Free And Discounted Kid-Friendly Summer Fun In Charlotte
Summer vacation is finally here, and kids everywhere are bursting with excitement. But for some parents, this season often means scrambling to find ways to keep their kids entertained. While fancy camps and cool classes sound great, they can sometimes come with a big price tag that doesn’t fit every budget.
Luckily, there are tons of affordable and even free activities that kids can enjoy all summer long. From local adventures to fun at-home projects, there are plenty of creative and wallet-friendly ways to make this summer a good one.
Kid-Friendly Summer Fun in Charlotte
There are plenty of free things to do in and near Charlotte with your kiddos. Of course, you can visit your local Home Depot, where they hold free-instore kids workshops. These are held on the first Saturday of each month. The projects are usually themed for upcoming holidays or seasons.
Cinergy Cinemas in Charlotte offers free sensory-friendly screenings of a kid-friendly movie one Saturday a month. The theater will brighten lights, reduce sounds, and allow people to move, talk, dance, and sing during these movies.
Charlotte’s ImagineON is where you’ll find plenty of free, family-friendly events. They have specialized events for younger kids, like story time, music performances, puppet shows, and more. Check out the ImaginON calendar to learn what’s happening the day you want to visit.
About a 30-minute drive away from Charlotte is the Schiele Museum. They offer free admission on the second Tuesday of each month from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., so you can explore all of the fun science exhibits, including dinosaurs, critters, and even a mineral exhibit.
If you have older children, the Mint Museum has Free admission on Wednesday Nights from 5-9. The exhibits feature permanent collections along with some rotating exhibitions. They typically have a craft section set up on Wednesday nights, too.
What about outdoor activities?
Reedy Creek Park, Nature Center, & Preserve in Charlotte offers free events where your kids can meet and greet with animals and learn about nature. They have a nature center that is indoors, so you can visit any time of year. You’ll also find these events at the Latta Nature Preserve, McDowell Nature Preserve and Center, and Stevens Creek, all of which are part of the Mecklenburg County Nature Centers and Preserves.
Just a short drive away is Village Park in Kannapolis. It’s a park with lots of trees, a playground, a splash pad, green space, a paved walking trail, and a Venetian carousel that starts at $1.50 to ride.
