15 Issues to Do in Virginia with Children

Heading to Virginia this summer time or within the temper for a staycation? Listed here are 15 issues to do in Virginia with youngsters alone bucket record!

I used to be drawn to Charlottesville earlier than I ever had youngsters as a result of it’s on lots of the “greatest locations to lift a household” lists, and now that I’ve two boys, I actually do love elevating them right here. From the coast to the mountains, there’s a lot to like about our stunning state. And it’s certainly very family-friendly. From exploring our discovery museums and amusement parks, stepping again in time at historic websites, or romping by way of trails of pure wonders, this state is filled with enjoyable for the entire household.

I’ve been fortunate sufficient to name Virginia dwelling for the previous 15 years, but there’s nonetheless a lot of the state I wish to discover! Thomas and I’ve a objective to do extra smaller, native journeys (possibly with one evening away) with the boys. Whether or not you’re planning a summer time journey to Virginia or a Virginian your self simply searching for methods to maintain your little ones entertained nearer to dwelling, I’ve rounded up among the greatest kid-friendly actions which can be on our bucket record!

There are tons of kid-friendly actions throughout the state that permit your little ones be taught, discover, and burn off all that vitality in the easiest way. From hands-on museums to outside adventures, there’s one thing for each age and each type of curious child.

Listed here are a number of weblog posts with among the highlights we’ve already finished:

Is Virginia Secure for Children?

I needed to look this up – do you know Virginia ranks because the eleventh most secure state within the US in 2025? And, when you’re Northern Virginia particularly, the crime charges are literally among the lowest within the nation. The state additionally takes youngster security critically, with wonderful assets like Secure Children Virginia providing the whole lot from automotive seat checkups to security workshops and even sports activities clinics for households.

Inside Charlottesville particularly, now we have packages that help protected youngsters just like the Secure Routes to College Program, Group Bikes, ReadyKids, nice public faculties and extra.

What to Do in Virginia with Children

Listed here are some concepts and new-to-me locations to take the children this summer time!

Issues to Do in Virginia Seaside with Children

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Middle

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Middle is hands-down the most effective spots to go to with youngsters. It’s the right mixture of enjoyable and academic!

With over 12,000 animals and greater than 700 species, there’s a lot for little ones to discover. The reveals stroll you thru every kind of marine habitats from the Chesapeake Bay to the Purple Sea. Plus, contact swimming pools, interactive shows, and every day animal feedings make studying really feel like an journey.

Grommet Island Park

Grommet Island Park is a superb spot for households. It’s enjoyable, inventive, and totally inclusive, all proper on the oceanfront.

It’s really the primary totally accessible seaside playground within the US, which makes it much more wonderful. With large ramps, mushy surfaces, and sensory-friendly options, this park was really designed so that youngsters of all talents can play aspect by aspect.

There are raised sand tables for castle-building, interactive sensory boards, and playful sculptures suppose dolphins and surfboards that encourage creativeness and open-ended enjoyable the place each youngster can benefit from the magic of play, with out obstacles. It’s free to go.

Ocean Breeze Waterpark

Ocean Breeze Waterpark is a kind of locations that test all of the packing containers for a enjoyable household day. With over 30 rides and points of interest, there’s one thing for everybody from toddlers to thrill-seeking teenagers (and sure, even for us grown-ups, too!)

You’ve acquired a million-gallon wave pool, a calming lazy river, and tons of water slides that vary from mild to heart-racing. For the little ones, the newly up to date Buccaneer Bay is such a win; it’s filled with age-appropriate slides, splash pads, and enjoyable water options that preserve them busy and protected.

Dad and mom, you’ll love the little conveniences that make an enormous distinction: free parking, complimentary interior tubes, and even free sunscreen stations all through the park. I do know my boys would like to go!

Hunt Membership Farm

Hunt Membership Farm is such a candy spot for a household time out, particularly in case your youngsters love animals and being exterior principally each child ever!

The petting farm is all the time a success. You’ll discover pleasant goats, sheep, chickens, and extra, all prepared for some mild pets and up-close interplay. It’s hands-on, instructional, and a good way for little ones to find out about farm life.

The TreeWalk Journey is one other favourite with elevated walkways, treehouses, and loads of area to discover and picture. And don’t miss their seasonal occasions just like the Easter Egg Hunt within the spring or the Harvest Truthful within the fall. They all the time deliver an additional little bit of magic to the expertise.

