Trying to keep kids busy all summer without spending a fortune? Same.
The good news: Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce have plenty of free and budget-friendly things to do. We've got a list of 15 things to do in St. Lucie County when you're looking to have fun for less this summer.
1. Attend a free family-friendly event
We maintain a monthly list of FREE St. Lucie County events just for you! Find the list here, or look for the ⭐️ star emoji on the calendar. Some of the recurring free events are:
- The Home Depot Kids Workshop on the first Saturday of each month
- Lowe's Kids Workshop monthly
- Michaels' Kids Club (usually twice monthly)
2. Cool off at a splash pad
The fountains at MIDFLORIDA Event Center, the Tradition fountains, and the splash pad at Pioneer Park are free and fun! More information on these places and low-cost community pools can be found in our Pools & Splash Pads Guide.
3. Head to a library
Visit any of the 7 branches of the St. Lucie County library for free! Not only can you enjoy the free books, children's launchpad tablets, children's storytime-to-go kits, and play 'n learn kits, but there is free family programming all summer long! See what's coming up on the library calendar, or check out our calendar, as we always include library events! Don't forget, a library card also gets you access to free movies, TV shows, e-books, audiobooks, music, and more with Libby, Hoopla, and Kanopy.
4. Spend the day at the beach
There's nothing better than some sand between your toes and salt in your hair! The best part: it's totally free!
5. Go bowling
Saint Lucie Lanes is offering kids 15 and under 3 free games every day from May 1st to August 31st! Kids can bowl for free on Monday–Friday from 10 AM–7 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM–5 PM. Discounted family passes are also available so that the whole family can join in on the fun. Sign up for your free passes at the front desk.
While no St. Lucie County bowling alleys have announced their participation in Kids Bowl Free this summer, you can register to bowl at our neighboring bowling alley in Jensen Beach (Jensen Beach Bowl). Kids can get 2 free games per day during the designated times—all you have to do is complete a quick online registration! Click here to find out more about the registration process. Make sure you read the fine print, and please note that you will need to rent (or bring) bowling shoes.
6. See a movie
AMC Port St. Lucie 14 is offering Summer Movie Camp, where tickets to select family movies are just $3 on Mondays and Wednesdays throughout the summer. Click here to see the schedule!
Touchstar Cinemas Sabal Palms 6 in Fort Pierce is offering $1 kids movies on Wednesdays at 9:30 AM from June 3 to August 5. Click here to see the schedule.
For movie deals, please read the terms before heading out. We highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance online because the theater can fill up!
7. Have fun at a playground
Check out our list of the best playgrounds in Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce, which lists amenities (such as the amount of shade available), and pick out the perfect playground for your family to visit.
8. Visit the Oxbow Eco-Center
Admission is always free to this nature center in Port St. Lucie. You can walk the trails, enjoy the nature playscape, and explore the indoor exhibits. There are also free family-friendly programs offered weekly. Check out their family exploration backpacks to enrich your experience. Learn more here.
9. Visit the Manatee Center
Admission is just $3 per person and free for kids 5 and under at the Manatee Center in Fort Pierce, where you'll enjoy indoor exhibits, aquariums, a garden, and an observation deck. There is also a free story time on the first Wednesday and the third Thursday of each month, and a free community day on the last Wednesday of each month. Please note that you must pre-register for story time. Learn more here.
10. Visit the St. Lucie County Aquarium
This small aquarium is a low-cost outing, with admission costing just $5 for adults, $4 for kids, and free for children under 4. The aquarium includes living models of six Florida marine and estuarine ecosystems. Kids will enjoy the interactive elements included throughout, as well as the touch tank. Make a day of the outing by enjoying the neighboring South Causeway Beach, which is perfect for little ones, and the nearby playground. Learn more here.
11. See if you qualify for free or reduced admission to museums
There are a few programs that may help reduce your family's admission costs to fun places!
- Museums for All—free or reduced admission to participating museums for those receiving SNAP benefits
- Blue Star Museums—free admission to participating museums for active-duty military members and their families
- Bank of America's Museums on US®—free admission for Bank of America cardholders to participating museums on the first full weekend of every month
- Teacher Passes—educators receive free admission to select Florida attractions
12. Go fishing
Kids under the age of 16 do not need a fishing license, and adults can join in the fun without a Florida license on select dates. License-free freshwater fishing days are June 13–14, 2026, and saltwater fishing days are June 6–7 and September 5, 2026. Read more about Florida fishing and hunting licenses, or see when other states' free fishing days are.
13. Participate in a summer reading challenge
A free activity that helps kids avoid the summer slide AND earns them a reward? Sounds like a win to us! Check out our round-up of reading reward programs and challenges to find one (or multiple!) to participate in.
14. Sign up for the Planet Fitness® High School Summer Pass®
If you have a teenager aged 14–19, they can register for a free summer pass to Planet Fitness®! The pass gives them access to their chosen club from June 1 through August 31, 2026. This is a great way to keep teens active! Click here to register.
15. 100 Easy Ideas for Kids + Printable Bucket List
Look over our list of 100 things to do this summer (most free or low-cost) when you're out of ideas or can't handle hearing "I'm bored" one more time.
Make sure you sign up for our free e-newsletter to learn about more free and low-cost things to do throughout the year!
