Calgary Summer Activities for Families on a Budget
Summer is all about making memories with friends and family, and taking advantage of the sunshine and the resources available to us. Calgary has lots of inexpensive programs and places to go if you want to try new things, escape the heat, and spend time with your family without breaking the bank.
Splash Parks
There are a number of free splash parks and wading pools around the city, here are a few of them:
Prairie Winds Park (NE): Features an incredible nature inspired splash park and a massive wading pool, plus a lazy river element.
Eau Claire Plaza/ Prince’s Edward Island Park (Downtown): This is perfect for a wading pool dip alongside a day at the playground.
South Glenmore Park (SW): Offers a splash park alongside a playground!
West Confederation Park (NW): Free splash park with access to open green space and tennis courts.
City of Calgary Park n’ Play
What it is: Free city-run supervised outdoor drop-in programs geared toward kids between 6-12 years old. Includes crafts, active games, and outdoor water play.
How it works: Operates on a first come, first served basis at various community green spaces and schools across the city. Parents will fill out waivers at the site. Learn more here!
Free Nature Exploration Days
While we are fortunate to be so close to the Rocky Mountains, we don’t have to leave the city to explore nature on any given day, here are a few places you can go:
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary: Walk quiet trails and spot 270+ species of birds. (Note: Dogs and Bikes are not allowed.)
Nose Hill Park: Head up to the plateau for views of the downtown skyline and the Rocky Mountains. Perfect for kite flying and inner-city hiking.
Devonian Gardens: Located inside the CORE shopping center downtown, this is a massive, free to enter, indoor tropical oasis. Featuring fish ponds, a playground and botanical walkways, this is great for rainy or smoky summer days.
Free Cultural Festivals & Outdoor Movies
Calgary’s summer weekend calendar is packed with free festivals!
Street Festivals: Look out for neighbourhood classics like the Lilac Festival and Inglewood Sunfest. All tend to feature food, live music, and lots of energy.
Movies in the Park: Tomkins Park (17th Ave), East Village, and Sunalta frequently host free outdoor movie nights on giant screens after the sun goes down. Bring blankets and lawn chairs!
Cheap Thrills and Hidden Gems ($5.00-$20.00)
If you have a small budget, there are a ton of opportunities for family outings that go overlooked every year. Here are a few:
Cineplex Family Favourites: Saturday mornings, participating theatres screen family friendly movies for around $3.99 per ticket.
Calgary Public Library: Free to enter and borrow from. The library also hosts excellent, free indoor summer programs, puppet shows, and interactive play areas for toddlers and kids.
Bowness Park Boat Rentals: While walking the park is free , you can rent a pedal boat, canoe, or kayak at Bowness Boat House for around $20.00 per half hour to float along the lagoon.
