There’s no reason to let boredom set in this summer — or to break the bank looking for something fun to do with the family.
If you need ideas for summer activities, here’s where you can find free, kid-friendly fun in Corpus Christi.
Want to get outside?
Play at the park
There are free parks located throughout Corpus Christi. Find a park online at corpuschristitx.gov.
Cole Park on Ocean Drive features a playground, amphitheater, a trail, picnic spots, a 10,000-square-foot skate park and a pier.
The 162-acre Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve and Learning Center includes trails and a playground. The preserve regularly hosts guided walks.
Several parks, including Aquarius Park, St. Andrews Park, Sandy & Don Billish Park and Parker Park have open courts for pickleball. Parker Park and St. Andrews Park have tennis courts, while Aquaris Park and Sandy & Don Billish Park have basketball courts marked for pickleball.
Outside of Cole Park, other skate parks include West Guth Skate Park in Annaville and Wranosky Skate Park in Flour Bluff.
Parks with disc golf include Lamar Park, Oso Creek 1 Park, Waldron Park and West Guth Park.
There are more than 80 basketball courts in parks across town.
Play in the water
The city of Corpus Christi offers free admission at all city pools. Splash pads are also open Friday through Sunday through Aug. 9 at Bill Witt Park, Cole Park, Lindale Park, Salinas Park and West Haven Park.
Of course, no list of things to do in Corpus Christi would be complete without mentioning the beach. Most area beaches require a parking permit (just $12, good through 2026) or an entrance fee.
For city and county beaches, you don’t need a permit if you’re not driving on the beach. If you aren’t afraid of lugging your beach gear, free paved parking is available at the Michael J. Ellis Beach and Seawall.
Catch a family-friendly concert or movie
The 36th annual Bay Jammin Concert & Cinema Series runs every Thursday and Friday through late August.
This includes free concerts and movies at the Cole Park Amphitheater.
Concerts will be held Thursdays from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. through Aug. 20, and movies every Friday after sunset through Aug. 14.
Need some AC?
Summer at the mall
La Palmera has numerous summer activities planned, including karaoke, petting zoos, bingo, movies, arts and crafts, inflatables and wall climbing.
These family activities are free, with events scheduled on weekdays through July 31.
Check out the activities at lapalmera.com/camp-lp.
Head to the library
Reading is a good way to keep those literacy skills sharp during the summer break. It’s also fun, free entertainment for anyone who loves getting caught up in a story or learning new things.
The children’s areas of Corpus Christi Public Libraries include computers with filtered internet searching, books ranging from board books to chapter books, books on CD, music, movies, magazines and bilingual material. The McDonald and Hopkins libraries include areas for children up to age 5 to play. La Retama Central Library includes a sensory room.
Corpus Christi Public Libraries summer reading program for kids and teens runs through July 25. The Nueces County Public Libraries summer reading program runs through July 10. These challenges encourage reading, offering prizes for book checkouts and minutes read.
Additionally, the library branches frequently host events for all ages.
Museums with free admission
Every week throughout June and July, the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History will feature special themes in science, technology, engineering, art and math. Summer STEAM Adventures include hands-on experiences, live demonstrations, crafts and games Thursday through Sunday.
Through the support of H-E-B, the museum is offering free admission for children 12 and under in June and July.
Arts and crafts
The Art Museum of South Texas offers free admission through July 31 through H-E-B’s Tournament of Champions.
The Corpus Christi Art Center offers free family art time 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.
Olivia Garrett reports on education and community news in South Texas. Contact her at olivia.garrett@caller.com.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Looking for free fun? See summer activities for kids in Corpus Christi
Reporting by Olivia Garrett, Corpus Christi Caller Times / Corpus Christi Caller Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Olivia Garrett, Corpus Christi Caller Times | USA TODAY Network
