20+ Totally Free Things To Do with Kids in Maryland (2024)
Maryland is full of tons of great activities to do with family and kids but honestly, it can get a bit costly to explore some of them. If you are like me, you always search for free or budget friendly options of activities for your kids.
I live in Maryland with our 3 kids, and I consider myself a pro at finding the best things to do both paid and free while in Maryland.
That’s why I put together this blog post with a list of some great FREE activities in Maryland that you can check out. There are also a few very low-cost options at the end of the post.
Free things to do in Maryland with your kids!
1. Go to Playgrounds
Kids love playgrounds, and Maryland has some of the most incredible playgrounds I’ve ever seen. There are the 26 imagination playgrounds just in Prince George’s County that are an absolute blast to check out. You will find playgrounds with different themes and play structures that your kids will want to play at for hours.
My kids and I have been to a ton of playgrounds in Maryland and counting. Check out our Instagram page to see some fun Maryland reels.
Nearly every county in Maryland has a variety of playgrounds to choose from, each with its unique play equipment. My kids are absolute fans of playgrounds, and we go to one nearly every weekend during the summer months.
2. Baltimore Museum of Art
The Baltimore Museum of Art is another fun and free place to take your kids in Maryland. Enjoy teaching your children about art with plenty of fascinating exhibits that will catch your attention.
The displays are constantly changing, so you can go time and time again if your children love art!
3. Storyville
If your children are under five, take them to Storyville at either the Rosedale or Woodlawn branches of the Baltimore County Public Libraries. Here your kids can enjoy new toys, play with other children their age, and have fun.
We visited the Rosedale location and had a lot of fun; you can read about our fun experience at Storyville.
There are pretend play setups at each location, such as a construction zone, grocery store, garden, mailroom, and a few other play areas to engage kids in imaginative play.
4. Enoch Pratt Free Library
The Enoch Pratt Free Library is another excellent place for kids to get creative and have fun. Many branches are spread all over Maryland, so you can get to one where you live!
Each department has events and activities for all kid groups, from babies and toddlers to younger children and teenagers.
Learn how caterpillars turn into butterflies, make hot air balloon art, do a scavenger hunt, play games, and so much more at any of the Enoch Pratt Free Library branches!
5. Sherwood Gardens
Located in North Baltimore, the Sherwood Gardens has bright, colorful tulips and summer flowers that your child will love to explore one sunny spring day. Tulips bloom in April and May and make for the cutest photo background! They are famous for having nearly 80,000 tulips that peak in late April.
Once the tulips finish blooming, anyone is allowed to come up to dig and purchase tulip bulbs on the Saturday of Memorial Day each year. Although they do not have pathways for strollers so, plan accordingly.
Throughout the flower season, there are some fun music events and activities you might enjoy as well. Sherwood Gardens is a winner for us and is one of the best places to take your kids during summer.
6. Salisbury Zoo
If your child loves animals, enjoy a free, fun day at the zoo! The Salisbury Zoo has plenty of incredible animals to meet with your little ones. Kids of all ages will love going to this zoo!
You’ll see bears, birds, otters, wolves, alligators, pythons, and much more. A zoo is always a great option, especially when it doesn’t cost anything!
7. Ocean City Beach
During the summer, why not have a fun beach day? Head over to Ocean City and spend a nice, relaxing day out by the water with your children. You can play in the water, fish, surf, canoe, kayak, and spend your day in the sun.
You can explore any of the beaches all day long in Ocean City. During the summer, you can also experience many fun activities in OCMD for the entire family, including movies, concerts, kite festivals, and plenty of other fun events.
8. Mallows Bay
Teach your children some fascinating history as you explore Mallows Bay. Here you will find the Ghost Fleet, where over a hundred ships are located. This is known as one of the largest ship graveyards where you can see ships from the Civil War and World War I. In addition, you can kayak around the ships for a truly unique experience.
9. Go on a Hike
Get out in nature and enjoy a nice hike with your kids! Hiking is a fun way to spend time together as a family and go on an adventure. Depending on how old your kids are will determine what hike to do.
National Parks usually cost a small fee to enter and go on the hikes, but there are five days each year where you can get in for free! A few parks in Maryland participate in these five days, so check out which ones do and plan to head there on the free days! Here is a complete list of some fantastic national parks to visit in Maryland
10. Days End Farm Horse Rescue
The Days End Farm Horse Rescue is a non-profit that takes care of horses and helps them feel better and get adopted by a new family. It is a fantastic place to visit and learn about horses! You can go on a tour of the farm and see the horses every day of the week.
This is another free farm, but donations are accepted.
11. Go Bowling
The Kids Bowl Free program allows your children between 2-and 16 years old to get two free bowling games every day for the entire summer! Certain bowling centers participate in this program. Check their website to see if there is a bowling center near you and register your children!
Eight different bowling alleys in Maryland participate in the Kids Bowl Free program. While you will have to pay for yourself, your children are absolutely free! If you have older kids, enjoy watching them play against each other!
12. Watkins Nature Center
Do your kids love wildlife? Take them to Watkins Nature Center! Your children can get hands-on experience with animals and learn about their habitats and lifestyles. You can explore indoor and outdoor exhibits without paying a thing!
If your kids love nature, check out some amazing nature centers in Maryland.
13. Pierce’s Park
Pierce’s park is inspired by Pierce Flanagan III. His family created this park to honor his life. This is a sensory park for children old and young. Here you will find a musical fence, sculptures, and other fun areas for kids to explore nature and enjoy being outdoors. It is a beautiful garden the entire family will love.
