What’s inside: a HUGE collection of free kids activities for a summer full of adventure! Sponsored by Radio Flyer.
Summer is the time of year that many families travel, but what if you’re on a budget? Or those summers where life gets in the way of vacation?
You can still enjoy a summer to remember, full of exciting adventures — all without leaving your hometown!
To celebrate their 100th anniversary, Radio Flyer created the first ever kids travel agency: Radio Flyer Adventure Travel. Kids are encouraged to go out and adventure to anywhere their imagination will take them!
We’re excited to join Radio Flyer’s 100 Days of Summer challenge, and below are some of the activities we have planned. There are literally hundreds of free or low-cost ideas for the whole family, so your only limitation is time!
Our 10 Favorite Free Kids Activities
Free museum or zoo day — Did you know that many museums and/or zoos offer free or reduced-cost admission on a regular basis? Some of ours do it once a month or even once a week! Check with you local museums or zoo for their schedule and ask about free kids admission days.
Find a local summer camp — Churches and community centers are a good place to look for free or low-cost summer camps for kids. Craft stores also routinely offer complimentary or budget-friendly activity classes for kids (and grown-ups).
Library summer reading program — Beat the heat with a good book! Your town’s library may offer special summer activities for kids. It’s the perfect way to beat “summer slide” too!
Backyard movie night — You don’t have to own a fancy projector to create your own backyard movie theater! Try clever trick to turn your phone into a project! You can even make themed snacks to go along with your favorite flicks, like this Moana Fruit Punch recipe from In the Kids Kitchen.
Bubble party — Break out the baby pool and make giant bubbles with this awesome recipe from I Can Teach My Child. Or try this wild “rainbow bubble snake” blower from Housing a Forest!
Make your own summer camp at home — Growing up, a friend and I ran our own summer camp for the neighborhood kids, and it was a blast! You can do the same for your kids, and the possibilities are endless. These handy printables from Sunny Day Family can help get you started. Or check out this free 12 week Summer Camp activity series hosted by Wunder-Mom.
Scavenger hunt — Create your own scavenger hunt in your backyard, or take it to the neighborhood park for even more excitement. Check out this free printable playground scavenger hunt from Edventures with Kids for ideas.
Driveway bowling — Set up “pins” on a flat surface using recycled water bottles…then knock ’em down!
Shadow art — Use sidewalk chalk to take turns tracing each other’s shadow. Then decorate! See how it’s done here.
Wagon ride — I think I’m just as excited (if not more) about our new Radio Flyer 3-in-1 EZ Fold Wagon as the girls! We take ours everywhere: the park, around the neighborhood, to the soccer field. It folds up for easy storage, so we can pop it in the trunk for easy travel.
Radio Flyer is the leading builder of kids wagons,wagons, tricycles, pre-school scooters and other ride-ons. My brother, sister, and I shared two Radio Flyer wagons growing up and I still own one of them. I have the funniest memories of our own childhood adventures involving rolling down the steep street next to our house and other things we probably shouldn’t have done.
As cool as I thought my own wagon was, can I just say that the new Radio Flyer wagons are out-of-this-world awesome?! I would have gone wild over this thing as a kid! Our wagon has a canopy (a must for sweltering Texas summers), two cupholders, a storage pocket, adjustable handle, and a zip-down side for easy access or to turn into bench seating.
Keep reading to find out how you can enter to win a $100 Radio Flyer gift card so you can pick one of your own!
More Free Kids Activities
- Go on a picnic
- Try birdwatching
- Take a hike
- Build towers with pencils
- Skipping stones
- Hopscotch tournament
- Make recycled crayons in a simple solar oven
- Volunteer
- Go for a walk
- Play foot golf with soccer balls
- Create a summer bucket list
- Make ice cream in a bag
- Build an obstacle course
- Climb a tree
- Dress up in costumes
- Hide and seek
- Imaginative play
- Celebrate one of these 105 unique holidays
- Go on a “bug hunt“
- Craft tin can lanterns
- Make a water bottle lava lamp
- Get creative with ice painting
- Run an “ice cream” cone race
- Create an “adventure kit”
Our adventure kit must-haves: bug spray, sunscreen, water, towel, and bubbles! Visit the Radio Flyer Travel Agency for more ideas for your summertime adventures, plus what to pack in your adventure kit.
