Check Out Our Free and Low-Cost Ideas for Family Summer Fun
Wondering what you will do during this year’s hot Georgia summer? We have a few ideas that will keep your family occupied, learning and having fun all summer long – and they can all be done without breaking the bank!
1. Read, read, read!
Support your child’s early literacy development and expand their world this summer by providing lots of opportunities for story time and reading.
Sign up for reading clubs at your local library and book stores. Go to georgialibraries.org/summer-reading/ to find your nearest library for their available free programs, story times and more!
Fill your house with books and magazines. Be sure to place them in easy to reach and visible areas where your little person can access them all by their self. Renew your home library selections by borrowing new books from your local library and visiting Little Free Library’s (LFL) near you. Find LFL’s here: littlefreelibrary.org.
Take advantage of online summer reading programs such as The Scholastic Summer Reading Program for stories, games and a reading community. Be sure to check out the offerings from Reading Rockets’ Start with a Book and the Summer Resources for Parents from Get Georgia Reading.
Want free digital copies of books? Book Riot provided this list of places to find free books online, including Libby, Hoopla and more.
2. Explore Georgia!
From the coast to the mountains, Georgia has some beautiful national and state parks where your children can enjoy the outdoors and often learn about state and national history.
All but four of Georgia’s 13 national parks offer free entry but be on the lookout for fee-free days that happen throughput the year. Additionally, see if your family qualifies for free passes through the Every Kid Outdoors program which provides families with fourth grade students a free annual pass. Free passes are also available for active and veteran military families as well as Gold Star families and disabled citizens.
Did you know that you can check out more than books from your local library? The Library Loan Program allows library patrons to check out a Georgia State ParkPass at a participating library system for free parking at any state park and admission for two people at Georgia’s historic sites.
Go on a day trip! The Atlas Obscura Guide to Georgia offers hidden and unusual things to do around the state.
3. Look for Family-Free or Admission Free Days at your local museums and attractions.
In Savannah, check out the Juneteenth Free Family Day on June 18th at the Jepson Center.
Atlanta has Family Free Days at the Children’s Museum; Second Sundays at the High Museum of Art allows visitors free admission each month. And, check out the Zoo Atlanta Library Pass at your local library.
Traveling Mom website offers these free things to do in Albany.
Need ideas for free things to do in Augusta? Check out Visit Augusta’s recommendations here.
Check out this list of free places to visit in Macon.
If you are an active military family, many Georgia attractions and places to visit offer free and discounted admissions.
4. Go outside!
Make a list of your favorite parks, playgrounds, splashpads and pools so that you have excursion ideas ready for when your kiddos need some outdoor time or need cooling from the heat.
How about a scavenger hunt? Even young kids can participate if you use sight words or visuals instead of words.
Go on a search for painted rocks using the Painted Rocks app.
Take a family bike ride, play a game of mini golf, or hit up your nearby public tennis courts.
5. Need indoor time when it is too hot or raining? Try these ideas:
Create a craft tub or art area where your children can go (or be directed to). Fill the space with paper, crayons, washable markers, paints, clay, glue and etc. Add in some scheduled crafts you can do with your kids, like clothing tie-dyeing or spreading kindness by painting then hiding rocks for others to find!
Pair exercise or get some excess energy out by visiting your local skating rink, jump park, indoor rock climbing center or bowling.
How about some popcorn and a movie? Lots of theatres offer daily discounted matinee prices and you can still find summer movies for kids programs. See The Krazy Coupon Lady’s list of theatres offering cheap movie tickets this summer. And guess what. Your library card comes through again! With it, you can stream thousands of free movies on your favorite device.
