19 Fun Things To Do For Free With Young Kids In Each Season

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Now that summer is here on the homestead, I’m so excited to do all the things that are free with young kids! We spent the last two summers building our house, which made the summers stressful with a lack of fun activities.

This summer we are recovering and enjoying all the fun things to do around us! The best part is that most of these things are completely free. Right now, in the summer, the kids love going to parades, library events, the beach, etc., but we also do lots of free and fun things all year round!

Our oldest child is only four years old, so these are specifically things you can do with babies, toddlers, and young children. Often, that means squeezing it in before nap time or packing snacks along to keep them going.

We live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, which means we have long and harsh winters but beautiful summers. It’s important for us to find fun things to do all year so we can fully enjoy each season that comes. I love that we get to experience each season so deeply where we live!

Here are our favorite things to do for free with young kids all year long…

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Spring

Community Events

Each spring, community events start popping up as people desire to get out of the house more after a long winter. Our community always hosts a fun event each spring where kids get to receive new books, knick-knacks, and other toys. It’s a way for various organizations to remind you they are there to support you if you need it. But it’s also just lots of fun for the whole family. Sign up for newsletters of local organizations or check their Facebook pages to see if there are similar events near you!

Playgrounds

After a long winter, each playground is new and exciting! We haven’t visited them in a while, so the kids are always so excited to go back and explore. Which playgrounds are new and exciting to your kids in the springtime?

Disc Golf

My husband loves to play disc golf, and so we make it a whole family event sometimes! We throw the discs, walk the course, and spend time outside together as a family. The nature walk is so relaxing and good exercise too. Most disc golf courses are free, all you need is a disc or two to throw!

Biking

It’s so exciting to pull out all the family bikes each spring! We love biking on our property, but we also go on bike rides down the roads or to parks. It’s especially fun when the whole family bikes together. With young kids, you can often walk next to them while they bike!

Zoo Visit

Spring is a great time to visit the zoo! Often, they have free zoo days if they are opening up again for the new season, or offer special promotions. In Minneapolis, when we were visiting family, we found that the Como Zoo was free and just asking for donations! Is there a zoo your family might be able to visit for free?

Summer

Beach

We love going to the beach in the summer! It’s the perfect time to go for our climate, and we get to enjoy beautiful Lake Superior, or many inland local lakes. Most beaches are free and easy to access, at least by us. Check out what beaches are nearby to you, or consider a weekend trip to one!

Farmer’s Market

I look forward to the farmer’s market each summer! Ours typically runs from June to September due to our shorter growing season, making them a perfect highlight of summer. We have so many local ones, you could hit a different one almost every day of the week. Not only do they have fresh produce, but also bakery items, preserved foods, crafts, face painting, blankets, clothing, and so much more! It’s so fun for the kids to see all the creative things people are making and selling!

Fishing

Another thing my husband loves to do outside is go fishing. Now that our children are getting a bit bigger, it’s even more fun for him to take them along. They love learning all about it and seeing the fish that are caught. If you don’t have your own fishing pole, check and see if you can borrow one from someone or ask for it as a gift at Christmas! You may need a fishing license as well, depending on where you are fishing.

Parades and Festivals

Going to summertime parades and festivals is a highlight for our family each summer! Not only are they free but they are simply just a blast! Some examples by us are Bridgefest, Library Summer Reading Program Party, Strawberry Festival, Fourth of July, and more. Be sure to check other nearby town’s as well to see when they have celebrations throughout the summer.

State Parks

State parks are often free or cheap to visit. In Michigan, you just need a recreation passport on your license plate to get in, which is often a yearly fee. State parks have so many unique things to offer, from mountains to beaches and everything in between! Be a tourist in your area and see if there are any state parks you haven’t even visited yet.

Fall

Scenic Drives

The fall colors by us are simply stunning each year, and we love to just drive around and soak them in! Find your favorite scenic drive and enjoy fall to the fullest before winter comes in. It’s one of the easiest things to do for free with young kids.

Hunting

Hunting season also arrives in the fall time and if a great time to get outside and see some wildlife. If you have a friend to go hunting with or have the gear already, then all you may need to pay for is the hunting license. Sometimes you can hunt for free on state land. Be sure you are following all of your local laws before you go hunting!

Hiking

While we go hiking all year round, I think the fall is a great time to go for free with young kids! You can see various animals, plants, waterfalls, etc., and often the bugs have died back. There are many resources available to find local hikes and trails near you, so start exploring today! Plus, it’s so great for young kids to start learning to love nature. Wear a toddler backpack like this if you are going on a longer hike.

Craft Days

Perhaps you have craft fairs or craft events in your area! I know we have a few that pop up each fall, and it’s fun to go to the event and just look around, even if we don’t always buy something.

Winter

Ice Skating

With winter comes lots of snow and cold, but also lots of fun winter activities! Personally, my favorite is ice skating. We have a local pavilion where an ice rink is poured each winter, and it’s free for anyone to come and skate. There is also a free open skate at a local indoor rink if you have your own skates already! With young kids, we often pull them behind us in a sled or push them in front of us in a stroller while we skate. It is a blast for them and a great thing to do for free with young kids in the winter!

Sledding

Of course, there is always lots of free sledding to do! It’s as simple as finding a hill and going down it, especially if you have a sled already!

Library Visits

I have noticed that we visit our local library a bit more in the winter. They have a fun kids’ area with coloring pages, toys, and of course, books. It’s a great place for young kids to play and get some wiggles out when they are cooped up all winter!

Meet Up With Friends

We also try to meet up with friends a bit more in the winter. Having friends over for play dates or meeting somewhere fun to play is a great way to keep winter fun and exciting. Plus, it’s one more thing to do for free with kids all year round!

Obstacle Courses

While being cooped up at home in the winter, we like to make an obstacle course for our kids. For example, first jump on the couch, then crawl under the table, then roll up in the blanket, and run down the hall! It’s a fun way to get their energy out inside while the snow falls outside.

Which of these fun things we do for free with young kids will you be trying next? Let me know in the comments below!

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Kelsey at GoodPointGrandma

Hey there, I'm Kelsey! I'm so glad you are here. I'm a 20-something helping you live your most fulfilling life. I hope you'll join me in this old-fashioned & simple lifestyle!