60 Unforgettable FREE Summer Activities for Kids in DC

Cool off at one of the area's many great splash pads this summer. Photo courtesy of Montgomery Parks

School's almost out, summer is unofficially here, and we're on a mission to keep kids busy and having fun all summer long without breaking the bank. Luckily, there are tons of free summer activities in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for kids, from free outdoor movies to free swimming pools.

Here is a list of 60 free kids' activities in DC to make summer 2025 the best one yet. How many of them can your family fit in before school starts again?

Our Washington, DC Kids Summer Guide and our Guide to Free Things To Do in DC with Kids are full of more ideas for summer fun. And don't forget: we are constantly updating our event calendar, so keep checking back for more summer activities!

20 Best Swimming Pools in Atlanta: From Public Pools to Hotels with Day Passes

Dive into cooling relief at Roswell Area Park pool. Photo by the author

Atlanta has great public swimming pools, in addition to Swimming Lakes and Beaches Near Atlanta, fun for families and perfect for summer temps. Many of these local swimming pools feature diving boards, water slides, and splash pads for little ones, making them more engaging than typical swim/tennis neighborhood pools. And did you know certain Atlanta hotel pools offer swimtime without requiring an overnight stay?! Several Atlanta hotels offer day passes to enjoy the posh amenities. 

Many of the public swimming pools near Atlanta listed here have set times for open swim sessions, so be sure to check the schedule and pool rules. For more ways to cool off this summer, check our awesome Atlanta Kids Summer Guide!  

50 Awesome Free Things To Do in San Francisco This Summer With Kids

Ready for free summer fun! Photo by Nora Garcia courtesy of the Habitot Mobile Museum

There are so many free things to do in San Francisco this summer that the season might not be long enough to do them all! 

The kids are out of school, the weather is warming up, and the Bay Area is sprawling with things to do every day of the week. Free outdoor movie nights and free museum days are a great way to spend an afternoon that won't cost you a penny (if you steer clear of the gift shop). Summer is also the best excuse to take a day off from work and go on a day trip to one of the many beautiful places just a short drive away. 

Whether you've got a summer filled with summer camps and travel or prefer to enjoy the days as they come, we've got 51 free things to do in San Francisco with those kiddos this summer.

Have the best summer ever in San Francisco at summer festivals and fairs, and find more summer fun in Ultimate San Francisco Kids Summer Vacation Guide.  

Long Island Summer Fun: 100 Amazing FREE Activities for Kids in 2025

Walk through the lush landscape at Bailey Arboretum for free this summer. Photo by the author

From summer camps to weekend trips, the next three months can be costly for Long Island parents–but summer doesn’t have to drain your wallet. We've compiled this list of 100 free things to do on Long Island this summer with kids.

From free outdoor concerts and free summer movies to free museums, classes, and festivals, Long Island offers tons of free activities all summer long.

Find even more bucket list seasonal fun in our Ultimate Long Island Kids Summer Vacation Guide, including our picks for top beach playgrounds and the best family-friendly outdoor restaurants on Long Island.

NYC Summer Fun: 100 Amazing FREE Activities for Kids in 2025

Explore the parks and beaches on Staten Island, one of our 100 favorite free things to do this summer in NYC. Photo by Sara M.

Summer is the season of free things to do in NYC, and the sunny fun is already upon us. There are plenty of free summer activities in NYC everywhere you look, from summer festivals and free summer concerts to no-cost sports, kayaking on the waterways, and even free summer camps. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up 100 free kids' activities in NYC this summer.

Some of our picks take place on specific days, while others are season-long activities and summer-only destinations. We've got tons more picks in our NYC Kids' Summer Guide and this list of 100 free things to do in NYC all year long.

Still searching for a summer camp for a week or two? Check out our NYC Kids' Summer Camp Guide.

16 Best Lazy Rivers in Orlando for Kids

The JW Marriott Grande Lakes features a newly renovated water park, including the refreshing lazy river. Photo courtesy of JW Marriott Grande Lakes

Lazy rivers offer a tranquil and leisurely escape from the hustle and bustle of busy Orlando water parks and attractions. Orlando lazy rivers meander through lush tropical landscapes, inviting families to unwind on inflatable tubes as gentle currents carry them along. Whether you’re visiting an outdoor water park in Orlando or looking for awesome Orlando hotels with lazy rivers, these idyllic retreats promise a refreshing experience for guests of all ages.

LA's Epic Summer Bucket List: 44 Things to Do in Los Angeles This Summer

Splash and play at summer camp, Kidspace style. Kidspace Campout photo by Jamie Pham

There are endless things to do in Los Angeles in the summertime. Even though, it feels like summer all year round! Right now, people are wishing they could surf the LA coastline, enjoy the walk of stars, or hike in the Hollywood Hills. As a local, every summer can be a postcard-perfect, sunshine-fulled vacation.

It might be hard to know where to start because of the overwhelming amount of things to do in LA during summer vacation. That's why we've created an excellent bucket list for you. Refer to this ultimate summer bucket list for Los Angeles whenever the kids run downstairs to ask "What are we going to do today?" Now, you have plenty of great answers. Happy summer from our team at Mommy Poppins! 

Looking for more fun ideas for "school's-out season"? Check out our LA Beach Guide, our Los Angeles Summer Fun Guide, and our Theme Parks and Water Parks Guide for LA Kids for endless summer fun! 

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