100 Affordable Things To Do With Kids This Summer in Greater Worcester

If you're looking for summer activities that are affordable and close to home, there are plenty of options available to you in Worcester, Shrewsbury, and Westborough. From exploring local parks and museums to attending free concerts and festivals, there's something for every family to enjoy. Our list of 100 things to do this summer provides a great starting point for planning your family's summer adventures. Be sure to also check out our event calendar for additional ideas for budget-friendly fun. With so many options available, you're sure to find plenty of ways to make lasting memories with your loved ones this summer.

Ongoing throughout the summer:

1. Go fishing in the Worcester area
2. Sign up for a local youth Summer Camp - soccer, day camp, music, basketball and more!
3. Shrewsbury Farmers Market, open every Thursday from June 6 to September 12. The market operates from 3:00pm -7:30pm.
4. Westborough Farmers Market, open every Thursday from June 13th to October 17th. The market operates from 2-6pm.
5. Ski Ward summer tubing, (ages 5 and up), starting at $15/hour, mid-June - early September, Mon-Sat 11am-7pm, Shrewsbury (weather permitting).  Check out our review of an awesome birthday party we had here.
6. Green Hill Park Farm 🦙 free daily from 10am-2:45pm (closed every Monday). Green Hill Park is a 480-acre park with a golf course, playgrounds, picnic areas, and a petting zoo. You can spend the day exploring the park's many trails, or simply relax and enjoy a picnic.
7. Camp out with the family in one of the 6 sites within 1 hour of Worcester. 
8. Worcester Family Partnership – 130 Leeds Street 2nd Floor, Worcester, MA 01606 – 508-799-3136.  Free virtual/weekday drop in morning playgroups with varying themes.  They also offer evening playgroups and parent workshops with free childcare with advance registration.
9. Visit Worcester JCC.  Get a day pass to have some family fun!
10. Worcester Historical Museum (free parking)
11. Holy Cross Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Art Gallery (free)
12. Worcester Center for Crafts
13. Salisbury Mansion in Worcester 
14. NorthStar for drop in indoor ice skating. Call for rates.
15. Eat ice cream at a local shop!
16. Visit CHUCK E. CHEESE in Worcester for family fun
17. Holden Farmers Market on Tuesdays all summer
18. Visit the Hebert Candy Mansion in Shrewsbury for a sweet treat
19. USDA Programs where kids eat free all summer. CLICK HERE for Massachusetts Summer Food Programs.  Click HERE for Worcester specific Summer Food Programs (will be updated).
20. 🎳 Bowling at Bowlero Shrewsbury
21. Have lunch on the Worcester Common Oval
22. Visit a Shrewsbury or Worcester Little Free Library
23. Worcester Area Hikes for Families
24. Recreation Worcester, Free Youth Summer Camp, City-Wide Recreation Program.  Recreation Worcester's six week Summer program focuses on team work, sports, arts and fun learning delivered by local youth workers and community partners. Youth will be offered different options of activities to choose from guided by the Recreation Worcester staff team.  WHERE: 12 parks throughout the City.  WHEN: Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from June 20-August 6. COST: Participation is free for children ages 7 to 13 and includes lunch and dinner.
25. Visit the EcoTarium in Worcester, reserve tickets in advance. The EcoTarium is an indoor-outdoor museum with a focus on science and nature. It features interactive exhibits, live animal habitats, and a planetarium. It's a great place to spend a day with the family.
26. Visit Broad Meadow Brook in Worcester for a hike or an outdoor program.
27. Kids Club Classes through Michaels - Week 1-4
28. Purchase tickets to a Worcester Bravehearts baseball game!  Seats start around $20/person and they have a free kids club.  Check out our article on taking kids to a baseball game. The Worcester Bravehearts are a local minor league baseball team. Attending one of their games can be a fun way to spend an afternoon or evening with the family.
29. Our local libraries (Worcester Public, Shrewsbury Public) are offering free events and summer reading programs, so be sure to check the Worcester Macaroni Kid event calendar for more details!
30. YMCA Greendale - Splash pad, play basketball, tennis or go for a swim! Day passes are available.
31. Worcester restaurants where kids eat FREE! Kids eat free restaurants, sorted by day of week!  Super helpful in the summer months! 
32. Moore State Park in Paxton (20 minutes West of Worcester) offers an old sawmill building, waterfalls, hiking, fishing and canoeing as well.  
33. If you do visit a state park over the Summer, you can save on parking fees by checking out local libraries that offer a "Borrow a Parks Pass."  There is also a program for 4th graders and their families that allows them to enter all state parks in the U.S. for free called Every Kid in a Park!
34. Take some family pictures at Bancroft Tower in Worcester. It is listed on the National Register of Historical Places!
35. Have a family picnic at a local park in the Worcester area.
36. Play indoor mini golf at X-Golf Worcester
37. Visit Annie's Bookstop in Worcester for wonderfully priced used books and new books at a discounted rate.
38. Try a youth fencing class at Worcester Fencing Club
39. Participate in a youth summer reading program in the Worcester area (free books and other prizes)
40. Outdoor activities for families in Worcester 
41. Go sailing at Regatta Point in Shrewsbury. Lake Quinsigamond is a popular spot for boating, fishing, and swimming. You can also rent a kayak or paddleboard to explore the lake.
42. The best family museums in Worcester
43. Visit local pools and beaches with our swimming and beach guide in Worcester
44. Pick berries at a local farm
45. Elm Park in Worcester is a fun place to play and picnic.  Take a picture or two on the bridge.
46. Lake Chauncy in Westborough has a nice beach and picnic tables. Passes are available for a fee.
47. Blackstone Valley Cinemas in Millbury are offering indoor movies and you can become a member of their popcorn club!
48. Visit the Sensory Station Toy Store in Worcester for sensory based toys - early Ed toys - fidgets- motor skills- cognitive, website under construction
49. Root & Press, Worcester based independent bookstore with a café and a small children's area
50. Jump Nation – Shrewsbury – 508-845-7529. Indoor bounce house with two separate rooms that allow your children to run and jump for two hours at a time for approximately $18/child.  
51. Launch Trampoline Park in Westborough. Call for drop in pricing.
52. The Little Gym of Westborough
53. Central Rock and Gym in Worcester offers day passes and kid rates are $15 for ages 5 and under.
54. Quinsigamond State Park - Walking path, dog park, picnic areas, fishing and sailing
55. Eat a yummy treat from a LOCAL bakery like Table Talk Pie in Worcester
56. Greenwood spray park – Greenwood Park is located on the south end of Worcester in the Quinsigamond Village Neighborhood section. There is a playground, softball field, spray park, basketball court, nature trail, picnic areas and tennis courts available to the city public.
57. Visit Boundless Adventures to have fun climbing outdoors at their aerial adventure park!  Check out our review here.
58. Visit George's Coney Island for a great hot dog + Worcester history!
59. Visit a splash pad.  Cristoforo Colombo Park (East Park) - Worcester - opens at noon
60. Visit the Worcester Public Market for a great mix of local vendors and food
61. Attend a WooSox baseball game in Worcester at Polar Park
62. The Canal District has an online interactive walking tour with clips outlining the history of Worcester
63. Friendly fire paintball in Upton.  Open Sat and Sun only.  Approximately $20/person for self-equipped players
64. Friday Night Cruisin’, every Friday evening starting on May 3rd at the Auburn Elks Lodge
65. Food Truck Thursdays: April - October in Shrewsbury
66. Visit Tatnuck Bookseller in Westborough. Lovely kids book area.
67. Visit TidePool Bookstore in Worcester for children's books.

