Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday of September and marks the end of Summer. But, what is Labor Day (besides a day off from school and work)? It is a Federal holiday. Working conditions used to be terrible in this country until laws were passed to protect workers and shorten the work day, etc. President Grover Cleveland tried to rebuild the relationship with workers by creating Labor Day at the end of the 19th century. Kids learn best about something when they get to be creative and engaged. We’ve gathered up ideas of free & cheap ways to celebrate labor day, including activities to do with the family and crafts for the younger ones.
THINGS TO DO FOR LABOR DAY WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK
FREE Soccer Clinic for Kids by Antioch FC
September 2
Antioch Church
7315 Southside Dr, Louisville, KY
Please register HERE.
Kentucky Flea Market Labor Day Spectacular 2023
September 1-4
Kentucky Exposition Center
937 Phillips Lane
Louisville, Kentucky 40233
FREE admission. Over 750 booths. Half-off parking with a purchase.
Louisville Zoo
Louisville Zoo
1100 Trevilian Way
Louisville, KY 40213
Enjoy the outdoors and lots of fun animals this Labor Day weekend. For the lowest ticket price, purchase tickets online in advance of your visit. Get a zoo membership for the best value year-round! The Zoo offers discounts for military personnel.
Kentucky Kingdom
Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay
937 Phillips Lane
Louisville, KY 40209
Spend Labor Day weekend at Kentucky Kingdom! Don’t have season passes? They offer child, senior, military, and first responder discounts.
Mayor’s Hike, Bike and Paddle
September 4
8:00am – 12:00pm
Waterfront Park
129 River Rd, Louisville, KY
FREE event. Thousands of cyclists, paddlers and walkers will be on the move again at the Mayor’s Hike, Bike & Paddle this Labor Day.
WorldFest 2023 Labor Day Weekend
September 1-4
Belvedere downtown
See the World without ever leaving the city! WorldFest, Louisville’s premier international festival, is the most diverse, inclusive, and equitable event in the region. WorldFest is a FREE, family-friendly event that showcases many different backgrounds and cultures that make Louisville a more diverse city. The four-day festival will be filled with music, food and fun.
Labor Day Weekend at KOA
September 1-4
Louisville South KOA Holiday
2433 Hwy 44 E, Shepherdsville, KY
Just because Summer is coming to an end doesn’t mean your camping fun has to. Join KOA for a weekend of activities and recreation for the whole family!
“Looking at Louisville” Downtown Walking Tour
September 1
Louisville Visitor Center
301 South 4th Street Louisville, KY 40202
Experience Louisville through a local’s eyes by taking one of our “Looking at Louisville” FREE Downtown Historic Walking Tours!
Lexington Green Lakeside Live
September 1
Lakeside Live
161 Lexington Green Circle
Lexington, KY 40503
A FREE concert series lakeside! Enjoy the live music, drinks, food, and more! Less than an hour-and-a-half drive from Louisville!
*See some more ideas for September in our monthly events guide.
EASY LABOR DAY CRAFTS FOR THE KIDS
Vision Board
Get the little ones thinking about what they want to be when they grow up. Let them look up ideas online with you and print out what piques their interest. Go through magazines and newspapers you have around the house to let them look through. Talk with them about the different career options they find until they choose one to put on their vision board. Head to the Dollar Tree to get poster board and markers, etc. and have fun!
American Flag Craft
All you need is some paper, pens/markers/colored pencils/crayons, scissors, glue/tape, and popsicle sticks! Draw and color an American flag, cut it out, and attach is to your popsicle stick – that’s it!
Thank You Cards
Make homemade thank you cards for those in your family and community with the toughest jobs to let them know how much their work is appreciated.
Wreath Paper Plate Craft
Get paper plates and cut a large circle out of the center. Then, let the kids color whatever they want on it – fireworks, stars, red/white/blue stripes, pictures of nurses/firemen… Punch a hole in the top, put some ribbon through it in order to hang it, and finish it off with a bow!
