Your Guide to St. Petersburg’s Free and Affordable Summer Activities for Families

Looking for fun and affordable activities to keep the kids entertained this summer in St. Petersburg? Look no further! St. Pete has a variety of options to keep the whole family happy and active.

Learn to Swim Lessons

Get your kids ready for a summer of swimming with lessons available at all city pools. For just $39 per session, your child can improve their swimming skills and water safety. These lessons are led by American Red Cross instructors. Financial assistance is also available for those in need.

Safe Summer Fridays

Teens aged 12-16 can enjoy Safe Summer Fridays, a program that provides a safe and supervised environment for teens to hang out. With access to local gyms, movies, games, and refreshments, teens can have a blast all summer long. This program aims to keep kids out of trouble and have something to look forward to on Friday nights. This starts May 31st from 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM at Campbell Park Recreation Center. 

Save these dates down below so your teen can enjoy safe fun all summer long.

• June 6 & 20 at Campbell Park Rec Center
• July 11 & 25 at Lake Vista Rec Center (1401 62nd Ave. S)
• August 1 at Childs Park Rec Center (4301 13th Ave. S)

Neighborhood Pools

Just in time for the summer heat, St. Pete’s city pools are officially opening their gates! Full summer hours kicking off Friday, May 31. Evening swim sessions begin June 6, and weekend hours vary by location—so check ahead before you dive in.

General admission is super affordable: just $1 for kids ages 3–12 and $2 for everyone 13 and up. Want to make a day of it? The North Shore Aquatic Complex offers even more splash for $4.50 (kids) and $5 (teens & adults). And don’t miss out on $1 Splash Days for all ages on the Fourth of July.

Free Summer Reading

Need a break from the heat? Let your imagination run wild at the library this summer! The St. Petersburg Library System is rolling out its annual Summer Reading Program, themed Color Our World, with free events and activities for kids, teens, and readers of all ages from May 31 through August 2.

Things kick off with a fun-filled launch party on Saturday, May 31, from 10:30 AM to noon at the James Weldon Johnson Community Library (1059 18th Ave. S). Families can grab a Summer Programming Guide, enjoy take-home crafts, and learn about the exciting lineup of reading adventures ahead.

Full program details and event locations are available online—start planning your colorful summer storytime now!

Free Meals for Kids

No school? No problem. Free meals are on the menu all summer long for kids and teens across St. Pete. Through the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program, anyone 18 and under can grab free breakfast, lunch, or both at locations throughout the city—from libraries to rec centers to neighborhood parks.

The program runs June 2 through August 8, and no registration or paperwork is needed just show up and eat! Meals won’t be served on June 19 (at Dell Holmes Park and library sites only) or on July 4.

Popular meal sites include:

• Boyd Hill Nature Preserve – Lunch only, 12–1 PM

• Camp Redbird at Azalea Rec Center – Breakfast & Lunch

• Campbell Park Rec Center – Breakfast & Lunch

• Johnson Community Library – Lunch only, 12–1 PM

• Walter Fuller Rec Center – Breakfast & Lunch

A simple way to stay nourished, energized, and ready for a summer full of fun. 

With so many options for free and affordable summer activities, St. Petersburg is the perfect place for families to make lasting memories together. Get out there and enjoy all that this vibrant city has to offer!