> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://bklyner.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 16 Free, Cheap & Exciting Ideas For Your End Of Summer Bucket List - URL: https://bklyner.com/16-free-cheap-exciting-ideas-for-your-end-of-summer-bucket-list-parkslopestoop/ - Published: 2013-08-21T15:14:07.000Z - Updated: 2013-08-21T15:14:07.000Z - Author: Amber Ceffalio - Tags: Destinations, kids, lists, #API-Imported ![Coney Island](/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2013/08/beach.jpg) The end of summer is nigh, as public school students report for roll call on [September 9](http://schools.nyc.gov/NR/rdonlyres/D45BBFC5-BB4E-4C6B-ACE7-F7E15D8AA1BE/0/20132014SchoolYearCalendar.pdf?ref=bklyner.com). The question now is: How do we make the most of the remaining summer days? We’ve created a bucket list of exciting free or cheap activities for you and the kids. Which is your favorite must-do summer activity? **Cheap and Free** 1\. NYC public [swimming pools](/blog/destinations/enjoy-brooklyns-outdoor-pools-which-are-open-today) are open and free through Labor Day, and some locations even serve [free healthy lunches for kids](http://www.nycgovparks.org/programs/summer-meals?ref=bklyner.com). Make sure to check out [pool rules](http://www.nycgovparks.org/facility/pools/rules?ref=bklyner.com) before you go. ![IKEA Ferry](/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2013/08/photo-97-600x600.jpg) 2\. Enjoy the water without getting wet on the [IKEA Ferry](http://www.nywatertaxi.com/tours/ikea?ref=bklyner.com) between Red Hook and Pier 11\. The $5 transportation fee can be applied to products at the [store](http://www.ikea.com/us/en/?ref=bklyner.com). 3\. More of a landlubber? Check out the [Tree House Installation](http://www.bbg.org/?ref=bklyner.com) at the [Brooklyn Botanic Garden](http://www.bbg.org/visit/hours?ref=bklyner.com#/tabs-1). Admission is free on Tuesdays. 4\. Enjoy an outdoor movie. The [Friends of Greenwood Playground](http://friendsofgreenwoodplayground.org/?ref=bklyner.com) are [hosting a screening of Finding Nemo](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=699164403431554&set=a.224896474191685.73559.223014854379847&type=1) at the handball courts on Fort Hamilton/E 5th Street on Sunday, August 25 at 8pm, a quick trip on the F/G trains. The last [Flicks on the Beach](http://coneyislandfunguide.com/Attraction/Coney-Island-Flicks-on-the-Beach.htm?ref=bklyner.com) event at Coney Island is “Little Fugitive” on August 27\. Free summer movies sponsored by [NYC Parks](http://www.nycgovparks.org/events/free%5Fsummer%5Fmovies?ref=bklyner.com) continue through September 6. 5\. Sample a variety of Caribbean food at the [West Indian Day Parade](http://www.wiadcacarnival.org/?ref=bklyner.com). Events begin Thursday, August 29 culminating with the parade down Eastern Parkway at 11am on Labor Day. ![Prospect Park Carousel](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/pss_prospectpark_carousel_louie.jpg) 6\. Frolic in our neighborhood greenspace, [Prospect Park](http://www.prospectpark.org/?ref=bklyner.com). The carousel offers [free rides](/blog/kids/free-rides-on-the-prospect-park-carousel-every-thursdays-in-august) on Thursdays in August for kids under 12\. Otherwise a ride is $2, or $9 for a book of five rides. Other free Prospect Park activities include volunteering for park maintenance with the [Wednesday](http://www.prospectpark.org/calendar/event/wednesday-corps?ref=bklyner.com) or [Thursday Corps](http://www.prospectpark.org/calendar/event/thursday-corps?ref=bklyner.com), [rowing](http://www.prospectpark.org/calendar/event/rowing?ref=bklyner.com) (on Saturdays, August 24 and September 7), or creating a [nature journal](http://www.prospectpark.org/calendar/event/blooming-naturalists?ref=bklyner.com) (Thursdays and Fridays through the end of August). 