14. Outdoor Movies
During the summer, enjoy watching a family-friendly movie outside in 9 different places all around Baltimore, Maryland. You can see the schedule here and all the participating locations to plan the perfect outdoor adventure with your little ones. All movies are free to enjoy, so bring some snacks, a blanket, and lawn chairs and enjoy!
15. Take a walk or hike along the C & O Canal
Visiting the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal with kids can be a fun and educational experience. The canal stretches 184.5 miles from Georgetown in Washington, D.C., to Cumberland, Maryland.
Along the way, there are plenty of opportunities for kids to learn about the history of the canal and its importance to the region. Of course, there are also plenty of opportunities for fun, including the Billy goat trail hiking, biking, and fishing.
Its one of our favorite free outdoor activities in Maryland.
16. Brookside Gardens
With acres of gardens, ponds, and trails to explore, your kids will be entertained for hours for free at Brookside gardens. There’s also a children’s garden with lots of fun activities, including a maze, a butterfly garden, and a play area. My kids loved seeing and trying to identify the flowers when we visited.
And if you need a break, there’s a cafe on-site serving delicious snacks and drinks. So bring your family to Brookside Gardens and enjoy a day of stunning beauty and fun.
17. Cylburn Arboretum
This arboretum is home to nearly 200 acres of gardens, nature trails, and wildlife. You can explore the gardens on foot or take a ride on the tram. Be sure to check out the Children’s Garden, where your kids can explore and learn about nature.
There’s also a playground and a picnic area, so you can make a day of it. Cylburn Arboretum is open every day from 8am to dusk. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted.
18. Playgrounds
There are a ton of amazing outdoor playgrounds in Maryland especially when its nice outside and the best thing is most of them are free except for those inside certain county parks that require a small fee to get in.
19. Lowes workshop
Lowes does a free kids workshop once a month where kids can build something exciting. This is a really fun activity to get your kids out of the house and also creative especially. ifyou have kids that love to be hands on.
20. Home Depot kids workshop
Home Depot is another business that also holds free kids workshops once a mont similar to Lowes where the kids can come together with others to build fun items. They have schedules for each month.
21. Robinson nature center event
The nature center offers free events throughout the month. One particular one is the Annies outdoor puppet show where the Nature Center honors the legacy of Anne Robinson whose final wish for her property was to connect people to nature. Kids can enjoy a short, 10-15min puppet show in the center’s outdoor puppet theater area about a nature-related topic.
Surprisingly Affordable Things To Do With Kids In Maryland
Antietam National Battlefield Self-Guided audio tour (From $10)
For history lovers, take a trip down to Antietam national battlefield. There is plenty to see and do at Antietam national battlefield, which makes it one of the best things. First, be sure to walk the 1.5-mile tour route, which takes you past the most important landmarks.
There is also the self-guided driving tour and the great thing is you can purchase one per car not per person so everyone in the car gets to listen to it.
Click here to book the Antietam National Battlefield audio tour for your family
Scavenger hunt in Baltimore: Inner harbor and outer sights (From $10)
If you are not up for the typical sightseeing tours, switch it up and experience a scavenger hunt in Baltimore. Explore Baltimore while doing a scavenger hunt to find things. It’s also a great way to learn about the history of Baltimore and see different sections of the harbor area you probably would not have seen otherwise.
Scavenger Hunt round Baltimore Inner Harbor with your family and kids!
Annapolis scavenger hunt: Red bricks and blue views
This is another fun way to learn the history of Annapolis by finding items through the app plus a great way to get some cool pictures. Make sure your phones are fully charged cause you will need it to complete the scavenger challenge.
Click here to Try a scavenger hunt activity round Annapolis
Walking tour of Frederick Maryland- The crossroads of Maryland
For history lovers, this is a great way to learn more about Frederick and its storied history. The tour guide is very knowledgeable and shares a ton of civil war stories, historical context and information some of the older buildings with history, background and pictures.
If you have dogs, you can bring them on this tour with you as a Frederick is a very dog friendly town.
Catch a tour of Frederick from the eyes of an experienced tour guide!
Budget-Friendly Places to Stay In Maryland
With the number of attractions in Maryland, it has a lot of options when it comes to budget friendly accommodation options. Here are some budget friendly places to stay during your holiday in Maryland:
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Bel Air/Aberdeen, MD
The staff here is very friendly and accommodating and the hotel itself is well maintained. They also provide free breakfast which is a plus. Its about 9 miles from the Bulle Rock Golf Course if you are into golf.
Hilton Baltimore BWI Airport
The staff are extremely welcoming, professional and helpful including the shuttle drivers. It is also a convenient location close to airport and places to eat. The beds in the rooms are very comfortable.
Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore
The rooms here are a nice size especially for families. It’s a great location with lovely staff and the indoor pool was a plus! It’s a nice walk to the historic ships and the National Aquarium and to the Inner Harbor which has a ton of things to do.
Planning a trip to Maryland? Use our favorite resources!
Accommodations – I recommend Expedia
Flights – I recommend Expedia
Tours/experiences – I recommend Viator
Car rental – I recommend DiscoverCars
Conclusion: Free Maryland Attractions for Families
There are plenty of fun things to do in Maryland with kids, no matter what time of year. These are just some of the best free things to do in Maryland for families. Choose any of these activities from this list and have a blast spending time together!
