We got the List up for Fun and Free Things to Do this Summer. Free in-store events and summer concert series to discounted theme parks tickets and summer activities. Hope you can find one that suits you. Head outdoors and get tons of Vitamin D, just don’t forget your sunblock.
I’ll add more fun things to do if something new comes up so do visit again. Let us know if you guys have anything to add. Let’s all have fun this summer. If you have a favorite on the list, let us know.
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FUN, CHEAP, AND FREE THINGS TO DO THIS SUMMER:
In-store Events
- Attend the Disney Store’s Incredibles 2 in-store event. Get a free mask for attending. FREE.
- Watch out for Junior Chef Classes listing. Event includes tastings. FREE.
- LEGO Mini Build at LEGO stores. FREE.
- Weekly Storytime at Pottery Barn Kids every Tuesday at 11AM. FREE.
- Crafts for Kids every Saturday at Lakeshore Learning. 3 and up. FREE.
- Interactive science demonstrations, enjoy a fun Moon Phase craft, and take home a special doll tee (while supplies last) at American Girl Store. Check your store location for event. FREE.
- Earn a FREE Book at Barnes and Noble Summer Reading for Kids. FREE.
- Apple Store’s Apple Camp. Kids can explore coding and robotics, moviemaking, or musical storytelling. FREE.
Free Things to do this Summer
- Skate for Free at your nearby skating rink. Check locations here. Various Cities. FREE.
- Kids get to Bowl for Free this Summer. FREE.
- Visit a Splash Pad near you. FREE.
FREE or $1 Summer Movies 2018:
- $1 Movie for 9 weeks. 2 Movies a week at the Regal Summer $1 Movies. Various cities.
- $5 for 10 Movies or $1 Summer Movies at Cinemark. Various Cities.
- Summer Movie Camp. 9 Movies for 9 weeks. Palm Desert. FREE.
Outdoor Movies:
- Live band, an outdoor movie and food trucks all in one night. Check “Eat, See, Hear” or Street Food Cinema. COMP – $7.
- Movies on the Lawn at OC Great Park. Irvine. FREE.
- Beachfront Cinema. Huntington Beach. $10 Discount Tickets.
- Free Family Movie Nights every Friday in June. Redondo Beach. FREE.
- Free Family Movie Nights. Paddington 2, Peter Rabbit, Wonder Woman. Redondo Beach. FREE.
- Disneyland Resort Free Summer Movie Nights. 6 movies. Anaheim. FREE.
- Summer Movies at South Coast Botanic Garden. $5 Discount Tickets.
Shows and Family Activities:
- Pirate’s Dinner Adventure. $26 Discount Tickets.
- Museum of Illusions. $20 Discount Tickets.
- Disney’s Newsies Musical. $27 Discount Tickets.
- Long Beach Comic Con. $12.59 Discount Tickets.
- Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Musical. $25 Discount Tickets.
- The Magic of Adam Trent. $49 Discount Tickets.
- KIDZ BOP Live. $30 Discount Tickets for LA Show. $22 Discount Tickets for Anaheim Show.
- Merlin’s Magic Dinner Show. $19.99 Discount Tickets.
Summer Concert Series:
- Take in the ocean breeze with the Summer of Music Free Concerts on the Pier. July 5 – August 30. Redondo Beach. FREE.
- Free Summer Concerts at Fisherman’s Village. Marina Del Rey. FREE.
- Off the 405: Enjoy the annual summer concert series at The Getty Center. FREE.
- Sunset Concerts at The Skirball. FREE.
Theme Parks:
- Visit Knott’s Berry Farm this Summer. $42 Discount Tickets.
- Water Park: $26.50 at Wet n’ Wild Palm Springs
- Water Park: $34 at Soak City in Buena Park
- Water Park: $27.99 in Raging Waters San Dimas.
Fairs & Food Festivals:
- Santa Monica Pier 360. Paddleboard races with beach Festival featuring live music, Polynesian dancing, food, and a one of-a-kind Museum of Beach Culture, featuring surf & skate history from the past 100 years! Family Friendly. FREE.
- San Diego County Fair. $19 Discount Tickets.
- Long Beach Crawfish Festival. $7 Discount Tickets.
- Long Beach Lobster Festival. $7 Discount Tickets.
- Long Beach BBQ Festival. $7 Discount Tickets.
- Enjoy Kid friendly activities and rides at the Oxnard Salsa Festival. FREE entry.
- San Diego International Beer Festival. $39 Discount Ticket.
- Renaissance Festival. Eastvale. $7.50 Discount Tickets.
- Mac & Cheese, Beer and Bands Festival. Los Angeles. $25 Discount Tickets.
- Tequila & Taco Music Festival. Ventura. $15 Discount Tickets.
Watch Fireworks:
- Independence Day Fireworks. Redondo Beach. FREE.
- Fireworks aboard the Queen Mary. 4th of July Party. $25 Discount Tickets.
- Mariachi Festival with Fireworks at the Hollywood Bowl. $22 Discount Ticket.
- Summer Kayak Fireworks Tour. San Diego. $39 Discount Tickets.
Zoo, Museums and Aquariums:
- Visit one or visit all of the museums during Free Museums Days. Various cities. FREE.
- Touch bamboo sharks and see large sharks such as sandtigers as well as rays during Shark Lagoon Nights. Long Beach. FREE on Fridays 6-9PM. Or visit after 3PM with $9 discount tickets.
- Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise. Newport Beach. FREE – $12 Discount Ticket.
- Tour the USS Iowa. San Pedro. COMP – $11 Discount Tickets.
- Wildlife Learning Center. Sylmar. $5 Discount Tickets.
- King Tut Exhibit at California Science Center. $18.50 Discount Tickets.
- Mission San Juan Capistrano. $4 Discount Tickets.
- Roaring Nights at the LA Zoo. $17 Discount Tickets.
Sports:
- Watch an LA Galaxy Game. $17 Discount Tickets.
FREE Year Round:
- Visit our favorite park overlooking the South Bay and the coast at the Rocketship Park. (new play structures installed) Torrance. FREE.
- Go to the Beach. Check our South Bay Beach Guide to visit beaches like Manhattan Beach & Redondo Beach. Always FREE.
- Stream 1000’s of movies and TV shows with an Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial
. FREE.
Don’t forget to make our refreshing Milo Dinosaur Recipe or Taro Smoothie Recipe.
What a comprehensive list. Will definitely check out story time at pottery barn.
Medieval tournament dinner show is awesome. My family really enjoyed the show.
Knotts berry farm is always a good choice for our family.
Thank you, will have to try some of these over the summer to keep my boys busy.
What an awesome list of fun activities to do on a budget!
Great ideas! We definitely need to hit some of these up before the end of summer!
so many good ideas here – good to get out of the rut and do something different and fun!
Thanks for the list! We will be checking a ton of these out!
Great list!