Sugar Sand Park: Lots of free and cheap activities, Boca Raton

Sugar Sand Park in Boca Raton is a popular local community park that is home to Children's Science Explorium, Willow Theatre and it also features a vintage Carousel.

This is a park and a playground for kids of all ages. Many programs are free but may require advance registration; others have nominal fees to cover materials, etc. Check the monthly calendar for recurring events and details.

This is a 132-acre park that also features nature trails, an outdoor playground and lots of cool stuff to explore!

The Children's Science Explorium in Sugar Sand Park is a hands-on science center designed for children 5-12 years of age and their caregivers. It offers interactive exhibits, programs and demonstrations that bring the physical sciences to life. Many activities are free.

Admission to the is free, however a suggested donation of $5 per person is appreciated. The classic Carousel is only $1 per ride. Some activities require fees to cover the cost of materials or are being presented by outside hosts. Tickets to Willow Theatre productions are usually $10-$15.

Following is a sample of ongoing activities available at no cost.

Eyes To The Skies

(Recommended for Ages 8+)

Weekend Science Demos for age 7 and up:

Join the Explorium staff as they dig a little deeper into some exciting scientific principles that will surely spark your curiosity during these FREE 30 minute, interactive, demonstrations.

In addition to a permanent exhibit collection, the Explorium also offers visitors a variety of traveling exhibits each year. From rockets to molecules, the museum engages and teaches children about the fantastic world of science.

Visit this website for more details.

To keep up with the latest news, sign up for the South Florida on the Cheap newsletter. Follow on Facebook and Instagram.

Looking for more free and cheap things to do?

• Find all the free and cheap events in South Florida this week
• Find all the free and cheap events in South Florida this weekend
• See our day-by-day calendar of free and cheap events in South Florida

Other family activities

• Free days at national parks, plus free & discount passes for life - The treasures of our national parks have a lot to offer, including hiking, biking, boating, canoeing, hunting, fishing, wildlife photography, birding, plus exploring native flora and fauna, and hopefully also… Read more »
• Free Pioneer Family Farmstead Day, Jupiter, Nov. 14 - Here's a chance to experience a day in the life of a Florida Pioneer family with an antique sawmill, farm animals, garden, exhibitors, games and activities, food trucks. Pioneer Family… Read more »
• Weston Regional Park offers playground, volleyball & other features - Sports enthusiasts and families are drawn to Weston Regional Park for its array of features and free events. The park amenities include: shaded playground roller hockey rinks beach tennis pickle… Read more »
• Free tree giveaways for residents, Nov. 15 - As part of a municipal planting partnership between Community Greening and various localities in Palm Beach County, residents will be eligible to receive free trees to plant at their home;… Read more »
• Free tours of historic Doc Thomas House by Tropical Audubon Society - The Tropical Audubon Society is hosting free tours of the historic Doc Thomas House every First Saturday of the month starting at 1 and 3 p.m.  The house is located at… Read more »
• Free entry & free rides onto Deerfield Island - Deerfield Island is a natural area on the Intracoastal Waterway in north Broward that's accessible by boat. Free water shuttle excursions to Deerfield Island Natural Area are weather permitting, Fridays,… Read more »
• Free access to Daggerwing Nature Center, Boca Raton - Communing with nature has never been more fun and the Daggerwing Nature Center has so many opportunities for kids and their families to take advantage of the great outdoors. Admission… Read more »
• Nature hikes, guided tours at Deering Estate in South Dade - Deering Estate is part of the Biscayne Bay IBA (Important Bird Area) and Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, a 2,000-mile, self-guided trail traversing 500 sites located throughout Florida and… Read more »
• Delightful night nature walks in Broward, $5 - For another kind of nightlife, try an evening nature walk at a Broward park.  Some parks occasionally offer night hikes in forests, prairies, on shorelines and other intriguing outdoor spaces.… Read more »
• Miami Beach Botanical Garden is a nature oasis in the city - Have you visited the Miami Beach Botanical Garden lately?  This 3-acre tropical oasis sits in the heart of Miami Beach, at 2000 Convention Center Drive, and is brimming with beauty.… Read more »
• Many Palm Beach Parks & Rec programs are free or cheap - Are you interested in exploring nature? Do you enjoy learning about local flora and fauna and seeing creatures in their natural habit or would like to join a naturalist-led group… Read more »
• Sugar Sand Park: Lots of free and cheap activities, Boca Raton - Sugar Sand Park in Boca Raton is a popular local community park that is home to Children's Science Explorium, Willow Theatre and it also features a vintage Carousel. This is… Read more »
• Hayrides and campfires with s'mores at Broward Parks - Broward County parks are offering family evening events with hayrides. The evening event includes hayrides and roasting s'mores around a fire at parks in Hollywood, Deerfield Beach, Oakland Park, Fort… Read more »
• Sensory 3rd Saturdays at Manatee Lagoon, Riviera Beach, November-March - On the third weekend November-March, Manatee Lagoon hosts Sensory Saturdays for family members who prefer an inclusive experience with softer lighting, less noise, and still a lot of fun from… Read more »
• Admission is always free at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center - 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 in… Read more »
• Reptiles, bugs, swamp tours & more, Grassy Waters Preserve - Take a walk on the wild side or view from a safe distance ... and discover what's hiding in the lush Florida wetlands at Grassy Waters Preserve in West Palm… Read more »
• Free admission to visit with Mia & friends at Manatee Lagoon - If you haven't been to Manatee Lagoon in a while, it's time for a family visit. Exhibits include three life-sized manatee statues, a seagrass exhibit and a Florida mangroves exhibit.… Read more »
• Pondhawk Natural Area is an urban oasis in Boca Raton with free entry & book walk - Pondhawk Natural Area is among the delightful areas of wilderness within the urban and suburban fabric of South Florida. It's open to the public for free. It includes wetlands and… Read more »
• Vista View Park in Davie offers outdoor fitness equipment, playground & elevated vantage point - While lots of parks in South Florida are fairly flat, Vista View Park in Davie is distinctive for its relatively tall terrain, with parts about 65 feet above sea level.… Read more »
• Riverwalk is delightful for waterfront walks, photo ops & festivals - Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk offers a delightful stretch along the New River for sightseeing, photography and romantic walks.  Riverwalk runs along the river from about Southwest Fifth Street east toward Federal… Read more »

More free and cheap things to do with kids:

Other family fun in South Florida: