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.
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.
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.
- Riverwalk is delightful for waterfront walks, photos & events with your dog
- Weston Regional Park offers shaded playground, sports amenities & free events
- Welleby Park in Sunrise offers free features for kids, families and dogs
- Free Family Fest Series at Arsht Center
- Downtown Hollywood murals: Take a free walking tour
- Entry to Cornell Art Museum in Delray Beach is always free
- Dania Arts Park offers art, free entry & photo ops
- Free admission at Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach
- Nature excursion: Entry to Gumbo Limbo in Boca is free
- Deerfield Arboretum offers free entry
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 live dance performance at Bailey Hall in Davie
- Mia's free movie night at Manatee Lagoon: The Polar Express
- Free ‘Wonka' outdoors in Davie
- Free outdoor films in Deerfield Beach parks
- Free Family Day on Aragon in Coral Gables
- Free: Screen on the Green, outdoor family films
- SoundScape Cinema Series: Free outdoor movies in Miami Beach
- Free outdoor films in Weston
- Free and $5 movies at UM Cosford Cinema
- $5 deals at Flippers theater in Hollywood