FREE & LOW-COST SUMMER GUIDE FOR FRESNO FAMILIES

Summer break is for fun, exploration, and making memories, but sometimes it can be challenging. With kids out of school, many parents are juggling work and keeping their kids safe, entertained, and ensuring all their needs are met. 

That’s why we created this guide: to help Fresno families access free and low-cost programs, services, and activities all summer long. From summer meals and cooling centers to camps and family-friendly events, you’ll find a variety of resources to make this season easier and more enjoyable for everyone.

Know about a resource that you think we should add? Email us at info@black-enterprises.com.

Enroll as a client with BWPC to access even more resources and services here.

Fresno Unified School District (FUSD) 

Fresno Unified School District is serving free breakfast and lunch to all children ages 1-18, Monday-Friday through July 17^th at 90 participating school sites. Children do not have to be FUSD students! Breakfast is served in the morning and lunch is served between 11AM – 1PM. Meals must be eaten on site.  

Learn more and find participating school sites here 

Fresno County EOC  

Fresno County EOC provides free, nutritious meals for all children 1-18 years of age throughout the summer. Meals are provided at community centers, parks, libraries, and through the Food Express Bus program, which brings meals directly to neighborhoods. The program serves breakfast, lunch, supper, and PM snacks.  

Find dates, locations, and times here 

Sunbucks (Summer EBT) 

California’s Summer EBT program (Sunbucks) has been renewed for Summer 2025! Eligible families will receive $120 per child to help families buy groceries during the summer months.  

Eligibility:  

• Children who receive free or reduced-price lunch through a school meal application or Universal Benefits Application, or 

• Get CalFresh, CalWORKS, and/or Medi-Cal are automatically enrolled in the program 

Children in foster care, experiencing homelessness, enrolled in Head Start, or are considered runaways are also eligible and automatically enrolled. Some families that are eligible may need to sign up. 

Learn more here 

City of Fresno Pools

Recreational Swimming Pool Sites. Image Credit: The City of Fresno Aquatics Program

The City of Fresno offers two types of public pools where families can enjoy safe and fun recreation all summer: 

• Standard Pools. These pools are 4-10ft deep and open to all ages 3+ who are at least 3 feet tall and potty trained. Open daily from 1-5 PM. 

• Learner Pools. These pools are 2 ½-5ft deep for children ages 5-12 who are at least 3 feet tall. Open daily from 1-5 PM. 

Admission is FREE! Flotation devices, pool toys, and swim diapers are not allowed. 

Learn more and find pools near you here 

Splash Pads

Splash Pads Sites. Image Credit: The City of Fresno Aquatics Program

Splash pads are a fun, free way to cool off for the summer. Fresno’s splash pads are open 7 days a week. Splash pads are open 10 AM – 8 PM daily.  

Splash Pad Locations: 

• Dickey Playground – 50 N. Calaveras Street 

• Figarden Loop Park – 4265 W. Figarden Drive 

• Inspiration Park – 5770 W. Gettysburg Avenue 

• Martin Ray Reilly Park – 750 N. Chestnut Avenue 

• Melody Park – 5935 E. Shields Avenue 

• Mosqueda Community Center – 4670 E. Butler Avenue 

• Todd Beamer Park – 1890 E. Plymouth Way 

• Vinland Park – 4695 E. Gettysburg Avenue 

• Fink White Park – 535 S. Trinity  

Swim Lessons

The City of Fresno Summer 2025 Swim Lessons have already begun; however, additional sessions will be available later this summer. Registration will open July 10^th for sessions starting August 2^nd.  

Learn more and register here 

Fresno County Public Library - Summer Reading Program

Image Credit: Fresno County Public Library

You and your kids can keep your minds active this summer by joining Summer at Your Library—a free program filled with reading challenges and fun programs for all ages. Sign up online or visit your local library to register. 

Learn more and register here 

Fresno Unified Summer Camps

Image Credit: Fresno Unified School District

Fresno Unified School District offers a variety of free Summer Enrichment Camps for TK-12^th grade students! Camps include hands-on learning in STEM, adventure and exploration, sports, college and career discovery, and creative arts to promote critical thinking, physical activity, and teamwork.  

2025 Summer Sessions 

• Session 1: July 14-18 

• Session 2: July 21-25 

• Session 3: July 28-August 1 

  
  

General registration began on May 23^rd. Learn more and register here 

Camp Fresno Youth & Family Camping

Join Camp Fresno where you can explore the Sierra Nevada Mountains with free day and overnight camps filled with outdoor activities, games, arts and crafts, and more. Camp Fresno offers free transportation to and from the campsite and meals!  

Day camp dates: July 11, 18, 25 

Overnight camp dates: July 7-9, 14-16, 28-30 & August 4-6 

Learn more and register here  

There are also family camping options with cabins, tent sites, or group bunkhouses. Call 559-621-7529 to reserve.  

Bingo at the Park - Family Night

Join Bingo at the Park every Wednesday and Friday evening in August from 5 PM – 6:30 PM at Fink White Park! FREE! No registration required and open to all ages. 

For questions, please call 559-621-7529 

Fresno County PARCS Department

Check out summer camps, art workshops, dance classes, family movie nights, and more on the Fresno County PARCS Department website here 

ABC 30 Fresno Community Calendar

Check out Fresno’s Community Calendar for family-friendly events happening all summer long! The calendar includes activities such as summer camps, scavenger hunts, sports, skill building, and free community festivals.  

Learn more and check out the calendar here 

Downtown Fresno & Visit Fresno County Events Calendar

Check out the Downtown Fresno and Fresno County events calendars that highlight some amazing family-friendly events like live music events, farmers markets, movie screenings, festivals, fairs, and more in Fresno and surrounding areas.  

View Downtown Fresno’s event calendar here 

View Visit Fresno County’s event calendar here 

Regal Summer Movie Express

Image Credit: Regal Movies

Regal Movies is offering $1 movies every Tuesday & Wednesday this summer! You and your little ones can enjoy family-friendly movies like Sing 2, Puss in Boots, Sonic 2, Minions, and more until August 6^th!  

Learn more here 

Classic Movies at Crest Theatre

Crest Theatre in Downtown Fresno hosts classic movie nights featuring movies like Avengers, Finding Nemo, and Harry Potter every weekend. Tickets are $5 (cash only). 

Learn more and check out the July movie schedule here  

Fresno City-operated community centers will be open from 12PM – 8PM when temperatures are expected to reach 105 degrees or higher. Transportation to cooling centers using any FAX bus is free of charge.

• Ted C. Wills Community Center – 770 N. San Pablo Fresno, CA 93728 

• Mosqueda Community Center – 4670 E. Butler Avenue Fresno, CA 93702 

• Maxie L. Parks Community Center – 1802 E. California Avenue Fresno, CA 93706