12 Family‑Friendly Memorial Day Destinations With Free Kid Activities
Memorial Day weekend is a wonderful opportunity to create lasting family memories, and the best part is, you don’t have to spend a fortune to do it!
Across the U.S., many destinations offer free activities that are perfect for keeping kids entertained while honoring our nation’s heroes. Whether you’re into outdoor adventures, historical sites, or festive parades, these 12 amazing spots have something for every family.
Pack up the kids and get ready to celebrate with fun, meaningful, and budget-friendly experiences this Memorial Day weekend!
1. Washington, D.C. – National Mall museums
The nation’s capital transforms into a kid’s paradise during Memorial Day weekend. All Smithsonian museums along the National Mall offer free admission, with special holiday programs designed just for young explorers.
Kids can touch moon rocks at the Air and Space Museum or discover dinosaur fossils at the Natural History Museum. The hands-on exhibits keep curious minds engaged for hours.
Don’t miss the special Memorial Day concert on the Capitol lawn Sunday evening – bring blankets and snacks for a memorable family picnic while honoring our veterans with beautiful music under the stars.
2. San Diego, CA – Balboa Park gardens & playgrounds
Sunshine and free fun await at San Diego’s magnificent Balboa Park over Memorial Day weekend. This urban oasis features 19 stunning gardens where kids can embark on nature scavenger hunts among exotic plants and butterflies.
The park’s multiple playgrounds offer something for every age, from toddler zones to challenging climbing structures for older kids. Free weekend workshops at the Spanish Village Art Center let children create patriotic crafts to take home.
When tummies rumble, spread a blanket under flowering jacaranda trees and enjoy the free Memorial Day concerts performed by local youth orchestras throughout the weekend.
3. St. Louis, MO – City Museum outdoor features
Did you know St. Louis’ City Museum opens its outdoor wonderland free of charge on Memorial Day? This recycled architectural playground transforms everyday objects into extraordinary adventures that spark imagination.
Kids climb through sky-high tunnels made from repurposed airplanes or slide down chutes crafted from industrial materials. The rooftop garden features a school bus dramatically suspended over the edge – brave souls can crawl inside for spectacular city views!
Though indoor exhibits require regular admission, the outdoor spaces provide hours of free exploration. Bring water bottles and sunscreen, as excited children rarely want to leave this one-of-a-kind playground paradise.
4. Boston, MA – Freedom Trail scavenger hunt
Boston’s historic Freedom Trail becomes an exciting adventure playground during Memorial Day weekend. The city offers free downloadable scavenger hunt guides that transform this 2.5-mile brick path into an interactive history lesson kids actually enjoy.
Young patriots search for hidden symbols, count windows on historic buildings, and solve Revolutionary riddles while visiting 16 significant sites. My kids especially loved finding Paul Revere’s grave and counting cannons at Bunker Hill Monument.
If your timing is right, you might catch free reenactments at Boston Common, where costumed performers bring history alive through interactive demonstrations of colonial crafts, cooking, and military drills that fascinate children of all ages.
5. Minneapolis, MN – Como Zoo & Conservatory
Minneapolis offers an incredible free wildlife adventure at Como Zoo and Conservatory during Memorial Day weekend. Though donations are appreciated, admission costs nothing, making this the perfect budget-friendly outing for families with animal-loving kids.
The zoo’s special Memorial Day programs include zookeeper talks where children can learn fascinating animal facts and watch feeding demonstrations. My daughter still talks about watching sea lions catch fish mid-air!
When afternoon heat builds, escape to the magical Marjorie McNeely Conservatory where little ones can participate in free plant identification activities among tropical flowers and ferns. The Japanese garden provides a peaceful spot for parents to relax while kids count koi fish in the serene pond.
6. Chicago, IL – Millennium Park splash pad
Chicago’s Millennium Park becomes splash central during Memorial Day weekend, offering free aquatic fun perfect for hot holiday afternoons. The Crown Fountain’s giant LED faces delight children before surprising them with refreshing water streams from unexpected directions.
Pack towels and water shoes so kids can fully enjoy running through the shallow reflecting pool between the two towering video sculptures. When everyone needs a break from water play, head to the adjacent Maggie Daley Park where free climbing walls and adventure playgrounds await energetic youngsters.
Throughout the weekend, free family concerts at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion introduce children to diverse musical styles in a casual outdoor setting. Bring along snacks and sprawl on the great lawn while little ones dance freely to everything from classical to jazz.
