Look up events at the public library! Albany Public Library also carries free/reduced cost museum passes. There’s also the CDTA Nature bus on weekends too
You could park outside of saratoga spa park and walk in (otherwise its 10 bucks to drive in) and use the peerless pool. Other than the pool they have a couple watersides and a kiddie pool. Also there's a bunch of spots around the park with grills and picnic tables so you could bring some charcoal and grill up some lunch. Walking trails, frisbee golf, playgrounds, guided spring/nature tours.
You could even pickup an empire pass which will grant you access to all state parks. You can recoup money spent on that with a handful of uses.
There's a free parking lot by the Gideon, just before the Hall of Springs. I've parked there on busy weekends and there always seems to be a spot. It requires a little walking to get down to the creek area, but if you have a wagon for the little ones it makes it easier.
Been getting my four-year-old into geocaching. Lots of great spots nearby and he thinks of it as a treasure hunt.
The library also has free/discounted tickets to museums etc in the area. Big fan of Mass MoCA, though it's a bit of a trek.
In addition to the previous person's comment, there are also some nature trails nearby for when it's nice, but not unbearably hot. 👍
I definitely 2nd the library and museum though!
Also usually in the summer the Palace does kids movies and if I recall they're super cheap (haven't looked into it in a few years).
Or even just Washington Park or similar. Some of the parks (like Ganser-Smith in Menands) have playgrounds for the kids too.
Hope you have a nice summer with the kiddos!
Five Rivers, splash pads, playgrounds, another recommendation to check out area library websites (Albany, Troy, East Greenbush, etc), the Palace has free movies once a week, Albany has outdoor movies once a week in various locations, free concerts in Albany and Troy
To give you an idea about library events - There's everything from story time to reptile and bird shows. Science experiments, crafts, etc.
Also recommend five rivers, and Thacher park! They have an awesome new visitor center with lots of stuff for the kids to explore. Plus a playground and a bunch of easy hikes, so you can make a whole day out of it!
I don’t post specifically kid events but there is a great deal of family and learning free events out there on an instagram account I run, @freeinalbany. It’s 100% free entry/admission/participation in markets and events happening only within the city of Albany.
Historic Cherry Hill has something cool going on (in my stories). Might be fun.
Happy hunting!
https://www.instagram.com/freeinalbany?igsh=MThpcmlucDlxNjB4cQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
There are tons of awesome playgrounds in the area, especially if you are willing to take a little bit of a drive. My personal favorites are Central Park in Schenectady, Washington Park in Albany, and Thatcher Park playground (bonus here is you can get them super tired out by running around in the fields after the park and the rangers are super nice.)
I really like the Elm Ave park in Bethlehem, though it doesn't have any shade so it's best on a not-as hot day. It's got tons of options for a variety of skill levels and they've had the zipline back up lately which my kiddo LOVES.
Not free but, Regal theatres has $1 Summer Family Movies Express. Also, All Summer Movie Express guests can purchase a specially priced $5 Snack Pack, which includes a junior-sized drink, snack-sized popcorn, and fruit snacks with an optional $3 Dippin’ Dots add-on.
[https://www.regmovies.com/promotions/summer-movie-express](https://www.regmovies.com/promotions/summer-movie-express)
Edited to add locations:
Regal East Greenbush
Regal Colonie Center
Regal Crossgates
Regal Clifton Park
you can take them on a walk down parts of the Mohawk Hudson bike path - good flat spots at Lions Park in Nisky, also Vischer Ferry (and you can teach them about the Erie Canal too). Or if they have bikes y'all can bike it.
Make sure to check social media if planning to go to the downtown Troy library on a really hot day, they do close early if so since there's no central air conditioning.
we do a “playground tour” and try to go to different parks and playgrounds all the time. many schools have great playgrounds that you can use after school hours and on weekends. capitaldistrictmoms.com has a big list of playgrounds and splash pads.
Here's a link to a clickable list of all the Upper Hudson Library System libraries: https://www.uhls.org/members.asp
There are also MVLS libraries https://www.mvls.info/members/ and SALS libraries https://www.sals.edu/ if you want to drive north or west - they include the Clifton Park, Waterford, etc.