Colonial Williamsburg

Simply an hour away from Virginia Seaside, Colonial Williamsburg is a kind of magical locations the place historical past involves life. It’s such a enjoyable and surprisingly hands-on instructional expertise for households. It’s the world’s largest dwelling historical past museum and really looks like stepping again in time to the 18th century.

Unfold out over 300 stunning restored acres, you’ll discover cobblestone streets, charming previous buildings, and costumed interpreters who make you’re feeling such as you’re proper there in colonial America. And for the children? It’s not nearly watching it’s about doing! They will strive their hand at candle-making, blacksmithing, and even wander by way of the boxwood maze behind the Governor’s Palace.

We cherished it at Christmastime!

Issues to Do in West Virginia with Children

Clay Middle for the Arts & Sciences

The Clay Middle for the Arts & Sciences is such a hidden gem for households. It’s the right mixture of studying, creativity, and hands-on enjoyable that retains youngsters (and adults!) completely engaged.

On the coronary heart of the middle is the Avampato Discovery Museum, which spans three flooring and over 12,000 sq. toes of interactive reveals. Your youngsters can splash round in WaterWorks, make music within the Maier Basis Music Studio, or find out about wellness within the tremendous enjoyable “Wholesome Me!” exhibit.

And don’t miss the “My City” exhibit, the place youngsters can role-play completely different jobs, or the Caperton Planetarium & Theater, the place you possibly can see out-of-this-world area exhibits.

Camden Park

Camden Park is the type of place that offers you all the nostalgic amusement park vibes. West Virginia’s solely amusement park is filled with over 30 rides and points of interest starting from traditional thrills to little-kid favorites. The Huge Dipper, a historic picket curler coaster, is a should for courageous riders, whereas youthful kiddos can hop on the Lil’ Dipper for their very own mini model of enjoyable.

Kiddie Land is ideal for youths underneath 48 inches, with charming rides like Hand Vehicles, Kiddie Boats, and Pony Carts which can be simply the suitable pace for tiny adventurers. And for the entire household? There’s a miniature practice trip and swan paddle boats.

Blackwater Falls State Park

Blackwater Falls State Park is a pure marvel that makes you cease and say, “Wow!” It’s the right place to get your youngsters away from screens and take part in some outside actions.

The park’s star attraction is the gorgeous 57-foot waterfall, well-known for its wealthy amber-colored water (due to the tannins from fallen hemlock and purple spruce needles nature is fairly wonderful proper?!). You’ll be able to simply view the falls from the boardwalk and commentary platforms, which make it tremendous accessible for households with little ones in tow.

There are additionally climbing trails, together with the Light Path, a wheel-chair accessible path that results in a gorgeous overlook excellent for all ages and mobility ranges. And, when you’re up for exploring, take a look at Elakala Falls for the breathtaking Lindy Level Overlook for some critically photo-worthy views.

Oglebay Park & Good Zoo

Oglebay Park & Good Zoo is such a enjoyable and well-rounded spot for households the place the children can run wild and be taught one thing new.

The Good Zoo is definitely the one AZA-accredited zoo in all the state, and it’s dwelling to over 80 species together with favorites like purple pandas, lemurs, and kangaroos. Children can stand up shut with the animals, take part on feeding periods, and even find out about wildlife conservation in a manner that’s tremendous hands-on and interesting. There’s even a veterinary hospital on web site the place you possibly can watch animal care in motion, which is so cool when you’ve acquired an aspiring vet within the household!

Outdoors of the zoo, Oglebay Park gives tons of area to discover with strolling trails, stunning gardens, and enjoyable seasonal occasions all year long. It’s the right combine of outside journey and animal encounters that retains everybody mother and father included glad and entertained.

Issues to Do in Northern Virginia with Children

Smithsonian’s Nationwide Air and Area Museum

The Smithsonian Nationwide Air and Area Museum doesn’t simply wow the children, but in addition adults, the second you stroll in. Should you’ve acquired just a little one who’s into planes, area, or something that flies, this can be a must-visit.

