20 free things to do with the kids

With gas and groceries eating at your pocketbook, you don’t have to shell out big bucks to have fun with the family this summer. There’s lots to see and do with the kids that can be enjoyed absolutely free. Here are some of our favorites. If you have more ideas, please e-mail us at news@momscharlotte.com and we’ll add them to the list.

1. Airport Overlook Park. Pack a lunch and come here to watch the planes take off and land at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport. Off Old Dowd Road near the intersection with Besser Drive.

2. The Mint Museum of Craft + Design. It’s free on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pick up the family guides and scavenger hunts at the front desk, and don’t miss the kid-friendly, hands-on activities on the mezzanine level. Also, from 10 a.m. to noon on the second Tuesday of the month, parents and children ages 1 to 4 can drop in for a free art-making experience. 220 North Tryon Street, 704-337-2000, www.mintmuseums.org.

3. Crowders Mountain State Park. About 25 miles west of Charlotte, this park will challenge the experienced as well as the novice climber. It offers 12 miles of scenic, and somewhat strenuous, hiking trails with a view at the top that’s worth the climb. Spacious picnic areas and a nine-acre lake with canoe rentals are also available within the park. 522 Park Office Lane in Kings Mountain. 704-853-5375. www.ncparks.gov.

4. Public spraygrounds. Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation’s five spraygrounds feature sprays, nozzles and spouts that spray water for children to run through and frolic under. Open seven days a week in the summer, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Several have playgrounds next door, making them a perfect place to spend hours. Locations: Nevin Park, 6000 Statesville Road; Cordelia Park, 2100 North Davidson Street; Latta Park, 601 East Park Avenue; Veterans Park , 2136 Central Avenue; and West Charlotte Recreation Center, 2400 Kendall Drive. (704) 336-3854. www.parkandrec.com.

5. Free symphony concerts. Summer concerts with the Charlotte Symphony are free on Sundays in June at Symphony Park by SouthPark mall and at other locations around the region on different days. Concerts begin at 8:15 p.m. with preludes at 7 p.m. 704-972-2003. www.charlottesymphony.org.

6. ImaginOn. This uptown epicenter of family fun is part children’s theatre, part library, and it’s always free. Kids can put on a puppet show, play with trains, try on costumes, play computer games and, of course, check out books. The facility has lots of free storytimes each week, as well as rotating exhibits in its lobby. 300 E 7th St. 704-973-2780. www.imaginon.org.

7. Family Day Sundays at the Charlotte Museum of History. The museum, which is always free on Sundays, offers a glimpse into colonial life and has rotating exhibits. Its “Toy Time” exhibit, which runs through July 27, features 16 giant, wooden folk toys that are interactive and engaging, a nice change from plastic toys that beep and blink. 3500 Shamrock Drive. 704-568-1774. www.charlottemuseum.org.

8. The Energy Explorium at Lake Norman. Located at McGuire Nuclear Station, the Explorium features hands-on exhibits and interactive games designed to introduce kids to the wonders of electricity and nuclear power. They can even use the power of a treadmill to operate a TV. The explorium also offers a mile-long nature trail, a picnic area, and a large deck that overlooks Lake Norman, the Cowans Ford dam and two nuclear silos. No admission fee. 13339 Hagers Ferry Road in Huntersville. 704-875-5600. www.duke-energy.com/visitor-centers/energyexplorium.asp

9. Wing Haven Gardens & Bird Sanctuary. Connect with nature at this nationally-recognized, 3-acre sanctuary in the heart of the city. Pick up the children’s activity book at the front desk, then stroll the shaded paths and help your kids look for birds, rabbits, turtles and chipmunks. Admission is free, but a $5 donation per adult is suggested. 248 Ridgewood Avenue. 704-331-0664. www.winghavengardens.com.

10. Northlake Mall kids’ play areas. Want to get some shopping done but have the kids with you? At Northlake Mall’s Warner Bros. Looney Tunes Play Area (across from Dick’s Sporting Goods on the lower level), kids can climb, crawl and jump on their favorite Looney Tunes characters. The mall also has a kids’ activity area in the middle of its food court. They’ll have fun with distorted mirrors, tic-tac-toe and tabletop sand art while you relax at a nearby table. 6801 Northlake Mall Drive. 704-921-2005. www.shopnorthlake.com

11. Storytime at the library. Each branch of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg library has dozens of local programs, including weekly storytimes for different age groups and themed special events such as cooking with books programs, “Fancy Nancy” parties and more. http://www.plcmc.lib.nc.us/programs (Many libraries outside Mecklenburg have similar programming.)

12. Mecklenburg Park and Rec Programs. From fishing to birding, kayaking to outdoor movies, Mecklenburg’s Park and Recreation department has dozens of fun, free programs and festivals for kids and adults alike. www.parkandrec.com. Click on the “Get Going Guide.”

13. Art gallery crawls. Both NoDa and Historic South End hold free gallery crawls where you can hear live music and check out original works by artists in different stages of professional development. NoDa’s Gallery Crawls are held on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month. www.noda.org. SouthEnd’s are held the first Friday of the month. www.historicsouthend.com.

14. Story and music time at the bookstore. Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Barnes & Noble and Borders often have free storytimes, crafts and music hours for children. Check out their websites at: www.barnesandnoble.com, www.borders.com, and www.josephbeth.com.

15. Charlotte’s Asian Corner. You could hop on a plane and 16 hours later land in China, or you could hop in a car and head ten minutes northeast of uptown to The Asian Corner Mall and New Century Grocery Store. Your kids will love the fish, frogs and shellfish in the aquarium, trying the koala bear and “intellect” cookies, and other new sights and tastes. Check out blogger Julie Aguirre’s review.

16. See a free movie. Some are outside on the big screen; others play weekdays in commercial theaters. Check out MomsCharlotte’s comprehensive list of free movies playing this summer.

17. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fire Education Center and Museum. Take the kids to see old and new fire trucks at this museum at 5th and Graham streets uptown. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 704-338-SAFE.

18. Kids’ Workshops at Home Depot. Offered the first Saturday of each month between 9 a.m. and noon at most stores, kids will learn to hammer nails, turning screws and sanding wood while they build things such as bird houses and catamarans. Designed to teach kids do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while instilling a sense of accomplishment. No registration required. www.homedepotclinics.com

19. Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinics. Held twice a month on the second and fourth Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., kids will build things such as a dune buggy, a picture frame and more. Different clinics target children of different ages. Registration is required but can be done online. www.lowesbuildandgrow.com

20. SouthPark Mall. Have some upscale shopping to do while you have the kids? Despite the lack of a formal play area, there are actually plenty of kid-friendly spots at SouthPark. Pottery Barn Kids has a storytime every Tuesday at 10 a.m., occasional kids’ concerts and a great play area with a play kitchen, blocks, legos and more. Joseph-Beth Booksellers has a kids’ concert every Friday at 11:15 a.m., plus scheduled storytimes and another great play area with a train table, stuffed animals and more. And don’t forget to throw a coin in one of the mall’s fountains and make a wish! http://www.simon.com

Click here for our list of fun stuff to do for under $10.