One thing that is certain about kids: They love to be busy! How do we keep them occupied and not break the bank? Check out these resources for cheap and free kids activities for kids in Collin County.
Free Attractions in Collin County
These are the freest ways to have a fun time in Collin County!
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve :: This is a paved and sometimes-rugged preserve in Plano to go for a nature walk with the kiddos. The rockier path leads to a creek you can play in. There is also a playground, restroom, and water fountain with a water-bottle re-filler. Be sure to bring bug spray and snacks.
Collin County Farm Museum :: In McKinney and open Wednesdays for free. See tractors, barns, collections, and artifacts from Collin County’s rural heritage in the early 1960s.
Concerts by the Creek :: In Allen at Watters Creek, concerts by the creek shows every Saturday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m through June. Enjoy jazz, 80s, indie-rock, and more — Check the schedule to see when your favorite genre or cover band plays.
>> RECOMMENDED RESOURCE :: Community Calendar of Local Events <<
Interurban Railway Museum :: This free museum in Plano showcases the history of Plano and the Texas Electric Railway. Tour a real-life, retired U.S. Mail Railway Post Office train car! Exhibits include an interactive electricity room and model train. On Fridays at 11:00a.m., preschoolers can enjoy story time with Motorman Harold before the tour.
Music in the Square in Downtown Frisco :: Every Friday in June starting at 8:00 p.m., grab a pizza or pack a picnic dinner, and bring the kids for a musical family night out. Best part is, it’s totally FREE!
Pools, Splash Pads, and Water Parks :: Collin County is filled with parks and splash pads that make for a fun day out in the sun and water. Pack the towels and have a free outing that will keep the kids busy for hours. Don’t forget the sunscreen!
The Shops at Willow Bend in Plano :: Beat the heat at this free, indoor play area. Nearly 2,000 square feet, it features a firetruck, merry-go-round, and more.
Your local firehouse :: Firefighters love to get visitors, and enjoy giving kids a tour of the house. Make some cookies and bring them a special “Thank You For Your Service” homemade treat.
>> RECOMMENDED RESOURCE :: Pools, Splash Pads, and Water Parks in Collin County <<
Libraries
My kids and I have made crafts, seen zookeeper talks (with live animals!), and even enjoyed food trucks and balloon animals — all courtesy of your local library’s free programming.
Allen Public Library :: With an ever-eventful calendar and storybook trail, families can pass hours of quality time here.
Celina Public Library :: Building Legos and trading Pokémon cards are some of the free activities on its events calendar.
Frisco Public Library :: (Note: Don’t miss the amazing children’s play areas: Tot’s Town and Kid’s Club!)
>> RELATED READ :: A Mom’s Guide to Local Libraries in Collin County <<
McKinney Public Library System :: (Judy Gay Library and Roy & Helen Hall Library) has a wide variety of FREE activities for kids ages 16 months to 10 years old, including Toddler Time, Adventure Tots, Little Explorers, and its Beehive Program. You can check out the calendar here.
Plano Public Libraries :: There are five libraries in Plano’s system, each offering something special for families.
Prosper Community Library :: Choose from a wide selection of physical and digital children’s and adult’s books.
Rike Memorial Library :: Located in Farmersville.
Sachse Public Library :: It has an extensive list of links to at-home learning resources.
Smith Public Library :: Get hands-on at Wylie’s public library with sensory story times, and interactive exhibits for kids.
>> RELATED READ :: Live Your Best Book Life in Collin County <<
Parks and Recreation
Visit your local parks and rec website and/or Facebook page to find local (usually free!) events as well as parks, trails, and gyms. Here are popular playgrounds to pass the afternoon around Collin County:
Allen Parks and Rec :: Allen Events Calendar
Bethany Lakes Park :: This playground has a musical theme with large instruments to drum and play. We love this playground because the structures are low and the ground is made of rubber turf — great for little ones!
Celebration Park :: This expansive playground is one of the largest in DFW. Colorful metal structures interconnect for tons of play. The spray ground (water + playground) is another huge draw of this park along with the soccer field, bike trail, open space, and yes, restrooms!
>> RELATED READ :: Fun & Fresh :: A Roundup of Farmers Markets in Collin County <<
Celina Parks and Rec :: Celina Events Calendar
Founders Station Park :: Pickleball is a fan favorite in Celina, and the courts at Founders Station Park have lots of open (free!) play time plus free beginner lessons on Wednesday evenings.
Old Celina Park :: This park features a playground, catch-and-release fishing pond, open space, and restrooms.
Fairview Parks and Rec :: Fairview Events Calendar
Beaver Run Park :: This park includes horseshoe pits, a playground, and a nature trail.
Fairview Town Center :: Take a stroll around this shopping center, park, and fountain, where kids 12 years old and younger can play in the splash pad.