June 14-30:

1. Free Entrance Days at National Parks
2. Camp Creatology: Mixed Media Guitar – Michaels StoreJune 17, 2024
3. Worcester Art Museum Complimentary Admission
4. Camp Creatology: Sunny Days Frame – Michaels StoreJune 19, 2024
5. De-Stress with Dogs
6. Camp Creatology: Faux Tie-Dyed Bandana – Michaels StoreJune 21, 2024
7. Asian Festival
8. Camp Creatology: Painted Trinket Dish – Michaels StoreJune 24, 2024
9. Camp Creatology: Door Hanger – Michaels StoreJune 26, 2024
10. Camp Creatology: Roller Skate Salt Painting – Michaels StoreJune 28, 2024
11. Make a Museum-Worthy Shadow Box (Westborough)
12. Boro-lympics Event: Ratatouille Movie Screening (Westborough)

July 1-31:

1. Build It Club (Shrewsbury)
2. Camp Creatology: Beaded Keychain – Michaels StoreJuly 1, 2024
3. Lego Club - Shrewsbury
4. Camp Creatology: Craft Stick Camera – Michaels StoreJuly 3, 2024
5. Camp Creatology: Memory Journal – Michaels StoreJuly 5, 2024
6. Camp Creatology: Butterfly – Michaels StoreJuly 8, 2024
7. Babies, Books, and Bubbles (Shrewsbury)
8. FREE Home Depot Kids' Workshop 7/6: Worcester (Soccer Game)
9. Summer Concert Series (Shrewsbury)
10. Camp Creatology: Terra Cotta Planter – Michaels StoreJuly 10, 2024
11. Wiggle Words in the library! (Shrewsbury)
12. Camp Creatology: Weaving Bear – Michaels StoreJuly 12, 2024
13. Tinker Time (Shrewsbury)

Aug. 1-31:

1. FREE Home Depot Kids' Workshop 8/3: Worcester (Whiteboard)
2. Children's Room Tween Trail
3. AbraKidabra! show with magician Mike Bent
4. Free Entrance Days at National Parks
5. Lego Club - Shrewsbury
6. Worcester Family 5K : 52-Week 5K Series
7. 50th Anniversary Block Party at The Central House (Westborough)
8. Summer Concert Series (Shrewsbury)

These are just a few ideas for things to do with your family in Worcester, MA, during the summer. There are plenty of other attractions and activities to explore as well! Have a great summer!

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Please note: This list will be updated as info about more events comes in, so check back often to make sure you don't miss out on any summer family fun in Greater Worcester!

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