When kids are out of school on summer break, parents in South Florida appreciate ideas for fun things to do. Especially, if those activities are free. Inexpensive. Or offered at an appealing discount.
We’re pleased to offer some nifty suggestions. Please return to the site, we’ll be adding other ideas.
Top Picks
- Funtastic Fridays are free family-friendly events 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. most Fridays at ArtsPark in Hollywood, featuring entertainment and activities such as a bounce house, face painting and games, free
- Free kids’ films at Paragon theater in Davie , offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays
- Free family-friendly movies in Hollywood most Fridays, free
- Free family-friendly films in Pembroke Pines Saturdays during Summer
- Dinosaur exhibit at Flamingo Gardens in Davie, with discount opportunities
- Free family-friendly films at shopping plaza in Pompano, June 14, July 19 & August 16
- Davie theater offers summer kids’ flicks for $1, or $5 for 10 tickets in summer
- Waterparks & water playgrounds
- Free Museum Days & Museum Deals
- Swimming instruction, water safety events & discount voucher for swimming instruction
- 2-for-1 summer deals for attractions, activities, restaurants & more in Broward
- Kids eat free & kids’ restaurant deals
- Tri-Rail in South Florida offers $5 all-day fares on weekends, free for kids ages 4 and younger
- Open-air bandshell on Hollywood beach offers free music performances usually Wednesdays to Sundays
- Marine Environmental Education Center includes rescued Sea Turtle
- Model Train Exhibit in Davie, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays, free entry
- ArtWalks & Art events & Other Places To Enjoy Art, plenty are free
- Broward parks offer playgrounds, nature hikes, nature exhibits, bike paths, boat rentals, basketball courts, water parks and other amenities. Browse the website for events, activities and features that interest your family
- Use your free Broward library card In addition to access to free movies, video games and books, library branches offer a wealth of free activities, resources and entertainment, such as dance parties, art projects and Lego fun. Download books, music and movies, check out digital devices or use high-tech equipment in Creation Station. Broward Library offers play area for pre-schoolers Read about Broward libraries on the website
- Deals for free & discounted entry for Popular South Florida Attractions
- Junior Farmer’s Camp for ages 5 to 8 Tradewinds Park, Pre-registration required, 954-954-357-8870
- Nature Detective for ages 8 to 11 @ Fern Forest Nature Center in Coconut Creek, Registration required, 954-357-5198
- Parades, fun, fireworks & entertainment for July Fourth
Free Things To Do Outdoors
- Funtastic Fridays are free family-friendly events 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. most Fridays at ArtsPark in Hollywood, featuring entertainment and activities such as a bounce house, face painting and games
- ArtWalks & Art events & Other Places To Enjoy Art, plenty are free
- Watch glass-blowing experts work in Hollywood
- Free family-friendly movies in Hollywood most Fridays
- Broward parks offer playgrounds, nature hikes, nature exhibits, bike paths, boat rentals, basketball courts, water parks and other amenities. Browse the website for events, activities and features that interest your family. Broward Parks and nature centers are typically free on week days, and some are also free on weekends. For those with fees, the weekend and holiday price is $1.50 for guests ages 6 and older. Some activities and amenities are free, others, such as waterparks, involve in an extra fee.
