Your kids can have fun in the Charlotte area during their summer break without putting a hurting to your wallet. Most of these activities are free, and the ones that aren’t are pretty cheap. Follow the links for details on each.
This list is for 2026.
Also, scroll down for a huge, constantly updated, list of upcoming free and cheap events for kids.
Find all the best (and cheapest) kids’ activities on our list of upcoming kids’ events in Charlotte!
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Summer Movie Programs for Kids
There are five different movie theaters and chains that are offering very inexpensive kids’ movie programs on weekdays through the summer: AMC’s Summer Movie Camp, Regal Entertainment Group’s Summer Movie Express, Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse, Gem Theatre’s Summer Matinees, and Cinergy Dine-In Cinemas Kids Summer Movie Series. Tickets range from $1 to $3. Get the details on all the summer movie series for kids.
Bowl for free (or cheap) All Summer
Kids Bowl Free allows kids to bowl two free games every day. Just pay for shoe rental. AMC Bowling requires the purchase of a pass for the summer, but shoes are included.
Cook Out Summer Shootout
Cook Out Summer Shootout is back at Charlotte Motor Speedway this summer! This race series provides plenty of good family-friendly entertainment at family-friendly prices — $10 for adults and free for kids 12 and under. On fireworks nights, tickets are $15 for adults.
Watch racing’s future stars battle in Legend Cars and Bandoleros on the front-stretch quarter-mile!
The series takes place from June 9 to July 28, 2025, from 5 to 9 p.m.
CLT Airport Overlook
The new CLT Airport Overlook features two aviation-themed play sets, runways for kids, tons of parking, educational displays, a covered picnic area, and restrooms! Of course, it still features stunning views of planes taking off against the backdrop of Charlotte’s iconic skyline.
Free Kids’ DIY Workshops
Both Lowe’s and Home Depot offer a free kids’ workshop one Saturday a month. Kids can learn to use hand tools to build things like a toy fire rescue truck or a mini-sandbox. These are both year-long programs.
Cheap Swimming
Check out our list of places to swim and splash in and near Charlotte this summer. The list includes pools and spraygrounds, as well as lakes and quarries where you can swim. Prices vary, but there are some very inexpensive options. Swimming lessons are FREE at Charlotte’s two outdoor public pools.
ImaginOn’s Summer Exhibit: Building Buddies
ImaginOn has a new summer exhibit! Building Buddies is available from May 16 to September 5, 2026, Mondays through Saturday. It’s free to visit, as is the rest of ImaginOn. Building Buddies features 1,500 square feet of hands-on role-play learning experiences that encourage kids to plan, renovate, decorate, paint, tile, build, and more! Paint with light, lay a garden path, climb a scaffolding, inspect a large drain pipe, build sturdy walls, and more!
Culture Blocks
ASC Culture Blocks, which is a partnership with Mecklenburg Parks and Recreation and Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, presents a staggering number of free workshops, performances and more for both adults and kids. Learn to dance or play an instrument, try out different art techniques, go to a concert, and much more. Check out the list of Culture Blocks programs.
Summer Reading Programs
There are several summer reading programs that not only keep kids engaged in learning throughout the summer, but also offer prizes or other benefits. Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, as well as other regional library systems, and some businesses, are presenting summer reading programs.
Mecklenburg County Nature Centers and Preserves
One of the Charlotte area’s most valuable resources is the four nature centers that are part of Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation. They’re all free to visit. Each is within a nature preserve. The nature centers and preserves host countless free and inexpensive events for kids (and adults), including guided hikes, animal meet-and-greets, crafts, nature programs, stream explorations and much more. Learn about Mecklenburg County Nature Centers and Preserves.
Enjoy an Outdoor Concert
Outdoor concerts are back in full force this summer! Many are family-friendly. And most are free. Check out our day-by-day list of outdoor concerts in and near Charlotte.
Go to an Outdoor Movie
Outdoor movies are scheduled throughout the summer and beyond all around the Charlotte area. Most of the movies are free. Sometimes there are food trucks and additional activities for kids. Our list of outdoor movies around Charlotte is packed with movies!
Go Boating
There are many ways to get out on the water, even if you don’t own a boat of any kind. Read about opportunities to kayak, paddleboat, and more, in the Charlotte area.
Go on a Hike (near or far)
We have put together a detailed list of more than 50 walks and hikes in and near Charlotte. Explore a Greenway, nature preserve, state park, a historical neighborhood and more. The hikes range from extremely easy to very challenging. Pick the ones that’s right for you and your child!
Pick Berries
There’s nothing like picking your own produce. Check out our list of U-pick farms in the Charlotte area. This list spans the year, so you can see what you can pick, and when.
Visit a Garden
Learn about 8 beautiful public gardens in the Charlotte area. Each one is very different from the others. Most are free, and a few have a fee to visit, but none are very pricey.
Climb on a Huge Rock
It seems unbelievable, but these giant rocks are right in Charlotte. Big Rock Nature Preserve is at 6500 Elmstone Drive, near Stonecrest at Piper Glen. These are the largest known exposed boulders in Mecklenburg County, by a long shot. It’s pretty majestic. Archaeologists have unearthed American Indian artifacts at this site from as early as 7,000 years ago.
Village Park in Kannapolis
Village Park, 700 West C Street, Kannapolis, NC, offers so much for families, including the Rotary Express Train, the Carousel, and Splash Pad. Each are just $1.50 per person. Also, check out the Kannapolis Summer Entertainment Series, which includes free movies, concerts and kids’ events, some of which are at Village Park.
Day Trips
We’ve put together a list of 18 day trips from Charlotte, many of which are low-priced and great for families.
Cool off at a Waterfall
The western part of North Carolina boasts some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country. Start exploring with our photo guide to 9 North Carolina waterfalls. Obviously, none of these waterfalls are in Charlotte, but they are worth the drive. Please make sure to check the website of the waterfall or park, as some are still closed because of Hurricane Helene damage.
Shop at a Farmers’ Market
It’s fun and important for kids to learn how to plan and cook a meal. Start at one of these farmers’ markets and go from there.
Fly a kite
There are plenty of open places to fly kites. Try Freedom Park or Romare Bearden Park in Charlotte, or Frank Liske Park in Concord.
Pan for Gold
Go to Reed Gold Mine, at 9621 Reed Mine Road, Midland, and visit the underground mine. It’s free to visit, and $3 per pan if you’d like to try your luck. Reed Gold Mine is the site of one of the first documented gold finds in the United States.
Go fishing
Use this map of fishing areas in North Carolina to find a place to fish. Adults need fishing licenses, but youth under age 16 do not. A 10-day license for inland fishing is $8 for North Carolina residents.
At-Home Activities
For times when you’re stuck at home, check out our list of 100 screen-free things to do with cooped up kids. None of them require any hard-to-find materials, and many don’t require a backyard.
Even more free and cheap stuff
Every Sunday night, Charlotte on the Cheap publishes a free and cheap event list for the week. Learn about festivals, special events, free food, and more. Subscribe to the email list, and follow on Facebook so you don’t miss a thing.
Find all the best (and cheapest) kids’ activities on our list of upcoming kids’ events in Charlotte!
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It’s also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
New to Charlotte on the Cheap? You might also be interested in:
More Events for Kids
Check out our huge list of upcoming events for kids in the Charlotte area, or look at a few of them here:
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