7. San Antonio, TX – River Walk & Missions
San Antonio’s vibrant River Walk hosts special Memorial Day celebrations with free activities that captivate young imaginations. Colorful boats decorated with patriotic bunting offer complimentary mini-tours for families with children under 10 during designated morning hours.
History comes alive at the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, where kids receive free Junior Ranger activity booklets guiding them through these UNESCO World Heritage sites. My son proudly earned his badge by completing scavenger hunts at Mission San José.
Throughout the weekend, local dance groups perform traditional folk dances at various River Walk plazas, inviting children to join in and learn simple steps. The festive atmosphere, complete with street performers and mariachi bands, creates an unforgettable cultural immersion that costs absolutely nothing.
8. Philadelphia, PA – Independence Hall tour
Philadelphia throws open historic doors during Memorial Day weekend with free special tours of Independence Hall designed specifically for families with children. Young history buffs receive “Liberty Detective” badges and clue sheets that transform standard tours into exciting mysteries about America’s founding.
Kids collect stamps at various historic buildings throughout Independence National Historical Park, earning a special commemorative coin once they’ve solved all the revolutionary puzzles. The Liberty Bell Center offers free craft stations where children create patriotic keepsakes while learning about this iconic symbol.
At nearby Franklin Square, the free Once Upon A Nation storytelling benches feature professional storytellers sharing age-appropriate tales about colonial Philadelphia that captivate even the most history-resistant children. Their interactive stories involving audience participation keep fidgety kids engaged while sneakily teaching important historical concepts.
9. Kansas City, MO – Kaleidoscope art studio
Kansas City’s Crown Center hosts an extraordinary free creative experience at Hallmark’s Kaleidoscope art studio during Memorial Day weekend. This magical space provides children with unlimited art supplies – all manufacturing leftovers from Hallmark’s card production – transforming potential waste into wonderful creations.
Young artists experiment with melted crayon art, puzzle piece mosaics, and paper sculpture in themed rooms designed to stimulate different senses. The special Memorial Day sessions include patriotic project ideas using red, white and blue materials.
After creating masterpieces, families can enjoy the Crown Center Square where free outdoor concerts feature family-friendly bands throughout the weekend. The adjacent water plaza with choreographed fountains provides refreshing fun when temperatures rise, allowing kids to dart through unpredictable water jets while parents relax nearby.
10. Atlanta, GA – Centennial Olympic Park
Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park transforms into a family entertainment hub during Memorial Day weekend. The iconic Fountain of Rings becomes the centerpiece of free water fun, with synchronized music-and-light shows four times daily that invite children to splash through 251 water jets.
Special Memorial Day activities include free craft stations where kids create patriotic pinwheels and paper flags while learning about the holiday’s significance. Park rangers lead complimentary guided tours highlighting Olympic history with scavenger hunt elements that keep children engaged.
When evening falls, families gather on the great lawn for free outdoor movies projected on a massive screen. The Memorial Day weekend selections typically feature family-friendly films that celebrate American heroes, with complimentary popcorn for the first 500 children to arrive each night.
11. Denver, CO – Rocky Mountain hiking trails
Denver offers families an incredible natural playground with free access to numerous kid-friendly hiking trails just minutes from downtown. During Memorial Day weekend, the Denver Mountain Parks system hosts special Junior Ranger programs where children earn badges while learning about local wildlife and ecosystems.
Lookout Mountain Park features easy trails with spectacular views that even toddlers can manage. Rangers station themselves along paths to help kids identify wildflowers, spot marmots, and learn tracking skills through interactive games.
At Red Rocks Park, families discover dinosaur footprints along the Trading Post Trail while participating in free geology scavenger hunts. The Memorial Day weekend typically includes special outdoor concerts at the amphitheater where children under 10 enjoy free admission when accompanied by adults for morning performances.
12. Portland, OR – Forest Park nature walks
Portland’s magnificent Forest Park – one of America’s largest urban forests – offers families 80 miles of free trails and special Memorial Day weekend nature programs designed for curious kids. Park naturalists lead complimentary guided walks where children use magnifying glasses to discover tiny forest creatures living in nurse logs.
The Junior Forest Ranger program provides free activity booklets that guide families to specific landmarks while teaching about native plants and wildlife conservation. My kids loved completing the bird identification challenges using the free binocular lending program.
Throughout the weekend, volunteer educators staff discovery stations along popular trails where children can touch owl feathers, examine animal skulls, and create leaf rubbings to take home. The Lower Macleay Trail features a fairy house building area where little ones construct miniature dwellings using only natural materials found in the forest.