Top Free Summer Activities For Kids In South Florida

When the summer arrives, school seems like a distant memory and children are itching for something fun to do. The problem is that fun costs money and if you are a parent on a budget, you need a cost effective way to entertain and educate your children. Cast your worries aside because South Florida has plenty of free activities to delight everyone from toddlers to teens. They can go skating, bowling, biking, to the beach or get an art education and it will cost you nothing. So scan this list carefully for ideas that save the summer and won't skim your wallet.

Bird Bowl
9275 S.W. 40th St.
Miami, FL 33165
(305) 221-1221
www.birdbowl.com

Everyone loves bowling and Bird Bowl is one of Miami's most popular entertainment centers. It houses a gameroom complete with an arcade and billard tables, an onsite restaurant and 60 bowling lanes. Now when you pre-register your child at kidsbowlfree.com https://www.kidsbowlfree.com/center.php?alley_id=699, they can enjoy two free bowling games daily. This special is only available from until September 1, so be sure sign up fast and send your kids to an event that is as cheap as staying at home, but much more fun.

Miami Children's Museum
980 MacArthur Causeway
Miami, FL 33132
(305) 373 -5437
www.miamichildrensmuseum.org

The Miami Children's Museum always has a mountain of activities for children to enjoy, from exploring the ocean in the Sketch Aquarium, the Ocean Odyssey and The Sea and Me exhibits to discovering their artistic side in the All About Art exhibit. On the third Friday of every month, admission is free for everyone from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., so children can explore all the regular exhibits plus experience temporary installations like this summer's Pirate Island. Admission is always free daily for members and children under one. There is also an onsite Subway restaurant if you choose to purchase a meal, making this outing a full day of fun for your child.

Fantasy Theatre Factory
7069 S.W. 47th St.
Miami, FL 33155
(305) 284-8800
www.ftfshows.com

The Fantasy Theater Factory in Miami has managed to delight children for 35 years with plays, shows, workshops and special events. This summer your child can attend a workshop and a show free of charge. Learn about nutrition with Short Chef is a workshop that takes place off-site at the Lauderhill Mall Branch Library on July 11th. It teaches children the importance of healthy eating in an interactive and fun one-hour workshop. There is also a free magic show that takes place off-site as well as other onsite activities. See website calendar for times and locations.

Related: Best Theatre Groups For Kids In South Florida

Hollywood Beach
2600 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, FL 33022
(954) 921-3404
www.hollywoodfl.org

The Hollywood Beach Broadwalk is an open and airy introduction to the sea for your little one. Not only can they play amongst the waves, but they can also walk or bike along the boardwalk. Bikes are available for to rent, but if you want to have a truly free trip, bring your own bikes along for the ride.You can even pack a lunch and have a picnic on the beach instead of purchasing one of the many food options available on the broadwalk. It doesn't get much cheaper than that.

Skatepark At Marathon Community Park
200 36th St.
Marathon, FL 33050
(305) 743-6598
www.marathon.com

Here's an entry for the teens and tweens. The Skatepark at Marathon Community Park is open 7 days a week and caters to skateboarders, inline skaters and freestyle bikers. Admission is free and inside, extreme teens can find a half pipe and rails to practice all of their tricks. The only requirement for entry is that all participants must sign a waiver and comply with all safety regulations before being allowed admittance into the park. Visit the website to print and sign the waiver beforehand.

Related: Best Family Beaches In South Florida

Niema Hulin was born in Newark, NJ but raised in Lexington, South Carolina for the bulk of her formative years. In 2002, she moved to Miami after graduating from the University of Florida. Since then, Niema has worked in film, television and commercials as a Production Assistant and Production Coordinator. Some of her films have included Bad Boys II and I Am Number IV. Her work can be found at .