You don’t need to travel far or pay a lot to have fun with the kids. In fact, The Woodlands offers a wide range of free places to visit that make planning a day with the whole family a breeze. Don’t know where to look? Let our daycare in The Woodlands TX act as your local guide to all the fun and free things you can do close to home. From fishing to free concerts to simply indulging in the fresh air and welcoming atmosphere of our home base, there’s something for everyone to love in The Woodlands.

Northshore Park

A backlit silhouette of a boy fishing on the shore of a lake.

Image via Unsplash by photoholgic

The Woodlands is home to many parks, but Northshore Park tops the list. There’s so much to do right here, you’re sure to find activities to keep the whole family entertained. Northshore Park features play areas designed for both younger and older kids as well as a picnic area complete with barbecue pits. That makes this park a great place for bigger outdoor gatherings with family and friends as well as intimate days out with your own household.

That’s not all you’ll find at Northshore Park, though. If you’re looking for fun on the water, the park includes a public boat launch point that goes to Lake Woodlands and fishing areas open to the public. (Just remember to follow catch and release rules if you’re fishing here.) You’ll also find a sand volleyball court and an open sports field, so all you need to do is bring a ball and make some family memories outdoors.

Market Street

While you’ll find tons of luxury shopping and dining on Market Street, you can head to Central Park at Market Street for a free day out with the family. Take a walk around while window shopping before making your way to the large green lawn at the center of the area. This community meeting and gathering space is a great place to sit back and relax outdoors after a busy day out and about. Plus, this park plays host to a number of family-friendly events throughout the year, like themed concerts and even twinkling Christmas lights, decorated trees, and photos with Santa for the winter holidays,

All in all, Central Park at Market Street offers an ideal way to enjoy the sunshine, so make sure to check out this local site.

Town Center Trolley

If you need another excuse to visit Market Street, look no further than the Town Center Trolley. The kids will love hopping on the trolley to check out Market Street and other attractions in The Woodlands. The trolley lets visitors park in one place, then move between The Woodlands Mall, Market Street, Town Center, and The Woodlands Waterway as well as residences, hotels, businesses, and restaurants in the area. Better yet, this trolley is totally free, making it the perfect way to visit different places in The Woodlands or just relax.

The trolley route spans about 4.1 miles. You can get a ride between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sundays. Keep in mind that the trolley does not offer service on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, or New Year’s Day. On any other day of the year, it’s a great way to keep the kids entertained without paying a cent.

Waterway Square

Take a walk across the street from The Woodlands Mall to Waterway Square for a huge selection of restaurants that span from fine dining to pizza joints and some bars, but you’ll have plenty to experience from the outdoors, too. The 1-acre public plaza offers an oasis of green space right in The Woodlands. Stroll down the Waterway listening to the water making its way through the canal and take in the atmosphere of this local gem.

Of course, the highlight for the kiddos here is the interactive water fountain. The area is lined with benches, making it easy to find a seat to watch all the different water shows that react to preprogrammed music. And it’s a great place to check out during the Christmas season thanks to the Christmas-themed music that serves as a backdrop to the fountain show around the holidays. No matter the time of year, though, you can count on the fountain show to please kids and adults alike.

While you’re in the square, make sure you spend some time checking out the sculptures and art, too. Waterway Square is open every day between 6 a.m. and midnight, so you’re sure to find plenty of opportunities to visit this exciting local attraction.

Concert in the Park Series

One more must-see stop in The Woodlands? You’ll find it at Northshore Park. The park hosts a free Concert in the Park series to promote a love of music and showcase area musicians. These concerts are a great way to enjoy the outdoors while taking in some great music as a family. Catch one or all of these shows seasonally on Sunday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for a perfect bookend to a fun weekend enjoying family time together. You can take lawn chairs, blankets, and coolers to the park to settle in for an evening picnic while enjoying the sounds. You can even bring pets out with the group! There’s no better way to instill a love of music than with these easy-to-access concerts right here in our own backyard.

We know it can be tough to find activities that keep every member of the family happy without breaking the bank. Thankfully, The Woodlands has so much to do for free. That’s why Crème de la Crème of The Woodlands put together this list of five exciting activities to check out the next time you’re looking for a super fun and completely free way to spend your day. But maybe we missed one of your favorite local free activities? Let us know so we can add it to our list!