Free and low-cost family activities in Washington

39 entries for Washington (2 programs and places, 37 Museums for All participants) plus the multi-state programs below. Last verified 2026-10-17. Coverage is growing; this is not a complete list.

Verify before you go. Free days, prices and eligibility change; confirm with the organizer.

Parks, places and programs in Washington

Washington Discover Pass free days (2026)

Free days / free for someOutdoorsWashington

On 12 designated days in 2026 no Discover Pass is needed to park at Washington State Parks or on DNR and WDFW managed lands. The one remaining 2026 day listed as of Oct 17 is Wednesday, Nov. 11 (Veterans Day). Free days do not cover overnight stays or rented facilities, and Sno-Park permits are still required at designated Sno-Parks in winter. The annual Discover Pass is $45 and covers day-use parking for everyone in the vehicle.

Who it's for: Everyone

How: No pass needed on the free days. Check the Discover Pass site for the next year's dates once announced.

Other 2026 free days (Jan 1, Jan 19, Mar 9, Mar 19, Apr 22, Jun 6-7, Jun 19, Aug 9, Sep 26, Oct 10) have passed.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Washington state lands: free ways to visit without a Discover Pass

FreeOutdoorsWashington

Washington says state-managed lands are free to visit without a Discover Pass when accessed by boat, public transit or non-motorized means (on foot, horse or bicycle). Check Out Washington lets you borrow a Discover Pass from libraries statewide, and the Everyone Outdoors Program offers free annual Discover Passes to eligible community, youth and other organizations.

Who it's for: Everyone; library cardholders; community and youth organizations

How: Ask your library about Check Out Washington; organizations apply through the Everyone Outdoors Program page.

Source: official page · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Museums for All participants in Washington (37)

Per the official participating-museums list (retrieved 2026-10-17): visitors showing a SNAP EBT card and photo ID get reduced admission from free to $5 for up to four people per card. The official list does not state each museum's own price, so confirm hours and prices with the museum before you go.

Bellevue Arts Museum Bellevue, WA
Bloedel Reserve Bainbridge Island, WA
Burke Museum Seattle, WA
The Center for Wooden Boats Seattle, WA
Children’s Museum of Skagit County Burlington, WA
Children’s Museum of Tacoma Tacoma, WA
Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum Ilwaco, WA
Dunn Gardens Seattle, WA
Feiro Marine Life Center Port Angeles, WA
Fife History Museum and Cultural Center Fife, WA
Foss Waterway Seaport Tacoma, WA
Goose & Rev Play Co Ellensburg, WA
Goose & Rev Play Co Kennewick, WA
Greater Kent Historical Society and Kent Museum Kent, WA
Hands On Children’s Museum Olympia, WA
Harbor History Museum Gig Harbor, WA
Henry Art Gallery Seattle, WA
Imagine Children’s Museum Everett, WA
JCHS Museum of Art + History Port Townsend, WA
Kids Discovery Museum Bainbridge Island, WA
LeMay – America’s Car Musuem Tacoma, WA
Moses Lake Museum & Art Center Moses Lake, WA
The Museum of Flight Seattle, WA
Museum of Glass Tacoma, WA
Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) Seattle, WA
Museum at Keewaydin/East Benton County Historical Society Kennewick, WA
Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP) Seattle, WA
National Nordic Museum Seattle, WA
Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture Spokane, WA
Northwest Railway Museum Snoqualmie, WA
Palouse Discovery Science Center Pullman, WA
REACH Museum Richland, WA
Seattle Art Museum Seattle, WA
Seattle Children’s Museum Seattle, WA
Tacoma Historical Society Tacoma, WA
Washington State History Museum Tacoma, WA
Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience Seattle, WA

Programs that apply in many states

Some of these list examples from specific libraries or states; check that the program is offered where you live.

Museums for All (SNAP EBT card admission)

Low costProgram / passMultiple states

Free to $5 admission for up to 4 people per SNAP EBT card at participating museums (1,600+ nationwide). EBT cards from any state are accepted.

Who it's for: EBT cardholders

How: Bring your EBT card and a photo ID. No registration. Each museum sets its own rate and some ask for walk-in purchase, so check the museum page.

Participating list by state: see source. Rates vary by museum.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Bank of America Museums on Us

Free days / free for someProgram / passMultiple states

Free general admission on the first full weekend of every month to Bank of America, Merrill or Bank of America Private Bank credit or debit cardholders at participating museums. Next weekend: Nov 7-8, 2026.

Who it's for: Bank of America / Merrill cardholders

How: Show your active card and a government photo ID. One general admission per cardholder; special exhibitions excluded. Check the museum's listing on the Bank of America map.

Not a Bank of America endorsement; this is an informational listing with no affiliation.

Source: official page · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Every Kid Outdoors (4th grade pass)

FreeProgram / passMultiple states

2026-27 school year pass: free entry at federal lands and waters (national parks, wildlife refuges, etc.) for the 4th grader, all children under 16 and up to 3 adults in one private vehicle. Expires Aug 31, 2027.

Who it's for: Families with a 4th grader

How: The 4th grader completes a short online activity and prints a paper voucher at EveryKidOutdoors.gov (we never collect any information). Does not cover state parks, parking, camping or tours.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Library museum and park passes

DiscountedProgram / passMultiple states

Many public libraries lend or reserve free or discounted passes for museums, zoos, farms and parks. Examples: Boston Public Library lists Boston Children's Museum at $12 per person for up to 4; Oxford (MA) and Athol (MA) list free-admission passes to several museums; Attleboro (MA) lists a free RISD Museum pass.

Who it's for: Library cardholders (rules vary by library)

How: Search your own library's website for 'museum passes'. Each library has its own pass list, reservation system and return rules. Passes are limited and set by the participating attractions.

Example pages only; your library's list will differ.

Source: official page · more · more · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

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