Beat Summer Boredom and help your family have the Ultimate Summer in Memphis this year by taking advantage of some of these FREE or low cost options to keep the kids busy all summer long.
Kids Bowl FREE
Kids Bowl FREE is a program designed to give local bowling centers a way to give back to the community and provide a safe and fun way for kids to spend the summer. Register your children to receive 2 FREE games of bowling everyday during the summer (valued at over $500 per child). The age limit for children varies by location. Shoe rental is not included.
The following Mid South bowling centers participate in the program. Registration is required. Dates vary by location.
Andy B's Family Entertainment (Bartlett) - May 2 - August 21, 2016 (ages 18 and under)
Billy Hardwick's All Star Lanes (Memphis) - May 1 - August 31, 2016 (ages 15 and under)
Cordova Bowling Center (Cordova) - May 22 - September 10, 2016 (ages 15 and under)
Funquest (Collierville) - May 2 - August 21, 2016 (ages 18 and under)
Winchester Bowl (Memphis) - May 15 - August 7, 2016 (ages 18 and under)
Kids Skate FREE
Get the kids moving this summer by participating in Kids Skate Free. Kids Skate FREE is a program for kids 12 and under to receive 2 weekly skate passes for FREE at participating locations. Registration is required and passes will be emailed to parents weekly. Passes are only good for certain times of the week and vary by location.
Cordova Skate Center
East End Skating Center
Skateland Raleigh
FREE Summer Camps (Deadlines in May)
For the first time ever, Memphis Libraries are hosted several FREE summer camps for teens.
FREE - Explore Memphis 2016 (June 1 - July 31, 2016)
Explore Memphis is a great way to keep the whole family entertained all summer through the Memphis Library. Library card holders can enjoy fun programs and FREE stuff by showing their library card at participating sponsors. Also, there are several FREE Kickoff events at local libraries, find out more info, here.
- Dixon Gallery and Gardens (FREE admission 6 days a week, closed Mondays)
- Withers Collection Museum and Gallery (FREE admission)
- National Civil Rights Museum (FREE souvenir while supplies last)
- Stax Museum (FREE water bottle while supplies last)
- Incredible Pizza (FREE gift with admission while supplies last)
- Metal Museum (FREE book while supplies last with admission)
- Shelby County Schools (track summer reading using this calendar to turn in for a special reward in August)
FREE Outdoor Movies
Several business and municipalities show FREE outdoor movies for the community to enjoy. Bring a chair, blanket and mosquito repellent and enjoy!
Collierville Movie Night at Carriage Crossing (May 6 - September 23)
Olive Branch Old Towne - Wesson House (Every Friday night in June)
Horn Lake Outdoor Movies at Latimer Lakes Park (June 4 & 18, July 9 & 23, Aug 20)
(Indoor) Cordova Library (June 11th at 11 am)
Olive Branch Old Towne - Wesson House (Every Friday night in June)
Horn Lake Outdoor Movies at Latimer Lakes Park (June 4 & 18, July 9 & 23, Aug 20)
(Indoor) Cordova Library (June 11th at 11 am)
St Elisabeth Episcopal Church (June 24)
Beale Street Landing Movie Nights (Tuesdays, June 14 - July 26)
Beale Street Landing Movie Nights (Tuesdays, June 14 - July 26)
FREE Pink Palace Museum & Lichterman Nature Center Summer Membership
The Pink Palace Family of Museums is offering a FREE 90 day Summer trial family memberships for 2 adults and up to 10 related children (children, foster children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews). This does not include groups, churches or camps. You must sign up in the month of May and the membership is good for 90 days from sign up. The trial membership allows unlimited visits to the Pink Palace Museum, Lichterman Nature Center and Mallory-Neely House. It also includes $1 discount on tickets to Star Shows and 10% discount in the museum store and the Bella Cafe.
FREE Brooks Museum - Wacky Wednesdays
Wacky Wednesdays at the Brooks Museum is FREE this summer. Wacky Wednesday is an open artwork studio, gallery guides and children's international short film every Wednesday in the months of June and July.
FREE Summer Reading Program w/Prizes
The Germantown Community Library is hosting a Summer Reading Program for children ages 0-18, May 28 - July 31, 2016. Stop by the library to sign up and receive information, calendar, and reading log. Once a child meets various benchmarks (1, 5, 10 or 20 hours of reading) they will receive FREE prizes / giftcards. No library card required.
FREE Guided Nature Hikes
910 Riddick Road, Millington, TN 38053
901-876-5215
Every Saturday at 10:00 am, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, you can enjoy a FREE 1.5 mile hike at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park. A naturalist will give information on native flora and fauna, natural history, conservation and more. Meet at the Visitor's Center.
FREE Kids Camp
Carriage Crossing in Collierville is hosting a FREE Kids Camp on Tuesdays in June, from 9 - 10:30, am at the Children's Park across from Milano's Pizza. All activities are FREE and available for kids ages 4-8 and light snack are also provided.
$2 Malco Movies Kids Summer Film Fest
Participating Malco Movie Theaters will show $2 kids movies on Tuesdays on Wednesday at 10:00 am from June 7 - July 27, 2016.
- June 7 & 8 - The Croods
- June 14 & 15 - The Peanuts Movie
- June 21 & 22 - Alvin & the Chipmunks Road Chip
- June 28 & 29 - Home
- July 5 & 6 - Penguins
- July 12 & 13 - Horton Hears a Who!
