Free Finds, Fun Times
For You and Your Little Ones
Welcome to FreeGifts4Kids a blog built for parents who want to raise happy, creative kids without overspending. I hunt down real, legit freebies that kids actually love — from free toys and birthday goodies to printable games and learning kits. I also share tips for stretching your budget, finding fun crafts, and discovering free resources that help your child grow and thrive. Everything here is curated with love, tested by real families, and totally free (or incredibly cheap). If you’re tired of scammy offers and broken links, you’re going to feel right at home here. Subscribe to my Freebie Friday newsletter and let’s make childhood a little more magical — one freebie at a time.
Big Joy for Little Ones — Always Free
- 10 Free Alternatives to Expensive Summer Camps
Let’s be real — summer camps are amazing… but they can be ridiculously expensive.
The first time I priced out a weeklong camp for my kid, I nearly dropped my coffee. Between registration fees, meals, transportation, and extras, we were looking at upwards of $300–$500 for just one week. Multiply that by a couple of kids, and well — that’s more than a family vacation.
But here’s the good news: with a little creativity, planning, and help from some amazing free resources, you can still give your kids a summer full of fun, adventure, and learning — without the huge price tag.
Here are 10 totally free alternatives to expensive summer camps that we’ve personally used and loved:
1. Library Summer Reading Programs
Our local library is one of our favorite summer “campgrounds.” They offer reading challenges, craft days, STEM workshops, story times, and even free movies — all for free. Plus, most programs give away prizes like books or coupons.
Bonus tip: Many libraries now partner with online apps like Libby or Hoopla so your kids can check out books and audiobooks from anywhere.
2. Homegrown Theme Weeks
I started doing this during a “no-spend” summer — each week had a theme like Space Week, Dinosaur Week, or Under the Sea. I found free printables, crafts, snacks, and YouTube videos to match. The kids were all in, and it felt like camp… just at home.
3. Free Virtual Camps
Yep, they’re a thing! Big names like Camp Wonderopolis, Varsity Tutors, and even Microsoft offer totally free online camps with live or self-paced classes. My child did a whole “Inventor’s Workshop” from our kitchen table last year.
4. Kids Bowl Free
Register your kids and they get two free games of bowling every day all summer long. You only pay for shoes (or buy a cheap pair online). It’s a great way to beat the heat.
5. DIY Backyard Campout
Set up a tent in the backyard, roast marshmallows, and tell ghost stories with a flashlight. We even made homemade “merit badges” out of felt. It’s simple, memorable, and 100% free.
6. Local Park & Nature Programs
Many city parks offer free ranger talks, nature scavenger hunts, or even Jr. Ranger programs. Ours had a weekly nature walk with crafts afterward. Check your city or state park websites — you’d be surprised how much they offer.
7. Michaels & Home Depot Kids Events
On select Saturdays, these stores host hands-on workshops that teach kids how to build or craft something cool. You just register online to reserve a spot.
Tip: Home Depot also gives away a free apron and pin for each workshop!
8. Free Museum Days
Many museums offer free family days once a month. I’ve taken my kids to art museums, children’s museums, and even science centers — all without spending a dime. Some cities also have “free museum week” in the summer!
9. YouTube Camp Time
Okay, I know screen time isn’t always the goal — but hear me out. There are whole playlists for “Drawing Camp,” “Kids Cooking Camp,” and “Science at Home.” We made slime, paper rockets, and even tried basic animation — all with free video tutorials.
10. Neighborhood Activity Swaps
This was one of my favorite ideas — a few of us neighborhood parents took turns planning a weekly playdate or activity. One week was sidewalk chalk games, the next was a mini-Olympics in someone’s yard. We called it “Mom Swap Camp” and the kids still ask about it.
The truth is, you don’t need a fancy camp or a big budget to create a summer your kids will remember. With a little planning and a sprinkle of imagination, you can give them a season full of adventure, learning, and joy — all for free.
If you liked this list, don’t miss my Freebie Friday email where I send out new finds every week. Until then — go make some summer magic!
- Free Homeschool Resources That Saved Us Hundreds
I’ll be honest — when I first started homeschooling, I panicked a little.
Between curriculum packages, educational subscriptions, workbooks, and hands-on materials, I thought I’d have to take out a second mortgage just to teach my child the alphabet. It didn’t take long for me to realize that you don’t need to spend hundreds (or thousands) of dollars to give your child a great education at home.
In fact, some of the very best homeschool resources we’ve used so far have been 100% free.
If you’re a new homeschool parent, or even a veteran looking to cut costs, let me share some of the free tools, websites, and printable resources that helped me stay on track — without draining my wallet.
1. Khan Academy
This was a game-changer for us. Whether you’re teaching basic math, advanced geometry, grammar, or even computer programming, Khan Academy has high-quality video lessons and practice quizzes. It’s completely free and super kid-friendly.
2. Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool
This site felt like a miracle when I found it. It offers a full, complete Christian-based curriculum from preschool through high school, all online. It covers every subject, and the layout makes it easy for both parent and child to follow.
https://allinonehomeschool.com
3. Library Card = Unlimited Resources
Never underestimate the power of your local library. Ours gives us access to Libby (for free eBooks), Kanopy (for educational documentaries), and TumbleBooks (interactive kids’ books). All we needed was a library card.
