Free and Cheap Things to do This Summer 2023

Summer is here! My favorite time of the year, I think I say that about a few other times of the year too. I really do love Summer, I love having my kids home, and not hurrying out of the house in the morning. I love pool days and beach days, I try to fit in as many as I can. 

As much as we enjoy Summer, I also know it can be an expensive time of the year. With the kids home, they are eating and snacking a lot more, I have four growing boys who can pack it away. Then you throw in some vacation days and road trips and the budget sure can feel it. 

I am always looking for great deals and ways to have fun without breaking the bank. Be sure to follow me on social media because I share more frequently on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Here are some FREE and cheap things you can do with your family this Summer. 

Summer Movie Deals

You may already know about the dollar day deals some of the theaters do like the Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse and the Regal Summer Movie Express. If you live in the Sacramento area, did you know the Country Club Cinema does $5 Tuesday, and they include the NEW movies.  This movie theater also gives you a popcorn refill when you buy a large popcorn. The Roseville Galleria Mall Cinemark has Tuesday Discount Day for $5.75.

We don't mind going to a few of the dollar movie deals, but they are movies we most likely have already seen. This was great when my kids were much younger, but now that they are older they don't really like doing this unless we are needing a place to escape the summer heat and major boredom. 

The Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse runs June 19th through August 10th. They show select movies on Wednesdays at 9:30 AM for $1.50. You can see if there is a participating theatre near you click here. If you are in the Sacramento area, I only see the Rocklin Blue Oaks Century, the Folsom Century, and the Century Laguna in Elk Grove on the list. When I clicked on one of the movie titles times came up for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and the three theatres near us. 

They will be showing Minions: The Rise of Gru (June 21st), Sonic The Hedgehog (June 28th), Mummies (July 5th), The Bad Guys (July 12th), Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank (July 19th), DC League of Super-Pets (July 26th), Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (August 2nd), and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (August 9th).

The Regal Summer Movie Express runs May 23rd through September 6th. They show select movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for $2. Showtimes vary depending on the theatre near you. If you are in the Sacramento area, the Regal UA Olympus Point in Roseville on Sunrise plays these at 11:30 AM and the Natomas Theatre on Truxel plays these at 10:20 AM. El Dorado looks like Noon, Delta Shores 9:50 AM, Laguna Noon, and Auburn 11 AM. These times may change so be sure to look online at the select movie you'd like to view. 

They will be showing two movie options each week Puss in Boots and Captain Underpants (June 6-7), Sing and The SpongeBob: Sponge Out of Water Movie (June 13-14), Minions: The Rise of Gru and 9The SpongeBob Square Pants Movie (June 20-21), Sonic The Hedgehog and Dora and the Lost City of Gold (June 27-28), Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and Clifford the Big Red Dog (July 4-5), Sonic The Hedgehog 2 and The Paw Patrol (July 11-12), The Bad Guys and Playing with Fire (July 18-19), Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank and Sing 2 (July 25-26), The Boss Baby: Family Business and Dolittle (August 1-2), Kung Fu Panda 3 and Curious George (August 8-9), Minions and How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (August 15-16), Shrek and Kung Fu Panda (August 22-23), Trolls World Tour and Despicable Me (August 29-30), and Despicable Me 3 and Spirit Untamed (September 5-6).

Visit a State Park for FREE by using your library card to check out a free CA State Parks vehicle day-use pass. It is a hangtag you hang on your rearview mirror. The pass is valid for entry of one passenger vehicle with a capacity of nine people or less. You can read more about this program here. There are so many passes available at select libraries, so be sure to call or check with your local library the next time you are checking out books. 

Speaking about the library, visiting your local library is a great free option for summer fun. Many of our local libraries put on free story times as well as other craft events. They often have a bulletin board with free local events posted. They are a great resource.

Barnes & Noble has a Summer Reading Program for kids. Participation is a fun and easy way for kids to earn free books. They simply read a designated number of books – library books, books borrowed from friends or books bought at Barnes & Noble – write about their favorite part on the Barnes and Noble Reading Journal, you can print it out here. and bring a completed Reading Journal to a Barnes & Noble bookstore. Children then choose their free book from the books listed on the Reading Journal and collect their free book from a store near them during July and August. 

