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10 Ideas for Free Summer Fun in Vero Beach & Sebastian

There are lots of inexpensive ways to have fun in Indian River County this summer!

By Alison Ellis, publisher of Macaroni KID Vero Beach May 21, 2024

We get it. You want to have fun with your family, but you don't want to spend a lot of money. We've got 10 ideas for completely FREE summer fun in Vero Beach and Sebastian, Florida.  

1. Visit a playground 

Check out our Parks Guide which lists amenities and includes a Google map locator to pick out the perfect playground for your family to visit. 

2. Splash at Riverview Park or the Fountains at Royal Palm Pointe

Both of these splash pads are free and a great way to cool off. The Gifford and North County Aquatic Centers are not free, but they are reasonably priced. More information on these places can be found in our Pools & Splash Pads Guide

3. Check out the library

Visit the Main Library and Brackett Library in Vero, the North County Library in Sebastian, and the Marian Fell Library in Fellsmere. The library has more than just books! They also have a Makerspace area, STEM carts, computers, and toys available, as well as a full schedule of programming and special events! Read more here. 

4. Enjoy a beach day 

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 

Vero Bowl participates in the Kids Bowl Free initiative. This article has more information and a registration link to get your child signed up for free bowling. Please note that you will need to rent (or bring) bowling shoes. 

6. See a movie

Majestic 11 offers free kids' movies each day this summer from June 7th through August 1st. Adults are $3 or free with the donation of a non-perishable food item. Movies change each Friday. Click here to see the schedule!

7. Play at The Buggy Bunch Family Center 

The Buggy Bunch offers free programming all summer long! Visit their website to see what's happening, and make sure you register in advance when required. 

8. Visit the Vero Beach Museum of Art 

On the last Saturday of each month, admission to VBMA is free. You can also get free museum passes at any Indian River County Library. Additionally, VBMA is a participant in the Museums for ALL program which provides free admission for visitors who receive SNAP benefits, and a Blue Star Museum, which provides free admission throughout the summer to active-duty military families. VBMA also participates in Bank of America's Museums on US program, which provides Bank of America members with free admission on the first full weekend of each month. First responders and healthcare workers also receive free admission with a valid ID. 

9. See the Animals at LaPorte Farms

Kids can see all sorts of critters at LaPorte Farms. The best part? It's free! Donations are encouraged. 

10. Community Service

Volunteer together as a family for community clean-up events, food drives, or other local opportunities to give back to the community. Kids love to help out, and teens often need volunteer hours!

Bonus: Check the Macaroni KID Vero Beach Calendar for free events

We have all the free summer events we can find on our Macaroni KID Vero Beach events calendar, which is always free to view! You can also sign up for our free e-newsletter that will keep you in the know about happenings relevant to local families!