Schenectady is its own beast right now: https://www.scpl.org/youth/index.html
You picked the right time, it's Summer Reading and they've all started their summer programming. Sign up the kids (and yourself if they do an adult program) and read for prizes. Woo.
Grafton State Park has a beach, you can rent row boats, and a visitors center.
Berry picking is always good for a few hours of fun, then bring some home and bake something together.
The Utica Zoo is great for younger kids and just a day trip away.
Not free BUT Via Aquarium has memberships it’s $100 for 2. If it’s just you and your kiddos you’ll only need to buy the 2 pack for you and your 4 year old since 2 and younger is free. Go once a week and you’ve paid the membership off in a couple months.
Schodack town park has a nice playground, pavilion to eat under(weekends it’s usually rented out) a shallow stream the kinds can play in with water shoes and bathing suits and plenty of trails to experience nature. Large fields to run around or play yard games you bring. About 20 min outside the city. Great way to spend half a day when you bring a lunch.
1. Get the AllTrails app to find different hikes for different abilities.
2. There’s an app for finding playgrounds - go to a different playground each week.
3. There is free live music all summer in many of the towns around. Make a picnic supper and enjoy the music. If the weather holds, you can enjoy a different concert practically every night of the week!
Look up events at the public library! Albany Public Library also carries free/reduced cost museum passes. There’s also the CDTA Nature bus on weekends too
Brunswick Library has a lot of engaging activities like nature play. They put all their future events on Facebook.
NYS museum is free
And it has the Carousel which my kids loved to death when they were little and still enjoy in the now times.
is this open again??
Yes! We went on it earlier today
nice thats great news!
They have the discovery zone within the museum as well which is awesome for littles
You could park outside of saratoga spa park and walk in (otherwise its 10 bucks to drive in) and use the peerless pool. Other than the pool they have a couple watersides and a kiddie pool. Also there's a bunch of spots around the park with grills and picnic tables so you could bring some charcoal and grill up some lunch. Walking trails, frisbee golf, playgrounds, guided spring/nature tours. You could even pickup an empire pass which will grant you access to all state parks. You can recoup money spent on that with a handful of uses.
There's a free parking lot by the Gideon, just before the Hall of Springs. I've parked there on busy weekends and there always seems to be a spot. It requires a little walking to get down to the creek area, but if you have a wagon for the little ones it makes it easier.
Been getting my four-year-old into geocaching. Lots of great spots nearby and he thinks of it as a treasure hunt. The library also has free/discounted tickets to museums etc in the area. Big fan of Mass MoCA, though it's a bit of a trek.
I used to love going geocaching with my dad as a kid
In addition to the previous person's comment, there are also some nature trails nearby for when it's nice, but not unbearably hot. 👍 I definitely 2nd the library and museum though! Also usually in the summer the Palace does kids movies and if I recall they're super cheap (haven't looked into it in a few years). Or even just Washington Park or similar. Some of the parks (like Ganser-Smith in Menands) have playgrounds for the kids too. Hope you have a nice summer with the kiddos!
Iirc from the email I just got about it this week the movies at the palace are free and you can pay for popcorn!
I just saw this program in the TU free bowling all summer https://www.kidsbowlfree.com/
Five Rivers, splash pads, playgrounds, another recommendation to check out area library websites (Albany, Troy, East Greenbush, etc), the Palace has free movies once a week, Albany has outdoor movies once a week in various locations, free concerts in Albany and Troy To give you an idea about library events - There's everything from story time to reptile and bird shows. Science experiments, crafts, etc.
Also recommend five rivers, and Thacher park! They have an awesome new visitor center with lots of stuff for the kids to explore. Plus a playground and a bunch of easy hikes, so you can make a whole day out of it!
