Looking for fun things to do with kids in Birmingham without spending a penny? This quick guide rounds up the best free parks, museums, and family-friendly spots around Bham for an easy day out. Not to mention free local events perfect for the whole family, updated weekly!
Local Events Coming Up
Saturday, March 28
Church Picnic & Easter Egg Hunt
When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Children’s Fresh Air Farm in Bluff Park (501 Park Ave., Hoover)
Details: This church picnic is hosted by Highlands United Methodist Church.
Homewood Easter Egg Hunt
When: Ages 0–3 & 6–7: 10 a.m., Ages 4–5 & 8–10: 11 a.m.
Where: Patriot Park (710 Oak Grove Rd., Homewood)
Details: Bring your baskets and get ready to hunt for eggs with your age group. Games, prizes, and an Easter Bunny sighting.
Hop N Shop & Easter Egg Hunt
When: Starts at 10 a.m., lasts all day
Where: Downtown Homewood (7 Hollywood Blvd.)
Details: Hunt for coupons, gift cards, and candy from local retailers, with games, prizes, and an Easter Bunny visit.
Sunday, March 29
City of Birmingham Spring Festival at Railroad Park
When: 1–4 p.m.
Where: Railroad Park (1600 1st Ave. S., Birmingham)
Details: Bring the lawn chairs and get ready to settle in while your kids meet the Easter Bunny.
Easter Egg Hunt & Picnic at Buck Creek Park
When: Noon
Where: Buck Creek Park (701 6th Ave. S.W., Alabaster)
Details: Enjoy a picnic lunch, an Easter egg hunt, inflatables, games, and more, all hosted by First United Methodist Church of Alabaster.
Tuesday, March 31
5th Annual A Very Special Easter Egg Hunt
When: 5:30–7 p.m.
Where: Pelham Game Football Field (300 Ball Park Rd.)
Details: A free egg hunt for children with disabilities and their families. It will also include photos with Easter Bunny, crafts, cake walk, face paint, games, and vendors. Registration required. Free. pelhamrecreation.gov
April 1
A Preview Concert: A Peek into the Next Season of Alabama Symphony Orchestra
When: April 1 at 7 p.m
Where: UAB’s Alys Stephens Center (1200 10th Ave. S., Birmingham)
Details: Get a sneak peek at what next season holds for the Alabama Symphony Orchestra (ASO)! This free one-hour concert hopes to “set the stage” for what’s coming soon.
Thursday, April 2
YMCA Glow-in-the-Dark Easter Egg Hunt
When: 6:30–8 p.m.
Where: Trussville YMCA (5920 Valley Rd., Trussville)
Details: This free annual egg hunt is open to the public and will have food, games, crafts, candy, and more! instagram.com
Friday, April 3
Bunny Hop Egg Hunt
When: 2 p.m.
Where: Fox Field (behind Cahaba Heights Elementary)
Details: The Vestavia Hills Library Forest is hosting an egg hunt with bunny photos, fun music and games, and a slide. Plus, Unless U Scoops will be there.
Vestavia Hills Easter Eggstravaganza
When: 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: Wald Park (1973 Merryvale Rd., Vestavia Hills)
Details: Take a pic with Big Bunny, hunt for eggs, play games, eat snacks, and pet cute animals!
Saturday, April 4
2026 Easter Egg Roll
When: 10 a.m. to noon.
Where: Grassy Field across from O’Neal Library (50 Oak St., Mountain Brook)
Details: Collect eggs and get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny for free.
Easter Egg Hunt at The Summit
When: 10–11:30 a.m.
Where: The Plaza at the Summit
Details: Enjoy a fun-filled, festive morning of activities including: egg hunts by age group, themed crafts, face painting, and goodies from your favorite retailers & restaurants!
Sunday, April 12
Easter Egg Hunt
When: 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Where: Bluff Park United Methodist Church
Details: Enjoy this annual tradition for kids of all ages!
Tunes on Tap @ Ferus
When: April 21 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Ferus Artisan Ales (101 Beech St., Suite 111, Trussville)
Details: Daniel Cho will be conducting the Alabama Symphony Orchestra’s final Tunes on Tap of the season. Join them at Ferus Artisan Ales in Trussville for a free night of great live music, brews, and fun!