7\. Boogie down during Park Slope 5th Avenue BID’s [Dancing Under the Stars](/blog/events/dancing-under-the-stars-series-returns-in-august) every Thursday night through September 5 on 5th Avenue at 4th Street. Local favorites [Role Polie Guacamole](http://www.roliepolieguacamole.com/?ref=bklyner.com) play a set for kids at 5:45pm, and then a live band plays tunes everyone can dance to. ![Coney Island Cyclone](/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2013/08/photo-31-600x600.jpg) **Take the Q, B, F, or D to Coney Island** 8\. Splash in the water at New York City’s playground, [Coney Island](http://www.coneyisland.com/?ref=bklyner.com), or visit one of its main attractions. 9\. The [New York Aquarium](http://www.nyaquarium.com/plan-your-trip.aspx?ref=bklyner.com) is open while moving forward with its 3-year, post-Sandy improvement plan. The state-of-the-art [Aquatheater](http://www.nyaquarium.com/animals-and-exhibits/exhibits/aquatheater.aspx?ref=bklyner.com) hosts daily sea lion performances, weather permitting. 10\. [Deno’s Wonder Wheel’](http://www.wonderwheel.com/?ref=bklyner.com)s Kiddie Park opens at 11am, an hour earlier than the rest of the amusement park. [Luna Park](http://www.lunaparknyc.com/?ref=bklyner.com) is open every day through Labor Day. ![Cyclones Fireworks](/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/08/ssn_cyclones_fireworks.jpg) 11\. The [Brooklyn Cyclones’](http://www.brooklyncyclones.com/tickets/promo/?ref=bklyner.com) last home game will be Sunday “Funday” September 1\. Fans are welcome on the field for a pre-game catch; kids can run the bases after the game. Can’t make it on Sunday? The Cyclones host fireworks after every Friday and Saturday home game. ![Manhattan View](/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2013/08/photo-99-600x450.jpg) **Day Trips By Borough** 12\. Enjoy the view, but not the hustle and bustle, of Manhattan by taking a free ferry to [Governors Island](http://www.govisland.com/html/home/home.shtml?ref=bklyner.com). There are gift shops and classes, art workshops and biking, and lots of other [interesting events](http://www.govisland.com/html/visit/calendar.shtml?ref=bklyner.com) coming up before the end of the season on September 29. 13\. The free [Staten Island Ferry](http://www.siferry.com/?ref=bklyner.com) docks just steps from the [Staten Island Yankees](http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t586&ref=bklyner.com) stadium. 14\. Looking for an alternative to baseball? [Historic Richmond](http://www.historicrichmondtown.org/?ref=bklyner.com)’s traditional[ county fair](http://www.historicrichmondtown.org/richmond-county-fair-2013?ref=bklyner.com), complete with farm animals, is open all Labor Day weekend. 15\. For a taste more rural than a county fair, visit New York City’s “largest remaining tract of undisturbed farmland.” The [Queens County Farm Museum](http://www.queensfarm.org/index.html?ref=bklyner.com) reaps 10 dozen eggs daily from its rare, heritage laying hens. 16\. For neighbors interested in horticulture rather than animal husbandry, the [New York Botanical Garden](http://www.nybg.org/?ref=bklyner.com) in The Bronx has tips for urban gardeners. Learn how to put your garden to bed at their [Home Gardening Center](http://www.nybg.org/gardens/home-gardening/?ref=bklyner.com). **Search our Archives** Throughout the year we’ve curated, with your help, fabulous neighborhood resources including [8 beaches you can reach without a car](/blog/destinations/8-beaches-you-can-reach-from-park-slope-without-a-car) and [10 nearby playgrounds with sprinklers](/blog/kids/10-nearby-playgrounds-with-sprinklers-for-kids). Find more by using our search tool, or simply click on our most current list of [upcoming family-friendly Park Slope events](/?s=Playtime+In+Park+Slope).