The holidays are over, but many parents are still wondering:where can they take their kids in São Paulo? To help, we’re bringing you a guide to free activities for kids, so you can make the most of your little ones’ free time in an affordable way. Make a note:
A donation of 1 kg of non-perishable food is recommended
If you’re looking for free cultural activities to enjoy with your kids in São Paulo, Bunka Matsuri is the perfect choice. Also known as the Japanese Culture Festival, the event showcases the country’s ancient traditions to the Brazilian public through concerts, craft workshops, a “geek zone” with games, and more. The diverse program caters to all ages, so fun is guaranteed for kids and parents alike!
Santos Dumont Exhibition – 120 Years Since the Flight of the 14-Bis
The exhibition celebrates 120 years of aviation in a fun way, for all ages. The highlight is the only flying replica of the 14-Bis airplane, which is 99% faithful to the original design! There is also a replica of the Demoiselle, one of the most successful aircraft designed by Minas Gerais-born inventor Alberto Santos Dumont.
Other days: R$ 10 (half-price) and R$ 20 (full price)
This incredible museum aims to bring the public closer to the world of science, with a variety of attractions that delight both children and adults. You can explore life in the galaxies, the evolution of humankind, and learn more about today’s society in a playful, immersive, and fun way. So how about taking advantage of the holidays to explore the museum with the kids?
Next up is a free outing in São Paulo that kids will love: Mundo do Circo. The venue offers circus shows suitable for the whole family, and to enjoy them, simply pick up your tickets one hour in advance at the on-site box office. Check out the full schedule on this website.
Summer is coming, so how about taking the kids swimming to beat the heat? An affordable option is the pool at the Workers’ Sports, Recreation, and Education Center (CERET), which, by the way, is the largest public pool in all of Latin America.
In addition, the park features sports courts, picnic tables, a roller skating rink, and more! To enjoy the space, simply complete a quick registration on the CERET website; we’ve explained the step-by-step process here.
This planetarium is considered the most modern in South America. It offers free activities for the whole family, who can get an up-close look at the universe’s most intriguing secrets. Keep an eye on the weekly schedule on Instagram!
BikeTourSP, which organizes bike tours along Paulista Avenue, offers two special events for children. One is Bike KIDS, which takes children up to age 8 on a tour of the city while their guardians ride alongside on bikes. And then there’s the Family Tricycle, an option for those who can’t ride a bike yet.
The tours usually take place on Sundays. The tours are free, but a donation of 2 quilos of non-perishable food is encouraged.
SESCs in São Paulo
The SESCs are among the best free activities to do with children in the capital and Greater São Paulo. Although full membership (which grants access to the swimming pools, for example) is only available to retail workers, it’s common for the centers to offer free exhibitions, workshops, and performances open to the general public.
The metropolitan area is home to 25 SESC locations. For example:
- Santana;
- Ipiranga;
- Bom Retiro;
- Itaquera;
- Belenzinho;
- Paulista Avenue;
- Guarulhos;
- Santo André;
- Osasco;
- Mogi das Cruzes.
To check out the full SESC children’s program, visit the official website and select the “Audience: Children” filter. You can also filter your search by your preferred location.
It may seem basic, but a free, must-do outing in São Paulo with the kids is, without a doubt, a walk through the park. After all, in addition to plenty of green space for the little ones to burn off energy and connect with nature, most parks have picnic tables and playgrounds. The parks listed below, for example, have playgrounds:
- Horto Florestal Park;
- Villa-Lobos Park;
- Ibirapuera Park;
- Youth Park.
It’s never too early to instill a love of culture in children! São Paulo is the city with the most museums in Brazil, so we couldn’t leave this outing off the list. Check out some free cultural options below:
- CCBB;
- Itaú Cultural;
- Caixa Cultural;
- Paço das Artes;
- Soccer Museum (free on Tuesdays);
- Afro Brazil Museum (free on Wednesdays);
- Ipiranga Museum (free on Wednesdays);
- Immigration Museum (free on Saturdays);
- MASP (free on Tuesday and Friday evenings);
- Museum of Indigenous Cultures (free on Thursdays);
- Pinacoteca (free on Saturdays and the second Sunday of every month);
In addition, many other museums in São Paulo offer half-price admission for students and/or free admission for people with disabilities.
For our young readers, one of the must-see attractions in São Paulo is the Villa-Lobos Park Library. As you’d expect, the space has thousands of books for all ages, but it also features a video game room, a playroom, a skate park, a bike rack, and even rubber mats for babies. A cultural outing that’s super fun!
The São Paulo metropolitan area also offers several options for free activities for children. One recommendation is Cidade da Criança in Itu, just 1 hour and 30 minutes from the capital. The venue is entirely geared toward little ones, with a playground and toys for children ages 6 and up. In addition, the venue features a mini-city, restrooms, a snack bar, and even Tarzan’s House!
Still on the topic of the metropolitan area, did you know there are 3 free water parks just 1 hour from São Paulo? That’s right—you don’t have to spend a lot to give the kids a refreshing afternoon! Check out the options:
- Espaço das Águas (Jundiaí);
- Children’s Park (Indaiatuba);
- Planalto Park (Carapicuíba).
At these places, you and your children can enjoy waterfalls, swimming pools, paddleboats, a green maze, and slides, for example. All of them are very close to the capital, making them a great tip for hot days!