McWane Science Center’s New Basilosaurus Exhibit
When: Tuesday–Friday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Sunday Noon–5 p.m.
Where: McWane Science Center—Lobby
Details: Head to the lobby to see this new (old!) fossil exhibit. The Basilosaurus is not a dino, despite what it sounds like—it was actually a huge prehistoric whale! And it’s actually Alabama’s state fossil, so don’t miss it! (While it costs to enter the Adventure Hall, it is free to peruse the newest specimen located in the lobby!)
Always Free
The Alabama State Parks Junior Ranger Program
Alabama State Parks launched its new Junior Park Ranger Program! Complete the activities in the free downloadable Adventure Guide and upon completion, your child will earn their Junior Ranger Badge and an official Certificate of Achievement. Participation is open to kids of all ages, but it is designed primarily for kids ages 5–12. No previous experience required. Program booklets can be found at most AL parks and nature centers.
Birmingham Botanical Garden
2612 Lane Park Rd., Birmingham
Stroll through the gardens for free—the Japanese garden is a favorite, but the Rose garden in bloom is unbeatable. You can even stop into the Birmingham Botanical Library while you’re there to pick up a book on plants or borrow from the seeds library.
Birmingham Museum of Art
2000 Reverend Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd., Birmingham
General Admission is FREE every day and there are all kinds of cool pieces of art to look at. Not to mention sensory-friendly hours and special events.
Jefferson County Public Libraries
Multiple locations
There are dozens of locations, and each offers an insane number of fabulous events. From storytime to arts and crafts to gaming sessions and more, there’s endless fun to be had. Not to mention, it’s the perfect place to snag a few new bedtime books!
Parks
Multiple locations
There are soooo many fantastic parks across Birmingham. Whether you’re looking for an epic playground like the one at Patriots Park or you’re wanting a walking trail like Jemison, Birmingham has something for everyone. Here’s a few to get you started:
- Avondale Park (with bronze “Miss Fancy” elephant statue) – Avondale
- Central Park – Homewood
- City Walk (has a playground!) – downtown
- Patriots Park (with playground) – Homewood
- Railroad Park – downtown
- Veteran’s Park (with playground + pickleball courts) – Hoover
- Wald Park (with playground + pickleball courts) – Vestavia
Pepper Place Farmers Market
2829 2nd Ave. S., Birmingham
Every Saturday morning from January 31—December 12 from 7 a.m. until noon (rain or shine!), you can head to Pepper Place to check out their Alabama-grown and raised goods. Whether you’re looking for fresh fruit and veggies, a sweet potato pie, or a hand-crafted gift, you’re bound to find something at this market. (However, it is free, so you can always just try the samples and admire!)
Red Mountain Park
2011 Frankfurt Dr., Birmingham
There is no parking or admission fee to enter (though they do offer a membership program). They have picnic areas, biking trails, a sensory trail, birdwatching, a dog park, hiking and trail running, a garden, a tree house, and more! Feel free to bring your pet on a leash so they can explore too. The park also offers fun free events like bird-watching walks and greenhouse workdays.
Shelby County Public Libraries
Multiple locations
Shelby County has dozens of libraries—you’ll find there’s plenty to do at each, and they’re all free! So whether you’re hoping for a book adventure or your kids attend an event, it’ll be a worthwhile free experience.
Vulcan Park (Grounds/Park area)
1701 Valley View Dr., Birmingham
While the museum of the Vulcan is not free, you can walk around near the base of the statue and get a great view of the city. (Not to mention a close-up view of Vulcan himself.) Plus, there’s a walking trail that begins at the parking lot, perfect for a family walk.
Click here if you’re looking for somewhere fun (and FREE) to walk around with your baby!
McWane Science Center’s New Basilosaurus Exhibit
When: Tuesday–Friday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday: noon–5 p.m.
