Free Things to Do with Kids
We pulled these 164 free adventures out of our full catalog of kid-friendly spots in Hawaii, Texas, New York and Oklahoma. Every listing has the ages it suits, what it costs, how long to budget, parking notes, and what to pack.
Showing 43 of 164 adventures — pick a state above for the full list
Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station
Hilo, HI
NatureWorld-class stargazing at 9,200 feet with free evening telescope programs. Free. Best from about age …
Lydgate Beach Park
Kapaa, HI
SwimmingProtected rock pools for safe snorkeling and a massive playground on Kauai east side. Free. Works …
Poipu Beach Park
Koloa, HI
SwimmingAmerica's Best Beach with a protected keiki pool, monk seals, and sunny south shore weather. Free. …
Punalu'u Black Sand Beach
Naalehu, HI
NatureVolcanic black sand beach famous for Hawaiian green sea turtles basking on shore. Free. Works from …
Captain Cook Monument Snorkel Trail
Captain Cook, HI
SnorkelingSteep hike down to world-class snorkeling in a marine sanctuary with dolphins. Free. Better for ages …
Twin Falls Maui
Haiku, HI
HikingEasy waterfall hike with swimming at the first stop on the Road to Hana. Free. Best from about age …
Tunnels Beach (Makua)
Hanalei, HI
SwimmingPremier snorkeling through reef tunnels with Bali Hai mountain backdrop. Free. Best from about age …
Hilo Farmers Market
Hilo, HI
NatureHawaii's biggest farmers market with 200+ vendors, exotic fruits, and tropical flowers. Free. Works …
Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden
Kaneohe, HI
NatureFree 400-acre botanical garden with dramatic mountain backdrop and camping. Free. Works from toddler …
Kalaupapa Lookout
Kualapuu, HI
NatureView from the world's highest sea cliffs down to the historic Kalaupapa Peninsula. Free. Works from …
South Point Green Sand Beach (Papakolea)
Naalehu, HI
HikingHike to one of only four green sand beaches in the world at the US southernmost point. Free. Better …
Nakalele Blowhole
Wailuku, HI
HikingNatural ocean blowhole shooting water 100 feet high on a dramatic lava coast. Free. Better for ages …
White Rock Lake
Dallas, TX
Biking9.4-mile paved biking loop around a scenic Dallas lake. Free. Works from toddler age. About two …
Little Elm Beach
Little Elm, TX
SwimmingSandy lake beach on Lewisville Lake with roped swim area and free life jacket loans. Free. Best from …
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve
Plano, TX
HikingFamily-friendly trails and an observation tower in Plano. Free. Works from toddler age. About two …
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge
Bertram, TX
HikingFree federal refuge with birding trails and Junior Rangers. Free. Best from about age 3. About two …
Brushy Creek Regional Trail
Cedar Park, TX
Biking14-mile paved trail with playgrounds connecting Cedar Park and Round Rock. Free. Works from toddler …
Northshore Trail
Flower Mound, TX
Mountain-Biking26 miles of lakeside singletrack mountain biking trails. Free. Better for ages 6 and up. A half-day …
Kimbell Art Museum
Fort Worth, TX
MuseumFree permanent collection in a famous Louis Kahn building in Fort Worth, small enough for a one-hour …
Kathy Seei Park
Frisco, TX
NatureBronze longhorn sculptures and a pond in a compact landscaped park. Free. Works from toddler age. …
Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center
Humble, TX
NatureBoardwalk trails through cypress swamp with free guided canoe trips. Free. Works from toddler age. …
Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge
Sherman, TX
Nature12,000-acre wildlife refuge with kids programs on Lake Texoma. Free. Best from about age 3. A …
Bob Jones Nature Center & Preserve
Southlake, TX
NatureShort easy trails through rare Cross Timbers forest in Southlake. Free. Works from toddler age. …
Cameron Park
Waco, TX
HikingDramatic blufftop trails and hidden grottos above the Brazos River. Free. Best from about age 4. …
New York State Museum
Albany, NY
MuseumFree Albany museum with a full-size mastodon, New York habitat dioramas and a working 1890s carousel …
Kaaterskill Falls Trail
Haines Falls, NY
HikingThe tallest two-tiered waterfall in New York State at 260 feet. Free. Best from about age 5. About …
Cascade Mountain
Keene, NY
HikingThe most popular Adirondack High Peak with stunning 360-degree summit views. Free. Better for ages 7 …
Walkway Over the Hudson
Poughkeepsie, NY
HikingWalk 212 feet above the Hudson River on the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world. Free. …
Kane Mountain Fire Tower
Caroga Lake, NY
HikingQuick and easy fire tower hike perfect for young or beginner hikers. Free. Best from about age 4. …
Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area
Gowanda, NY
HikingWild 600-foot gorge with old-growth forest and deep swimming holes. Free. Better for ages 8 and up. …
Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area
Honeoye, NY
HikingEasy hilltop trails with stunning views over Honeoye Lake and the Finger Lakes. Free. Best from …
Indian Head and Rainbow Falls Trail
Keene Valley, NY
HikingEpic hike past a 150-foot waterfall to the iconic Ausable Lakes cliff-top view. Free. Better for …
Frick Pond Loop Trail
Livingston Manor, NY
HikingPeaceful forest loop to a quiet Catskill pond with lean-tos. Free. Best from about age 4. A half-day …
Vroman's Nose
Middleburgh, NY
HikingShort hike to a cliff-top meadow with sweeping Schoharie Valley views. Free. Best from about age 5. …
Buck Mountain Trail
Pilot Knob, NY
HikingChallenging summit hike with sweeping Lake George views from 2,334 feet. Free. Better for ages 7 and …
Chimney Bluffs State Park
Wolcott, NY
HikingOtherworldly clay spires sculpted by erosion on the shore of Lake Ontario. Free. Best from about age …
Broken Bow Lake
Broken Bow, OK
SwimmingCrystal-clear 14,000-acre mountain lake with calm swimming coves and 180 miles of shoreline. Free. …
Museum of the Red River
Idabel, OK
MuseumIdabel museum forty minutes from Broken Bow with a full mounted Acrocanthosaurus and Native American …
Beaver Lodge Nature Trail
Broken Bow, OK
HikingEasy 2-mile forest loop trail through towering pines in Beavers Bend State Park. Free. Best from …
Cedar Bluff Nature Trail
Broken Bow, OK
HikingEasy 0.8-mile river-view loop across from Dogwood Campground in Beavers Bend State Park - one of …
David Boren Hiking Trail
Broken Bow, OK
HikingPremier 12-mile trail system with lake views and flexible routes in Beavers Bend State Park. Free. …
Forest Heritage Center Museum
Broken Bow, OK
MuseumFree forestry museum inside Beavers Bend State Park with wall murals, logging tools, and dioramas …
Friends Trail Loop
Broken Bow, OK
HikingPopular 1.5-mile family loop with a river waterfall in Beavers Bend State Park. Free. Best from …