Posted by: 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.
Lots of indoor & outdoor fun and entertainment — including free fun and entertainment — is offered in Broward, Miami-Dade and greater Palm Beach.
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Please return to this feature as other ideas, events and dining deals 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.
Fun in Broward
Splash Adventure Photo/Broward Parks & Recreation
Wet fun
Splash Adventure at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield & some other Pools, Water Playgrounds & Water parks in South Florida offer reduced fees in the afternoons.
Story Trail in Waters Edge Park in Tamarac. Photo/city of Tamarac
Story Trail & Splash Playground
Enhance a walk in the park with a story. Tamarac Story Trail at Waters Edge Park features pages of a storybook displayed along a path. The park includes a splash playground and other amenities. Entry is free.
Night Sky
Use telescopes for free at Fox Observatory in Sunrise. Observatory in Markham Park is open Saturdays, weather permitting. Entry to the park is $1.50 for ages 6 and older until about dusk. If you enter in the evening, entry is free.
Nature fun
- Fern Forest is an oasis for nature walks The 244-acre wilderness preserve features walking trails and an elevated boardwalk for savoring the sights, scents and sounds of nature. Entry is free.
- Secret Woods in Dania offers a deck overlooking New River, 2701 W. State Road 84, Dania Beach, 954-357-8886, website, entry is free.
- Long Key Natural Area is at 3501 SW 130th Avenue, Davie 33330, 954-357-8797, entry is free.
- Free water shuttle rides to Deerfield Island, entry is free.
Free & inexpensive kid-friendly films & events
- Free kids’ movies in Pembroke Pines
- Free family-friendly movies Fridays in Hollywood
- Free dive-in movies in Pompano
Photo/Tradewinds & Atlantic Railroad
Ride a teeny train
A little steam train runs on tracks around Tradewinds Park, usually 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. third full weekends, weather permitting. Fees are $1.50 for rides and $1.50 weekend park entry fee for ages 6 and older.
Model railroad display
Entry is free for Plantation Historical Museum, featuring a display of running model trains.
Free entry days
Free entry day at Art & Culture Center of Hollywood, usually offered third Sundays
Las Olas Oceanside Park in Fort Lauderdale
Free Live entertainment
- Friday Night Sound Waves offers free entertainment at oceanside park
- Free Starlight Musicals concerts in Fort Lauderdale
- Summer Nights concerts in Oakland Park are free
- Free live music at Hollywood Bandshell
- Free live music outdoors at Gulfstream in Hallandale
Deals & Other Fun in Broward
- Deals & Events at Xtreme Action Park in Fort Lauderdale
- $8 Roller-skating Wednesdays in Davie, including rentals
- Libraries loan vouchers for free entry to Florida State Parks
- South Florida Adventure Pass offers entry to several attractions
- Tri-Rail offers $5 fares on weekends
- Regal Theatres: Discounted movie tickets on Tuesdays
- Free museum entry if you have this one thing…
- Discounts at Historic Bonnet House in Fort Lauderdale
- Butterfly World: $5-off & other discounts
- Flamingo Gardens in Davie offers whimsical exhibit formed with ocean debris
- Dine at Applebee’s for free ticket to see new ‘Top Gun’ film
- $1.50 Summer Movie Clubhouse for kids at Cinemark
Things to Do With Kids In Summer in Miami
Photo/Frost Art Museum
Free Passport for HistoryMiami
HistoryMiami museum offers Miami-Dade residents opportunities for free entry. Pick up a “Passport” which allows kids and their families to peruse the exhibits for free during summer. Information is online.
BubbleFest at Dolphin Mall
Dolphin Mall offers ‘Bubble Fest’ afternoons in July, with bubbles, dancing lights and music.
Free Art for Kids
Miami Beach Botanical Garden offers free art classes for kids. The program is 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Wednesdays, register online.
Other free fun in Miami-Dade
- Miami Beach Botanical Garden offers free entry
- Libraries loan vouchers for free entry to Florida State Parks
- Free photo exhibit reflects on Amazon Rainforest
- Free Family Fun Day at The Underline
- Get the kids moving with a fun game with free bowling for kids all summer long
- Explore one of the 16 beaches in the Miami area
- Free or cheap bike trail
- Dog-friendly Park
Deals & discounts in Miami-Dade
- LEGOs exhibit in Fairchild Garden: exclusive $5-off discount
- Regal Theatres: Discounted movie tickets on Tuesdays
- Tri-Rail offers $5 fares on weekends
- Free museum entry if you have this one thing…
- Regal Cinemas kids’ summer movies for $2
- Summer Savings Pass offers 3 South Florida attractions for 1 price
- Dine at Applebee’s for free ticket to see new ‘Top Gun’ film
Free and Cheap Things To Do With Kids This Summer in Palm Beach County
Photo/Manatee Lagoon an FPL eco-discovery center
Manatee Lagoon
Manatee Lagoon in West Palm Beach offers waterfront deck & interactive exhibits & it’s free Other amenities include picnic area, shop and an augmented reality 3D animated solar tree exhibit.
Other fun in Palm Beach county
- Yesteryear Village in West Palm Beach represents Old Florida, entry $7 – $10
- Libraries loan vouchers for free entry to Florida State Parks
- Manatee Lagoon in West Palm Beach offers waterfront deck & interactive exhibits & it’s free
- StoryWalk displays offered on nature paths at parks, including Boca Raton
- Relax with free entertainment outdoors in Wellington
- Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse
- Regal Theatres: Discounted movie tickets on Tuesdays
- Free museum entry if you have this one thing…
- Tri-Rail offers $5 fares on weekends
- Summer Savings Pass offers 3 South Florida attractions for 1 price
- $1.50 Summer Movie Clubhouse for kids at Cinemark
Fitness & recreation
- Planet Fitness is offering free entry for students age 14-19 during summer. Registration is required
- Waterparks, water playgrounds & splash pads
Photo/Tri-Rail
Robotics, AR & Electronic devices
For kids, teens & adults, exciting & educational electronic devices are free — on loan — from participating local libraries. Broward libraries loan electronic & robotic devices, fitness equipment & other gear
Fern Forest Photo/Broward Parks & Recreation
Dining Deals
- Dine at Applebee’s for free ticket to see new ‘Top Gun’ film
- Kids eat free Tuesdays June 14 – August 16 at Legends restaurants with purchase of adult entree
Outdoors
Lush parks with shady trees and nature paths. Lovely waterfront promenades. Refreshing pools and waterslides. South Florida 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
- Free entry for Pondhawk Natural Area
- 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
Parks
- Florida State Parks entry fees for state parks usually $2-$10 per person or per vehicle. Some parks in Florida offer First Day Hikes.
- Palm Beach County Parks
- Broward County parks, weekend & holiday fees of $1.50 for ages 6 & older apply at various regional parks
- Miami-Dade Parks
- Other local municipal parks and natural areas may be open, but please verify with your city department
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