Frisco Parks and Rec :: Frisco Events Calendar
Hope Park :: Hope Park is part of Frisco Commons — 63 acres that include a fishing pond, splash pad, and (you guessed it) restrooms. This expansive playground includes a picnic alley, big kid lot, and tot lot. Don’t miss the adorable building facades like a frozen custard store and baseball ticket booth!
McKinney Parks and Rec :: McKinney Events Calendar
Finch Park :: There’s something for everyone at a park that includes a large splash pad (with a giant bucket that pours water!), walking trails, pavilions, a basketball court, a sand volleyball court, and playground equipment. Bonus: there are restrooms!
>> RELATED READ :: 50 Places to Take the Kids this Summer in DFW <<
Murphy Parks and Rec :: Murphy Events Calendar
Murphy Central Park :: This area includes a community amphitheater for performances, a playground, a splash pad, open space, and restrooms.
Plano Parks and Rec :: Plano Events Calendar
Chisholm Trail :: This multi-use trail is 5.5 miles long and runs parallel to Spring Creek. Bike, jog, rollerblade, walk, push a stroller, and stop for restrooms and playgrounds along the way.
Liberty Playground :: This 20,000-square-foot playground is designed for accessible play. There is also a splash pad for water play. Liberty Playground is part of Windhaven Meadows Park, which includes trails, a dog park, and restrooms.
Princeton Parks and Rec :: City of Princeton Community Events Facebook page
J.M. Caldwell Sr. Community Park :: This community space includes a disc golf course, playground, dog park, and trails.
Prosper Parks and Rec :: Prosper Events Calendar
Frontier Park :: This park includes the adorable Windmill Playground with a water tower, storefront, and tractor to spark imaginations. Keep the fun going on the hiking and biking trails, at the catch-and-release pond, splash pad, and restrooms.
Sachse Parks and Rec :: Sachse Special Events
Firefighters Park :: This park showcases a bright, red and yellow, firetruck-themed playground, a walking trail, and restrooms.
Wylie Parks and Rec :: Wylie Events
Founders Park :: This park has a wooden-structure playground that is pirate-themed. It also includes sand volleyball courts, a trail, and restrooms.
On-The-Cheap in Collin County
There are many budget-friendly destinations in Collin County. Here are several that are $10 or less for kids. Don’t miss out!
>> RELATED READ :: Easy, Fun, Free Summer Activities for Kids <<
Breakfast with the ducks :: I am a big fan of Frogg Coffee Bar & Creperie at Watters Creek in Allen for its food, espresso drinks, and misted patio overlooking the ducks and treehouse.
Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse :: Enjoy $1.75 movies and discounted popcorn combos for the whole family from June to August. Check theaters in Allen, Frisco, McKinney, and Plano for clubhouse showtimes.
Downtown McKinney :: The cultural district in downtown McKinney is another great place to walk around, grab a bite to eat, and splurge on a treat, like a $5 bag of popcorn at Mom & Pop Popcorn Shop.
Frisco Discovery Center :: This unique center contains three experiences in one: Sci-Tech Discovery Center, National Videogame Museum, and TrainTopia. Tickets for each range from six to 12 dollars, and children under three years old are free.
Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary :: Meander nature trails, a butterfly garden, fossil exhibits, and more in McKinney. Admission is $12 per adult, nine dollars per child ages three through 12, and free for children under two years old.
Heritage Farmstead Museum :: Visit an 1890s farmhouse in Plano. Roam the prairie and see the farm animals. Admission is five dollars per person. You can also purchase wagon rides for two bucks, and dollar scratch bags to feed the chickens. Check out its preschool event Little Farmer Fridays.
Pump It Up :: Also in Frisco, this indoor park is another great place to get those wiggles out, and features steep discounts for the season.
Urban Air Indoor Trampoline Park :: Frisco’s Urban Air’s summersational pass gets you daily admission all summer long for just $100 (prices vary by location). That amounts to only four to six dollars per visit.
Time to Stay Home
For the days you can’t pack another bag or fill another water bottle, here are free and cheap activities to keep the fun going from the comfort of your patio.
Water balloon fights :: Paired with sidewalk chalk masterpieces are free and refreshing in this hot North Texas weather.
Rock painting :: Go on a rock hunt around your house and neighborhood, and bring them home for the littles to paint.
>> RELATED READ :: Build a Bucket List :: Your Summertime Guide to Family Fun in Collin County <<
Baking party. Bake cookies, brownies, and cakes — mine loves to use his own whisk or spoon to mix whatever is in the bowl.
Water play :: Set up a sprinkler in your backyard. Let the kiddos run through it, play tag, and chase each other. This is an easy deal for under $20 that will last you all summer long.
While there are SO MANY activities in and around Collin County, these are just a handful that stood out to me. If you have other great ideas to share, please do so in the comments.
