The long summer days are stifling hot and seem endless. Head to the great indoors when you need an alternative to the beach and pool. There are indoor places all over Southwest Florida, from C’mon, Whiz Kids, and Chuck E Cheese to Sky Zone, Defy Fort Myers, and We Rock the Spectrum. But when you need some free indoor fun, here are some places to cool off without the cost.
Kids Bowl Free
Kids can bowl free during the summer at local alleys. Register your kids, and they will get two free bowling games every weekday. Bowling centers designed this program to give back to the community and provide a safe, secure, fun way for kids to spend time each summer. Bowland Beacon and HeadPinz Naples, along with HeadPinz Fort Myers, are participating in Naples. If parents want to join their children, they can purchase a summer family pass starting at $34.95.
Multiple locations.
Kids Skate Free
At Spinz Skating and Entertainment, children 12 years and younger can skate for free twice a week all summer. Parents sign up for the Kids Skate Free Club, a yearly membership of just $4.99, using the MyHownd app. Bring your skates or rent them for $5.
2095 Andrea Lane, Fort Myers • www.spinzskates.com
Public Library Summer Programs
Collier County and Lee County Public Libraries offer free summer programs for children, teens, and adults. This year’s summer theme is “Adventure Begins at Your Library.”
The Collier County Public Library program runs from June 1 to the end of July. Every time a participant reads five books, they receive a small prize and are entered to win a big prize at the end of the summer. Adults can win zoo or botanical garden memberships. Kids can win LEGO sets, lava lamps, and more.
The branches will have special adventure programs throughout the summer, including jugglers, wildlife animals, clowns, a petting zoo, magic shows, and more. There will also be weekly storytimes for younger children.
Lee County Library System's summer program runs June 3 to August 3. The program includes weekly storytimes, STEAM offerings, and movie and book clubs. Children can track their reading minutes and register on the READsquared app to earn badges and prizes.
www.leegov.com/library/summer-reading-program
Collier Museums
All five of Collier County’s museums are free, but only four are open. The Naples Depot Museum has been closed since Hurricane Ian and is expected to reopen in 2025. The four that are open give visitors a close-up and sometimes immersive look at the past. Elaina Gyure, curator of education, says there is a lot for children to enjoy.
• Collier Museum at Government Center
Kids can climb aboard a real steam engine, plus there is a giant replica of a fort, fossils, historic artifacts, and lots of taxidermy. Visitors can view ancient tools and ceremonial masks while learning facts about the Calusa Indian civilization. There are also crafts and information about the Seminole Indians and the pioneers who settled here when it was an isolated frontier town.
3331 Tamiami Trail East, Naples
(239) 252-8476
• Marco Island’s Historical Museum
It is best known for the Key Marco Cat, but children flock to the Calusa village. Drums are beating as guests walk in to explore this village replica. Visitors also enjoy sitting on the porch of a replica of a Florida cracker house and watching projections of fish and water going by.
180 South Heathwood Drive, Marco Island • (239) 252-1440
• The Museum of the Everglades
The museum is located in a historic building that once was the laundry area for the Rod & Gun Club. Visitors are greeted by a replica of a red-coated patrol officer that rode a Harley Davidson to keep order in the area long before Florida Highway Patrol existed. This summer, the museum showcases artwork from children at the Everglades School in a special exhibit. Additionally, it offers videos depicting the town's history as the government seat of Collier County and its popularity as a vacation destination for the rich and famous.
105 West Broadway Avenue, Everglades City
(239) 252-5026
• The Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch
The museum is located in the 1926 home of cattleman Robert Roberts after he moved to Immokalee in 1914. Visitors can explore a hands-on garden where children learn about life long ago, see the stable, old farm equipment and much more.
1215 Roberts Ave W, Immokalee • (239) 252-2611
Children can participate in the Schools Out Museums Are In summer program that runs June 1 to August 10. Visit each of the four places for a free take home activity tailored to each museum and the history it covers.
(Almost Free) Kids Summer Movies
• Kids Summer Movies at Paragon Theaters
The movies are not free, but they are pretty cheap. The 10 a.m. movies every Tuesday through Thursday are just $2.
This summer’s movies include:
- Minions: The Rise of Gru (6/11–6/13)
- Paddington 2 (6/18–6/20)
- Despicable Me 3 (6/25–6/27)
- Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (7/2–7/4)
- Migration (7/9–7/11)
- Trolls Band Together (7/16–7/18)
- Spider-Man Across The Spider Verse (7/23–7/25)
- Secret Life of Pets 2 (7/30–8/1)
833 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, Naples • 239-920-2577
• AMC Summer Movie Camp For Kids
From June 24 to August 14, see a $3 summer movie every Monday and Wednesday at AMC Merchants Crossing 16.
The movies include:
- Minions: The Rise of Gru (6/24 and 6/26)
- The Lorax (7/1 and 7/3)
- Sing (7/8 and 7/10)
- Sing 2 (7/5 and 7/17)
- The Secret Life of Pets (7/22 and 7/24)
- Migration (7/29 and 7/31)
- Despicable Me 2 (8/5 and 8/7)
15201 N. Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers • 239-995-9303
www.amctheatres.com/amc-scene/summer-movie-camp-for-kids
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