17 Free Spring and Summer Delights

What's the nicest thing you've ever gotten for free? Share your thoughts in the comments below.


Warm weather and sunny days are finally here, sis. Embrace the season with these fantastic events, activities, foods and products. And guess what? They’re all free (or close to it), so feel free to leave your wallet behind!

Free donuts. June 7 is National Donut Day, so look for promotions from chains like Dunkin’ and Krispy Kreme. If you miss the big day, no worries. You can score the sweet treat anytime by joining Krispy Kreme Rewards. New members get a free donut when signing up.

Free ice cream. Did you know July is National Ice Cream Month? Yes, the cool treat gets an entire month. Expect promotions throughout July and on National Ice Cream Day, July 21, from ice cream chains like Baskin-Robbins, Carvel, Dairy Queen and Friendly’s.

Free hot dogs. Hot dogs are the quintessential summer food, so it’s appropriate that July is also National Hot Dog Month and July 17 is National Hot Dog Day. Look out for deals from chains such as 7-Eleven, Nathan’s Famous, Sonic and The Original Hot Dog Factory.

Free kids’ meals. Through the USDA Summer Meals Program, children and teens 18 and under can access free healthy meals at local community meal sites.

Free french fries. Join McDonald’s Rewards and score free medium fries every Friday through December 31 when you make a mobile order of $1 or more.

Free root beer float. Enjoy a delicious root beer float on National Root Beer Float Day, August 6. Participating A&W restaurant locations will offer free small root beer floats to celebrate the day. No purchase is necessary, but donations to DAV (Disabled American Veterans) are encouraged.

Free bowling. If you’re looking for an activity for kids or grandkids, take them bowling! The Kids Bowl Free Program offers two free games to children every day during the Spring and Summer. (Note that age limits vary by bowling center.)

Free roller skating. This is another great freebie if you have to keep kids busy this summer. Sign up for the Kids Skate Free Club to get free weekly skating passes for the kiddos. (Note that there is a $4.99 annual membership fee and age restrictions vary by skating rink.)

Free (and almost free) movies. Throughout the summer, most movie theater chains and local cinemas run a free or deeply discounted movie program. Catch kid- and family-friendly movies at AMC, Cinemark, Marquee Cinemas, Regal and Showcase Cinemas. Ticket prices range from free to $3.

Free museum admission. Many states and cities run free museum admission programs and special events during the summer for children and adults. Search your state or city and “free summer museum program” online to find out what’s available in your area. If you’re a Bank of America debit or credit cardholder, you don’t have to wait for the summer; you can visit participating museums for free during the first full weekend of every month.

Free national park admission. The National Park Service offers six free entrance days in 2024. This summer, get into one of the over 400 national parks free of charge on Juneteenth, August 4, and September 28.

Free entertainment. Spring and summer offer unlimited opportunities for free concerts, festivals, plays, art expos and other live local events. Browse your library and town or city websites for events throughout the season. Also, search online for “free events” followed by your city.

Free outdoor sports. Stay active this season with free local outdoor activities. For example, Hudson River Park offers free kayaking in New York, and many beaches and parks nationwide offer free outdoor yoga. Check with your town or city’s recreation department for free sports and fitness events.

Free tech workshops: Head to your nearest Apple Store to attend one of many free workshops available. Discover how to maximize your devices and programs or pick up new creative skills. Sessions cover video, photography, music, coding and app-building, so you’re bound to find one that interests you.

Free home improvement and DIY workshops. Stay on top of your spring and summer home maintenance and projects with online or in-person workshops at Ace Hardware, Home Depot and Lowe’s. Learn how to tackle spring cleaning, make a bird feeder, build a raised garden bed and more. Some locations also offer free in-store workshops for kids.

Free craft workshops. Get crafty this spring and summer with in-person and online workshops and events at Michael’s. Classes include sketching and painting tutorials, art journaling, cake decorating and more. Michael’s also offers Camp Creatology, a summer-long virtual art camp for kids.

Free beauty products. If the new season means switching up your skincare routine, go to freeflys.com to request free beauty and makeup samples. Visit the website, browse the available samples and sign up to receive the ones you want.


What's the nicest thing you've ever gotten for free? Share your thoughts in the comments below.