School is out and summer is here! Below you’ll find a list of free and low-cost family activities around Durham. What will you and your child explore this season?
Sara P. Duke Gardens: Take a peaceful, free stroll through the gardens. Connect with your child while enjoying a picnic on a warm summer day. Please check the website for hours and parking: https://gardens.duke.edu/
Durham Parks & Rec Parks: Explore one of the 66 parks managed by Durham Parks & Rec: https://www.dprplaymore.org/159/All-Parks
Eno River State Park: Located in Durham and Orange counties 10 miles northwest of downtown Durham, Eno River State Parks spans across seven access areas along its namesake river. https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/eno-river-state-park
Book Harvest Family Space: We invite you to visit the Family Space at Book Harvest. It is a colorful area full of free books, wall toys, a magnet wall, reading nooks, puppets, and more – all designed to make it easy for children and families to play, learn, and read together. Open Tuesday – Saturday: 9 AM – 5 PM www.bookharvest.org/familyspace
Durham Parks & Recs 2026 Pools: Cool off at the Hillside Pool
1221 Sawyer Street
919-560-4783
Open daily 1-5 pm.
Museum of Life and Science: On Durham Community days, Durham County residents get in free with proof of Durham address. All adults must have Durham residency to get in free; each adult can bring up to five children. lifeandscience.org/visit/durham-community-days/ Summer dates:
Durham Co. Library Summer Reading 2026: Monday, June 15, to Saturday, August 8, 2026. This year’s theme, “Unearth a Story,” celebrates the joy of discovery that reading brings. Programs and special events will be hosted at all seven Durham County Library locations, with each offering a unique lineup. Summer Reading is a fun experience for the entire community – patrons of all ages are invited to participate. Visit your nearest Durham Co. Library to learn about programming durhamcountylibrary.org/major-program/summer-reading/
Durham Central Park: An excellent spot for you and the kids to run around, play or just soak up the sun. Create a masterpiece on the pixel wall. Let your kids make some friends on the playground. Located in downtown Durham, this park has plenty of open green space, a covered pavilion and many community events to enjoy. https://www.discoverdurham.com/directory/durham-central-park/
Downtown Durham Mural Scavenger Hunt: A fun and creative way to get the kids out of the house. Create fun clues and help your kids discover murals around our Bull City. https://www.discoverdurham.com/resources/maps-guides/public-art-inspiration-guide/
Notasium: This interactive, music-based play space will energize your child’s mind and exercise their energetic bodies! From toddlers on up, kids will explore music and its language with different interactive structures filled with sounds, rhythms and symbols. https://durham.notasium.com/
Wheels Skating Park: This roller rink offers guests the chance to get up and get moving without having to be outside. https://www.unitedskates.com/wheels-durham/
