Heading to Virginia this summer season or within the temper for a staycation? Listed here are 15 issues to do in Virginia with youngsters alone bucket listing!
I used to be drawn to Charlottesville earlier than I ever had youngsters as a result of it’s on most of the “finest locations to boost 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 lovely 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 via trails of pure wonders, this state is full of enjoyable for the entire household.
I’ve been fortunate sufficient to name Virginia dwelling for the previous 15 years, but there may be nonetheless a lot of the state I need to discover! Thomas and I’ve a objective to do extra smaller, native journeys (possibly with one night time away) with the boys. Whether or not you’re planning a summer season 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 a few of the finest kid-friendly actions which might be on our bucket listing!
15 Issues to Do in Virginia with Youngsters
There are tons of kid-friendly actions throughout the state that allow your little ones be taught, discover, and burn off all that vitality in one of the simplest ways. From hands-on museums to out of doors adventures, there’s one thing for each age and each sort of curious child.
Listed here are a couple of weblog posts with a few of the highlights we’ve already executed:
Is Virginia Protected for Youngsters?
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 taking a look at Northern Virginia particularly, the crime charges are literally a few of the lowest within the nation. The state additionally takes little one security critically, with superb assets like Protected Youngsters Virginia providing all the things from automobile seat checkups to security workshops and even sports activities clinics for households.
Inside Charlottesville particularly, we have now packages that help protected youngsters just like the Protected Routes to Faculty Program, Neighborhood Bikes, ReadyKids, nice public faculties and extra.
What to Do in Virginia with Youngsters
Listed here are some concepts and new-to-me locations to take the youngsters this summer season!
Issues to Do in Virginia Seaside with Youngsters
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Heart
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Heart is hands-down among the finest spots to go to with youngsters. It’s the proper 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 all types of marine habitats from the Chesapeake Bay to the Purple Sea. Plus, contact swimming pools, interactive shows, and day by 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, artistic, and absolutely inclusive, all proper on the oceanfront.
It’s truly the primary absolutely accessible seashore playground within the US, which makes it much more superb. With extensive ramps, mushy surfaces, and sensory-friendly options, this park was actually designed so that children 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 little one can benefit from the magic of play, with out obstacles. It’s free to go.
Ocean Breeze Waterpark
Ocean Breeze Waterpark is a type of locations that test all of the packing containers for a enjoyable household day. With over 30 rides and sights, there’s one thing for everybody from toddlers to thrill-seeking teenagers (and sure, even for us grown-ups, too!)
You’ve received a million-gallon wave pool, a soothing 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 full of 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 a giant distinction: free parking, complimentary inside 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 outdoors mainly each child ever!
The petting farm is at all times 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 an effective way for little ones to study 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 at all times carry an additional little bit of magic to the expertise.
Colonial Williamsburg
Simply an hour away from Virginia Seaside, Colonial Williamsburg is a type 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 actually seems like stepping again in time to the 18th century.
Unfold out over 300 lovely restored acres, you’ll discover cobblestone streets, charming outdated buildings, and costumed interpreters who make you’re feeling such as you’re proper there in colonial America. And for the youngsters? It’s not nearly watching it’s about doing! They will attempt their hand at candle-making, blacksmithing, and even wander via the boxwood maze behind the Governor’s Palace.
We beloved it at Christmastime!
Issues to Do in West Virginia with Youngsters
Clay Heart for the Arts & Sciences
The Clay Heart for the Arts & Sciences is such a hidden gem for households. It’s the proper 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. ft of interactive reveals. Your youngsters can splash round in WaterWorks, make music within the Maier Basis Music Studio, or study 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 may see out-of-this-world area reveals.
Camden Park
Camden Park is the sort of place that offers you all the nostalgic amusement park vibes. West Virginia’s solely amusement park is full of over 30 rides and sights starting from basic thrills to little-kid favorites. The Large Dipper, a historic wood 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 below 48 inches, with charming rides like Hand Automobiles, Kiddie Boats, and Pony Carts which might be simply the precise pace for tiny adventurers. And for the entire household? There’s a miniature practice experience and swan paddle boats.
