Things to do with kids this summer in Broward, lots are free & inexpensive

When kids are out of school for the summer, parents in South Florida appreciate ideas for fun and interesting things to do. Maybe educational. Especially, if those activities are free, cheap or come with a discount. Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties offer lots of fun and entertainment for families. Indoors and outdoors.

Dive-in movies

Image by Pixabay

Several public pools in Broward offer dive-in flicks. Watch from the deck or with a refreshing dip in the water.

Free dive-in flicks in 2025 in Pompano Beach include

8 p.m. June 6 “Moana 2”
8 p.m. July 18 “Shark Tale”
August 8

Dive-in films are at the aquatics facilities, 901 NW 10th St., Pompano Beach 33060. Dial 954-786-4116 for more information. Bring your own seating.

Attraction discounts & free days

Photo/Butterfly World Discount opportunity

The South Florida Adventure Pass offers discount admission to four Broward attractions: Sawgrass Recreation Park in west Weston, Flamingo Gardens in Davie, the Museum of Science & Discovery in Fort Lauderdale and Butterfly World in Coconut Creek.

Bonnet House in Fort Lauderdale offers a free entry deal for ages 17 and younger in June, July and August, with adults paying regular fee of $25.

Free attractions & fee-free days

Some attractions are always free. Some offer days in which usual entry fees are waived.

Free attractions include

Plantation Historical Museum in Plantation

Marine Environmental Education in Hollywood

Coral Springs Museum of Art

Photo: Miramar Parks and Recreation

Pools, splash pads, water parks and ‘dive-in' movies

Broward offers free and relatively inexpensive water attractions, including splash pads, pools and water parks. Some Parks & Recreation departments host “dive-in” movie nights or other pool parties. And there are miles of beaches with free entry.

Splash pads at local parks are usually free. They include:

Shenandoah Park, 14601 SW 14th St., Davie 33325. Entry is free
Waters Edge Park in Tamarac offers a splash playground. Entry is free
Osswald Park features a Splashpad, 2220 NW 21st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale 33311, 954-828-6455, free entry, adults need to directly accompany kids 7 & younger
Mickel Park in Wilton Manors offers a Splashpad with squirting water for youngsters. Entry to the park, playground and Splash Pad are free. Mickel Park, 954-390-2100, 2675 NW 7th Avenue, Wilton Manors 33111
City Park, 6600 Sunset Strip, Sunrise 33313
Entry to Vista View is free on weekdays. On weekends and holidays, the fee is $3 per vehicle for up to 8 people or $20 per vehicle for more than eight people. Vista View Park, 954-357-8898, is at 4001 S.W. 142nd Ave., Davie 33330.
Flamingo Park, 12855 NW 8^th Street, Sunrise 33326
Cypress Preserve Park, 9020 NW 38^th Street, Sunrise 33351
Welleby Park, 11100 NW 44^th Street, Sunrise 33351
City Park in Oakland Park, 3900 NE Third Avenue 33309, parking is free

Splash Adventure. Photo: Broward Parks & Recreation

These are more options for wet fun in Broward this summer.

Swim lessons

The Watersmart Broward website offers the opportunity for Broward residents to obtain discounts for swimming lessons at participating programs.

The discounts are $55 – $200 off swimming instruction.

Summer food program for students

The summer food program for kids 18 and younger is offered at participating schools, libraries and other locations in Broward, Dade and greater Palm Beach. Some participating venues serve breakfast. Others serve lunch. Some serve both. For most of the venues, no registration is required. The program is presented by US Department of Agriculture and partners.

Venues providing the free breakfasts, lunches and snacks are offered online, by text, or by phone.

Search on the website.
Text FOOD or COMIDA to 304-304.
Dial 2-1-1 on your phone.

Free recreation programs

A variety of neighborhood parks in Fort Lauderdale offer free recreation programs. The programs are usually for ages 6 through 17, with some variations at different parks.

Information and other participating parks are online.

Free and cheap movies for kids

Many theater chains offer special inexpensive summer movies for children or options to see classic films at a discount. Cities offer “dive-in” movie nights, free outdoor movies and free outdoor concerts. Here are free and cheap movies for kids this summer.

Photo & Featured Photo/Planet Fitness

Free workouts at Planet Fitness

Planet Fitness offers free workouts for teens ages 14 – 19 June 1 – August 31 at participating venues, with registration required.

Teens age 17 and younger need to register with a parent.

Story Trail in Waters Edge Park in Tamarac. Photo/city of Tamarac

Other free and cheap things to do with kids in Broward this summer

Putt putt golf

AllGolf putt putt in Pembroke Pines offers deals. AllGolf deals include free entry 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. Tuesdays for kids 12 and younger with adult paying regular price of $13. AllGolf is at 950 N. Flamingo Road, Pembroke Pines 33028, 954-441-1333, website.

Story trail in park

Story Trail and Splash Playground in Tamarac. 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.

Telescopes

Use telescopes for free at Fox Observatory in Sunrise. Observatory in Markham Park is usually open Saturdays, weather permitting. Entry to the park is $3 per vehicle with up to 8 people until about dusk. If you enter in the evening, entry is free.

Skate park

Entry is free for Tequesta Trace Park in Weston, which features a skate park. Other amenities include sports fields & roller hockey rink, exercise path and playground.

Birding gear

Libraries in Broward and greater Palm Beach loan birdwatching backpacks for free

Nature Walks

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.

Turtles

The Marine Environmental Education center, MEEC, in Hollywood offers educational exhibits and entry is free. MEEC is a partnership of Broward Parks and Recreation and Nova Southeastern University. The oceanside venue is usually open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays at Hollywood North Beach Park, 4414 N. Surf Road, Hollywood 33019. The exhibits include feedings of a rescued sea turtle.

Train

A little steam train runs on tracks around Tradewinds Park, usually 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the third full weekend of the month, weather permitting. Fees are $1.50 for rides. Weekend entry for the park is $3 per vehicle with up to 8 people and $20 for vehicles with at least 9 people.

Library loans

For kids, teens & adults, exciting & educational electronic devices are free to borrow from participating local libraries. Broward libraries loan electronic & robotic devices, fitness equipment & other gear