Summertime is in full swing, and with that comes all the free time in the world for children… but keeping your kids entertained throughout the summer with fun, new activities that are also budget friendly can be tough. Need some ideas? Below, we’ve listed some free activities to help remove “I’m bored” from your kids’ vocabulary this summer. Although this list is specific to the Dallas area, you should be able to implement similar ideas no matter where you live.

Klyde Warren Park is a fun, family-friendly outdoor area that everyone will love. Located in the middle of uptown and downtown Dallas, it offers a jungle gym, splash pad, five-acre green lawn, lending library, free board games from the game cart and much more! Every Wednesday from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. they offer Wonder Kit Wednesday, which allows children to discover the incredible world of STEM through various science experiments. If Klyde Warren Park isn’t in your area, see what other parks or local libraries are available within your community.

Across the street from Klyde Warren Park is the Dallas Museum of Modern Art. If you want to beat the heat and spend time inside, you can enjoy sculptures, paintings, and other artistic designs. During the summer, the Dallas MOMA has different and exciting experiences for families each day. There are guided tours, story time and art making – all of which is free! If you’re not in the Dallas area, try researching what local museums offer free or discounted admission.

West Village hosts a family-friendly movie night every third Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy a kid-friendly flick in between Mi Cocina and Magnolia Theatre. If you show up early, you’ll find live entertainment including DJ performances starting at 7:00 p.m. There are also many free or cheap summer movies offered across the country – click here to find one near you.

There are so many free and fun things to do during the summertime, even if it is just visiting your local park, library or playground and packing a picnic for the day. For days when you don’t want to leave the house, try helping your kids build a fort in the living room, having a movie day or pull out all the board games in your house and create a game tournament with your kids. Remember these three tips to survive the summer with your kids: be relaxed and flexible, follow your child’s lead, and have fun!

Shelby Smith is a childcare provider at Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support

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