4. Teachers Pay Teachers (Free Section)
I started here thinking it was just for, well, teachers — but it’s loaded with free worksheets, lesson plans, and interactive notebooks created by educators. Just filter by “Free” and your grade level.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com
5. NASA Kids’ Club
Yes — NASA! Their kids’ site has science games, space exploration videos, and printable STEM activities. It was perfect for science lessons that felt more like playtime.
6. The Good and the Beautiful (Free Language Arts)
This curriculum is beautiful (no pun intended) and very well-designed. Their Language Arts curriculum for Grades K–8 is available as a free PDF download. I printed it at home and bound it myself!
https://www.goodandbeautiful.com
7. Project Gutenberg & Storyberries
When I couldn’t keep up with my child’s reading appetite, I turned to free online libraries. Project Gutenberg has over 60,000 classic books, and Storyberries is full of free illustrated short stories for kids.
https://www.gutenberg.org
https://www.storyberries.com
8. Mystery Science (Free Starter Lessons)
We used their free lesson videos to make science feel like an adventure. It’s hands-on, discovery-based, and totally engaging — and they offer many starter lessons for free.
These resources alone have easily saved us over $500 in curriculum and subscriptions this year. More importantly, they helped me build confidence as a homeschool parent and gave my child a well-rounded, engaging education.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, just know: you don’t need a big budget to do this. You just need the right tools, a little creativity, and a lot of love.
If you want more free resources like this delivered each week, sign up for my Freebie Friday email — I promise to keep the good stuff coming.
- 20 Freebies for Kids That Are Totally Worth Signing Up For
Hey there! I’m so glad you stopped by because today I’m sharing something every parent loves—free stuff for kids that’s actually worth signing up for.
If you’re like me, you’ve probably signed up for a few “freebies” that ended up being a waste of time (or worse, spam traps). That’s exactly why I created FreeGifts4Kids.com—to filter out the fluff and deliver the good stuff. Everything on this list has been personally tested, verified, or recommended by real parents who want to get the most for their kids without spending a dime.
So, here are 20 totally legit and totally awesome freebies for kids that you’ll want to sign up for today:
1. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Free books in the mail, once a month, from birth to age 5. It’s real, it’s magical, and it’s 100% free in participating areas.
https://imaginationlibrary.com
2. PBS Kids Birthday Club
Sign up your child to get a special birthday message from their favorite characters and fun downloadable goodies.
https://www.pbs.org/kids
3. Chuck E. Cheese Rewards
Kids get free play points and birthday rewards. Just for signing up, you usually get a token or coupon deal too.
https://www.chuckecheese.com
4. Lego Life Magazine
A free subscription for kids 5–9 that comes four times a year with comics, activities, and sneak peeks at new sets.
https://www.lego.com/life
5. Pottery Barn Kids Birthday Book Club
Members receive a free book every year for their birthday, plus early access to in-store events.
https://www.potterybarnkids.com
6. Home Depot Kids Workshop Kits
Monthly in-store or take-home building kits that teach kids how to build and create. Totally free, but you must register early.
https://www.homedepot.com/workshops
7. Target Free Kids’ Events
Check your local Target for story times, seasonal events, and free crafts throughout the year.
https://www.target.com/c/community-events
8. American Girl Events
Free in-store crafts and activities, even if you don’t own a doll. Great for creative fun.
https://www.americangirl.com/retail/stores
9. Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program
Kids who read 8 books over the summer get a free book from a select list.
https://www.barnesandnoble.com
10. Scholastic Book Clubs
Many teachers use these programs in school, but parents can register online too. Often includes bonus freebies.
https://clubs.scholastic.com
11. Nick Jr. Birthday Club
Get a personalized birthday greeting from your child’s favorite Nick Jr. character and printable fun.
https://www.nickjrbirthdayclub.com
12. Kids Bowl Free
Participating bowling centers offer two free games per day, all summer long.
https://www.kidsbowlfree.com
13. Michaels Kids’ Club
Drop in for low-cost or free crafts on Saturdays. You can also find free printables online.
https://www.michaels.com
14. Camp Book It! by Pizza Hut
Kids who meet their reading goals each month get a free personal pizza.
https://www.bookitprogram.com
15. Museums for All
Families receiving SNAP benefits can get free or reduced admission to over 1,000 museums across the U.S.
https://museums4all.org
16. Disney Movie Insiders
Earn points and get rewards (like toys and games) just for watching Disney movies or uploading codes.
https://www.disneymovieinsiders.com
17. Crayola Coloring Pages & Activities
Tons of downloadable and printable fun for kids of all ages—completely free.
https://www.crayola.com
18. Build-A-Bear Birthday Treat Bear
Kids can get a plush bear for the price of their age during their birthday month.
https://www.buildabear.com
19. State Park Junior Ranger Programs
Many states offer free kits and badges when kids complete nature-focused activities. Great for outdoor learning!
20. Amazon Kids+ Free Trial
Get access to free books, games, and videos for kids. Try it for 30 days—just remember to cancel if it’s not for you.
https://www.amazon.com/amazonkidsplus
If you’ve made it this far, congrats! You’ve just unlocked a whole world of fun, learning, and smiles — without spending a dime. I’ll be updating this list often, so don’t forget to join my Freebie Friday newsletter for the latest and greatest finds.
Let’s keep those little hands busy and those big imaginations growing — one freebie at a time!