Free things to do with kids in New Castle County
Some of the best family mornings in New Castle County don't cost a thing. These are the parks, trails, and nature spots we go back to when we want a good outing without a ticket. Where a park adds a seasonal car fee, we say so — everything else is genuinely free.
1. Brandywine Park
Wilmington
Creek trails, a playground, and the zoo along one free stretch of the Brandywine — Wilmington's default when you just need to get outside.
2. Wilmington Riverfront
Wilmington
A free riverwalk with mini-golf, ballgames, and the Children's Museum strung along it — you only pay for what you choose to do.
3. DuPont Environmental Education Center
Wilmington
A free wetland boardwalk and observation tower right on the Riverwalk — short, flat, and easy with little ones.
4. Glasgow Park
Newark
A big inclusive playground, a fishing pond, and Thursday-night summer concerts — free, with easy parking on the Newark side of the county.
5. Ashland Nature Center
Hockessin
Delaware Nature Society's trails and Butterfly Habitat in Hockessin — free to roam, with a real nature-play feel.
6. Can-Do Playground
Wilmington
A fully accessible playground built for every kid. The playground itself is free; note the surrounding park charges a per-car fee from spring through fall.
Questions parents ask
What can families do for free in New Castle County?
Parks, the Wilmington Riverwalk, and nature centers like the DuPont Environmental Education Center and Ashland are all free to enjoy — you only pay if you add a paid activity.
Do any of these charge a parking fee?
Most are completely free. A few county and state parks add a seasonal per-vehicle fee (roughly spring through fall) — we note which ones, so check the place's page before you go.
Get the good ones before they fill up
Free, one email a week — the weekend's best picks for New Castle County families, tailored to your kids' ages.
More guides
Checked against each place’s current info.
Admission and hours come straight from each place’s guide. Last reviewed June 14, 2026. Confirm anything dated on the source before you go.