Free things for kids do not have to come from a short-lived giveaway. Families can find free books, library activities, building workshops, national park programs, educational games, printables and other useful resources throughout the year.
Some of these freebies arrive by mail, while others are available online or at participating local locations. Age limits, registration requirements, availability and supplies can vary, so always review the current details before making a special trip.
15 Free Things for Kids
This guide includes a mix of mailed freebies, local activities and digital resources, so families can choose the options that work best for them.
- Free books by mail
- Library books and digital resources
- Museum and attraction passes
- Library story times and activities
- Kids building workshops
- Junior Ranger activities
- Free STEM resources
- Educational games and apps
- Coloring pages and printables
- Free stories and audiobooks
1. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library mails age-appropriate books to enrolled children from birth through age five in participating communities.
Books and shipping are funded by local program partners, so families do not pay for the books. Availability depends on whether an Imagination Library partner serves your address.
Good to know: Enrollment is based on the child’s age and home address. If the program is not available in your community, do not pay an unofficial website claiming it can guarantee enrollment.
2. Free Books, E-Books and Audiobooks From Your Library
A public library card can unlock far more than printed books. Depending on your local library system, families may be able to borrow e-books, audiobooks, magazines, movies and educational resources at no additional cost.
Look for children’s sections, digital-library services, reading programs and educational databases on your library’s website.
Freebie tip: Ask whether your library participates in reciprocal borrowing. Some residents can obtain cards from neighboring library systems and gain access to additional digital collections.
3. Free Museum, Zoo and Cultural Passes Through Libraries
Some public libraries lend passes or provide reservation programs for museums, zoos, aquariums, gardens, historical attractions and other cultural destinations.
Search your library website for terms such as museum passes, culture pass, explorer pass or adventure pass.
Participating attractions, reservation windows and guest limits can vary. Parking, special exhibits or separately ticketed events may not be included.
4. Free Library Story Times, Crafts and Kids Programs
Libraries frequently offer children’s activities beyond borrowing books. Depending on the branch, the calendar may include:
- Story times
- Arts and crafts
- Reading challenges
- LEGO or building clubs
- Homework help
- STEM activities
- Movie screenings
- Seasonal family events
Some programs are drop-in events while others require advance registration because space or supplies are limited.
5. Free Home Depot Kids Workshops
Home Depot offers Kids Workshops featuring hands-on building projects at participating stores. Children can work on a simple project while practicing basic building and crafting skills.
Projects and available quantities can change, so check the workshop schedule and register for your preferred store before attending.
Important: Workshop kits and spaces can be limited. An adult should attend with the child and follow all store safety instructions.
6. Free Lowe’s Kids Workshops
Lowe’s offers children’s DIY workshops at participating stores with beginner-friendly building projects.
Advance registration may be required, and availability depends on the selected store, project and number of kits available.
Review the current age guidance, workshop time and registration requirements before heading to the store.
7. National Park Junior Ranger Activities
The National Park Service Junior Ranger program gives children a fun way to learn about national parks, wildlife, history and conservation.
Kids typically complete activities and take the Junior Ranger pledge. Participating parks may provide a Junior Ranger badge after the requirements are completed.
Before you go: Some activity books can be downloaded at home, while earning a physical badge may require a park visit or specific submission process. Admission, parking or mailing costs are separate.
8. Free National Park Activities Online
A national park trip is not required to start exploring. The National Park Service Kids portal includes activities, park stories, educational material and information about Junior Ranger opportunities.
Some activities can be completed completely online, while others may require a printer or simple household supplies.
9. Free NASA STEM Activities for Kids
NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory provide free educational activities connected with space, rockets, engineering, planets, Earth science and other STEM topics.
Families can choose projects based on age, grade level, available time and materials.
Supply note: The instructions are free, but individual science activities may require household, recycled or craft materials.
10. Smithsonian Learning Lab
The Smithsonian Learning Lab provides access to digital collections, educational resources, images, stories and objects from Smithsonian museums, libraries, archives and research centers.
Families can explore history, science, art, culture and other subjects without traveling to Washington, D.C.
11. Free Educational Games Online
Families can find free educational games online that reinforce early reading, math, problem solving and other skills.
When choosing online activities, stick with established educational organizations and select games appropriate for the child’s age and developmental level.
Screen-time tip: Free digital activities can still require internet access or a compatible device. Consider alternating screen activities with one of the printable, library or outdoor options in this guide.
12. Khan Academy Kids
Khan Academy Kids provides free learning activities for young children, including books, early literacy, math and social-emotional learning.
The program is designed primarily for younger learners and can be used at home as a supplemental educational activity.
13. Free Family Printables and Learning Resources
Free printable activities are useful when families need a quick screen-free option for an afternoon, rainy day, road trip or school break.
Look for age-appropriate worksheets, coloring pages, puzzles, educational activities and seasonal printables from established educational and family-resource websites.
Keep Printing Costs Low
Preview the entire file before printing and select only the pages your child plans to use. Draft mode and black-and-white printing can also reduce ink costs when color is not important.
14. Free Coloring Pages
Crayola maintains a collection of free coloring pages covering animals, seasons, holidays, educational themes and other kid-friendly subjects.
The downloads themselves are free, although families still need their own paper, printer ink and coloring supplies.
15. Free Stories, Audiobooks and Public-Domain Children’s Books
Families can also find free reading and listening options online through established story and public-domain collections.
- Storyline Online provides recorded read-aloud stories.
- LibriVox provides volunteer-recorded public-domain audiobooks.
- Project Gutenberg’s Children’s Bookshelf includes free public-domain e-books.
Parent tip: Public-domain collections can include older books with outdated language or themes. Preview unfamiliar titles before giving them to younger readers.
5 Easy Freebies to Start With Today
- Check your child’s eligibility for Imagination Library.
- Visit your local library’s children’s calendar.
- Look for an upcoming kids building workshop nearby.
- Choose one Junior Ranger or NASA activity.
- Save a few printable or digital learning resources for later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these kids freebies really free?
The resources in this guide can be accessed without purchasing the featured activity itself, but some may have separate costs such as transportation, park admission, printing supplies, internet access or required household materials.
Do the free kids workshops require registration?
Many store workshops require or strongly encourage advance registration because space and project kits can be limited.
Can every child receive free books from Imagination Library?
No. Eligibility depends on the child’s age and whether a participating local program serves the home address.
Do I need a library card for the free library activities?
It depends on the program. Some events are open to everyone, while digital resources, attraction passes and certain activities may require a valid library card.
Are the online activities safe for kids to use alone?
Parents and caregivers should choose age-appropriate resources, review unfamiliar websites and supervise younger children when entering information, downloading files or using online services.
Final Thoughts
The best free things for kids are useful, age-appropriate and easy for your family to access. Instead of signing up for every offer at once, choose one local activity, one mailed or borrowed resource and one digital option to try first.
Libraries, national parks and established educational organizations are great places to start because they offer dependable activities without requiring an unnecessary purchase.