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Debbie's Deals: 12+ free things for kids to do in the Denver metro area this summer

Posted at 5:44 AM, May 31, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-31 09:30:20-04

School's out, so how do you keep your kids entertained without breaking the bank? Here are 12+ free things for kids to do this summer. Note, in some cases kids are free, but adults have to pay an admission fee.

Denver Art Museum

Kids 18 and under get free admission to the Denver Art Museum. The free admission offer is for general admission only, special exhibits cost extra. The Denver Art Museum website has a page explaining some of the fun activities for kids and families. Read more about the deal here.

Clyfford Still Museum

The Clyfford Still Museum offers free admission for youth under 18 every day. The museum is free to everyone on Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m. The museum is free all day on the last Friday of every month.

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

Mark your calendar -- the Denver Museum of Nature & Science will offer free general admission on June 4, Aug. 6 and Aug. 28.

Hudson Gardens

Admission to Hudson Gardens, in Littleton, is free every day. Learn more here.

Four Mile Historic Park

Visit Four Mile Historic Park in Denver for free from noon to 4 p.m. on the second Friday of the month. Tour times are at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tours are first-come, first-served.

Children's Museum Tuesday

The Children's Museum of Denver offers free admission on the first Tuesday night of each month from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. thanks to Target. Learn more on the museum's website.

Free passes to local attractions

Did you know local libraries offer free passes to local attractions like the Butterfly Pavilion, the History Colorado Center, Denver Firefighters Museum, Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys, the Molly Brown museum,  Dinosaur Ridge, Golden History Museums, MCA Denver, the Platte Valley Trolley and Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum. Note, you may be able to get a library card in a different county than the one you live in, just ask the library.

Kids Bowl Free

Kids get two free games of bowling each week when you sign up for the KidsBowlFree.com program. 18 bowling alleys across Colorado are offering the program. (Shoe rental not included.)

Summer reading program

Nearly every library in the metro area is hosting a summer reading program. Many of the programs give prizes, based on how many books your kids read.

Denver Mint

The U.S. government makes coins at just three locations in the country and one of them is here in Colorado. The Denver Mint offers free tours, but they fill up fast. Learn more here.

Celestial Seasonings

Did you know Celestial Seasonings is based in Boulder? You can tour the factory and sample the teas during a free tour. Learn more on theCelestial Seasonings website.

Candy factory tour

Denver is home to a candy factory! Hammond's Candieshas been making candy here since 1920. During the tour, you'll see candy being made and after the tour, you can shop for treats.

Visit a Colorado State Park

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has a program called the Check-Out Colorado State Park Program. Libraries around the state will loan out a state park pass that's good for admission for seven days at any of the 42 state parks around the state. The pass will come with an adventure backpack, provided by Osprey, that is filled with park information and educational activities. Learn more here.

Free fishing

One weekend each year, Colorado allows everyone to fish for free, without a license. Free fishing weekend is June 3-4 in 2017. Read more here. Check out 101 places to take a kid fishing.

Did I miss something that's free for kids? E-mail me Debbie (Debbie@thedenverchannel.com).

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