When kids are out of school for the summer, parents in South Florida appreciate ideas for fun things to do. Especially, if those activities are free. Inexpensive. Or offered with an enticing discount.
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Please return to this feature as other ideas & events are added. Events & deals might occasionally be revised. It’s wise to phone prior to venturing out if you want to ensure a deal or activity you’re interested in is on.
Featured Events
- Drive-in & family-friendly outdoor movies, including free events & deals
- July 24 Free entry for family-friendly Ocean Day event in Fort Lauderdale
- Register for Nature Walks & Night Hikes in local parks
- July 23-24 Miramar Kids Comic Expo, Miramar Cultural Center, 2400 Civic Center Place, Miramar 33025, Includes Family Fun festivities July 24 with panel discussions, face painting, & comic book art lessons, $10 & $20, online
Back-2-School events
Other Events & Entertainment
- Free live music at Hollywood Beach bandshell, usually 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Wednesdays – Sundays
- Free live entertainment & events in Broward
- $1 family-friendly movies at Regal in South Florida
- Summer kids’ movies $1.50 at Cinemark
Robotics, AR & Electronic devices
For kids, teens & adults, exciting & educational electronic devices are free — on loan — from participating local libraries. Read Broward libraries loan electronic & robotic devices, fitness equipment & other gear
Fern Forest Photo/Broward Parks & Recreation
Outdoors
Lush parks with shady trees and nature paths. Lovely waterfront promenades. Refreshing pools. Broward offers a wealth of delightful outdoor spaces for family-friendly excursions. Examples include
- Fern Forest, free entry & free parking, features several nature paths, including its elevated boardwalk into cypress/maple swamp, 201 Lyons Road South, Coconut Creek 33063, 954-357-5198, read feature Nature Trails & Free Entry at Fern Forest in North Broward
- TY Park in Hollywood, includes tennis, picnic tables & a 2-mile paved path primarily around a lake for walking, running, biking & skateboarding, 3300 N. Park Road, Hollywood 33021, 954-357-8811, read TY Park in Hollywood is lovely venue for outdoor exercise & relaxation
- Secret Woods, free entry & free parking, includes a boardwalk overlooking the New River, and assorted other nature walks, 2701 W. State Road 84, Dania Beach 33312, 954-357-8884, read feature
- Free surf, paddleboard & skimboard lessons from Island Water Sports in Deerfield Beach, free lessons 7 a.m. Saturdays, participants need to pre-register online or via phone. Read feature
- Public pools, water playgrounds & waterparks
- Other Broward Parks, free on weekdays, some free on weekends, phone first to ensure park you’re interested in is open
- Free birdwatching equipment on loan from libraries
- Bike routes in Broward
Photo/Water Taxi
Attractions
- Free rides on Riverwalk Water Trolley in Fort Lauderdale
- Downtown Hollywood Mural Project features about 30 murals on exterior of buildings in a relatively easy walkable route. Information is online or read feature
- Free entry days & other museum deals in Broward
- Free entry day at Art & Culture Center of Hollywood, usually third Sundays
- Free first Thursday events at Art Museum in Fort Lauderdale with interactive fun
- Discounts at Historic Bonnet House & Gardens in Fort Lauderdale
- 2-for-1 & other discounts for Butterfly World
- Deals & Events at Xtreme Action Park in Fort Lauderdale
- Deals at In The Game recreation venue in Sunrise
- Discount opportunities for Jungle Queen Riverboat in Fort Lauderdale
- Flamingo Gardens in Davie with “Big Bugs” exhibit & opportunities for discounts
- 2-for-1 deals for fun & recreation in Broward
- Deals at In The Game recreation venue in Sunrise
- Deals & Events at Xtreme Action Park in Fort Lauderdale
- Water Taxi offers deals, including 2-for-1
- Plantation Historical Museum features vintage fire truck & free entry
Online
- From home, download e-books & other digital resources from Broward libraries
- Broward Library offers live events online
- Story Time From Space featuring astronauts from the Space Station
- Free e-books
- Museum of Discovery & Science in Fort Lauderdale offers videos on YouTube & other social media
- Space Out! Online videos, activities & apps from NASA
- NASA STEM activities for students
- National Weather Service offers weather science and safety, with weather resources & activities
- American Museum of Natural History in New York
- National Geographic Kids features online quizzes, games & videos
- National Parks video
- Google Earth
- Activities & projects for kids from Michael’s
- Virtual rides from Universal Orlando online & Youtube
Webcams
- Meerkat webcam from ZooMiami
- Otter webcam & other online entertainment & fun from Mote Marine Laboratory in Florida
- Wildlife cams in Africa
- Niagara Falls
- live webcams @ beaches in Broward
- coral city urban coral reef in Miami
Camps
Featured
Free — FCC USA Soccer Summer camp for ages 5-16 at variety of parks in Fort Lauderdale. Offered by Fútbol Con Corazón USA, Broward County Parks & city of Fort Lauderdale
Description: “includes teaching children about life-lessons like respect, tolerance, honesty and solidarity combined with engaging basic soccer lessons and footwork.”
Others
- Young At Art in Plantation, information online
- Project Rock, 3580 N. Andrews Avenue, Oakland Park 33309, online
- YMCA of South Florida offers day camp at different venues, including Hollywood, Weston and Pembroke Pines, with physical distancing practices, information is online or 954-334-9622
- Broward Center for the Performing Arts camp, information online
Other Events
- Hispanic Heritage free events in Broward feature live entertainment
- Halloween fun including free events, drive-up events & deals
- Free live entertainment at Gulfstream in Hallandale
- Water Taxi offers scenic excursions & deals
- 35 Ideas For Free Fun & Entertainment
- Free & Inexpensive Fun This Weekend & Deals
- Fall festivals & Oktoberfest events in South Florida, including free events & discounts
- Play trivia at restaurants & pubs
- Drive-ins & outdoor movies in Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Lauderhill & others
- 2-for-1 & other ‘Lauderdale’ discounts for fun, recreation & retail
