Charlotte On The Cheap

Live well in the Queen City on a budget

Free and cheap summer fun for kids redirect

charlotte meck free swimming
Look for an updated 2017 list soon! Your kids can have fun in the Charlotte area this summer without putting a hurting to your wallet. Most of these activities are free, and the ones that aren’t are dirt cheap. Follow the links for details on each. Bookmark this page and keep checking back. There will be more added. Do you know of other free or cheap things for kids to do this summer? Email cheapskate@charlotteonthecheap.com and let me know. Have you subscribed to Charlotte on the Cheap’s daily emails yet? Looking for summer camps? Here’s a big list of 2017 resources!

  • Roller Skating: Skate For Free is a national program that allows kids to roller skate for free this summer in many rinks across the country. Two rinks in Gastonia are participating. If you follow the above link, you can see the details for each.
  • Bowling: Ten Park Lanes allows kids to bowl for free all summer. Shoe rental is required.
  • Free Swim Lessons: Charlotte’s two public outdoor pools, Cordelia Pool at 2100 N. Davidson Street, and Double Oaks Pool, at 1200 Newland Road,  offer free swimming lessons throughout the summer, and Ray’s Splash Planet offers free lessons all year. Follow the link for details on registering.\
  • Reed Gold Mine: Reed Gold Mine, just a short drive away in Midland, is a great outing for kids. It’s free to tour the mine. Pay just $3 to pan for gold.
  • Dan Nicholas Park: Also a short drive away, Dan Nicholas Park in Salisbury is definitely worth a visit or two this summer. Everything there is either free or just a couple bucks, including an old-fashioned carousel, a mini-train ride, sprayground, nature center, paddle boats, mini golf, animals, and gem mining. A bucket of gems is $7.
  • Get discounts: Use Groupon to find discounts on everything from bounce houses to trampoline parks to summer camps to water parks.
  • Cheap pools and free spraygrounds : Charlotte Park and Rec’s spraygrounds and swimming pools opened for weekends and will be open every day of the week starting The spraygrounds are free and the swimming pools cost just $1 to visit. Follow the link for information on the two swimming pools and five spraygrounds.
  • Free outdoor movies: Once again, several Charlotte area locations are showing free outdoor movies this summer. They’re mostly in parks and start when it gets dark. Get there early, though, so you can get a good spot for your blanket. These movies are a great way to relax outside with your kids as the evening (hopefully) cools off. List of free outdoor movies around Charlotte area.
  • $1 (or less!) Weekday Morning Movies : Many Charlotte area movie theaters are offering weekday movies for $1 or less for kids. Follow the above link for details.
  • Free Improv class: The Last Word, a used book and media store, is offering a free improv program for kids age 9-14 every Friday at 2 p.m., starting June 10th.
  • Outdoor concerts: Free summer concerts are held all over the Charlotte area. These are family-friendly and sometimes include special activities for kids like face-painting and bounce houses. Check out the list of free outdoor concerts in the Charlotte area.

  • Terrific Tuesdays at ImaginOn:
    ImaginOn is presenting free performances for kids on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Although they are free, tickets are required and they go quickly. You can reserve the tickets online. Follow the link.
  • Libraries: Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries offer free activities and events for all kids, from babies up through teens. Search their events listings for dates, time, ages, and the type of event your child is interested in. You’ll find crafts, story times, performances, and much more.
  • Free crafts and projects: Michaels, Lakeshore Learning, Lowes, and Home Depot all offer regularly scheduled free crafts and projects for kids on Saturdays.
  • Schiele Museum: The second Tuesday of every month, Schiele Museum in Gastonia is free from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. It’s also free the fourth Friday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. This nature museum is a popular one with kids.
  • Energy Explorium: Always free to visit, Energy Explorium at McGuire Nuclear Station in Huntersville gives kids a chance to learn about energy, weather, the environment and nature through interactive activities at the visitor’s center. There’s a mile-long walking trail along the shore of Lake Norman and a picnic area.
  • Nature Centers: Charlotte Mecklenburg Parks and Recreation operates three nature centers, each within a nature preserve, Reedy Creek, McDowell and Latta Plantation. They’re free to visit.
  • ImaginOn: ImaginOn is a joint project of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. It contains the Spangler Children’s Library and presents dynamic shows for kids of all ages. Although tickets are require for theatre presentations, visiting ImaginOn is always free and there’s plenty to do. Young children play dress-up and stage impromptu performances and teens create movies. This summer, the exhibit Mr. Potato Head takes kids on an exotic and fanciful adventure.
  • Greenways: Mecklenburg County maintains over 35 miles of developed greenways, and more are on the way. The greenways run along creeks and are a great place to walk and ride bikes. Some offer much-needed shade in the summer too.
  • UNCC Botanical Gardens: UNCC Botanical Gardens include two outdoor gardens to explore, and a greenhouse. Kids love the butterfly terrace, Asian Garden, bridges and ponds with waterfalls. It’s free to visit.
  • Mint Museum: Get a summer family membership for just $30. This will give you free admission all summer, plus free admission to a number of other museums around the southeast for when you travel.
  • Even more free stuff: Every Sunday night, Charlotte on the Cheap publishes a free event list for the week. Learn about festivals, special events, free food, and more. Subscribe to the email list, and follow on Facebook and Twitter so you don’t miss a thing.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Ashley says

    I have a 6 yr old son who will be 7 in July was seeing if you have any more opening

  9. Stephanie Hampton says

    looking to sign up my son and dtr and have many co-workers looking to do the same thing please send detailed instruction

  10. Jody Mace says

    Hi, this list is from 2014. The 2015 activities aren’t announced yet. When they are, follow the links for information on registration.

  13. Barbara Lee says

    I would love to get more information for my grandkids about swimming they are 2-3-and 8 they really love water but it cost more then I can afford right now, to give them lessons. I would like to know all about the different events so I can keep them busy this summer, I would love to put them in a summer camp.

    Thank you for your time.

    Barbara Lee

  14. claudette marshall says

    claudette marshall i would like to sign up my daughter for swimming can u give me some more detal on were do you locaketed

  18. crystal Robinson says

    My baby is three years old she is very smart very intelligent. I was wondering is there an
    Summer camp out there free or cheap for her

  21. Babette says

    I have a set of twins that 6 and a 8 year old looking to find a good free summer camp that can keep them busy

  27. Shalonda Hackney says

    Hello. I am interested in a day camp for my seven year old son. Please email me some options if available.

  28. Kimberly Frotten says

    Is there still any free or cheap camps to get my son, 6, and daughter, 11, into? I didn’t see any links about camps. Please let me know. Thank you!!

  32. Raphael king says

    Need to find a free or real cheap summer camp for my 6 and 7 year old I need it asap

  33. Jasmine Glaspy says

    In search of a free or very none expensive camp for my 6 yr old, she’ll be 7 comes July 20th..please respond back

  35. Xiomara says

    I need a summer camp for my kids but I don’t have money to support I’m single mom of 3 kids

  36. Bianca sloan says

    I am looking for an affordable summer camp for my 12 yr old niece. Please contact me with some suggestions. I know she is a cheerleader & she loves gymnastics, so maybe an active camp with her interest.

    Thank you!

  37. Natasha Montgomery says

    Hello, looking for a free camp for my 4 children ages 9,8, 6 (twins) in the Pineville area. New to NC. PLEASE help.

    Thank you in advance.

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