admission for your family to Smithsonian Museums on Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day. Museum Day usually occurs in September.

Summer Reading Programs

Summer reading programs equal free food, books, and lots more prizes. Not only will kids earn prizes, but they’ll receive one of the best gifts of all: reading time! Check out these summer reading programs available nationally, then don’t forget to check with your local library. Many libraries give out amazing summer reading prizes!

Pizza Hut Book it!– Free personal pan pizza
Barnes and Noble– Free book
Book A Million– book-themed prizes vary year to year
Chuck-E-Cheese– Read 14 books in 14 days and get 10 free tokens or play points

Free Donuts at Krispy Kreme

Keep your eyes out for special promotions from Krispy Kreme. They do them a lot! At participating Krispy Kreme donut shops, kids can get free donuts for everything from good grades to wearing a costume on Halloween. Pick up your free donut and head to a local playground for a totally free and fun family outing.

Local Libraries

Local libraries are a treasure trove of free family fun. It’s more than books, although reading together is awesome and free! But, local libraries offer special events for kids and families that go beyond storytime. We’re talking about free family movie nights complete with popcorn, craft kits, book boxes full of treats and books to keep, concerts, game nights and so much more. Seriously, if you are looking for free family fun, spend some time on your library’s website and check out their calendar. There’s probably a lot more there than you thought!

BONUS! $2 Movies All Summer Long

It’s not free, but you can bring the kids to family-friendly movies at Regal Cinemas for just $2 per person. Find out how to get tickets in our article on Regal Summer Movie Express.a

Test giveaway

15+ Tips to Save Gas & Save Money

Are you looking for ways to save fuel and a little money at the gas pump? With gas prices rising and people trying to cut down on their fuel consumption, we wondered what things we could do to save gas by increasing our gas mileage or fuel economy. Fortunately, we have a “car guy, engineer, husband” in our midst and he’s here to help Kidding Around Readers save money on gas at the pump.

This article includes:
Driving Tips to Save Gas for FREE
Does cruise control save gas?
Does “Eco Mode” really save gas?
Simple Maintenance that will Save Gas and Money
What is the cheapest thing to do to your car to help save gas?
Myths About Fuel Economy

This article is provided for general informational purposes only. Consult a certified mechanic for specific information and requirements for your particular vehicle.

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Where is the Cheapest Gas in Greenville, SC?

Are you searching out the cheapest places to buy gas in Greenville? With the soaring gas prices that are affecting all our budgets, we decided it was time to ask our readers where they were buying the cheapest gas across the Upstate. Based on their findings we’ve compiled a small list of cheaper gas stations near Greenville, SC as reported by our readers. While we cannot provide real-time gas prices at local gas stations, there is an app for that, and we have information for you on that as well.

This article includes:
Cheaper Gas Stations in Greenville, SC
Gas Buddy App: Review and How to Use it
Tips to Save Money at the Pump

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Learn How to Help Kids Prepare School Readiness Skills With the Adventure Squad

The Adventure Squad is here, highlighting each of The Palmetto Basics with tips and things to do you can use with your own family throughout the day! Learn how to:

Read and Discuss Stories
Explore Through Movement and Play
Talk, Sing and Point
Count, Group and Compare
Maximize Love, Minimize Stress

For more ways to incorporate these basics into your family’s day, visit The Basics Palmetto website.

Thanks to Palmetto Basics for sponsoring Kidding Around Greenville.

Read and Discuss Stories With the Adventure Squad

“The more we read with young children, the more prepared they become to enjoy reading and to do well in school. It is never too early to begin reading!”

The Adventure Squad Shows Us How to Explore Through Movement and Play

“Movement and play are good for children’s bodies—their coordination, strength, and overall health. They are also ways that children explore and learn about the world.”

The Adventure Squad Maximizes Love & Manages Stress!

“Infants thrive when their world seems loving, safe, and predictable. When you express love and respond to their needs, you teach them that they can count on you.”

Talk, Sing and Point With the Adventure Squad

“As your child develops, talking with them and answering their questions is a way to teach them about the world. By talking with them, you will also get to know the fascinating person they are becoming!”

The Adventure Squad Shows Us How to Count, Group and Compare!

“You don’t need to be a math teacher to start preparing your child to be a problem solver. There are fun and simple activities that you can do now to build math and thinking skills.”

School Decisions: In-person or Virtual Public School, Private School or Homeschool?

Trying to decide the best education option for your kids in Greenville, SC? Back to school season comes with some serious decision-making for Upstate parents. In this guide, you’ll find information on the educational options available to Upstate parents. Have more questions? Let us know and we’ll try to find the answers.

This article includes:
Information on Greenville County Schools
Information on Private Schools
Information on Homeschooling
Information on Virtual Charter Schools

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Adventure Awaits at Great Wolf Lodge in Concord, NC

Are you looking for a magical, holiday weekend trip just under two hours from Greenville? Great Wolf Lodge in Concord should be at the top of your list. It’s an easy drive from Greenville, it’s a great destination for families with all ages from toddlers to teenagers, and your stay includes an indoor waterpark that’s nice and warm even in the winter. The lodge is packed full of activities for making family memories.

Thank you to Great Wolf Lodge for hosting Kidding Around. Note: Prices and information are included for your convenience but may change. Please check the Great Wolf Lodge website or call before making plans.

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Adventure is Waiting at These South Carolina State Parks in the Upstate

Planning a day out at one of Upstate, South Carolina’s State Parks? There are some beautiful state parks near Greenville, SC, each with their own things to do and unique natural treasure to discover. Parks in this area have great hiking, many offer biking trails, there’s fishing, picnicking and even some putt-putt and equestrian trails. Check out what our Upstate South Carolina State Parks have to offer and plan your next little adventure.

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Adventures with Carl the Sourdough Starter: You Can Bake Your Own Bread Without Yeast!

Planning on baking some of your own bread? If you haven’t been able to find yeast in the store, one option you have is to bake your bread with a sourdough starter. Great Harvest Bread Company’s sourdough starter is named Carl, and they have been giving bits of Carl away free to anyone who wants to try their hand at sourdough bread baking.

Could baking with a sourdough starter be your new Coronavirus quarantine acquired skill? Yes, it could. I picked up a bit of Carl just a few days ago and after a bit of experimenting and chatting with friends more knowledgeable than I, Carl is not only still alive, he’s also made sourdough biscuits and a simple overnight sourdough bread.

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Explore, Create, Build and More at Ignite Learning Center FREE on Makerspace Days

Do you have a young one who loves to build, create and learn? Ignite Learning Center in Greer offers amazing learning opportunities for children in STEAM subjects of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. Kidding Around’s Maria has enrolled her children in Ignite’s camps and classes. She loves the strong educational component of the activities and how they stretch her children to think about unique ways to problem solve while also learning the mechanics of what is actually taking place in their STEAM explorations. Read on to find out about the classes, camps and activities that Ignite offers and how you can experience Ignite for FREE!

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13+ Totally Free Things to Do With Kids Near You