For most public schools in the Triangle, Spring Break, including weekends, starts March 29, 2025, and ends either April 6 or 7. For some school districts, April 7 is teacher work day and for other districts, students return to school on April 7. Also, it’s possible that weather make-up days can affect some scheduled days off.
Here are some fun, free or cheap things going on in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and surrounding areas for kids and teens throughout that time period. Make sure to follow each link to get the necessary details on times and locations.
You can keep track of free and cheap things to do in the Triangle by subscribing to the free email list and following us on Facebook and Instagram.
In this post, we cover:
- Special events during Spring Break for families (Jump to this section.)
- The entire calendar of kids’ activities on Triangle on the Cheap (Jump to this section.)
- Fun things in Triangle that are always free (Jump to this section.)
- Great discounts on kids’ activities. (Jump to this section.)
Special Events During Spring Break
Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge Tour and Explore: On March 29, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., visit all the rescued farm animals, and learn how they’re cared for. There’s a sliding scale, so you just pay what you can. 7236 NC Highway 87 N, Pittsboro, NC.
School BreakOUT! at Downtown Cary Park: On Tuesday, April 1, and Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Downtown Cary Park will host a full day of fun activities for kids. Tuesday’s theme is Ninjas, and Thursday’s theme is dinosaurs. Free events! Please note that these are not drop-off events.
North Carolina Science Festival: All April long, there will be science events throughout the state. Many are free. A few taking place during Spring Break are the STEM Day event at Scott Northern Wake Tech Campus, Science in the Spillway at Bond Park in Cary, the UNC Science Expo, NC State Earth Fair, Discovery Day at White Deer Park in Garner, and statewide star parties in multiple locations.
First Friday Market & Movie Night at Moore Square: On Friday, April 4, 2025, enjoy a market and the movie Wall-E at Moore Square. This free event is from 5 to 9 p.m.
Spring Break Calendar
These activities are always free
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
- North Carolina Museum of Art
- These hikes are perfectly suited for kids
- Duke Homestead State Historic Site
- Self-guided tour of Videri Chocolate Factory in Raleigh
- Visit one of these 31 farmers’ markets. Some even have special activities for kids.
- Durham Central Park features a playground, a skate park, Garden of Eatin’ (edible garden, free for the picking) and more
- Plane-watching at RDU Observation Park
- Triangle libraries all have many free offerings for kids. Durham County Library, Orange County Public Library, Wake County Libraries, Chapel Hill Public Library.
- Botanical gardens in the Triangle
- Stagville State Historic Site
Discounts on Kids’ activities
Use Groupons to get discounts on Spring Break activities for kids. You’ll find discounts on bowling, trampoline parks, mini-golf, climbing gyms, movies and more.
Royvia says
Great post.
Fredro says
Nice post!