175+ Free Kids Activities in Major Cities
30+ Free Activities for Kids in New York City
20 Free or Cheap Things to do with Kids in Chicago
10 Free Things to Do with Kids in Los Angeles (That Grown-Ups Will Love Too)
Free Things to Do with Kids in Houston
12 Things to Do with Kids in Dallas (5 Are Free!)
50 Free Things to Do with Kids this Summer in Boston
Free Things to Do with Kids in Miami
15 Free Things to Do in St. Louis
35 Free and Cheap Things to Do in Portland with Kids
100 Free and Almost Free Things to Do in Washington, DC
Plan Your Adventure and Enter to Win a $100 Radio Flyer Gift Card
I’m thrilled to partner with Radio Flyer to giveaway a $100 Radio Flyer gift card to one lucky reader!
To enter, share your real-life adventures with your own Radio Flyer (or your dream adventure if you won the prize) either on Instagram or Facebook (be sure to use the tag #radioflyer100) then enter your email address below. That’s it!
Check out this gorgeous wagon garden planter we made with my childhood Radio Flyer!
More boredom busters on the Soccer Mom Blog:
Check out our Master List of Edible Slime Recipes made with simple ingredients you might already have in the kitchen:
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Radio Flyer. The opinions and text are all mine.
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom
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Last updated on February 26th, 2019 at 02:27 pm
Sara Phillips says
June 12, 2017 at 4:43 pmMy kids LOVED their Radio Flyer. We took it everywhere with us! I can’t wait to get my niece her first! #radioflyer100
jnbwrs says
June 12, 2017 at 8:29 pm#radioflyer100 I would like to pull my grandson in one of these red wagons.
sandra says
June 12, 2017 at 10:08 pmMy dream adventure is to go to Switzerland #radioflyer100
Rochel S says
June 12, 2017 at 10:27 pmWhen my son was 2 we started him off with the My 1st Scooter and he loved it! It was the perfect size for him! It has now been passed down to both my other kids who have each loved using it till this day! #radioflyer100
tracee says
June 12, 2017 at 10:59 pm#radioflyer100 When I was a kid, I tried to get my dog to pull me in my RF wagon. She wouldn’t do it though.
Dianne Hall says
June 12, 2017 at 11:35 pmI remember having one as a little kid. Would love for my son to have one too! #radioflyer100
Kenny says
June 12, 2017 at 11:44 pmI would love to pull my little girl around our neighborhood on this classic wagon!
#radioflyer100
wen budro says
June 12, 2017 at 11:44 pm#radioflyer100 As kids- my sisters and I would be little daredevils rolling down steep hills in our Radio Flyer. Now, a new generation gets to experience that fun.
Denise K. says
June 12, 2017 at 11:58 pmI love Radio Flyer! I never had one but I would like for my kids to have one. Thanks for the chance =)
Marian says
June 13, 2017 at 6:42 amWe were just talking about getting the kids a wagon not that long ago. Hubby and his siblings had a radio flyer wagon growing up and they loved going down hills in it. He said having one was lots of fun and it be great to get the kids one. If I were lucky enough to win that’s what I would get. #radioflyer100
Jennifer Wright says
June 13, 2017 at 8:02 amMy dream adventure would be taking my daughter to the zoo in her very own red wagon #radioflyer100
Helga says
June 13, 2017 at 9:27 amI have wonderful memories riding around in a Radio Flyer with the other kids in the neighborhood. I would give one as a gift to my niece if I won. #radioflyer100
Peggy says
June 13, 2017 at 10:02 amI had a small red Radio Flyer when I was little that I carried my dolls in. I would love to get a better #radioflyer100 wagon for the girls. It would be so fun to play with them;
Christine Labelle says
June 13, 2017 at 10:42 amWhen I was young, my dad found a Radio Flyer when we went on a dump run. He saved the decals and repainted it for me. Put the decals back on and I used it for everything. My kids now have that wagon. #RadioFlyer100
Kathleen Richardson says
June 13, 2017 at 11:11 am#radioflyer100 If I won I would use it towards a wagon. We have several parks and trails in my neighborhood so I would take my daughter exploring through the different trails and parks.