You can bowl for free all summer long with the Kids Bowl Free Program. More than 1,500 bowling centers around the globe provide 2 FREE Games of bowling each day to kids during the Spring and Summer. This program is designed by bowling centers to give back to the community and provide a safe, secure, and fun way for kids to spend time this summer. All you have to do is go to the KidsBowlFree website and register to participate. You will need to pay to rent your bowling shoes, but this is a great indoor activity on the cheap. 

If you are in the Sacramento area, Country Club Lanes participates as well as Steve Cook's Fireside Lanes in Citrus Heights and Foothills Bowl in Auburn.

You can skate for free all summer long with the Kids Skate Free Program. Similar to the bowl for free program, there are select skating rinks that are participating. Visit the Kids Skate Free website to find a participating skating rink near you and to register to participate. 

If you are in the Sacramento area, Sunrise Rollerland in Citrus Heights is participating for children 12 years old and younger. A skate rental is $4. Kids Skate Free Hours here are Mondays 7 PM to 9:15 PM and Thursdays and Fridays, 4 PM to 6 PM. The Rink on Bradshaw is also participating, available for children 12 years and younger and their Skate Free Hours are Wednesdays  5 PM to 9 PM.

Visit your local trails. We love the Johnny Cash Trail in Folsom. Some other local ones are the Sculpture Park in Roseville, Veterans Memorial Park in Roseville, William Land Park, UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden, Downtown Sacramento State Capitol Rose Garden, Quarry Park in Rocklin, Lake Natoma, Folsom Lake and there are plenty more. If you are looking for a trail near you, TrailLink is a great resource.  

Museums for All is a program that offers free or low-cost admission to local museums for those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits). At select museums, this is available by simply presenting your EBT card and photo ID. You can see if there is a participating Museum near you here. 

Jelly Belly Factory

The Jelly Belly Factory is a fun tour to do with kids.  Adults are $7 and Kids are $3 for a self-guided tour that allows you to explore the ¼ mile journey above the factory at your own pace.  The Jelly Belly Factory is located in Fairfield halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento off I-80 and Highway 12.  For more information click here.

Train Rides at the Fountains in Roseville

The Fountains is a beautiful shopping center that also has a toddler playground and splash pad. Train Rides are daily from 11 AM to 5 PM and cost $3 per child and I think parents ride free with children 2 and under.  For more info visit The Fountains website.

Summer Concerts at the Fountains. The Fountains at Roseville is bringing FREE Summer Concerts to the Courtyard every Friday in June from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM. The line up is Groove Thang (June 9), Heavy Petty (June 16), Byrds of a Feather (June 23), and Cash Prophets (June 30).

The Folsom Zoo Sanctuary

The Folsom Zoo is a smaller zoo, we love it because it is budget friendly with $7 admission (2 and under are free). They also have a train nearby that is available for a small fee.  To purchase tickets for the Zoo visit FolsomZoo.

DOCO and Old Sacramento

Walking around the Downtown Commons on K Street near the Golden 1 Center is another family-friendly idea, many times they have events and outdoor games available.  Old Sacramento is another one we love to pack a picnic lunch, walk along the river, visit Candy Heaven and Danny's Mini Donuts of course, and enjoy Old Sacramento, they have the Ferris Wheel and Carrousel available. 

Of course, there are local parks and local spray grounds/splash pads. Many retail stores offer free craft days. You can check out Lowe's DIY Workshops here. Home Depot also has free Kids Project Days, you can check those out here. JC Penney has a free kids craft workshop too, check them out here. 

I would like to encourage both you and even myself, that it is okay just to hang out at home. We live in a day where we are all so busy, our kids included. I think it is good to let our kids get bored and find things to do around the house on their own. I am an 80's baby and often tell my kids, we did none of the fun things they get to do all year long. We played in the backyard, ran through the sprinklers and on the slip-n-slide, rode our bikes, and walked to the park, that was our summers. 

While I am grateful that we can take our kids to theme parks, local events, and so many activities, it is also nice to just relax at home. My hat goes off to you working moms, I only work part-time during the school year, I know many of you are trying to also manage either working from home or managing child care so give yourself a break and don't think there has to be something amazing going on every week. Summer break is so short, we get two months off, and I do not want to spend the entire two months running around just as busy as we are during the school year. Sit down as a family and plan out some fun things to do even if it is camping in the living room or a family movie night or game night. Summer break doesn't have to be elaborate, it really is about spending time together and enjoying the break. 

Thank you for reading if you've enjoyed the content you've read above please share with your friends.