Making Memories with Children Experiencing Foster Care
Every child deserves the joy of a childhood filled with laughter, love, and meaningful memories. For children experiencing foster care, this need is especially important. These young people often face upheaval, loss, and uncertainty; experiences that can leave lasting emotional impacts. One of the most powerful ways caregivers can support them is by creating positive, lasting moments together, reducing as much stress as possible.
Whether it is a birthday celebration, consistent bedtime stories, family game nights, or a simple afternoon at the park, these experiences go beyond fun. They provide a sense of normalcy, connection, and belonging. For children experiencing foster care, memories built in safe, loving environments help them feel seen, valued, and secure.
We recognize that for many foster families, especially larger ones, travel and outings can feel out of reach due to cost. That is why we have compiled a list of businesses that offer discounts families may qualify for. From amusement parks and museums to restaurants and local sports, there are more resources available than many people realize.
Creating memories does not require extravagance. It is about being present, building traditions, and sharing everyday joy. A walk through a zoo, a road trip to visit a new place, or simply sitting together under the stars can become unforgettable parts of a child’s story.
Children experiencing foster care deserve memories filled with joy, comfort, and love. And with the gift of community resources and a little creativity, families can build those moments together.
Foster Family Resources
The following is a non-exhaustive list of foster family discounted activities and resources in all 50 states. This list is for informational purposes only. NYAP does not endorse, recommend, or guarantee the suitability of any specific resource, and makes no representations regarding the quality, safety, or appropriateness of the resources listed.
National Foster Parent Resources:
Free Youth Sports Registration
Free Books for Children through age 5
Free Lasagna Dinner (Monthly)
Free Homework Support
Resources for Caregivers-Children w/Special Needs
Resources for Parents of LGBTQIA+ Young People
Reduced Museum Admission with SNAP/EBT
Amazon-Reduced Membership
Sam's Club-Reduced Membership
Project 10Million-Free Internet
One Simple Wish-Wish Requests
Book It-Free Pizza Rewards for Summer Reading
A Kid Again-Free Events-Kids w/Life Threatening Conditions
Planet Fitness-Free Teen Summer Membership
4th Graders & Family-Free Natural Park Pass Free
Summer Bowling
Foster Parent Support Groups
Free Mental Health Services
Foster Friendly App
Every Kid Outdoors
Kids Bowl Free
Kids Skate Free
Summer Movie Clubhouse
Alabama:
Birmingham Zoo
My Skate Center
Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater and Academy
Alaska:
Fairbanks Children’s Museum
Arizona:
State Park Pass
Reid Park Zoo
Phoenix Zoo
Culture Pass
Arkansas:
California:
Golden Bear Pass
San Diego Zoo-October
Colorado:
Denver Zoo
Space Foundation Discovery Center
MY Denver Card
South Suburban Parks & Recreation
Commerce City Parks & Recreation
Connecticut:
Delaware:
Florida:
Florida State Parks
Aquatica
My Skate Center
Georgia:
Idaho:
Illinois:
Shedd Aquarium
Brookfield Zoo
Peoria Playhouse Children’s Museum
Indiana:
Marengo Cave
Holiday World
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
Access Pass
Iowa:
Kansas:
Sedgwick County Zoo
Sunset Zoo
Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City
Kentucky:
Holiday World
My Skate Center
Louisville Zoo
Louisiana:
State park, historic site & museum pass
Magic Springs
Maine:
Maryland:
Port Discovery Children’s Museum
Massachusetts:
Museum of Science
Wonderfund Pass
Michigan:
Minnesota:
Minnesota Zoo
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
Minneapolis Parks Summer Music & Movies
Minnesota Children’s Museum
Lake Superior Zoo
Mississippi:
Free State Park & Museum entry
Missouri:
Fritz’s Adventure
Magic House
St. Louis Science Center
St. Louis Zoo
Grant’s Farm
Nebraska:
Nevada:
New Hampshire:
Children’s Museum of New Hampshire
Museum Passes
New Jersey:
Families First Discovery Pass
Museum Passes
New Mexico:
New York:
Buffalo Zoo
Free Cultural Institutions
North Carolina:
North Carolina and Botanical Gardens
North Carolina Aquariums
Discovery Place
North Dakota:
Ohio:
Oklahoma:
Tulsa Zoo
Oklahoma City Zoo
Tulsa Botanic Garden
Oregon:
Oregon State Parks Special Access Pass
Oregon Zoo
Oregon Children’s Theater
Pennsylvania:
Philadelphia Zoo
Art-Reach with Access Pass
Rhode Island:
Museum Passes
Roger Williams Park Zoo
South Carolina:
South Carolina Aquarium
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
South Dakota:
Children’s Museum of South Dakota
Great Plains Zoo
Tennessee:
Holiday World
Tennessee Aquarium
Chattanooga Zoo
Texas:
Teaghlach Ranch
Morgan’s Wonderland
San Antonio Aquarium
Utah:
Utah’s Hogle Zoo
Thanksgiving Point
Vermont:
Museum Library Pass
State Park Passes
Virginia:
Virginia Zoo in Norfolk
Virginia Aquarium
PowerUp Discounts
Washington:
Kids Quest Children’s Museum
The Museum of Flight
Pacific Science Center
Seattle Aquarium
Seattle Children’s Museum
Seattle Children’s Theater
Woodland Zoo
Free Camping
Wisconsin:
The Children’s Museum of Green Bay
Madison Children’s Museum
Foster Parent & Kinship Caregiver Discounts
Wyoming:
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
If you would like to become a foster parent with NYAP, request an info call at nyap.org/fostercare
