46 free programs for children and families, sorted by age group. Open any program to see who it's for and how to sign up.
Have kids of different ages? Enter their ages and get one list for your family .
ALL AGES 7 programs Memphis Public Library Free library card for all Shelby County residents. 18 locations, 1.7M items, 70K+ ebooks, 3,824 programs/yr, 646 free internet terminals. Education Self-serve online 901 Pass Free city pass: all community centers, aquatics & senior centers, plus free Memphis Zoo every Tuesday. Can double as a library card. Enrichment In person 211 Tennessee (LINC 2-1-1) Free 24/7 helpline routing families to every available service in Shelby County: food, housing, healthcare, childcare, utilities. Health Self-serve online TennCare / CHIP Tennessee Medicaid: free/low-cost health & dental for qualifying children and families. Doctor visits, prescriptions, mental health. Health Self-serve online Mid-South Food Bank Food assistance through partner pantries (many at MSCS schools) and mobile distribution sites across Shelby County. Food In person SNAP (Food Stamps) Federal food-purchase assistance. 150K+ Shelby County residents benefit; ~40% of recipients are children. Food Self-serve online ProGeny Place — Connected & Empowered Digital Literacy Free monthly hands-on digital-literacy workshops for all ages (with M Street Fiber & Ting): 6 modules from basic device use and online safety to email, resume-building, and career paths in e-commerce, remote work, and content creation. Complete the series and receive a computer to keep. [Verify program details locally.] Technology Navigator helps
BIRTH – AGE 2 5 programs Books from Birth / Imagination Library Shelby County affiliate of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (run by Porter-Leath). One free age-appropriate book mailed to your child each month, birth–age 5, in your child's name. No income requirement. Education Self-serve online WIC — Women, Infants & Children Free food, formula, produce + nutrition counseling and healthcare referrals for pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children under 5. Generous income guidelines. Health In person Le Bonheur Parent Support Warm Line Free phone line staffed by Le Bonheur professionals: parenting questions, child-development concerns, resource connections. Not a crisis line. Health Self-serve online Early Head Start (Porter-Leath) Federally-funded comprehensive services for income-eligible families: early education, health screenings, nutrition, parent support, birth–age 3. Education Navigator helps Urban Child Institute Memphis nonprofit with research, guides, and resource connections for parents of children under 3 — the most critical developmental window. Education Self-serve online
AGES 3–5 4 programs First 8 Memphis / Pre-K for All 2025 ordinance: free Pre-K for ALL 3–4 year-olds in Shelby County, regardless of income. 97+ classrooms, with wraparound health, nutrition & family support. Education In person MSCS Early Childhood Program Memphis-Shelby County Schools Pre-K at select elementaries and Early Learning Centers. 3,340+ students/yr; strong kindergarten-readiness outcomes. Education In person Library DiscoverREAD Early-literacy programming at all branches: story times, STEAM activities, school-readiness events. Free, mostly walk-in. Education Navigator helps Head Start (Porter-Leath) Federal full-day program for income-eligible 3–4 year-olds: education, health, dental, nutrition, family services — most comprehensive early-childhood option. Education Navigator helps
AGES 6–11 6 programs Library Summer Reading Free annual summer reading program across all 18 branches. Reduces summer learning loss, especially for low-income students. Education In person Memphis Zoo — Free Tuesdays Free every Tuesday for residents with a 901 Pass. One of the best recurring free family outings in the city. Enrichment In person Boys & Girls Club of Greater Memphis After-school and summer programs: academic support, sports, arts, character development. Multiple locations; consistent attendance improves outcomes. Enrichment Navigator helps YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South After-school care, summer camp, swim lessons, sports leagues. Financial assistance available — no one is turned away for inability to pay. Enrichment Navigator helps Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mid-South Free one-on-one mentorship matching kids 6–17 with vetted adult volunteers. School- and community-based matches. Enrichment Navigator helps MSCS School Food Pantries Many Memphis-Shelby County schools run weekly/monthly food pantries; some partner with Mid-South Food Bank for mobile distribution. Food In person
AGES 12–16 5 programs CLOUD901 Teen Learning Lab State-of-the-art teen tech & creativity space at the Central Library (3030 Poplar). Design, media, learning programs for teens. Technology In person Library Teen Innovation Centers 3D printing, digital media, coding, and music production at select branches. Free with a library card. Technology In person Udemy via Memphis Library (Free) Free access to thousands of Udemy professional courses through the library's Gale Presents program — business, tech, design, languages. Technology Self-serve online JobLINC at Central Library Free career coaching, resume review, mock interviews, digital job-seeking skills. Free computers and printers. Technology In person SW Tennessee CC — Free Digital Literacy Free non-credit digital-literacy & Microsoft Office courses via TN Board of Regents. Info sessions in Jan & Aug. Technology Navigator helps
AGES 17–18 4 programs Tennessee Promise EVERY TN public-school senior is eligible for two years of tuition-free community or technical college. Last-dollar scholarship, no income limit. Education Self-serve online FAFSA — Federal Student Aid Unlocks Pell Grants (up to ~$7K/yr free), subsidized loans, work-study. Free to file. Opens Oct 1. Never pay anyone to complete it. Education Self-serve online TN Student Assistance Award (TSAA) State need-based grant; stacks on top of Tennessee Promise for extra support. Education Self-serve online Southwest Tennessee Community College Primary TN Promise destination in Memphis: certificates, associate degrees, transfer pathways, dual enrollment for current high-schoolers. Education Self-serve online Specific communities & needs Identity- and needs-specific supports. These work alongside everything above — a child can use both their age-group resources and these.
