Mom’s List of Cheap and Free Kids Activities in Collin County — and Where to Find Them

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!

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 $6 – $12, 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, $9 per child ages three through 12, and free for children under two years old.

>> RELATED READ :: Easy, Fun, Free Summer Activities for Kids <<

Heritage Farmstead Museum :: Visit an 1890s farmhouse in Plano. Roam the prairie and see the farm animals. Admission is $5 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 $4 – $6 per visit.

Free Attractions in Collin County

From fire stations to nature preserves, and all the museums in between, 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 wade and swim 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 :: See tractors, barns, and artifacts from Collin County’s rural heritage in the early 1960s. Visit this McKinney museum for free on Wednesdays.

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.

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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 11:00 a.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 <<

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.

Baking party. Bake cookies, brownies, and cakes — mine loves to use his own whisk or spoon to mix whatever is in the bowl.

Rock painting :: Go on a rock hunt around your house and neighborhood, and bring them home for the kids to paint.

>> RELATED READ :: 15 Inside Activities to Entertain Kids During Extreme North Texas Weather <<

Water balloon fights :: Paired with sidewalk chalk masterpieces, water balloon fights are free and refreshing in this hot North Texas weather.

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.

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 :: 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 in McKinney 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, check out one of its themed story time kits with three children’s books and a craft.

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 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 plus playground) is another huge draw of this park, along with the soccer field, bike trail, open space, and yes, restrooms!

>> RECOMMENDED RESOURCE :: Community Calendar of Local Events <<

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.