16 Things To Do For Free With Your Kids In Calgary

Jul 4, 2018

5 min read

Summer is here which means the days are longer and there is more time to pack things into the day. While Clara and I love doing things like going to Heritage Park , if your budget is a little tight heading there for the day can be a bit pricey. With the help of some of the followers of this blog (thanks Andrea!) I have put together a list of 16 Free Things To Do With Your Kids In Calgary. If you have an idea I haven’t mentioned here, drop it in the comments and I’ll be sure to add it!

1. Edworthy Park – 5050 Spruce Drive S.W.

The first on the list of Free Things To Do With Your Kids In Calgary is Edworthy Park. Bordered by the Bow River and the community of Wildwood, Edworthy Park is a diverse space that makes it a great destination year-round. It includes natural areas like Douglas Fir Trail and Lawrey Gardens as well as a playground.

2. Mobile Adventure Playground – Various Locations

Sponsored by the City of Calgary, the Mobile Adventure Playgrounds are “dynamic spaces where children can explore, create, imagine and learn in their own way. They contain a variety of materials and loose parts such as boards, tires, tape and cardboard that children are free to use to build, demolish, assemble and change their environments as they desire.” The locations of this playground are always changing so be sure to check the schedule.

3. Spruce Meadows – 18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW

Located in the deep southwest of the city, Spruce Meadows is a world-class equestrian facility that sprawls across 360 acres of land. It hosts a variety of competitions throughout the summer, but for a free outing you can head out there and take a look around the stables and watch riders practice at various rings. Clara and I have spent a little bit of time there and she was absolutely mesmerized by the horses. There is also some swings and a field for running around in.

4. Geocaching – Various Locations

If you’re not familiar with Geocaching, it is a “real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location.” Once Clara is a little older I’m looking forward to trying this out, and if you have kids that love exploring then this is an awesome hobby for all of you.

5. Glenbow Ranch – East of Cochrane

Speaking of exploring, Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park is a great place to do just that. Located just outside of Cochrane, Glenbow Ranch is perfect for Geocaching, hiking, biking or just for having a picnic.

Glenbow Ranch. Photo via Carpe Diem Calgary

6. Malls – Across The City

It’s not always a nice day, and you don’t always want to be spending all your time outdoors. Malls are a great – and FREE – option for hanging out at. Southcentre, Market Mall and Cross Iron Mills all have play areas for kids that will tire them out in no time.

7. City of Calgary Nature Drop-In Program – Various Locations

For kids aged 4 – 12, this is an awesome program put on by the cities parks department. These programs have interesting topics like Wetland Bug Safari, Busy Bugs, and more!

8. Fish Creek Park – South Calgary

I’ve written a bunch about my love of Fish Creek park, and it really is a great way to spend a day without spending a dime. Hike, swim, adventure, bike, or just hang out, Fish Creek has a lot to offer and is easily one of the best free things to do with your kids in Calgary.

Fish Creek Park. Photo by Dashing Dad

9. Bowness Park – 8900-48 Avenue NW

When asking what there is to do at Bowness Park, a better question to ask would be what ISN’T there to do at Bowness Park. One of the cities best parks, Bowness Park has:

A tea house
A boat house/skate shop
Playground
Washrooms
Trails
Lagoon
Wading pool
Outdoor skating
Cross country skiing
Bow River Access
And tons more

10. Heritage Park Free Music In The Plaza – 1900 Heritage Dr SW

Every Wednesday night from now until the end of August Heritage Park has free music at its Heritage Plaza located before the entry gates so you don’t need to pay park admission to attend. The concerts run from 6 – 8 pm, so theres still time to get the little ones to bed.

Heritage Park’s free music in the plaza. Photo via Family Fun Canada

11. Spray Parks and Wading Pools – Various Locations

Hot weather is coming and staying cool is one of the best free things to do with your kids in Calgary. The city currently runs six spray parks and four wading pools located across the city with additional spray parks located in communities across the city. Some of the city and community spray parks and wading pools include:

Spray Parks

Wading Pools

Sicome Lake in Fish Creek park is also a great option, however, they now charge an admission fee to help offset planned future renovations.

12. Inglewood Bird Sanctuary – 2425 9 Ave SE

Clara is currently obsessed with anything that flies which makes the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary an obvious place to venture. Entrance is free and you can stroll the paths and trails while looking for different kinds of birds. The Bird Sanctuary was devastated by the 2013 floods, but most of it has been restored at this point, with only a small north section still closed.

13. St. Patrick’s Island – East Village

St. Patrick’s Island is a great place to explore. Fully restored after the 2013 floods, it now features an amphitheatre, a kid-friendly play mound, picnic grove, fishing cove, public art and more.

St. Patrick’s Island Calgary

14. Devonian Gardens – 317 7 Ave SW

Personally, I avoid downtown like the plague, however, if you find yourself downtown and are looking for a free option for your kids then Devonian Gardens is the place to be. They have a playground your kids can play on and it really is a tranquil place to hang out (minus the kids screams of course haha).

15. Hiking – Various Locations

Hiking is a great way to spend a day and one of the best free things to do with your kids in Calgary. The kids get to explore and tire themselves out and you get exercise and time in nature. Win-win. There are a ton of great family hikes in and around Calgary including Grassi Lakes Trail.

The new Central Library. Photo via Calgary Public Library

16. Calgary’s Public Libraries – Various Locations

Wanna know something cool? Calgary’s public libraries are the sixth most used libraries in North America. With the opening of the new Central Library in November of this year that is only going to increase our cities usage. Lots of the libraries have play areas for the kids and getting to pick one or two books to take home, puts even more excitement into reading.