Posted by: School is out, and that means it's time to make sure your kids are entertained. Luckily, South Florida, and especially Palm Beach County, has plenty of free and cheap things for kids to do this summer, both inside and outside.
There are, of course beaches, most of them free to visit. Some beaches even have free parking. There also are parks, pools and splash pads, many of them inexpensive or even free to visit.
(Photo/Lion Country Safari)
Attraction discounts and free museum days
The Summer Savings Pass offers discount admission to Zoo Miami, Lion Country Safari and Cox Science Center & Aquarium in West Palm Beach. 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.
Free museum days in South Florida continue through the summer.
Photo: Manatee Lagoon, an FPL eco-discovery center
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton
If you're on a quest to discover a place where you can take the kids and enjoy the day for next to nothing, then the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is definitely a place for the whole family to enjoy an authentic outdoor Florida adventure. And best of all, admission is free.
Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach
Situated on one of the world’s most important sea turtle nesting beaches, LMC welcomes more than 350,000 guests each year and offers free admission and parking. The Center features an on-site hospital, a research laboratory, educational exhibits, and aquariums.
Manatee Lagoon, Riviera Beach
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.
Palm Beach and Broward counties have a number of interesting parks and discovery centers that are always free.
- Free ‘Science Weekends,' Sugar Sand Park, Boca Raton
- Deerfield Arboretum offers free entry
- Free admission to Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca
- Plantation Historical Museum offers free entry, model trains & free events
- Free admission at Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach
- Waters Edge Park in Tamarac includes a book walk, splash pad & free entry
- Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk is lovely for walks, photo ops & festivals
- Entry to Cornell Art Museum in Delray Beach is always free
- Manatee Lagoon in Riviera Beach is always free
- Welleby Park in Sunrise offers free features for families and dogs
Photo/Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse
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.
- Discounted movies at Coral Gables Art Cinema
- Cheap movies for kids this summer in South Florida
- Aventura Summer Family Film Series: Free with reserved tickets
- Water playground at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield offers discount opportunity & events
- Free screenings at UM Cosford Cinema
- Free outdoor films for families in Parkland
- Free dive-in films at pool in Pompano Beach
- Free PBS premiere and reception, Belle Glade
- Free foreign films, $10 classic films in Deerfield Beach
- Free & cheap things to do with kids this summer in Broward
Free meals for students, plus food distribution in South Florida
Free meals are for kids 18 and younger through the Summer BreakSpot program, presented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Florida Department of Agriculture and other partners.
If you’re not familiar with Summer BreakSpot, here is the link to some frequently asked questions and answers. If you have additional questions, contact the office via email at InfoFNW@FDACS.gov or call 800-504-6609.
You can also find more information with additional resources and sites at: Free food distributions & resources.
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Credit: Wellington on the Green
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