Top Free & Low-Cost Family Adventures in the Twin Counties
- TCM Staff Writer
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
School’s out, the days are long, and summer is officially on. If you’re looking for ways to keep the kids entertained without spending a fortune, you’re in luck—there’s a lot happening right here in the Twin Counties. From splash pads and story times to outdoor movies and downtown festivals, summer fun doesn’t have to come with a big price tag.
Whether you're planning a full day out or just need something to do after lunch, here’s a list of free and low-cost activities that make it easy to enjoy the season close to home.
Sports, Lessons & Clinics
Summer Fun Tennis 2025 Youth Tennis of Rocky Mount offers completely free group lessons at Sunset Park courts (includes all equipment and age-specific instruction).
Skillz & Drillz: A soccer clinic for 3-12 year olds at Ennis Park. Saturday July 26th 9-12pm. Registration Required
Tar River Bandits Baseball Game! Enjoy a night with out at the ballpark for $8 a ticket.
Bowling at the Bowling Center in Rocky Mount, $5-6 a game, $4 for shoe rental
Science & STEAM
Moth Night at the Arboretum: Thursday, July 17 from 8:30 – 10:30 PM. Free and open to the public. Registration Required
The Youth STEAM Summit: A free event designed to benefit rising 9th- to 12th-grade students, their parents, school counselors, educators and youth leaders. Thursday, August 7 · 8am - 5pm. Registration Required
Libraries and Story Time Events
Braswell Library offers weekly story time on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m
Cooley Library hosts sessions Thursdays (11–11:30 a.m.) and Mondays
(4–4:30 p.m.)
The Bookmobile visits local parks, providing mobile access to books and
learning.
Splash Pads
Sunset Park offers a seasonal splash pad and carousel rides
($5 per entry, 4 and under free)
Tarboro Splash Pad (12-7 daily, 1-6 on Sundays)
Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences -
Open Tuesday–Saturday (10 a.m.–5 p.m.) and Sundays (1–5 p.m.), The Imperial Centre offers interactive exhibits, educational programming, and cool indoor fun for hot summer days. ($6 per person)
Movie Days and Entertainment
a.m.—a summer favorite for families.
Gameday, Mini Put Family, Star City Skate and Play and SkyVue (subject to open hours) are also popular local options.
Downtown & City-Wide Events
Outdoor family movie nights—bring your own chair or blanket! Select Fridays all summer at dusk. In case of rain, movies move inside to Booker T. Theatre
Happening the first Friday of each month (July 4, Aug 1, Sept 5) from 7–10 PM. Free street fest with live music, food trucks, lawn games, artisan vendors
Free Thursday evening concerts, doors at 5 PM, music from 6 PM. Upcoming acts include Coastline (June 26)
Downtown Live In downtown Tarboro July 17, Chairman of the Board on Aug. 21, and The Breakfast Club on Sept. 21.
There’s no shortage of ways to have fun with your family this summer in the Twin Counties—and many of them won’t cost you a thing. Whether you’re cooling off at a splash pad, catching a movie under the stars, or discovering a new festival in a nearby town, there’s something happening almost every week to help you make the most of the season.
Did we miss your favorite event or local gem? We’d love to hear about it!Email us at contact@twincountymedia.com and we’ll be sure to keep the list growing.
