Summer is expensive. A weekend trip out of town can easily break the bank, leaving less room in the budget for the fun things to explore in the city. Summer camps can leave you feeling drained, causing you to look for inexpensive and free things to do in Edmonton with kids. Don’t worry, there’s lots to do in Edmonton, for free, through the summer. We’ve got you covered. Try out some of these activities to have cheap fun in Edmonton.
1. Play at one of the top Spray Parks in Edmonton
2. Cool off and wade at the Legislature grounds
3. Watch the K Days Parade
4. Attend the grand opening of Broadmoor Lake Playground on Canada Day in Sherwood Park
5. Get entertained by the Street Performers at Churchill Square while the kids play in the kids area at the festival
6. Take in an outdoor movie during Movies on the Square
7. Play a giant game of chess during the afternoons of fun downtown
8. Enjoy a pancake breakfast for free to kick of K-days
9. Check out the Art Gallery of Alberta. You can get free admission on the last Thursday of the month from 6-9
10. Visit the City Hall building and people watch while you wade in the water and cool off
11. Head to Whyte Ave for the Pride Festival parade and festivities
12. Take part in a ‘Playground Hop’ and visit the top ten playgrounds in Edmonton
13. Bicycle through Borden Park and have a look at the sculptures and play at one of our favorite playgrounds in the city
14. Get free admission (for kids) to the Saturday Movie at Metro Cinemas
15. Enjoy Free entertainment at the Fringe Festival
16. Get a Free Lego mini build set from the Lego Store
17. Downtown Walking tours are free and available all summer long
18. Browse through Chapters and discover a new children’s book author
19. Take a free Dance class from Ivivva (Sunday mornings, in-store)
20. Join the free computer camps at the Apple Store and Microsoft stores, through the summer (pre-registration required)
21. Play two free bowling games every single day over the summer
22. Take part in the Bonnie Doon Kids Club (toddlers, little kids) on the third Thursday of the month
23. Head out to the Pets in the Park Festival
24. Watch a Dragon boat race
25. Climb the massive slide at Broadmoor Lake Playground in Sherwood Park
26. Watch one of the performances at the Heritage Festival
27. Head over to the University of Alberta Observatory to learn more about the stars
28. Check out the Zipline at the new Dino Park in Leduc (The grand opening is on July 25)
29. Check out the Green Shack programs at a local park – Our favorite is Kinsmen, where there are staff all day to entertain the kids and encourage them to get out and play. Find the full city Green Shack program list, here
30. Head a National Park, where there is free admission on the third Saturday in July to celebrate Parks Day, in Canada
31. Bring the kids on a free guided tour of the Legislature
32. Take the kids to the monthly workshop at the Home Depot and build something to bring home (activities are themed monthly)
33. Listen to the free Disney Fantasia in the Square, by the Winspear Center
34. Get cultured at the Works Art + Design Festival
35. Visit the St. Albert Botanical Park
36. Go to the Historic Festival in Edmonton
37. Get introduced to Caribbean Culture at Cariwest
38. Take a free Light Saber Training class (there are kids sessions and adult sessions)
39. Take part in Family Nature Nights in Edmonton, two hour long events in July and August where families can come out, learn something new and have fun.
40. Go on a sustainable walking tour offered through the University of Alberta
41. Make a temporary tattoo stand. Grab some tattoos, set up like a lemonade stand and offer a little bit of summer to passerbys with a free tattoo
42. Check out the free weekly classes at Michaels stores where kids can create something to bring home (some classes are $2).
43. Search for the Swing under the Capilano Footbridge during a walk through the River Valley and have a quick swing.