NEURODIVERGENT & DISABILITY 8 programs Supports for children who are autistic, neurodivergent, or have developmental, learning, or physical disabilities. Newest section — verify details locally.
Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) Free voluntary program for children birth–3 with disabilities or developmental delay. Free evaluation and services for motor, communication, cognitive, social, and adaptive delays. Health Navigator helps Le Bonheur LEAD (Early Intervention & Development) Birth–3 early intervention: PT, OT, speech-language, feeding/swallowing, audiology — in homes and child-care centers. Partners with TEIS. Health Navigator helps The Arc Mid-South Advocacy, community outreach, and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Identity & advocacy Navigator helps Autism Resources of the Mid-South (ARMS) Support, advocacy, and education for everyone affected by autism in the Mid-South. Identity & advocacy Navigator helps Support & Training for Exceptional Parents (STEP) Tennessee's parent-training & information center. Free help understanding special-education rights and building your child's IEP. Education Navigator helps Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities (UTHSC) University center supporting children & families through evaluation, services, training, and research on developmental disabilities. Health Navigator helps Katie Beckett Program (TennCare) For children under 18 with disabilities or complex medical needs who don't qualify for Medicaid due to parental income/assets. Health Navigator helps Tennessee Disability Pathfinder Statewide free directory + multilingual helpline connecting families to disability services of every kind. Identity & advocacy Self-serve online
LGBTQ+ YOUTH 2 programs Affirming community, support, and family services. Newest section — verify details locally.
OUTMemphis — PRYSM Youth Program Proud, Resilient, Youth-Standing-Memphis: a supportive program for LGBTQ+ youth 12–17 building community, celebrating identity, and providing tools to thrive. Identity & advocacy Navigator helps OUTMemphis — Family Care Navigation Support for caregivers navigating their child's LGBTQ+ identity, plus care navigation for trans and gender-nonconforming youth and the whole family. Identity & advocacy Navigator helps
IMMIGRANT, REFUGEE & CULTURAL COMMUNITIES 4 programs Help with school enrollment, benefits, legal questions, and belonging for immigrant, refugee, and multilingual families. Verify details locally.
Latino Memphis Connects Latino families to education, health, and legal services. Navigators help with school enrollment, benefits, and immigration questions. Identity & advocacy Navigator helps Refugee Empowerment Program Supports refugee and immigrant families through education, employment, and belonging programs as families rebuild new lives. Identity & advocacy Navigator helps Advocates for Immigrant Rights (AIR) Defends immigrants' rights and dignity through legal representation and advocacy, especially for those most at risk. Identity & advocacy Navigator helps Vietnamese American Community of West TN Preserves Vietnamese heritage in West Tennessee — culture, family support, and helping youth carry traditions forward. Identity & advocacy Navigator helps
STEM & DIGITAL EQUITY 1 program Free tech, coding, and digital-skills programs widening access for underrepresented Memphis youth. Verify details locally.
CodeCrew Free coding education and mentorship for Memphis youth: after-school, summer camps, and the CodeSchool of Memphis. Focus on students underrepresented in tech. Technology Navigator helps