Inexpensive Summer Activities for Kids

The first-day of Summer is here and it’s a great time for both family, friends and relaxation! While the Summer of 2022 may look different with rising gas prices and everyday costs, you can still have fun and stay on budget.

Here are 5 Budget Friendly Summer Ideas!

1) Make a Splash at a Nearby Splash Pad

Splash Pads have grown in popularity over the years with various cities including Haltom City and Fort Worth making these popular cool off spots a priority. If you live in a city that has Splash Pads, this is an inexpensive way to make a full day of fun! You can always pack a cooler and enjoy a picnic while you’re at the park as most of these places have a pavilion as well. Check out some local options for a Splash Pad!

Bicentennial Park

Don Misenhimer Park

White Branch Park

2) Alley Cats Family FUN Pass

Alley Cats is a Family Entertainment Center that has been providing a range of activities for kids of all ages for decades. The cool thing about an Alley Cats Summer is that they offer their best special of ½ priced Unlimited Activities everyday during the summer from 10 a.m. to Noon.

The special includes unlimited: bowling, Putt-Putt, rock wall climbing, laser tag and at their Hurst location, Go-Karts and Outdoor Rides! This is a great way to keep the kids busy all day!

3) Visit a Local Museum

DFW is home to several museums. Some of which are paid but others are totally free to enjoy during the week. While a museum may not seem like a family friendly or kid centered activity, they can be a ton of fun if you choose the right one. You want to look for museums that have an interactive feature or that have a kids area to keep them entertained. Here are some local options to DFW that will definitely be a hit this summer.

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History

They are closed on Mondays but the ticket prices breakdown as follows:

EXHIBITS

Senior (age 65+): $14

Adult (age 12 – 64): $16

Junior (age 3 – 11): $12

Child (age 0 - 2): Free

CATTLE RAISERS MUSEUM

Admission to the Cattle Raisers Museum is included with your ticket purchase!

NOBLE PLANETARIUM

Tickets to the Noble Planetarium are now included with an exhibits ticket!

4) Dream BIG at Dream Park

Located alongside the Trinity River in Fort Worth. This state of the art park is accessible to all ages and capabilities. While the Summer heat can make a visit here in the afternoons difficult, the shade and the breeze from the Trinity keep it manageable temperature wise if you plan a visit before Noon or closer to sundown.

Check out all the Park has to offer here

5) Paddle around Panther Island Pavilion

Panther Island Pavilion is a great place to take the kids who are into water activities and don’t mind a little sweat equity in their fun. The Pavilion is located along the Trinity River in Downtown Fort Worth and offers a range of options to enjoy the water with including paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes. You can even book online here

Prices vary depending on rental but on average are about $20 per person per hour.

Whether you are looking for an upbeat activity or a way to cool down this summer, the DFW area has so many great options to entertain kids on a budget this summer. Inexpensive kids activities do not have to be the same old same old year after year. DFW is always looking for new and fun ways to give families quality time together while staying on budget.