Family Fun Outside the Home

(updated 7/7/26)

Whether you are looking for things to do (outside the house) with your kids and grandkids on the weekends or during school breaks or summers, here are the two best places to start:

∞ Kids’ websites for your town. Do a Google search for your town name and “kids”. (For St. Louis, check out Kids Out and About and Fun 4 STL Kids)

∞ Your local tourism website. They will often list upcoming events, favorite attractions and sporting events. (For St. Louis, visit Explore St. Louis.)

NOT DATE-SPECIFIC:

If you have a specific type of place in mind, check out these category listings:

∞ Zoos and animal attractions – Check out this listing of zoos around the country: Association of Zoos & Aquariums.

∞ Museums – You can save a lot by purchasing a year-round membership. Many museums offer special family programs with hands-on activities and projects, special tours, and more. Check out the following links for national directories of museums:

∞ Factory tours – Check out this website for information on tours near you: USA Factory Tours

∞ Libraries and Bookstores– See if they have any special events going on or just go browse with your kids. Many offer storytimes, special summer events, family events, and speakers.

∞ Bowling and Skating – Sign up for email coupons from your local bowling alleys, roller-skating centers, and ice skating rinks.

∞ Indoor Playgrounds – These have many different names. Do a Google search for your city and indoor playground or indoor play centers and you will come up with many options. These can be more expensive than other excursions, though. (Check out this list of St. Louis choices from Kids Out and About.)

∞ Parks – Take a hike or bike ride, play on the playground, get wet in a splashground, have a picnic, or visit the historical sites at any of your local parks. Check your:

If you are specifically looking for trails, check out AllTrails for a searchable map of outdoor trails for hiking, biking, and backpacking. For St. Louis trails, check out these two great articles:

∞ Nature centers or conservation areas – Check your state conservation department website for places to visit.  Many include hiking, exhibits and displays, tours, shows, fishing, nature viewing, and more! For Missouri: Check out the Find Places to Go section of the Missouri Department of Conservation’s website.

∞ Geocaching – While you are at one of the above parks, trails, conservation areas, etc. you can also geocache. This involves using your phone to search for hidden treasures! Check out this site to get details.

∞ Gardens – Visit a local garden. Our Missouri Botanical Garden has many special events, a children’s playground, a Climatron and much more. To find a garden in your area, check out the American Horticultural Society’s directory.

∞ Pick-your-own farms – Visit a local farm to pick your own produce. For comprehensive listings for specific states, click on Pickyourown.org.

∞ Historic landmarks – Visit a national historic landmark close by.

∞ Swimming – Check out the indoor or outdoor pools in your area. Often municipalities have one at their community centers or look for a YMCA, YWCA, or Jewish Community Center.

∞ Ride your local subway or Metrolink. My boys love to ride our local Metrolink and go downtown. They then might visit a park or library that we don’t usually go to.

∞ Go on a day trip. There are many places to visit just an hour or two away from home. Check out these sites for places close to St. Louis:

∞ Go camping – There are many campsites that are free or charge a nominal fee to use their space. Check out these tips:

∞ Take a family vacation – If you are planning a trip with your family, check out this great website: Trippo Hippo.

DATE-SPECIFIC:

∞ Art classes or craft workshops at a local art store or art center. Some museums also offer Family Days and Workshops. Lakeshore Learning Materials has stores in 30 states.

∞ Fairs, Festivals and Art Shows – Check your local tourism bureau or newspaper website for local happenings. Check out the Fairs and Festivals website for listings for your state. In April look for your local Earth Day Fair. See my post What are you doing for Earth Day?

∞ Symphony or family show – Check out a local event in the park, family symphony program, or family-friendly theatre show. Your local newspaper or tourism website will likely have listings. (St. Louis Theatre: Family Shows or search for family shows in your city.)

∞ Sporting Events – Check your local newspaper website for a listing of upcoming events (pro and amateur). For St. Louis, check out Explore St. Louis for many listings. Also, see this article on Free Professional Sports Teams Kids Clubs.

∞ Movies – Find out if your local theater offers a rewards program. AMC Theaters offers AMC Stubs. We also have a local theater that offers $1 tickets. Fathom Events also brings a variety of content to movie theaters including classic movies, concerts, opera, and more.

∞ Free family workshops –

The Home Depot and Lowe’s offer free kids’ workshops. However, they are held on Saturdays (which doesn’t work for those of us who keep Shabbos).

FOR COUPONS AND MORE IDEAS:

∞ Local newspaper website. Check to see if your local newspaper has a Summer Fun Guide.

∞ AAA membership – Check your membership account to see their savings on many attractions and movies.

∞ Sign up for a deal site. Be sure you select your city so you can receive local offers for amusements and other things to do. * See my post Are “deal-a-day” sites a good deal?

∞ Your local kids’ magazine – These are often given out free at libraries and doctor’s office. Google your town name and “kids magazine” to see if your town has one.

* For more family fun ideas, check out my past Summer blog posts.

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