Free Stuff for Kids: The Ultimate Guide for Parents, From Newborns to Teens
Having kids is expensive.
Diapers, books, school supplies, activities, sports, clothes, technology, birthday parties…the list seems to grow right along with them.
The good news? There are a lot more free resources for children than most parents realize.
Some are completely free. Others are samples, rewards, downloadable activities, free events, educational programs, or services available to families who meet certain requirements.
So before you spend money, check this list.
🏷️ How to Read the Labels
We've labeled offers so you know what you're getting into before you click.
Completely free — No purchase or paid subscription is required.
Eligibility required — You must meet specific requirements, such as age, income, location, or program eligibility.
Purchase required — You must make a qualifying purchase.
Registry required — You must create or maintain a qualifying registry.
Limited availability — Availability may be limited by location, funding, inventory, dates, or participation.
While supplies last — The offer isn't guaranteed, even if you meet the other requirements.
Availability varies — The resource isn't available in every location.
👶 Newborns & Babies
One of the best-known free-book programs for young children, Imagination Library mails an age-appropriate book to participating children every month from birth until age five.
Freebie: A free book every month.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Availability varies by location. Check your child's ZIP code to see whether a local program partner currently serves your area.
Enfamil's Family Beginnings program offers members access to savings, rewards, coupons, information and potential formula samples. Enfamil specifically says members may be eligible for free samples.
Freebie: Potential formula samples, coupons and other baby offers.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Free to join + Eligibility/availability may apply. Samples and other benefits are not guaranteed and may vary.
📚 Free Books, Learning & Educational Activities
PBS KIDS offers free games, crafts, printables, reading activities and other educational resources for young children.
Free stuff: Games, printables, crafts, reading activities and learning resources.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Completely free.
Khan Academy Kids is built for children ages 2–8 and offers thousands of learning activities, books and videos. The family version is free, with no ads, subscriptions or in-app purchases.
Free stuff: Educational app, books, videos and learning activities.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Completely free for families.
Starfall offers early-learning activities focused on reading, language arts, math and other foundational skills.
Free stuff: Free online learning activities and selected printable resources.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Free resources available; some Starfall content and products may require paid access.
Coding isn't just for teenagers. Code.org offers free computer-science lessons and activities across multiple grade levels.
Free stuff: Coding lessons, projects and computer-science activities.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Completely free curriculum and activities.
NASA has a huge collection of free STEM activities, science resources, videos, challenges and educational materials.
Free stuff: Science activities, STEM projects, videos, printables and challenges.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Completely free resources; individual programs or opportunities may have eligibility requirements.
🖍️ Free Printables for Younger Kids
Simple coloring pages that work especially well when you need something quick for younger children.
Free stuff: Printable coloring pages.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Completely free resources.
A collection of coloring pages organized with younger children in mind.
Free stuff: Printable coloring pages.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Completely free resources.
A large collection of printable coloring pages, including simpler designs for younger children.
Free stuff: Coloring pages.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Free printable resources; check individual pages for any specific restrictions.
Find activities involving tracing, counting, shapes, matching and other preschool skills.
Free stuff: Preschool worksheets and activities.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Free resources available; check individual activities for access requirements.
Activities include letter and number tracing, shapes, coloring and simple crafts.
Free stuff: Printables and children's activities.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Free resources available; check individual activities for access requirements.
Crayola has much more than coloring pages. Its activities include crafts, mazes, dot-to-dots, bingo, search-and-find activities and printable activity sheets.
Free stuff: Crafts, games, coloring pages and activity sheets.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Free activities and printables; some activities may involve Crayola products or supplies.
TinyTotLot offers games, printables and screen-free activities for young children.
Free stuff: Games, printables and children's activities.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Free resources available; check the individual activity for any access requirements.
🎨 Free Family Activities
💡Try the Library
Your local library may be one of the biggest sources of genuinely free activities in your community.
Before paying for a children's activity, check your library calendar.
Look for:
Baby storytime
Toddler storytime
Children's crafts
Summer reading programs
STEM activities
Homework help
Teen programs
Book clubs
Digital books and media
Family events
🏷️ Offer conditions: Availability varies by library and location.
🎁 Free Rewards & Savings
The Pampers rewards program allows members to earn rewards through qualifying activities and purchases.
Potential freebie: Rewards and savings.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Free to join + Purchase/qualifying activity may be required to earn rewards.
🧑🎓 Free Resources for Tweens & Teens
Older kids can move beyond worksheets into STEM challenges, competitions, internships, research opportunities and other educational experiences.
Free stuff: STEM activities and opportunities.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Eligibility required for individual programs. Availability varies.
Special Education Resources
Families of children with disabilities may qualify for evaluations and special-education services through public schools at no cost to the family. Eligibility and services depend on the child's circumstances.
Free stuff: Qualifying evaluations and educational services.
🏷️ Offer conditions: Eligibility required.
Create a "Free Kids Stuff" Bookmark Folder
Instead of trying to remember every website, create a folder in your browser called FREE KIDS STUFF.
Add your favorites:
Free books
Printables
Educational apps
Samples
Rewards programs
Library events
STEM activities
Museum programs
Teen opportunities
Local family resources
Then check the folder before buying something. Because sometimes the best deal isn't 20% off.
It's $0.
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