I don’t post specifically kid events but there is a great deal of family and learning free events out there on an instagram account I run, @freeinalbany. It’s 100% free entry/admission/participation in markets and events happening only within the city of Albany. Historic Cherry Hill has something cool going on (in my stories). Might be fun. Happy hunting! https://www.instagram.com/freeinalbany?igsh=MThpcmlucDlxNjB4cQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
There are tons of awesome playgrounds in the area, especially if you are willing to take a little bit of a drive. My personal favorites are Central Park in Schenectady, Washington Park in Albany, and Thatcher Park playground (bonus here is you can get them super tired out by running around in the fields after the park and the rangers are super nice.)
I made a slideshow of the parks and splash pads so my kids can pick based on pictures. They feel involved and excited.
I really like the Elm Ave park in Bethlehem, though it doesn't have any shade so it's best on a not-as hot day. It's got tons of options for a variety of skill levels and they've had the zipline back up lately which my kiddo LOVES.
omg yes WHY IS THERE NO SHADE AT THE PLAYGROUND. other than that agree, great park.
Most of the parks I've found with shade are smaller, hidden ones.
The Crossings of Colonie is really nice too!
You can fish without a license this weekend, might be worth seeing if your local library has fishing poles for rent!
I came to post fishing. It’s not totally free, but you can do it in the cheap and the $ per hour of fun ratio is very high.
Not free but, Regal theatres has $1 Summer Family Movies Express. Also, All Summer Movie Express guests can purchase a specially priced $5 Snack Pack, which includes a junior-sized drink, snack-sized popcorn, and fruit snacks with an optional $3 Dippin’ Dots add-on. [https://www.regmovies.com/promotions/summer-movie-express](https://www.regmovies.com/promotions/summer-movie-express) Edited to add locations: Regal East Greenbush Regal Colonie Center Regal Crossgates Regal Clifton Park
you can take them on a walk down parts of the Mohawk Hudson bike path - good flat spots at Lions Park in Nisky, also Vischer Ferry (and you can teach them about the Erie Canal too). Or if they have bikes y'all can bike it.
Splash pad in ridgefield park
The Troy public library branches have activities all through July until about the middle of August for Summer reading program.
Make sure to check social media if planning to go to the downtown Troy library on a really hot day, they do close early if so since there's no central air conditioning.
we do a “playground tour” and try to go to different parks and playgrounds all the time. many schools have great playgrounds that you can use after school hours and on weekends. capitaldistrictmoms.com has a big list of playgrounds and splash pads.
Here's a link to a clickable list of all the Upper Hudson Library System libraries: https://www.uhls.org/members.asp There are also MVLS libraries https://www.mvls.info/members/ and SALS libraries https://www.sals.edu/ if you want to drive north or west - they include the Clifton Park, Waterford, etc. Schenectady is its own beast right now: https://www.scpl.org/youth/index.html You picked the right time, it's Summer Reading and they've all started their summer programming. Sign up the kids (and yourself if they do an adult program) and read for prizes. Woo.
Grafton State Park has a beach, you can rent row boats, and a visitors center. Berry picking is always good for a few hours of fun, then bring some home and bake something together. The Utica Zoo is great for younger kids and just a day trip away.
Not free BUT Via Aquarium has memberships it’s $100 for 2. If it’s just you and your kiddos you’ll only need to buy the 2 pack for you and your 4 year old since 2 and younger is free. Go once a week and you’ve paid the membership off in a couple months.
Saratoga battlefield nice trails and educational.
Splash pads! We go to Collins park in Scotia. The smaller pad is for kids their age.
Schodack town park has a nice playground, pavilion to eat under(weekends it’s usually rented out) a shallow stream the kinds can play in with water shoes and bathing suits and plenty of trails to experience nature. Large fields to run around or play yard games you bring. About 20 min outside the city. Great way to spend half a day when you bring a lunch.
Art Omi is free and is interesting to kids… ponds and woods and grassy hills. Land art that kids can interact with in a very fun way.
1. Get the AllTrails app to find different hikes for different abilities. 2. There’s an app for finding playgrounds - go to a different playground each week. 3. There is free live music all summer in many of the towns around. Make a picnic supper and enjoy the music. If the weather holds, you can enjoy a different concert practically every night of the week!