Free + Kid-Friendly Summer Activities In Memphis

Finding kid-friendly summer activities can be time consuming and costly, but Memphis offers all kinds of free and kid friendly events around town. Check them out below.

Beat the Memphis heat at one of Memphis’ outdoor pools

Taking a dip in a City of Memphis pool requires a City of Memphis Access Card (which you can apply for online here). Once registration is completed, the actual card can be obtained at any of the below listed community centers with proof of residency and date of birth for each applicant. Proof of guardianship must also be provided.

Play Your Park Program

Play Your Park started in Memphis on June 4 as an initiative to get kids outside and have fun during their summer vacation. Until August 3, kids and teens have the opportunity to participate in games and activities at the following parks around town from 10am to 6pm, Monday through Friday.

Locations:

• Bartlett Meadows – 5195 Twin Wood Avenue
• May Field – 6417 Quince Road
• Fletcher Creek – 8743 Dexter Road
• Winridge – 3500 Ridgeway Road
• Wilson – 2969 Clarke Road
• Oakhaven – 3875 Bishops Bridge Road
• Alcy  – 2495 Warren Street
• Charjean – 2601 Ketchum Road
• Brentwood – 700 Josephine Street
• Cherokee Park – 2999 Filmore Avenue

All you have to do is show up and sign up in order to take part. Each day will have fun activities planned such as dodgeball, relay races, flag foot ball, Frisbee and more. In addition, lunch will also be provided by Shelby County Schools, and the lunches will be distributed by the Memphis Leadership Foundation.

Learn more about Play Your Park here.

Funky Fridays in July

The Stax Museum of American Soul Music has partnered with organizations around town to offer Funky Fridays in July. Funky Friday activities are free, interactive and great for all ages of kids! Activities will commerce at 10am and wrap up around noon.

Here is their full schedule:

• July 6 – Crafts with The Art Project
• July 13 – Music and dancing with Ekpe & Company African Drum Group
• July 20 – How-records-work with Goner Records
• July 27 – Story circles with Ballet Memphis

Looking for more summer fun? Check out these events for some more free summer events:

• Free Tuesday Afternoons at the Zoo
• Mud Island River Walk
• Free Tuesdays at the Pink Palace
• Free Monday at the National Civil Rights Museum 
• Pay-what-you-wish at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens
• The Peabody Duck March
• Levitt Shell’s Free Music Concert Series
• Storytime and other events at the Memphis Public Library
• Attend a Zine Making Workshop on July 7th or July 14th

Love the outdoors? Check out 40 Ways to Enjoy the Great Outdoors in Memphis.

Go here for more ways to beat the heat in Memphis.