Bored kids? Here are 10 summer activities under $10 in the Charlotte region
With summer in full-swing, parents everywhere are faced with the ongoing challenge of keeping their kids active, entertained and off their devices. But with pain at the gas pump — and everywhere else, it seems — it’s more important than ever to find budget-friendly options for cheap summertime fun.
That’s why we’ve come up with this list of 10 local summer activities that are under $10. (Some are even free!)
Discovery Place Nature
Location: 1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte, NC 28209
Neighborhood: Myers Park
Cost: $8; free for children 2 and younger. Or, $1 for those with a EBT or WIC card. Free parking.
What to know: This quaint museum provides plenty of nature-based fun to help children explore natural science and let their creativity run wild. You’ll find interactive exhibits, live animals, including a butterfly pavilion, a museum library, nature trails and an outdoor natural play area in the 100-year-old woods. And a bonus: The museum is adjacent to Freedom Park, so plan for a picnic lunch and playtime to make the most of your day. Closed Tuesday and Thursday.
Ebenezer Park
Location: 4490 Boatshore Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732
Neighborhood: Southern tip of Lake Wylie
Cost: York County resident rate is $3 adults, $1 seniors and children 6-16, free for children 5 and younger; non-county rate is $5 adults, $2 seniors and children 6-16, free for children 5 and younger.
What to know: Located on the lower shores of Lake Wylie, Ebenezer Park is a great place to spend the day swimming, fishing, relaxing and taking in the views. The lakefront park recently underwent a $4.6 million upgrade to add an 800-foot curved fishing pier that encloses the beach swimming area. The renovations also added new boat slips and a kayak and canoe launch, as well as a multipurpose building and new picnic shelters. The park also has basketball and volleyball courts, walking trails and a concession stand. And if you’re up for a longer adventure, campsites are available with water, sewer, electric, fire rings and picnic tables.
Goat Island Park and Greenway
Location: 141 8th Avenue, Cramerton, NC 28032
Neighborhood: Gaston County, just south of McAdenville
Cost: Free
What to know: Little ninja warriors in training will enjoy testing their climbing skills on this natural treehouse playground with cargo nets and ropes courses, along with slides, swings and exercise equipment. The 30-acre park has something for just about everyone, including a dog park, two pedestrian bridges, walking trails, an 18-hole disc golf course, fishing pier, canoe/ kayak launch, picnic area, corn hole boards and ping pong tables. Fun fact: The park was named after textile engineer Stuart Cramer released goats on the island to control vegetation in 1910.
Imaginon: The Joe and Joan Martin Center
Location: 300 East Seventh St., Charlotte, NC 28202
Neighborhood: First Ward/Uptown
Cost: Free
What to know: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library’s Imaginon is in uptown Charlotte, steps away from the LYNX Blue Line and directly across from First Ward Park. It’s especially for kids — children peruse the shelves for books, take part in a creative activity or join in a storytime. There are nooks for reading and interactive activities on each level. There’s a Teen Loft on the top floor with a 3D printer and vinyl cutting. It offers special workshops and volunteer and leadership opportunities for teens. There are 20 libraries in Mecklenburg County, each offering special programs such as storytime for various ages, scavenger hunts, tutoring, Lego Club and Makerspace workshops. Check the events calendar for topics, dates and times. Closed Monday.
Lake Park Splash Pad
Location: 1050 Johnston Drive, Pineville, NC 28143
Neighborhood: Near downtown Pineville
Cost: Free
What to know: Beat the heat at one of the Charlotte area’s newer splash pads, Lake Park Splash Pad, which opened in 2019. It features several whimsical and brightly colored spray features and is adjacent to three playgrounds and a walking trail around the lake. Don’t forget a bathing suit and towel. Other spraygrounds in Mecklenburg County include Clarks Creek Community Park, Cordelia Park, First Ward Park, Latta Park, Nevin Park, Romare Bearden Park, Veterans Park or West Charlotte Recreation Center.
Reed Gold Mine
Location: 9621 Reed Mine Road, Midland, NC 28107
Neighborhood: About halfway between Charlotte and Albemarle
Cost: Free admission/$3 to pan for gold
What to know: Strike it rich with a guided tour of the site of the first documented gold find in the United States. The visitor’s center is a museum packed with artifacts and historical information about the site. (Did you know North Carolina led the nation in gold production until 1848?) Gold panning is sold on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of two tickets per person. There are also a few walking trails, picnic tables and places to relax on the property. Closed Mondays.
Sports Connection Kids Bowl Free Program
Location: 11611 Ardrey Kell Drive, Charlotte, NC, 28277
Neighborhood: Ballantyne area
Cost: Free for children age 2-12
What to know: Sports Connection and other bowling centers around the country are participating in the Kids Bowl Free program, which is designed to be a safe, secure and fun way for kids to spend time this summer. Registered children receive two free games of bowling each day, all summer long. (Register at kidsbowlfree.com). Other participating bowling alleys in the area include Spare Time Pineville, George Pappa’s Liberty Lanes (Gastonia), Stars and Strikes (Concord), Spare Time Huntersville and Strikers Family Sports Center (Rock Hill).
Stone Theater Summer Kid Shows
Location: Redstone 14, Cinemas, 9650 Red Stone Drive, Indian Land, SC 29707
Neighborhood: Indian Land, just south of Ballantyne
Location: Sun Valley 14 Cinemas, 6449 Old Monroe Road, Indian Trail, NC 28079
Neighborhood: Indian Trail, just south of Matthews
Cost: $1 admission (adults free with child ticket), $1 drink, $1 popcorn
What to know: Air condition, entertainment and popcorn — what more could you ask for during the sweltering dog days of summer in the South? Affordable family movies run every Wednesday and Thursday at 10 a.m., with a lineup that includes “Hop,” “Secret Life of Pets 2,” “Croods: New Age,” “How to Train Your Dragon: Hidden World,” “Sing 2” and “Hotel Transylvania 4.”
Sunflower Field at Draper Wildlife Management
Location: 1080 Brattonsville Road, McConnells, SC, 29726
Neighborhood: York County, near York
Cost: Free
What to know: Take in the view and snag some selfies with rows and rows of gorgeous sunflowers (about 20 acres). Typically, early July is the best time to catch the sunflowers in full bloom at Draper Wildlife Management Area, and they generally remain in bloom for about 10 days. Park in the main parking lot and access the fields by walking through either of two gates — the gate to the right across a pond dam is the shortest walk (approximately 5 minutes). And if you enjoy fishing, take your rod and reel because the property also includes three stocked ponds. Hiking, biking and bird watching are also popular here.
Sweetwater Farms
Location: 14412 Beatties Ford Road, Huntersville, NC, 28078
Neighborhood: Just south of Lake Norman
Cost: $5 online/$6 in person
What to know: This small farm has opened its doors to let little ones explore nature and engage with the friendly resident animals — horses, donkeys, pigs, cows, miniature goats, chickens and even Sassy and Annie the Ancona ducks. There are also plenty of open spaces and natural play areas, including a playground, sandbox, river and play hill. Owner Susan Lurz founded the farm with a goal to “grow a type of nurturing for the soul” and “embrace your natural instincts to extend love and kindness.” Closed Monday and Tuesday.
