Things to Do With Kids This Weekend
The best memories are often free. Here are easy weekend ideas, plus a free finder that shows parks, playgrounds, libraries and museums near you, or wherever you're traveling.
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Free ideas
- A new park. Pick one you've never tried. Kids love a new playground.
- Library story time. Most libraries run free weekend events. Get them a card while you're there.
- Nature walk scavenger hunt. A pinecone, a smooth rock, something red, a bird.
- Bike or scooter ride. A loop around the neighborhood counts.
- Backyard or living-room campout. Blankets, flashlights, stories.
- Cook together. Pancakes on Saturday morning. Let them crack the eggs.
- Build something. A cardboard fort, a birdhouse, a paper airplane contest.
- A local game. High school football and basketball games cost little and feel big to a kid.
Cheap but worth it
- Free museum days. Many museums have a free day or free kids' hours. Check their website.
- Fishing. Many states have free fishing days, and kids often fish free. Check your state's rules.
- Bowling or skating. Look for family deals in the morning.
- A picnic. Sandwiches taste better outside.
Rainy day
- Board games or a card game tournament with a prize (they pick dinner).
- A movie marathon with a homemade snack bar.
- Draw a comic book together, one page each.
- Play a free family game together at DMF Games.
If you're apart this weekend
Not every weekend is your weekend, and some dads are fighting just to get time. Your love still counts. If you can, read a book together over a video call, or start a drawing they can finish next time. Or write them a letter in the free Message Vault for the day they're ready to read it.
Plan ahead
The free Custody Calendar shows whose weekend is next, holidays included, so you can plan something good for your time.
Common questions
Does the finder save my location?
No. Your location is only used on your phone. It's not saved or sent to DMF. See our privacy policy.
Where do the places come from?
OpenStreetMap, a free community map. A few small spots may be missing, so check hours and prices before you go.
More free tools
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