There are iconic plane displayed, just like the Area Shuttle Discovery, SR-71 Blackbird, and Air France Concorde, in addition to interactive reveals that make studying about aviation and area exploration tremendous enjoyable and hands-on. Plus, an IMAX theater exhibits cool instructional movies, and an commentary tower the place you possibly can watch actual planes taking off and touchdown at Dulles Airport close by.

George Washington’s Property in Mount Vernon

George Washington’s Mount Vernon Property is such a enjoyable and enriching place to go to with youngsters it brings historical past to life in probably the most hands-on, partaking manner.

Younger guests can seize an Journey Map, which turns the property into just a little treasure hunt with enjoyable clues and colourful illustrations to information them alongside the best way. Contained in the Fingers-on Historical past Middle, youngsters ages 3–10 can actually step again in time by dressing up in 18th-century outfits, enjoying with interval toys, and making an attempt out themed actions that make studying really feel like play.

Should you’re visiting within the hotter months, don’t miss the working farm, the place you possibly can meet animals and watch demonstrations of how farming was finished in George Washington’s day.

Leesburg Animal Park

Leesburg Animal Park is such a candy, fun-filled spot for households the place your youngsters can be speaking in regards to the animals lengthy after you’ve left.

Unfold out over 21 acres, the park is dwelling to a enjoyable mixture of home and unique animals suppose zebras, camels, lemurs, wallabies, and extra! Children can stand up shut and private within the Contact Space, the place they’ll pet and feed pleasant cattle like goats, sheep, and llamas.

However it’s not simply in regards to the animals! The park additionally has indoor and outside play areas, together with a multi-level jungle gymnasium, big slides, and a Discovery Room with arts and crafts for if you want just a little downtime (or shade!).

And don’t miss their seasonal occasions just like the Pumpkin Village Fall Fest and Christmas Village, full with hayrides, moon bounces, and festive decor that’s simply as enjoyable for grown-ups as it’s for youths!

Youngsters’s Science Middle Lab

The Youngsters’s Science Middle Lab in Fairfax is ideal for curious youngsters who like to discover and get hands-on.

Tucked contained in the Truthful Oaks Mall, the Lab is filled with interactive zones that cowl all issues STEM (science, know-how, engineering, and math) in a manner that’s tremendous approachable and thrilling. On the Experiment Bar, youngsters can really run their very own science experiments, with just a little steering, whereas the Tinker Store lets them dive into constructing and engineering challenges.

With age-appropriate actions and reveals that rotate repeatedly, the Lab is a kind of locations that not solely retains youngsters engaged, however really conjures up them.

LEGO Discovery Middle

Excessive on our household’s record: LEGO Discovery Middle. Excellent for youths who love spending the day constructing, exploring, and getting inventive. This colourful indoor play area is designed with 12 immersive zones that spark creativeness at each flip. With the DUPLO Park for toddlers, a whimsical Creativeness Categorical practice trip, a 4D Cinema, and even Mini World, there’s something for each child.

Children can even construct their very own LEGO automobiles, create customized minifigures, or launch spaceships within the Area Mission zone. Each exercise is hands-on, partaking, and completely geared towards studying by way of play.

Luray Caverns

Luray Caverns is a magical pure marvel in Virginia that really looks like an journey for each youngsters and grown-ups alike. This can be a enjoyable household outing that blends nature, studying, and just a little little bit of wow-factor!

As the biggest caverns within the japanese US, the underground views are gorgeous. You’ll wander by way of huge rooms stuffed with towering stalactites and stalagmites, cross by the glassy Dream Lake, and listen to precise music echoing from the Nice Stalacpipe Organ an actual organ that makes use of the cavern formations to play notes.

The enjoyable doesn’t cease if you head again above floor! There’s a one-acre Backyard Maze with fountains and a lookout tower (nice for burning off vitality), a Rope Journey Park with programs for various ability ranges, and Toy City Junction, which options classic mannequin trains and traditional toys that even adults will love.

Get able to discover Virginia by way of kid-friendly actions!

Virginia is full of wonderful locations to discover with youngsters, whether or not you’re into state parks, seashores, charming small cities, or all the above. I’m all the time searching for enjoyable methods to get the children out of the home and into new, instructional experiences.

Should you’re planning a visit or possibly even eager about making Virginia your new dwelling be sure you take a look at a few of my different weblog posts under the place I share our favourite spots, ideas, and family-friendly finds throughout the state.