School starts soon, but while it's still out, there is still 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 admission to History Museum of Palm Beach County
- Free & fun: Bike or walk the Palm Beach Lake Trail
- Welleby Park in Sunrise offers playground, splash pad & dog park with free entry
- Miami Beach Botanical Garden offers free entry and events
- Free Family Fest Series at Arsht Center
- Free Homestead Trolley to the National Parks
- Downtown Hollywood murals: Take a free walking tour
- Weston Regional Park offers shaded playground, sports amenities & free events
- Riverwalk is delightful for waterfront walks, photos & festivals
- Hollywood Broadwalk is a lovely oceanfront promenade

Courtesy, gumbolimbo.org
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.
- Free: Music & more on The Lawn at CityPlace
- See ‘Best Picture' nominees at a discount with perks: AMC, Regal
- AMC Theatres: ‘Screen Unseen' secret movies for $5
- Mystery Movie Monday for $5 at Regal Cinemas
- Pianist performs romantic repertoire & other free performances in Davie
- $5 deals at Flippers theater in Hollywood
- Black History Month at libraries has free movies, music & more
- Free monthly outdoor family flicks at Screen on the Green
- Free films outdoors in Weston
- Free Family Day on Aragon in Coral Gables
Sign up for the South Florida on the Cheap newsletter. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Credit: Wellington on the Green