Where: McWane Science Center—Lobby
Details: Head to the lobby to see this new (old!) fossil exhibit. The Basilosaurus is not a dino, despite what it sounds like—it was actually a huge prehistoric whale! And it’s actually Alabama’s state fossil, so don’t miss it! (While it costs to enter the Adventure Hall, it is free to peruse the newest specimen located in the lobby!)
A Preview Concert: A Peek into the Next Season of Alabama Symphony Orchestra
When: April 1 at 7 p.m
Where: UAB’s Alys Stephens Center (1200 10th Ave. S., Birmingham)
Details: Get a sneak peek at what next season holds for the Alabama Symphony Orchestra (ASO)! This free one-hour concert hopes to “set the stage” for what’s coming soon.
Tunes on Tap @ Ferus
When: April 21 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Ferus Artisan Ales (101 Beech St., Suite 111, Trussville)
Details: Daniel Cho will be conducting the Alabama Symphony Orchestra’s final Tunes on Tap of the season. Join them at Ferus Artisan Ales in Trussville for a free night of great live music, brews, and fun!
Always Free
Alabama State Parks Junior Ranger Program
Alabama State Parks launched its new Junior Park Ranger Program! Complete the activities in the free downloadable Adventure Guide and upon completion, your child will earn their Junior Ranger Badge and an official Certificate of Achievement. Participation is open to kids of all ages, but it is designed primarily for kids ages 5–12. No previous experience required. Program booklets can be found at most AL parks and nature centers.
Birmingham Botanical Garden
2612 Lane Park Rd., Birmingham
Stroll through the gardens for free—the Japanese garden is a favorite, but the Rose garden in bloom is unbeatable. You can even stop into the Birmingham Botanical Library while you’re there to pick up a book on plants or borrow from the seeds library.
Birmingham Museum of Art
2000 Reverend Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd., Birmingham
General Admission is FREE every day and there are all kinds of cool pieces of art to look at. Not to mention sensory-friendly hours and special events.
Jefferson County Public Libraries
Multiple locations
There are dozens of locations, and each offers an insane number of fabulous events. From storytime to arts and crafts to gaming sessions and more, there’s endless fun to be had. Not to mention, it’s the perfect place to snag a few new bedtime books!
Parks
Multiple locations
There are soooo many fantastic parks across Birmingham. Whether you’re looking for an epic playground like the one at Patriots Park or you’re wanting a walking trail like Jemison, Birmingham has something for everyone. Here’s a few to get you started:
- Avondale Park (with bronze “Miss Fancy” elephant statue) – Avondale
- Central Park – Homewood
- City Walk (has a playground!) – downtown
- Patriots Park (with playground) – Homewood
- Railroad Park – downtown
- Veteran’s Park (with playground + pickleball courts) – Hoover
- Wald Park (with playground + pickleball courts) – Vestavia
Pepper Place Farmers Market
2829 2nd Ave. S., Birmingham
Every Saturday morning from January 31—December 12 from 7 a.m. until noon (rain or shine!), you can head to Pepper Place to check out their Alabama-grown and raised goods. Whether you’re looking for fresh fruit and veggies, a sweet potato pie, or a hand-crafted gift, you’re bound to find something at this market. (However, it is free, so you can always just try the samples and admire!)
Red Mountain Park
2011 Frankfurt Dr., Birmingham
There is no parking or admission fee to enter (though they do offer a membership program). They have picnic areas, biking trails, a sensory trail, birdwatching, a dog park, hiking and trail running, a garden, a tree house, and more! Feel free to bring your pet on a leash so they can explore too. The park also offers fun free events like bird-watching walks and greenhouse workdays.
Shelby County Public Libraries
Multiple locations
Shelby County has dozens of libraries—you’ll find there’s plenty to do at each, and they’re all free! So whether you’re hoping for a book adventure or your kids attend an event, it’ll be a worthwhile free experience.
Vulcan Park (Grounds/Park area)
1701 Valley View Dr., Birmingham
While the museum of the Vulcan is not free, you can walk around near the base of the statue and get a great view of the city. (Not to mention a close-up view of Vulcan himself.) Plus, there’s a walking trail that begins at the parking lot, perfect for a family walk.