- Farm tours with barnyard animals at Tradewinds Park weekends, weather permitting, $3 (not including weekend park entry fees, which are $1.50 for ages 6 and older)
- Fun for youngsters at Splash Pad in Wilton Manors
- Youngsters Ride Free on Brightline Railway valid to September 30, with eligible purchase of adult fare
Free Things To Do Indoors
- Free kids’ films at Paragon theater in Davie , offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays
- Free family-friendly films in Pembroke Pines Saturdays during Summer
- Broward Library offers play area for pre-schoolers
- Plantation Historical Museum always free entry
- Free entry to ArtServe art gallery in Fort Lauderdale
- Free Museum Days & Museum Deals
- Model Train Exhibit in Davie, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays, free entry
- Free entry to BaCA or Bailey Contemporary Arts gallery, 41 NE 1st St., Pompano Beach 33060, 954-284-0141, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, website
- Free entry to gallery at Miramar Culture Center, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays and first and third Saturdays, 954-602-4500
- Free entry to Sunrise Art Gallery, 10610 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Sunrise 33351, 954-747-4646, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays
- Free entry to gallery at Miramar Culture Center, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays and first and third Saturdays, 954-602-4500
- Free day at Art & Culture Center of Hollywood most third Sundays, free
- Broward libraries show free movies occasionally at library branches, loan DVDs and offer access to free movies online. Information is on the Broward Library website
- Broward libraries. In addition to access to free movies, video games and books, library branches offer a wealth of free activities and entertainment, such as dance parties, art projects and Lego fun. Noteworthy features include online access to books and movies and Creation Station. Read about Broward libraries on the website.
- ArtWalks & Art events & Other Places To Enjoy Art, plenty are free
Inexpensive things to do & deals
- Weekday Movie deals in West Broward
- $1 kid flicks this summer at Regal theaters in South Florida in summer
- Davie theater offers summer kids’ flicks for $1, or $5 for 10 tickets in summer
- Farm tours with barnyard animals at Tradewinds Park weekends, weather permitting, $3 (not including weekend park entry fees, which are $1.50 for ages 6 and older)
- Waterparks & water playgrounds in Broward
- $7 roller skating Wednesdays in North Lauderdale & Davie
- Discounts at 2 movie theaters in Broward Tuesdays
- 2-for-1 summer deals for attractions, activities, restaurants & more in Broward
- Tri-Rail in South Florida offers $5 all-day fares on weekends, free for kids ages 4 and younger
- Kids eat free deals at restaurants in South Florida
- Groupon deals for trampoline fun, laser tag & other indoor activities in South Florida
- Youngsters earn a free book with Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program
- Unlimited entry in summer to several popular South Florida attractions with South Florida Adventure voucher, $30-$50
- Free Museum Days & Museum Deals
Events, deals & other family-friendly budget-friendly things to do
- Free music performances Fridays at Fort Lauderdale beach
- Dinosaur exhibit at Flamingo Gardens in Davie, with discount opportunities
- Free events with food trucks in Broward, including week nights
- July 20 2 p.m. Symphony of The Americas in Sunrise, 10610 W. Sunrise Blvd., Sunrise 33351, $18 adults, $10 kids
- Play trivia at restaurants & bars in Broward
- Open-air bandshell on Hollywood beach offers free music performances usually Wednesdays to Sundays
- Free Old Town Untapped art, food & entertainment events in Pompano most first Fridays, free
- Free Downtown Hollywood ArtWalk & tour of painted buildings most third Saturdays, free
- Free FAT Village artwalk events in Fort Lauderdale most fourth or fifth Saturdays, free
- Youngsters Ride Free on Brightline Railway valid to September 30, with eligible purchase of adult fare
Other summer events
Read about other free things to do and deals for entertainment and activities on Fort Lauderdale on the Cheap and subscribe to the free newsletter.
Find more free and cheap things to do with kids this week:
Thursday, June 20, 2019
Friday, June 21, 2019
Saturday, June 22, 2019
Sunday, June 23, 2019
Monday, June 24, 2019
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
See our full Calendar of Events
Previous events
June 1 Children’s BookFest at North Regional Library in Coconut Creek, free
June 8 h2o Art Festival for World Oceans Day in Hollywood
June 8 Caribbean-American Heritage festivities, 6900 Miramar Parkway, Miramar 33023, information online or 954-602-3178, free
June 15-16 Featured Creatures at Flamingo Gardens, fees apply
Juneteenth Sweet Potato Pie Festival in Pompano June 15, free, at Northwest Branch Library & Apollo Park, includes entertainment, games for children, vendors and food, 1580 NW 3rd Avenue, Pompano Beach 33060
June 15 Juneteenth festivities Washington Park Community Center, Hollywood 33020