Bryan Vice says
June 13, 2017 at 3:30 pmWe bought my daughter a Radio Flyer wagon when she was born that was 6 years ago we still have it and now her brother plays with it. So its kinda cool that it will get a lot of use from both of my kids
Damien says
June 13, 2017 at 3:46 pmLoved riding down the street as a little kid
Tina W says
June 13, 2017 at 6:13 pmWe had a radio flyer wagon when I was a child (early 70s). My first broken bone happened when my older brother decided he and a friend should have races to see who could pull their wagon & cargo faster and I fell out going around a corner (totally my brother’s fault, NOT the wagon’s!).
I’d love to get a new wagon to pull my great-nephew and the dog around the neighborhood. And I promise, no racing!!! #radioflyer100
elizabeth miller says
June 13, 2017 at 6:48 pmI had a red Radio Flyer wagon when I was little and we always used to use it to set up a lemonade stand. It was our transportation for the lemonade and supplies. At some point, I guess with growing up, that little wagon got put away. When I was in my late 20’s. my granddad had restored my old little red wagon and gave it to me for my son. It meant the world to me.I just wish it had survived him for my granddaughter.
emchelly77 says
June 13, 2017 at 7:05 pmMy sister and I had a radio flyer when we were kids! It was an old one with wooden slats. We used to pretend it was the ice cream truck in the snow and turn it over and serve snow cones! I would love to get one for my girls and see what type of adventures they will come up with!!!
StephaniePhelps says
June 13, 2017 at 8:23 pmIf I won we would take it on an adventure through the park I mean like Disney!
latanya t says
June 13, 2017 at 8:43 pmI remember getting my first #radioflyer100 wagon when I was a little girl. I would make my day pull me everywhere along with my dolls and books.
randommomlife says
June 13, 2017 at 9:48 pmI played with my mom’s Radio Flyer at my grandparent’s, now my daughter has her very own! #radioflyer100
Aaron says
June 14, 2017 at 5:04 amMy dream adventure would be trips to the candy store! #radioflyer100
Peggy says
June 14, 2017 at 7:32 amI had a #radioflyer100 wagon when I was little. I loved it. I would like to have a new #radioflyer100 wagon for the girls. They would love it too.
Carly Daring says
June 14, 2017 at 8:14 amI can’t wait for my first #radioflyer100 adventure! My son is 15 months old and I am sure he would love a wagon!! We would love to use it in our neighborhood on walks and when we go to the park!
Kelly D says
June 14, 2017 at 9:05 amIf I won, our dream adventure would be to bring a radio flyer wagon for some adventures at national parks. #radioflyer100
Marina says
June 14, 2017 at 11:20 amMy dream adventure is to go to LA #radioflyer100
Jana S says
June 14, 2017 at 11:37 amI loved my wagon as a child it went everywhere with me….and it showed the love :). I just purchased a Radio Flyer bike for my Granddaughter for her first birthday. Your products are timeless and well made. I can’t wait to see the adventures she has on her new bike.
#radioflyer100
theveganwifey says
June 14, 2017 at 1:29 pmWould love to take the kids for a picnic in the park #radioflyer100
Steve Weber says
June 14, 2017 at 1:38 pmMy dream adventure would be to tour with the Dave Matthews Band #radioflyer100
busyworkingmama says
June 14, 2017 at 1:44 pmI loved their wagon! I remember pulling my daughter around on it when she was little along walking paths nearby.
jeremy mclaughlin says
June 14, 2017 at 1:46 pm#radioflyer100 Remember playing with our radio flyer wagon with my brother and sister when we were kids, it was a gift from our grandparents.
angie win depue says
June 14, 2017 at 1:55 pmMy brother and I had a radio flyer and we took that everywhere we went, even on vacations! I hope to win so I can start aking memories with my kids and grandkids I am raising!
