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

Some of our picks take place on specific days, while others are season-long activities and summer-only destinations. If you’re looking for more free things to do in NYC with kids, bookmark our list of 101 free things to do in NYC all year long and our Free in NYC Guide, which is jam-packed with fun, no-cost activities.

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

Scuba diving or snorkeling in Florida is one of the best things to do during a family vacation to the Sunshine State. There is so much to explore under Florida's warm, clear waters, including spectacular coral reefs, shipwrecks, and underwater museums and memorials.

Here's everything you need to know about scuba diving and snorkeling in Florida with kids, from age requirements to the best places to dive and snorkel in and around the Florida Keys, Miami, and Destin. Our Florida Family Travel Guide will tell you even more great places to visit and fun things to do with kids in the Sunshine State.

Known as the birthplace of American pizza, the city of New Haven is a foodie destination fit for kids. Home to Yale University (and its amazing natural science museum), it's also a coastal city rich with history, architecture, arts, and culture that kids can appreciate. Best of all for families, it's wonderfully walkable. Take the kids for a day trip or a weekend getaway and experience New Haven for yourselves, with this list as your guide.

Be sure to check out our Connecticut Day Trips and Weekend Getaways Guide for more great spots to visit in Connecticut.

When we were growing up, New York City playgrounds had sprinklers. Now parks and playgrounds across the five boroughs have transformed into spraygrounds—entire playgrounds dedicated to water play with fountains, geysers, rivers, pumps, and beautiful spraying statues. Kids just love these splash pads in NYC, and parents prefer these newfangled sprinkler parks because they're pretty and cool and a great way to beat the heat.

Sprinkler season in NYC parks usually kicks into gear when temperatures hit 80 degrees, and there are hundreds of sprinkler parks and splash pads in NYC parks. Though we've highlighted some favorites by borough—calling out the best splash pads in Brooklyn, top sprinkler parks in Queens, and our favorite spraygrounds in the Bronx—the ones on this list are even cooler (literally and figuratively).

Read on for the 25 best splash pads in New York City. For more ideas to stay cool and keep busy, check out our Ultimate NYC Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

There are many public pools near Orlando for families to cool off during the warmer months. Some of these Orlando pools have shallow wading areas and interactive play elements for kids, water slides, and even adjacent splash pads. For a true staycation (or daycation) experience, families can also book a pool day pass to swim at some incredible hotels with pools near Orlando, as well as many other awesome swimming pools in the area.

Door County, Wisconsin has five state parks, 300 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, 19 county parks, and 14 charming towns and villages. If that's not enough reason to plan a summer getaway here, how about dozens of festivals, a thriving arts scene, countless restaurants, and so many outdoor activities you'll have to decide what to do first? 

The idyllic peninsula is a five-hour drive from Chicago—and worth every mile. This guide has everything from what to do, what to see, and where to eat to help you make the most of your family trip to Door County, Wisconsin.

Looking for other vacation spots near Chicago? Check out this guide to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, these fantastic weekend getaways, and this Midwest travel guide for more ideas.