Budget-friendly fun
Find no-cost programs and events, with age ranges, dates, locations, and direct links to official information.
Folk On The Rocks / Women in Music Canada / National Arts Centre / Music NWT | Yellowknife
Free workshop for musicians on getting music played on radio, with presenters from the music sector. Coffee, tea, and light snacks are provided.
Last updated: Jun 30, 2026
Yellowknife Public Library / Aurora College Research Institute | Yellowknife
A free hands-on STEAM workshop for young inventors ages 8-11. Participants build simple cube robots that respond to their environment while exploring science, technology, engineering, art and math. Runs Friday, July 24, 2026, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Registration is required.
Last updated: Jul 10, 2026
Old Town Ramble & Ride | Yellowknife
Volunteer roles include stage and signage setup and helping at the children's play area. Volunteers receive a T-shirt and BBQ.
Last updated: Jun 18, 2026
City of Yellowknife | Yellowknife
Residents can submit garden photos, browse entries and vote. Categories include tiny, bee-friendly, vegetable, flower, container and rock gardens.
Last updated: Jun 18, 2026
Yellowknife Table Tennis Club / Table Tennis North | Yellowknife
A youth-friendly table tennis opportunity in Yellowknife for children and teens, including beginners and more experienced players. The club has previously offered regular play at school gym locations on weekday evenings and weekend afternoons. Families should confirm the current season schedule, location, fees, and youth availability before attending.
Last updated: Jun 21, 2026
YK Youth Bowling Council / Elks Lodge 314 | Yellowknife
Free youth bowling league sponsored by Elks Lodge 314. The flyer lists Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., starting September 15, with limited capacity.
Last updated: Jul 9, 2026
City of Yellowknife | Yellowknife
Annual City fireworks display viewed from Somba K'e Civic Plaza and designated areas around Frame Lake.
Last updated: Jun 18, 2026
Government of Canada | Yellowknife / Canada
Summer job postings for youth, including opportunities that may be available in Yellowknife or remotely through participating employers.
Last updated: Jun 18, 2026
Department of National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces | Yellowknife and Canadian training centres
Free youth programming with leadership, citizenship, fitness and specialized activities such as aviation, outdoor skills, sailing, sports and music. Eligible cadets may attend summer training courses.
Last updated: Jun 18, 2026
City of Yellowknife | Yellowknife
Youth volunteer pathway for teens interested in supporting day camps and building leadership or resume experience.
Last updated: Jun 18, 2026
Government of Canada / Council of Ministers of Education, Canada | Various Canadian host communities
A 19- to 21-day summer enrichment experience for French-speaking students in Grades 8 to 10 who live outside Quebec, combining language, culture, recreation, accommodation and meals.
Last updated: Jun 18, 2026
Government of Canada / Council of Ministers of Education, Canada | Various Canadian host communities
A government-funded French immersion experience lasting approximately 19 to 33 days, with language classes, cultural activities, accommodation and meals at participating institutions.
Last updated: Jun 18, 2026
Self-guided family outings | Yellowknife
A self-guided family outing around Frame Lake with easy walking, lakeside views, picnic time and nature observation. Suitable for families looking for a free outdoor activity close to town. Check weather and the Air Quality Health Index before heading out, especially during wildfire smoke periods.
Last updated: Jul 9, 2026
Government of the Northwest Territories | Northwest Territories
GNWT summer student job program with roles that can range from office support to parks and program work.
Last updated: Jun 18, 2026
Home Base YK | Yellowknife
Volunteer opportunity supporting youth centre activities such as cooking, companionship and program support.
Last updated: Jun 18, 2026
Home Base YK | Yellowknife
Free youth centre drop-in with food, computers, games, movies, social space and staff support.
Last updated: Jun 18, 2026
Canadian Armed Forces | Various Canadian training locations
Six- to eight-week paid summer programs combining Indigenous cultural learning with Canadian Armed Forces training, teamwork, fitness and leadership development.
Last updated: Jun 18, 2026
Department of National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces | Eligible northern and remote communities
A free northern youth program combining traditional skills, outdoor safety, community service, leadership, physical activity and Ranger skills, with possible regional enhanced training opportunities.
Last updated: Jun 18, 2026
Kingpin Bowling Centre | Yellowknife
Kids Bowl Free special offer: 2 free games per day per child at Kingpin Bowling Centre. Listed times are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 1:00-6:00 p.m.
Last updated: Jun 18, 2026
Sport North Federation / KidSport NWT | Yellowknife
KidSport Northwest Territories helps cover registration fees so children aged 18 and under can participate in sport. Applications should be submitted 30 days before the activity start date.
Last updated: Jun 18, 2026
Self-guided family outings | Yellowknife
A self-guided family lake outing at Long Lake and the Fred Henne area, suitable for an easy half-day walk, simple picnic, bird watching and time near the water. Check weather and the Air Quality Health Index before heading out, and supervise children closely near the lake.
Last updated: Jul 9, 2026
Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre | Yellowknife
Free museum visit for families, with northern history, culture and exhibit learning. A good low-cost option for rainy days, quiet mornings or a half-day parent-child outing.
Last updated: Jun 18, 2026
Special Olympics Northwest Territories | Northwest Territories
Volunteer roles may include event support, photography, fundraising and program help.
Last updated: Jun 18, 2026
Sport North Federation | Yellowknife
Funding assistance for young athletes attending eligible NWT sport programs or Canadian skill-development and technical-training camps.
Last updated: Jun 18, 2026
Yellowknife Public Library | Yellowknife
Free 2026 Summer Reading Club for children ages 3-12 with themed reads, crafts, games, ocean-inspired activities, reading logs, stickers and prizes. Weekly sessions run through August 17: ages 3-5 meet Tuesdays from 3:00-4:00 p.m.; ages 6-8 meet Thursdays from 1:30-2:30 p.m.; ages 9-12 meet Thursdays from 3:00-4:00 p.m. Registration is required.
Last updated: Jun 18, 2026
Yellowknife Farmers Market | Yellowknife
Weekly community market suitable for an easy family evening walk, local food, music and meeting the community. Families can visit without registration.
Last updated: Jun 18, 2026
Self-guided family outings | Yellowknife
Self-guided summer outings such as lakeside walks, short hikes, biking, Old Town exploring, Bush Pilot's Monument and day trips to Prelude Lake or Cameron Falls.
Last updated: Jun 18, 2026
Yellowknife Public Library | Yellowknife
Library collection resources for families and teens, including board game packs that can support low-cost social activities.
Last updated: Jun 18, 2026
Yellowknife Public Library | Yellowknife
Free and low-cost library activities for babies, toddlers and children, including story time, crafts, reading programs and drop-in family-friendly events.
Last updated: Jun 18, 2026
Ecology North | Yellowknife
Volunteer to water, weed and care for Yellowknife school gardens while students are on summer vacation.
Last updated: Jun 18, 2026
Yellowknife Volunteers | Yellowknife
Community opportunity board for finding nonprofit, grassroots and charity volunteer or work opportunities.
Last updated: Jun 18, 2026