Em Mahr says
June 14, 2017 at 2:10 pmMy sister and I used to have many adventures with our Radio Flyer wagon. We especially loved to put the dog and our stuffed animals in the wagon and take them all over the neighborhood! #radioflyer100
Ellen Casper says
June 14, 2017 at 2:24 pmWe pulled our boys everywhere in a little red wagon – now we pull our lazy sheltie in it! #radioflyer100
Jen D says
June 14, 2017 at 3:03 pmI shared on instagram. The most fun we had with our Radio Flyer wagon was watching the kids pull each other around in our yard.
Lisa b says
June 14, 2017 at 6:17 pmI remember having a red wagon as a child the radio flyer company has been around a very long time.
patty.wright says
June 14, 2017 at 6:47 pm# radio flyer #100. I never had a radio flyer growing up.
Crissie WOolard Woolard says
June 14, 2017 at 6:59 pmI remember growing up I always a a Radio Flyer Wagon and Sled. We went sleeding every year, and I still have it and now take my girls sleeding!!
Crissie WOolard Woolard says
June 14, 2017 at 7:00 pmI remember growing up I always a a Radio Flyer Wagon and Sled. We went sleeding every year, and I still have it and now take my girls sleeding!! #radioflyer100
Barb Miller says
June 14, 2017 at 8:01 pmWell, I never had one as a kid. I’d love to get this for my kids. They’re young and could go in there when we take walks!
Barb Miller says
June 14, 2017 at 8:03 pmOopsies I forgot the hashtag #radioflyer100
Sandra Preti says
June 14, 2017 at 8:15 pmI grew up with #radioflyer and would love #radioflyer100
Great memories of childhood to pass on to the next generation!
Yvonne Delgado says
June 14, 2017 at 8:19 pmIf we had a radio flyer….I imagine us going on walks in the park on a cool summer night. The kids are comfortable and even have our small dog in tow. Its a nice dream 🙂 #radioflyer100
Jennifer H. says
June 14, 2017 at 8:28 pm#radioflyer100 We had one as kids.
Cindy Peterson says
June 14, 2017 at 8:53 pmMy Radio Flyer was my best friend. He went everywhere with me. I had a mobile lemonade stand….a mini food truck before they were cool
Meredith Brooks says
June 14, 2017 at 8:58 pmI have so many amazing memories with my little red radio flyer wagon. I would always fill it with blankets & pillows & take friends for rides around the cul-de-sac #radioflyer100
wendi says
June 14, 2017 at 9:08 pmuse the double stoller with all the pups we have yet to do it~!! #radioflyer100
Tasha Wilkerson says
June 14, 2017 at 10:01 pmI would LOVE to use this for zoo days and beach visits! The stroller is such a pain and my little one is getting too big to use our Tula!
Pamela says
June 14, 2017 at 10:20 pmWe have such fun decorating our Radio Flyer wagon for our neighborhood July 4th celebration. #radioflyer100 Perfect for patriotic holidays!
harolde says
June 14, 2017 at 10:47 pmMy dream would be to use our Radio Flyer in the neighborhood with the grandkids!
angela smith says
June 15, 2017 at 12:01 amIf I won I would like to zip my son around in the park in it and have fun like I use to in my radio flyer #radioflyer100
Tammy Catterton says
June 15, 2017 at 1:41 am#radioflyer100 My dream adventure is to see New Zealand such a beautiful country I heard to see
msrodeobrat says
June 15, 2017 at 6:23 amMy dream adventure would be to take our radio flyer to all the local community events! I can see it being great to have at Halloween at the festival, at the 4th of July block party, etc!
