Summer break is almost here, and for parents, that means figuring out how to keep kids busy, engaged, and happy for weeks on end. Thankfully, Austin offers a variety of free programs that provide meals, activities, and meaningful summer experiences. Here are some helpful resources for free camps and meal programs around the city.
Camps
— Austin Parks and Recreation Department. You can register for Austin Parks and Recreation’s camp sessions online, in person, or over the phone. These programs include Therapeutic camps, Culture & Art, Nature, Community Recreation, and FREE camps. The FREE camp is called Boredom Busters and is a drop-in program designed to keep kids aged 5 – 12 engaged and entertained. Slots are limited on a first-come, first-served basis, and pre-registering helps ensure a smoother drop-off.
In addition to Boredom Busters, Austin Parks and Recreation also has a FREE camp called the Summer Playgrounds Program. This drop-in camp is FREE for kids ages 5-12. No advance registration is required, but registration is required onsite at the first day of camp. Camp is open June 8 – July 31, 2026, and park locations include:
- Dick Nichols District Park
- Dottie Jordan Neighborhood Park
- James A. Garrison District Park
- Gillis Neighborhood Park
- Govalle Neighborhood Park
- Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park
— Phoenix Center has a FREE Family Camp June 6 and June 20, as well as free and low cost therapeutic day camps with activities like a ropes course, ziplines, time with horses, and art. Get more info here.
— MPOWR Culture is offering free summer basketball camps and training sessions for kids in Pflugerville this June and July. Programs focus on skill development, basketball IQ, and building confident, well rounded players through a mix of drills, game play, and structured instruction.
Basketball Academy is geared toward beginner and intermediate athletes and takes place June 1 and June 29. Families can register for a free trial class using code EXPLOREBA. Young Protege Player Development is designed for more advanced players looking for faster paced training and higher level concepts, with sessions on June 3 and July 1. Families can use code EXPLOREYP for free registration.
— Austin Humane Society’s beloved Summer Kids Series runs in May, June, and July and is geared towards kids under 14. You can register for their FREE and low-cost classes like Kitten Yoga, Painting Pandas (FREE), and Teddy Bear Surgery (FREE) here.
— Creative Action Online Learning Hub is not a camp per se, but you can find projects to help your children stay creative with how-to videos, virtual student interviews, arts and crafts tutorials, sing-a-longs, and movement lessons, all for FREE from this nonprofit organization.
— Austin Sunshine Camps has provided free fun-filled overnight summer camp programs for the children of the greater Austin area since 1928. All summer camp programs are provided free of charge for campers who meet the free or reduced-price school meals income eligibility guidelines, or who are in foster care. All camp sessions are 10 days and nine nights long, and you can check for eligibility and availability here.
Meal Programs
— Central Texas Food Bank – The Central Texas Food Bank has Kids’ Cafes that provide food options for kids of low-income families who might not otherwise have access to nutritious meals during summer break. Check out the many locations of the Kids’ Cafes here.
In addition to the Kids’ Cafes, Central Texas Food Bank has Free Meals for Kids and Teens from June 2 through August 8. No registration or proof of income is required, and you can check out the requirements here.
— Austin ISD – Thanks to the federally funded Texas Dept of Agriculture meal programs, AISD provides breakfast and lunch to any child in the community under the age of 19. When school is out for summer, families can find meal sites anywhere in Texas using the following tools:
- Dial 2-1-1 to talk to a live operator
- Visit www.summerfood.org for an interactive map to locate your closest site
- Text FOOD or COMIDA to 304-304.
Other local schools that have food programs over the summer:
For more locations and participating surrounding school districts, please visit summerfood.org for help locating a site near you
Back to School Supplies
— IMPACT Texas hosts an annual ‘Backpack to School Bash’. The 2026 details haven’t been released yet, but keep up to date here. https://www.impact-texas.org/backpack-to-school-bash
Know of anyone who might benefit from these resources? Please pass it on!