- July 19 & 20 - Turbo
- July 26 & 27 - Night at the Museum - Secret Tombs
FREE Dixon Gallery & Gardens
Explore art and beautiful gardens at the Dixon Gallery & Gardens. Admission is FREE on Saturdays from 10 am - noon. Tuesdays are a pay-what-you-wish day for patrons. Children 6 and under are always FREE as are Educators with ID. During the summer, Memphis library card holders receive FREE admission everyday. They offer children's workshops on various days of the week FREE for members and usually $8 for non members. Don't forget about Food Truck Fridays from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm, April through September.
FREE Admission to Rock & Soul Museum
191 Beale Street & Hwy 61, Memphis, TN 38103
901-205-2533
Admission is always FREE for Shelby County residents on Tuesdays. Proof of residency is required. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
FREE Admission to Memphis Zoo
Admission is always FREE to Tennessee Residents on Tuesdays from 2 pm - close. Children 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult 21 or older. Adults 21 and older may accompany up to five children age2 16 and under. $5 per vehicle parking fee still apply.
FREE Storytimes and Crafts
There are lots of great options for kids in the Mid South to enjoy story time, songs and crafts. See our guide to Story time in the Memphis area.
Earn a FREE Book from Barnes & Noble
Participate in the Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Triathlon and earn a FREE book. Complete the reading journal and bring it into a store by September 6, 2016.
FREE Kids Building Projects and Low Cost Crafts
Both Lowe's and Home Depot offer various FREE kid building projects. Home Depot builds are the first Saturday of each month. Registration is required. Through Michael's Kids Club children can participate in great kids crafting classes for just $2 on Saturdays. View website for class schedule and to reserve a seat.
FREE LEGO Club
The Knowledge Tree hosts FREE Lego club builds at specific locations on Saturdays. Children use imagination to build to a specified theme. Check the calendar to find out which location will be hosting each week.
FREE admission to National Civil Rights Museum
Tennessee residents can visit the National Civil Rights Museum (NCRM) for FREE on Mondays from 3 pm - 5 pm (year round). The NCRM is located at the site Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination and is now museum chronically the entire civil rights history and struggle for equality.
FREE admission to Tipton County Museum, Veterans Memorial & Nature Center
Admission is always FREE at the Tipton County Museum. There are regular educational programs, art classes and more to enjoy.
FREE Mud Island Riverwalk Tours
Everyday, except on Mondays, take an informal walking tour to learn some of this history and interesting facts about the Mississippi River on an exact scale model of the Lower Mississippi River. It includes water that kids can wade and splash in. The walking tour times are 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 3:30 pm. Mud Island also has Pedal Boats available for $5 for 30 minutes. And, there are plenty of areas along the river to have a great family picnic.
Peabody Ducks
Watch the Peabody Ducks march the red carpet in Downtown Memphis. This FREE daily event occurs at 11 am or 5 pm. It's lots of fun for kids.
Kids Eat FREE
View our guide to Kids Eat FREE in the Midsouth to pair a fun family outing with a FREE meal for the kids.
FREE Swimming
The City of Memphis has several outdoor and indoor pools with FREE admission. However, you must obtain a City Access Card in order to enter / swim. These can be obtained from any Memphis Public Library.
FREE Splash Area at Island Play @ Beale Street Landing
Island Play @ Beale Street Landing is an interactive play area on the Mississippi Riverfront in downtown Memphis. There are dancing water fountains that kids can run through, one-of-a-kind stone slide, and a giant catfish for kids to explore. The area is designed for children ages 10 years old and under. Hours are 8 am - 8 pm, or until sunset, whichever time is earlier.
$5 Swimming @ T.O. Fuller State Park
1500 West Mitchell Rd, Memphis, TN 38109
901-543-7581
The T.O. Fuller State Parks swimming pool opens May 27, 2016. The Olympic sized pool has lifeguards on duty. The cost to swim is $5 / persons ages 4 years old and older. The park also has hiking trails, volleyball, picnic areas, camping, playground and basketball court.
Area Playgrounds & Parks
Visit any one of the great parks in the Midsouth for a day of fun play. Find information about great parks for kids below.
Arlington Parks
Bartlett Parks with Playgrounds or Athletic Fields
Collierville ParksGermantown Parks
Horn Lake Parks
Lakeland Parks
Memphis Parks with Play equipment
Millington Parks
Olive Branch Parks
Southaven Parks
Woodland Discovery Playground at Shelby Farms
Ride the Greenline
The Greenline is a 6.5 mile urban trail connecting Midtown Memphis to Shelby Farms Park. Get some exercise, take in the scenery and have fun while you ride. You can ride your own bike or rent one at the corner of Farm Rd and Mullins Station Rd. It's fun for the entire family. To keep up with the latest news and closings due to weather, visit the Shelby Farms Greenline Facebook page.
Storytimes
There are lots of FREE and low cost storytimes happening in and around the Memphis area year round. Please see our guide to storytime. All storytimes are subject to change (especially during the summer), please call before arriving to confirm dates and times.
Bartlett Recreational Center Summer Membership
If you want to enjoy some great summer classes, basketball, walking trail, swim or let the kids get wet at the splash pad, you can join the Bartlett Rec Center for 3 months. The 3 month membership is available to both residents and non residents. Memberships are good for 3 months from purchase date.
Connect with Ultimate Kids Midsouth
Don't miss exciting events for kids around the Memphis area by following Ultimate Kids Midsouth on Twitter @ultimate_kids for Like us on Facebook.
Connect with Ultimate Kids Midsouth
Don't miss exciting events for kids around the Memphis area by following Ultimate Kids Midsouth on Twitter @ultimate_kids for Like us on Facebook.
