15 Issues to Do in Virginia with Youngsters

Heading to Virginia this summer time or within the temper for a staycation? Listed here are 15 issues to do in Virginia with children by myself bucket checklist!

I used to be drawn to Charlottesville earlier than I ever had children as a result of it’s on lots of the “greatest 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 by trails of pure wonders, this state is filled with enjoyable for the entire household.

I’ve been fortunate sufficient to name Virginia residence for the previous 15 years, but there’s nonetheless a lot of the state I wish to discover! Thomas and I’ve a purpose to do extra smaller, native journeys (perhaps with one night time 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 residence, I’ve rounded up among the greatest kid-friendly actions which are on our bucket checklist!

There are tons of kid-friendly actions throughout the state that permit your little ones be taught, discover, and burn off all that power in the easiest way. From hands-on museums to out of doors 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 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, in case you’re Northern Virginia particularly, the crime charges are literally among the lowest within the nation. The state additionally takes little one security severely, 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 secure children just like the Protected Routes to Faculty Program, Group 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 time!

Issues to Do in Virginia Seashore with Youngsters

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Heart

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Heart is hands-down among the best spots to go to with children. 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 displays stroll you thru all types of marine habitats from the Chesapeake Bay to the Pink Sea. Plus, contact swimming pools, interactive shows, and each 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 absolutely inclusive, all proper on the oceanfront.

It’s truly the primary absolutely accessible seaside playground within the US, which makes it much more superb. With extensive ramps, delicate surfaces, and sensory-friendly options, this park was really designed so that youngsters of all skills 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 kind of locations that examine all of the bins 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 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 maintain them busy and secure.

Dad and mom, you’ll love the little conveniences that make an enormous distinction: free parking, complimentary internal 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 children love animals and being outdoors principally 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, academic, and a good way for little ones to study farm life.

The TreeWalk Journey is one other favourite with elevated walkways, treehouses, and loads of house 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 convey an additional little bit of magic to the expertise.

Colonial Williamsburg

Simply an hour away from Virginia Seashore, Colonial Williamsburg is a kind of magical locations the place historical past involves life. It’s such a enjoyable and surprisingly hands-on academic expertise for households. It’s the world’s largest dwelling historical past museum and really 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’ll attempt their hand at candle-making, blacksmithing, and even wander by the boxwood maze behind the Governor’s Palace.

We cherished 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 children (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 displays. Your children 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 children can role-play totally different jobs, or the Caperton Planetarium & Theater, the place you may see out-of-this-world house 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 sights starting from traditional thrills to little-kid favorites. The Large 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 below 48 inches, with charming rides like Hand Automobiles, Kiddie Boats, and Pony Carts which are simply the suitable pace for tiny adventurers. And for the entire household? There’s a miniature prepare experience 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 proper place to get your children 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 pink spruce needles nature is fairly superb proper?!). You may simply view the falls from the boardwalk and statement 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 an exquisite overlook good for all ages and mobility ranges. And, in case you’re up for exploring, try Elakala Falls for the breathtaking Lindy Level Overlook for some severely 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 all the state, and it’s residence to over 80 species together with favorites like pink pandas, lemurs, and kangaroos. Youngsters can rise up shut with the animals, take part on feeding periods, and even study wildlife conservation in a manner that’s tremendous hands-on and fascinating. There’s even a veterinary hospital on website the place you may watch animal care in motion, which is so cool in case you’ve received an aspiring vet within the household!

Outdoors of the zoo, Oglebay Park affords tons of house to discover with strolling trails, lovely gardens, and enjoyable seasonal occasions all year long. It’s the proper combine of out of doors journey and animal encounters that retains everybody dad and mom included completely satisfied and entertained.

Issues to Do in Northern Virginia with Youngsters

Smithsonian’s Nationwide Air and Area Museum

The Smithsonian Nationwide Air and Area Museum doesn’t simply wow the youngsters, but additionally adults, the second you stroll in. In case you’ve received a bit one who’s into planes, house, or something that flies, it is 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 displays that make studying about aviation and house exploration tremendous enjoyable and hands-on. Plus, an IMAX theater exhibits cool academic movies, and an statement 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 children it brings historical past to life in probably the most hands-on, participating manner.

Younger guests can seize an Journey Map, which turns the property into a bit treasure hunt with enjoyable clues and colourful illustrations to information them alongside the way in which. Contained in the Arms-on Historical past Heart, children 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 children might be speaking concerning the animals lengthy after you’ve left.

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

However it’s not simply concerning the animals! The park additionally has indoor and out of doors play areas, together with a multi-level jungle health club, big slides, and a Discovery Room with arts and crafts for whenever you want a bit 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 Heart Lab

The Youngsters’s Science Heart Lab in Fairfax is ideal for curious children 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, expertise, engineering, and math) in a manner that’s tremendous approachable and thrilling. On the Experiment Bar, children can truly run their very own science experiments, with a bit steering, whereas the Tinker Store lets them dive into constructing and engineering challenges.

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

LEGO Discovery Heart

Excessive on our household’s checklist: LEGO Discovery Heart. Good for youths who love spending the day constructing, exploring, and getting inventive. This colourful indoor play house is designed with 12 immersive zones that spark creativeness at each flip. With the DUPLO Park for toddlers, a whimsical Creativeness Specific prepare experience, a 4D Cinema, and even Mini World, there’s something for each child.

Youngsters may construct their very own LEGO automobiles, create customized minifigures, or launch spaceships within the Area Mission zone. Each exercise is hands-on, participating, and completely geared towards studying by play.

Luray Caverns

Luray Caverns is a magical pure marvel in Virginia that really seems like an journey for each children and grown-ups alike. It is a enjoyable household outing that blends nature, studying, and a bit little bit of wow-factor!

As the most important caverns within the jap US, the underground views are beautiful. You’ll wander by large rooms crammed 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 whenever you head again above floor! There’s a one-acre Backyard Maze with fountains and a lookout tower (nice for burning off power), 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 kid-friendly actions!

Virginia is full of wonderful locations to discover with children, 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, academic experiences.

In case you’re planning a visit or perhaps even excited about making Virginia your new residence remember to try a few of my different weblog posts under the place I share our favourite spots, ideas, and family-friendly finds throughout the state.