msrodeobrat says
June 15, 2017 at 6:25 amMy dream adventure would be to take our radio flyer to all the local community events! I can see it being great to have at Halloween at the festival, at the 4th of July block party, etc! #Radioflyer100
Taryn T says
June 15, 2017 at 7:51 amWe have taken so many walks as a family with our Radio Flyer. Some of my favorite memories are decorating it for Fourth of July parades and during Halloween. Pulling the wagon at Halloween was such a life saver for us! We would also decorate the wagon to match the costumes. So fun! #radioflyer100
Kathy D says
June 15, 2017 at 7:54 amIf I won would give me a reason to go visit my granddaughter LOL Not that i need a reason she is out of state ,miss her like crazy
Nancy says
June 15, 2017 at 7:58 amWhen I was a child, I had a huge sturdy Radio Flyer wagon. We took it on many childhood adventures. When our son was born, PawPaw gave it a bit of a tuneup, and it was ready to accompany the childhood adventures of another generation #radioflyer100.
anneperry23 says
June 15, 2017 at 8:06 amI would love to run through a field of lavender. #radioflyer100
Kristin C says
June 15, 2017 at 8:16 amWe love to take our Radio Flyer wagon strawberry picking. It can hold both the cartons of strawberries and the tired out kids after a day of picking!
#radioflyer100
Christina C moore says
June 15, 2017 at 8:24 am#radioflyer100 My granddaughter loves riding down a hill in her Radio flyer Wagon
Sarah Hayes says
June 15, 2017 at 8:29 ammy dream adventure would be having one of these for the kids at the parade in the summer and for the beach as well
Amanda Whitley says
June 15, 2017 at 8:49 am#radioflyer100 my big adventure would be me taking my kids to a fun amusement park and pulling them in their red wagon, would be soo much fun!
Brandy Williams says
June 15, 2017 at 8:59 amMy favorite adventure is taking my kids hiking in the forest and tubing #radioflyer100
Erinn S says
June 15, 2017 at 9:01 amThis would be great as we are moving and there is a town trail so we will be exploring our new town quite a bit this summer
Mary West says
June 15, 2017 at 9:15 amWe’ve taken our radio flyer wagon to the fair so many times! We love it! When I was young I had the metal radio wagon!
darleneowen says
June 15, 2017 at 9:42 amWhen I was little I had a wagon, we had a lot of animals so I would always be carrying around baby chicks, kittens, dogs and goats.
Lesley F says
June 15, 2017 at 9:49 amI had a tricycle that I rode all the time
allyson Tice says
June 15, 2017 at 10:35 am#radioflyer100 my dream would be to cart my kiddos in a wagon at Disneyworld!
amweeks says
June 15, 2017 at 10:48 amNow that my own kids are teens, I still find that I love Radio Flyer! Not only for younger nieces & nephews. But also for my own use…in the yard doing yard work and even pulling it around the neighborhood during our big neighborhood Yard Sale weekend!
amweeks says
June 15, 2017 at 10:48 amMy real DREAM, though, would be having a Radio Flyer at the beach with me…all year long!!
amweeks says
June 15, 2017 at 10:49 am#radioflyer100
Jennifer Finn says
June 15, 2017 at 11:05 am#radioflyer100 Bring kids back to a simpler time
Mechele M Johnson says
June 15, 2017 at 11:23 amWhen my son was 4, he thought it would be a great idea to ride our classic Radio Flyer wagon down our hill. The hill is significant in size, and had an old stable at the bottom. I noticed after he was half way down. There were some scratches, a dent in the side of the wagon, some tears, but he still to this day claims he would do it all again. Haha!
Marcia Goss says
June 15, 2017 at 1:29 pmMy kids are grown now, but they had a Radio Flyer wagon and played with it for years. Now I have a 3 year old grandson, and we need to get him one. #radioflyer100
Anna says
June 15, 2017 at 2:47 pmA long park stroll with my son and our pets enjoying the ride in a new rafio flyer wagon. Snacks and ice cold drinks, lots of nature to see. Birds chirping, people smiling..peace..
Rebecca says
June 15, 2017 at 2:59 pmMy boys always loved pulling their wagon around the yard. Either they would pull each other or fill it up with rocks to haul away. It was always fun watching them play.