Theme park admission for a family adds up fast, but several parks and programs let kids in free or at a steep discount. The keys are age-based policies, seasonal preschool passes, and the federal Every Kid Outdoors program. Here is the current list.
Programs and Parks With Free or Discounted Kids Admission
- Every Kid Outdoors (everykidoutdoors.gov) — every US fourth grader gets a free pass covering the whole car at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites.
- Walt Disney World — children under age 3 enter free at all four parks.
- Universal Orlando Resort — children under 3 enter free.
- SeaWorld Waves of Honor (wavesofhonor.com) — free one-day admission for active-duty military and up to three dependents at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens parks.
- Busch Gardens — the same Waves of Honor program covers military families.
- LEGOLAND — children under 3 enter free at LEGOLAND Florida and California.
- Sesame Place — runs a free preschool pass promotion for kids under a set age during select registration windows; check the official site for current availability.
- Six Flags — season passes and membership deals often include free or discounted kids admission; check the park's offers page.
- Cedar Point — offers kids pricing and periodic free admission promotions for younger visitors.
- Hersheypark — children under 3 enter free, with discounted pricing for ages 3 and up.
- Knott's Berry Farm — runs military appreciation days with free admission for service members and discounts for family.
- Dollywood — children under 3 enter free, with seasonal promotions for kids.
How to Use These
Check each park's official offers page before you book — preschool pass promotions open in narrow registration windows and sell out, and military programs require ID at the gate. Pair the Every Kid Outdoors pass with a national park trip for the best free family day out in America.