How to find free kids events and activities near you
Where free things to do with kids usually come from (libraries, museum free days, national parks and store workshops), the fine print on each, and what to check before you go.
CartRevolt team5 min read
Plenty of good outings for kids cost nothing, but they are spread across library calendars, bank programs, park websites and store event pages. Free also comes with conditions more often than you'd expect: a card you must hold, a sign-up that fills in a day, or a ticket that covers one adult and no children. We've listed where to look and what to check below, as of November 2026.
Start with your public library
Your library is a good first stop. The American Library Association's page for parents lists the kinds of programs libraries run: storytimes, baby and toddler sessions with songs and books, homework help and tutoring, summer reading programs, and hands-on STEM and creative workshops for kids and teens. The ALA also describes libraries as places that offer free books, programs and technology to the public.
What is on offer varies from branch to branch, so the place to look is your own library's events calendar. Read each listing for the age range and whether you need to sign up, rather than just turning up.
Museum free days with a bank card
Bank of America's Museums on Us program gives free general admission at participating museums on the first full weekend of every month. As of November 2026, its page listed November 7 and 8 as this month's weekend. The fine print matters for families:
- It is for Bank of America, Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank credit and debit cardholders.
- Each eligible cardholder gets one general admission. The offer is limited to the cardholder and can't be transferred, so children and other guests may still need tickets.
- You show your card and a government photo ID at the door.
- Special or ticketed exhibitions and fundraising events are not included, and the offer doesn't guarantee entry.
The program's map lists each partner museum. Check the museum's own site for its hours and any visit rules before you go, and look up its price for children so you know what the outing will cost.
National parks fee-free days
The National Park Service sets a few days each year when every park site that normally charges an entrance fee lets visitors in for free. As of November 2026, the last fee-free day listed for the year is November 11, Veterans Day. Two things to know:
- From 2026, the free entry applies to US citizens and residents only.
- Only the entrance fee is waived. Other charges, such as timed entry or reservation fees, may still apply.
Free store workshops
Some big stores run free hands-on workshops for children. Lowe's is one: when it launched its MyLowe's Rewards Kids Club in February 2026, it described free monthly DIY projects for kids, led with help from store staff. A parent or guardian must attend, space is limited, and you register a kids profile and the workshop through Lowes.com/KidsClub or the Lowe's app. At launch, Lowe's expected spots to fill quickly, so it pays to register as soon as a date opens.
Other stores run kids events too, but these change from month to month and can differ from one location to the next. Read the store's own event page for your branch, and treat a post on social media as a lead to check, not a confirmed date.
What to check before you go
- Ages: many sessions are aimed at a set age range.
- How you get in: walk in, register first, or reserve a spot. Note the day registration opens.
- Conditions: a card you need to hold, a membership, or a ticket that covers only one person.
- Extra costs: parking, special exhibits, or materials.
- The time and its time zone, especially for online sign-ups.
- Whether it is sold out or canceled: check again the day before.
Your city's parks and recreation department is worth a look too. Its calendar may list free family events alongside paid classes, and it can tell you which ones need a sign-up.
How the CartRevolt kids calendar helps
CartRevolt's free kids events page gathers these in one place. It opens on what's happening this weekend, then shows a month calendar and the things that run for weeks at a time. You can filter by age group, type, walk in only, no conditions, city and store.
Every listing answers the questions above at a glance: the time with its zone, the ages, how to get in and when registration opens, whether it is sold out or canceled, and any conditions or extra costs. Each one also says how sure we are. Verified on the official site means an editor confirmed it on the organizer's own page; Reported, not yet confirmed means it came from somewhere else and hasn't been checked there yet. You can add any date to your calendar, and Report a change if something is different when you get there.
Sources
Facts here come from these pages, as of November 8, 2026. Stores change their policies, so check the page before you rely on it.