Free and Other Things to do this Summer with Kids in Tucson
In 2018, a City bond worth over 200 milllion dollars was passed to improve the Tucson Parks and Rec department over the next 10 years. See what's new including free swim for kids and a summer youth pass including the Sun Transit for only $35. Check out City of Tucson Parks and Rec here. Most pools open for the summer Memorial Weekend.
We update this page often. Check back.
As school gets out for the summer, we see more and more people searching for suitable things to do with their kids this summer in Tucson. Although you can find many ideas on our popular page Things to do with Kids, we have compiled a list of free or almost free things to do with kids in Tucson. The list is only as limitless as your imagination, but give these a try. We will be adding more free things to do with kids, so come back often.
First try our Calendar. Type in KIDS or Free under the FIND EVENTS arrow. You can also put in dates and locations you are interested in. Here are some of the things we found along the way.
Pima County Recreational Resources
• Brandi Fenton Memorial Park has a splash pad, dog park, reservable picnic ramadas with grills. It is located at Alvernon and River Rds.
• Arts and Pottery Classes for Tots, Youths and Teens.
• Firearms Safety Classes for all.
Try going out at sunset to the Campbell Street bridge or the Pantano Wash bridge and watch the Bats come out from under the bridge. Amazing. Take a picnic.
Bookmans, Tucson's iconic used bookstore, always has several free events for going on. Many for kids. Storytimes, music venues, crafts and more.
Bookmans has also published an article on the 5 Best Skateparks in Tucson, most of them open and ligihted after dark, making it perfect for summer.
Add to the list at Bookmans Sports Exchange, Exercise programs for the tots.
Every First Saturday at Valley of the MOon is Free. Each Saturday features a different theme. Visit the website for Valley of the MOon here. This is for the very young and young at heart. 3rd Sundays is $5. Valley of the Moon has recently been added to the Registry of History places.
Tucson Museum of Art
Summer 2019 - The second Sunday of every month is Family Daze. Free admission at the Tucson Museum of Art.
Nearly Free
Children's Museum
Make it Mondays! Through September 2, 2019. $3 admission.
Also the 3rd of Every month is $3 admission.
In Oro Valley Wee Play is almost every day! First and 3rd Tuesdays are only $2 admission.
Swimming Pools and Splash Pads
Swim Season begins Memorial Weekend.
• Wade McLean Pool and Splash Pad - Marana. $1.00-3.00. See Website for times and location. Time to get the kids swimming lessons! Our daughter took her kids here one summer and said it was great and not as crowded as most.
• Pima County operates several pools in the area. They are all $1.00 general admission, $.50 for those that meet the low income standard. See further information on the Pima County website.
• Oro Valley Aquatics Center is open year round.
If you are going to visit the various attractions in Tucson this summer, purchase a Passport to Fun from the Attractions Alliance. Most of the attractions are 2 for 1. For a list of attractions in the Passport see the website here.
This article has been KID APPROVED. For more interesting ideas of Things to do with kids, some of them not very expensive, please see our page, "Things to do in Tucson with KIDS"