Free and Inexpensive Activities for the Kids

As the weather gets colder, I find myself looking for fun indoor activities to do with the kids. So, after spending several hours searching the internet, I have compiled a list of free or inexpensive activities to enjoy with your kiddos.

Some of these we have been doing for years and love them, while others are new to me, but I’m interested in giving them a try.  Let me know what are some of your favorite family friendly things to do around town!

Free Activities

Storytimes

• Knox County Public Library: for ages infant to 5 years, starting around 10am, Monday – Friday. Check the website for the library closest to you and for specific date and age groups.

• Barnes & Nobles: Saturdays at 11am

• Smart Toys and Books: Monday at 11am

Museums

• McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture: Monday – Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm; Stroller Tours on Monday 10-11am

• Knoxville Museum of Art: Tuesday – Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm

• Beck Cultural Exchange: Tuesday – Saturday 10am-6pm

• Farragut Folklife Museum: Monday – Friday 10am-4:30pm

•  Sunsphere: Open daily 11am-6pm

Local stores and shops

• Home Depot Kids Workshops: First Saturday of the month 9am – 12noon; each child gets a free Home Depot apron

• Lowe’s Build & Grow Clinics: 2^nd Saturday of the month – must register online to attend; each child gets an apron, goggles, and a patch

• Smart Toys and Books: Thomas Play Day – 1^st & 3^rd Thursdays of the month 10am & 11am

• WDVX Kidstuff Live: Weekly Radio Show, Saturdays at 10am.  Live recording of performances on the last Saturday of the month at the Knoxville Visitors Center; join the audience for free!

Inexpensive Activities

Sporting/Physical Activities

• Bounce USA: $8 per child.  Wednesday & Thursday 10am-2pm; Friday 10am-8pm

• Gym Bugs: $5 per child ($1 discount for siblings); Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 10:30-11:30am

• Pump It Up: $7 per child + tax; Monday – Friday, 10am – 11:30am; Tuesday & Thursday, 1-2:30pm; Thursday, 6-7:30pm

• The Zone Sports Complex: $12.50; Friday & Saturday, 6pm-10pm; Bouncezone $7.00 on Saturday 9:30am-12noon

• Cool Sports: Ice Skating, $8-9 + $4 skate rental; kids 4 and under, $4 with skates

• JumpJam: $8; Monday – Friday 9am – 10am, for kids 6 years and under

• The Ice Chalet: $6, skate rental $4, kids 5 and under $4; most days start at noon and go until 3:30 or 5:30

Museums

• The Muse of Knoxville: adults $5, kids 2+ $4, kids under 2 are free; Monday – Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 10am-5pm

• American Museum of Science and Energy: adults $5, kids 5 and under are free; Monday – Saturday 9am – 5pm and Sunday 1-5pm

• Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge: adults $7, kids 3 and up $5, kids under 3 are free; Tuesday – Friday 9am – 5pm, Saturday 10am-4pm, and Sunday 1-4pm.

Local Stores

• Smart Toys and Books: Mom, Dad, and Me Art Class Fridays at 10am and 11am, $5 for materials

• Carmike Movies 7: adults & children $2.50; open 7 days a week

Did we miss any? Let us know!  Hope you have a fun winter season with these activities!