25+ Free & Cheap Things to Do in Gardner-Spring Hill-Paola This Summer With Kids

Trying to keep kids busy all summer without spending a fortune? Same.

The good news: Gardner-Spring Hill-Paola has plenty of free and budget-friendly family fun, from parks and playgrounds to library programs, splash pads, outdoor concerts, local trails, and easy no-spend adventures.

If you’re looking for free things to do with kids in Gardner-Spring Hill-Paola, cheap summer activities for families, or budget-friendly places to take kids near Gardner-Spring Hill-Paola, our 2026 guide is a great place to start.

Here are 25+ free and cheap things to do with kids in Gardner-Spring Hill-Paola this summer.

More Summer Fun in Gardner-Spring Hill-Paola

• Browse our 2025 Summer Fun Guide
• Get a free printable summer fun bucket list
• Find camps in our Summer Camp Guide
• See what’s happening this week on our Events Calendar

Outdoor Adventures

1. Visit Celebration Park in Gardner, Veterans Park in Spring Hill or Wallace Park in Paola for an easy afternoon outside.
2. Take a hike at Kill Creek Park & Streamway Trail in De Soto, Prairie Spirit Trail near Ottawa/Paola, or try one of your family’s favorite walking spots.
3. Pack a picnic and spend the afternoon outside at Big Bull Creek Park in Edgerton. 
4. Plan a Gardner-Spring Hill-Paola playground tour and visit a few playgrounds and at least one new-to-you park. 
5. Explore the Purple Meadows Lavender Farm in Spring Hill or the Baker Wetlands Discovery Center in Lawrence.
6. Go birdwatching, bug hunting, or nature spotting at Big Bull Creek Park in Edgerton or Hillsdale State Park in Paola.
7. Take family photos on Massachusetts Street in Lawrence, by the Downtown Ottawa murals or even the sunflower fields at local farms later in the summer.

Water Fun

8. Cool off at Gardner Aquatic Center in Gardner, Spring Hill Aquatic Center in Spring Hill or Paola Family Pool in Paola.
9. Go to the splash pad at The Greenspace in Edgerton or visit a local swim beach.
10. Spend the day at Hillsdale State Park near Paola, Gardner Lake in Gardner or Clinton State Park near Lawrence.
11. Skip rocks, search for shells, or walk the shoreline at Douglas State Fishing Lake in Baldwin City or North Lake Park in Garnett.
12. Check out local pools and water attractions during a free or low-cost community swim time.
13. Set up backyard water play with sprinklers, buckets, or water balloons.

Free Events & Entertainment in Gardner-Spring Hill-Paola

14. Attend a free outdoor concert or event by checking the community calendars for: Gardner Parks and Recreation, Spring Hill Recreation, Ottawa Recreation Commission and Johnson County Park & Recreation.
15. Watch an outdoor movie at a local park, library, school, or community event space.
16. Explore a local festival or community event where admission is free or low-cost. Popular budget-friendly family events include: Lawrence Busker Festival (May 22-24), Paola Roots Festival (Aug. 28 & 29), Spring Hill Fall Festival (Sept. 26 & 27), Maple Leaf Festival in Baldwin City (Oct. 17 & 18), and county fairs throughout the area.
17. Browse local farmers markets and let kids pick one small treat or snack.
18. Check the upcoming free museum days or family days at Haskell Cultural Center & Museum or KU's Natural History Museum.
19. Plan ahead for the family-friendly events occurring during Ottawa Heritage Days. 
20. Browse our full list of family-friendly events in Gardner-Spring Hill-Paola.

Library & Learning Fun

21. Visit a local library for story times, special events, and air conditioning.
22. Join the summer reading program at your local library.
23. Check out museum passes, activity kits, or other free family resources from our local libraries.
24. Attend a free craft, STEM, music, or performance event at local libraries, museums, and community centers.
25. Make a weekly visit to a free little library part of your summer routine.

Cheap Places to Take Kids in Gardner-Spring Hill-Paola

26. Go to Watkins Museum of History in Lawrence or Old Depot Museum in Ottawa for a budget-friendly outing filled with local history and hands-on learning opportunities.
27. Visit Cedar Cove Feline Conservatory & Sanctuary in Louisburg, a nonprofit wildlife sanctuary dedicated to caring for endangered animals and teaching visitors about conservation.
28. Explore Centennial Park in Lawrence, with an 18-hole disc golf course and a large lighted skate park.
29. Plan a small treat outing to Sylas & Maddy's Homemade Ice Cream in Lawrence or Main Street Scoops & Sweets in Spring Hill.
30. Enjoy indoor play on extra hot days at local family fun spots like MY Play Café in Gardner, Up & Away Indoor Play in Lawrence or Otterly Fun in Ottawa.
31. Visit Gieringer’s Family Orchard & Berry Farm in Edgerton for seasonal U-pick berries, peaches, sunflowers, and family farm fun.
32. Spend time with alpacas and other friendly animals at Timber View Farm in Paola. During your visit, kids can learn about alpacas, feed them treats, and maybe even get to feel their incredibly soft fiber. 
33. Don’t miss the Miami County Fair in Paola! Families can enjoy the rodeo, Mutton Bustin’, carnival rides, livestock shows, fair food, and more throughout the week (July 18-26, 2026).

Before You Go

Prices, hours, deals, and free offerings can change, so it’s always smart to double-check details before heading out.

Don’t Lose This List!

Bookmark this page and check back throughout the summer. New free events, cheap activities, and family-friendly ideas pop up all season long in Gardner-Spring Hill-Paola. 

Better yet, subscribe to our free weekly newsletter so you don’t miss a thing this summer. We’re always adding new events, free activities, local guides, and family-friendly ideas for Gardner-Spring Hill-Paola families.

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