Blackwater Falls State Park
Blackwater Falls State Park is a pure surprise that makes you cease and say, “Wow!” It’s the proper place to get your youngsters away from screens and take part in some out of doors actions.
The park’s star attraction is the beautiful 57-foot waterfall, well-known for its wealthy amber-colored water (because of the tannins from fallen hemlock and purple spruce needles nature is fairly superb proper?!). You possibly can simply view the falls from the boardwalk and remark platforms, which make it tremendous accessible for households with little ones in tow.
There are additionally climbing trails, together with the Mild Path, a wheel-chair accessible path that results in a good looking 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 youngsters can run wild and be taught one thing new.
The Good Zoo is definitely the one AZA-accredited zoo in your entire state, and it’s dwelling to over 80 species together with favorites like purple pandas, lemurs, and kangaroos. Youngsters can stand up shut with the animals, take part on feeding classes, and even study wildlife conservation in a manner that’s tremendous hands-on and interesting. There’s even a veterinary hospital on website the place you may watch animal care in motion, which is so cool when you’ve received an aspiring vet within the household!
Exterior of the zoo, Oglebay Park presents tons of area to discover with strolling trails, lovely gardens, and enjoyable seasonal occasions all year long. It’s the proper combine of outside journey and animal encounters that retains everybody mother and father included blissful and entertained.
Issues to Do in Northern Virginia with Youngsters
Smithsonian’s Nationwide Air and House Museum
The Smithsonian Nationwide Air and House Museum doesn’t simply wow the youngsters, but in addition adults, the second you stroll in. In case you’ve received just a little one who’s into planes, area, or something that flies, it is a must-visit.
There are iconic plane displayed, just like the House 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 reveals cool instructional movies, and an remark tower the place you may 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 Palms-on Historical past Heart, 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.
In case you’re visiting within the hotter months, don’t miss the working farm, the place you may meet animals and watch demonstrations of how farming was executed in George Washington’s day.
Leesburg Animal Park
Leesburg Animal Park is such a candy, fun-filled spot for households the place your youngsters will likely be speaking concerning 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! Youngsters can stand up shut and private within the Contact Space, the place they’ll pet and feed pleasant cattle like goats, sheep, and llamas.
Nevertheless it’s not simply concerning the animals! The park additionally has indoor and out of doors play areas, together with a multi-level jungle fitness center, large slides, and a Discovery Room with arts and crafts for once 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!
Kids’s Science Heart Lab
The Kids’s Science Heart 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 full of 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 truly run their very own science experiments, with just a little steerage, whereas the Tinker Store lets them dive into constructing and engineering challenges.
With age-appropriate actions and reveals that rotate commonly, the Lab is a type of locations that not solely retains youngsters engaged, however truly evokes them.
LEGO Discovery Heart
Excessive on our household’s listing: LEGO Discovery Heart. Good for youths who love spending the day constructing, exploring, and getting artistic. 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 Specific practice experience, a 4D Cinema, and even Mini World, there’s something for each child.
Youngsters may also construct their very own LEGO automobiles, create customized minifigures, or launch spaceships within the House Mission zone. Each exercise is hands-on, partaking, and completely geared towards studying via play.
Luray Caverns
Luray Caverns is a magical pure surprise in Virginia that really seems like an journey for each youngsters and grown-ups alike. It is 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 beautiful. You’ll wander via large rooms stuffed with towering stalactites and stalagmites, move 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 once 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 talent ranges, and Toy City Junction, which options classic mannequin trains and basic toys that even adults will love.
Get able to discover Virginia via kid-friendly actions!
Virginia is full of fantastic locations to discover with youngsters, whether or not you’re into state parks, seashores, charming small cities, or all the above. I’m at all times searching for enjoyable methods to get the youngsters out of the home and into new, instructional experiences.
In case you’re planning a visit or possibly even fascinated by making Virginia your new dwelling you should definitely take a look at a few of my different weblog posts beneath the place I share our favourite spots, suggestions, and family-friendly finds throughout the state.
