A list of free things to do in Charlotte as leaders weigh stricter curfew for teens

While some city leaders and police say a stricter curfew would help curb so-called “teen takeovers,” others have said teens simply lack things to do.

They say youth lack something called “third spaces,” or locations to go aside from home, school and work that have minimal supervision and are a safe place to have fun.

Some local nonprofits, like My Brother’s Keeper and Alternatives to Violence, have tried to fill in these gaps by providing free programming and events.

My Brother’s Keeper, through a youth-led initiative called The 704 Way, has held events and provided transportation for Charlotte youth. A recent event included bringing teens in to spray paint and decorate Vans shoes at a local coffee shop.

Now the organization is calling on teachers to reach out and plan events for youth throughout the year.

And local websites, like Charlotte On The Cheap and the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority’s website aggregate free or low-cost events going on around the city.

But some in Charlotte, as well as other cities such as Pittsburgh and Lafayette, Louisiana, have said there’s still not enough and have called for more youth-dedicated spaces. Detroit leaders are crafting “safe zones” for teens.

And in New York City, the mayor’s office created a website that helps youth connect with programming in their area based on age, location and hobbies.

As leaders continue to discuss how to approach the issue, below is a list of regularly-occurring events throughout the Charlotte region.

The city and county parks departments regularly hold free activities throughout many locations. Information about those events can be found on their websites. Activities range in age, but many are youth and teen-friendly. The UNCC Botanical Garden is free and open daily, as well.

The Teen Summer Jam has seen success at the Eastway Regional Recreation Center, with a growing waitlist of kids looking to do arts and crafts, play video games, or use a photo booth.

A similar event, called Teen Summer Pool Jam, still has free spots available to sign up.

The list is also available here. Free local events include: