When I was growing up in Toronto, if my friends weren’t around I’d hop on my bike and ride to the city pool at High Park if it was hot, or to the local library if the weather was crappy. Both are still free.
Yes my Mom always took us to the Library once a week and we would stock up on books to read. In my neighborhood every kid had a dog and a bike so we would all take off on our bikes with the dogs following along wherever we went. I feel sorry for kids nowadays who cannot even be out of sight of their parents for a moment.