Heading to Virginia this summer time or within the temper for a staycation? Listed below 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 “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 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 may be nonetheless a lot of the state I need to discover! Thomas and I’ve a objective to do extra smaller, native journeys (perhaps 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 on the lookout for methods to maintain your little ones entertained nearer to dwelling, I’ve rounded up among the finest kid-friendly actions which might be on our bucket checklist!
15 Issues to Do in Virginia with Children
There are tons of kid-friendly actions throughout the state that allow your little ones be taught, discover, and burn off all that power 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 below are a couple of weblog posts with among the highlights we’ve already achieved:
Is Virginia Protected 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, should you’re Northern Virginia particularly, the crime charges are literally among the lowest within the nation. The state additionally takes youngster security severely, with superb assets like Protected Children Virginia providing every part from automotive 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, Neighborhood Bikes, ReadyKids, nice public colleges and extra.
What to Do in Virginia with Children
Listed below are some concepts and new-to-me locations to take the youngsters this summer time!
Issues to Do in Virginia Seashore with Children
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Heart
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Heart is hands-down among the finest spots to go to with children. 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 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 good spot for households. It’s enjoyable, inventive, and absolutely inclusive, all proper on the oceanfront.
It’s really the primary absolutely accessible seashore playground within the US, which makes it much more superb. With vast ramps, comfortable surfaces, and sensory-friendly options, this park was really designed so that children 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 youngster can benefit from the magic of play, with out boundaries. It’s free to go.
Ocean Breeze Waterpark
Ocean Breeze Waterpark is a kind of locations that verify 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 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 filled with age-appropriate slides, splash pads, and enjoyable water options that hold them busy and secure.
Dad and mom, you’ll love the little conveniences that make a giant 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 day trip, particularly in case your children love animals and being outdoors mainly 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, academic, 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 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 all the time 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 residing 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 youngsters? It’s not nearly watching it’s about doing! They’ll attempt their hand at candle-making, blacksmithing, and even wander by way of the boxwood maze behind the Governor’s Palace.
We liked it at Christmastime!
Issues to Do in West Virginia with Children
Clay Heart for the Arts & Sciences
The Clay Heart 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 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. ft of interactive reveals. 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 possibly can see out-of-this-world house exhibits.
Camden Park
Camden Park is the sort of place that provides 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 Massive 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 beneath 48 inches, with charming rides like Hand Automobiles, Kiddie Boats, and Pony Carts which might be simply the suitable velocity for tiny adventurers. And for the entire household? There’s a miniature prepare trip 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 right place to get your children away from screens and take part in some out of doors actions.
The park’s star attraction is the gorgeous 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’ll be able to 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 mountain 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, should 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 the whole state, and it’s dwelling to over 80 species together with favorites like purple pandas, lemurs, and kangaroos. Children can rise up shut with the animals, take part on feeding classes, and even study wildlife conservation in a approach 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 should you’ve received an aspiring vet within the household!
Exterior of the zoo, Oglebay Park affords tons of house 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 youngsters, but additionally adults, the second you stroll in. Should you’ve received a bit of 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 reveals that make studying about aviation and house exploration tremendous enjoyable and hands-on. Plus, an IMAX theater exhibits cool academic movies, and an remark 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 children it brings historical past to life in probably the most hands-on, participating approach.
Younger guests can seize an Journey Map, which turns the property into a bit of treasure hunt with enjoyable clues and colourful illustrations to information them alongside the best way. Contained in the Fingers-on Historical past Heart, children ages 3–10 can actually step again in time by dressing up in 18th-century outfits, taking part in 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 achieved in George Washington’s day.
Leesburg Animal Park
Leesburg Animal Park is such a candy, fun-filled spot for households the place your children can 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! Children can rise up shut and private within the Contact Space, the place they will 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 gymnasium, big slides, and a Discovery Room with arts and crafts for whenever you want a bit of 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 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, know-how, engineering, and math) in a approach that’s tremendous approachable and thrilling. On the Experiment Bar, children can really run their very own science experiments, with a bit of steerage, whereas the Tinker Store lets them dive into constructing and engineering challenges.
With age-appropriate actions and reveals that rotate recurrently, the Lab is a kind of locations that not solely retains children engaged, however really evokes them.
LEGO Discovery Heart
Excessive on our household’s checklist: LEGO Discovery Heart. Excellent 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 trip, a 4D Cinema, and even Mini World, there’s something for each child.
Children may construct their very own LEGO vehicles, create customized minifigures, or launch spaceships within the Area Mission zone. Each exercise is hands-on, participating, and completely geared towards studying by way of play.
Luray Caverns
Luray Caverns is a magical pure surprise in Virginia that actually looks like an journey for each children and grown-ups alike. This can be a enjoyable household outing that blends nature, studying, and a bit of little bit of wow-factor!
As the biggest caverns within the japanese US, the underground views are gorgeous. You’ll wander by way of large rooms full of 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 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 way of kid-friendly actions!
Virginia is full of fantastic locations to discover with children, whether or not you’re into state parks, seashores, charming small cities, or all the above. I’m all the time on the lookout for enjoyable methods to get the youngsters out of the home and into new, academic experiences.
Should you’re planning a visit or perhaps even enthusiastic about making Virginia your new dwelling 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.