Summer break is officially on the horizon, and with it comes an age-old challenge: keeping kids active and engaged without burning through your budget. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures, learning and enrichment opportunities, or just somewhere to get the kids’ energy out, we’ve got you covered.
Here are some of our favorite free and budget-friendly summer family activities around Atlanta, recommended by the TIP staff!
ATL Favorites
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park | Free
Learn about the life and legacy of Dr. King through daily tours and free ranger-led activities, open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.
Fernbank Science Center | Free General Admission
Operated by the DeKalb County School District (and separate from the private Fernbank Museum), the Science Center offers hands-on learning for all ages. Planetarium shows are also available for a fee.
High Museum of Art | Free Admission on Select Days
Explore more than 20,000 works of art and a dynamic schedule of special programs. Admission is free on the second Sunday of each month with family-friendly programming. Bank of America cardholders can also receive free admission on the first full weekend of each month.
Zoo Atlanta | Reduced Pricing Available
Hands-on, minds-on learning for all ages! Learn about the animals and conservation efforts through events and exhibits. Families participating in SNAP or WIC can access significant discounts on daytime general admission and family memberships.
Learning & Literacy
Local Libraries | Free
With a free library card, families can borrow books, movies, and more. The Fulton County Library System offers Partnership Passes for free admission to many local attractions like the Alliance Theatre, Center for Puppetry Arts, Chattahoochee Nature Center, and Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites.
Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Summer of Stories™ | Free
Enroll your children and identify summer reading goals (June- August) through the mobile app. Children who meet their goals are rewarded with a free one-topping Personal Pan Pizza at qualifying locations.
Fun & Active Experiences
Bowling | Free for Kids at Participating Locations
During the summer, registered kids ages 15 and younger can play 2 free games per day at participating centers in the Kids Bowl Free program. Sign up and find locations here!
Roller Skating | Free for Kids at Participating Locations
Several Sparkles Family Fun Center locations participate in the Kids Skate Free program for ages 12 and younger. Register here, and you’ll receive passes to skate at designated “free skate” times. Each center sets its own hours, and skate rental is not included.
Get Outside
Local Parks | Free
Plan a picnic, go on a nature scavenger hunt, or simply enjoy some outdoor play. Various parks and recreation centers also host free events and programming for families throughout the year. Check out Atlanta Parent’s 75+ Best Playgrounds and Parks for Families.
Splash Pads | Free
A great way to cool off while staying active! Splash pads are free and open to the public, and there are free splash grounds at Piedmont Park, D.H. Stanton Park, Ashford Park, Historic Fourth Ward Park, and Centennial Olympic Park.
Centennial Olympic Park | Free
A vibrant, welcoming environment to relax, explore, and enjoy the heart of downtown Atlanta. The iconic Fountain of Rings, gardens, and playgrounds make this park enjoyable for families.
Piedmont Park | Free
Enjoy walking trails, green space, playgrounds, a Saturday farmers market, and free programming like yoga and community craft night. View the calendar here.
At-Home Enrichment
STEM Activities
Science, coding, math, and hands-on learning activities to encourage curiosity and problem-solving.
- National Geographic Society: Immersive and virtual learning experiences to inspire the next generation of explorers, leaders, and solution seekers.
- Science Buddies: Explore science experiments you can try at home. Experiments and videos are categorized by age, subject, and difficulty.
- Science Friday: The popular PBS podcast has partnered with educators and scientists to build a huge library of free science resources for all ages.
- ScratchJr and Scratch: These popular sites teach kids how to program in Scratch through fun activities and games. Scratch Jr. is geared toward early elementary students (K-2). Scratch is geared towards older students with more experience.
Arts & Crafts
Spark creativity through drawing, painting, or DIY craft projects using everyday materials.
- The Best Ideas for Kids: Simple crafts and a large library of free printables.
- PBS KIDS for Parents: Find ways to play by exploring fun and educational activities and crafts for the whole family.
- Art for Kids Hub: YouTube channel that offers free drawing lessons for children.
Educational Worksheets
Reinforce reading, math, and writing skills over the summer with printable worksheets and activity packets.
- Hand2Mind: Access free, printable educational worksheets. Worksheets are available for math and literacy from Pre-K through 5th
- K5 Learning: Free worksheets for reading, math, and more for Kindergarten through 5th
- com: Teacher-created worksheets, hands-on activities, and learning games for students in Pre-K through 8th grade.
How many can you check off the list? Wishing you a wonderful summer break filled with fun, learning, and exploration!