Heading to Virginia this summer season 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 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 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 full of enjoyable for the entire household.
I’ve been fortunate sufficient to name Virginia residence for the previous 15 years, but there may be 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 season journey to Virginia or a Virginian your self simply in search of methods to maintain your little ones entertained nearer to residence, I’ve rounded up a number of the greatest kid-friendly actions which might be on our bucket checklist!
15 Issues to Do in Virginia with Youngsters
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 out of doors adventures, there’s one thing for each age and each sort of curious child.
Listed here are just a few weblog posts with a number of the highlights we’ve already accomplished:
Is Virginia Secure 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 taking a look at Northern Virginia particularly, the crime charges are literally a number of the lowest within the nation. The state additionally takes little one security severely, with wonderful sources like Secure Youngsters Virginia providing every part from automotive seat checkups to security workshops and even sports activities clinics for households.
Inside Charlottesville particularly, we’ve applications that help protected children just like the Secure Routes to Faculty Program, Neighborhood Bikes, ReadyKids, nice public colleges 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 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 every 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, artistic, 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 huge ramps, mushy surfaces, and sensory-friendly options, this park was actually 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 little one can benefit from the magic of play, with out limitations. It’s free to go.
Ocean Breeze Waterpark
Ocean Breeze Waterpark is a kind of locations that test all of the 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 obtained a million-gallon wave pool, a soothing lazy river, and tons of water slides that vary from light 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 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 mainly each child ever!
The petting farm is all the time successful. You’ll discover pleasant goats, sheep, chickens, and extra, all prepared for some light pets and up-close interplay. It’s hands-on, academic, 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 Honest 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 Seaside, 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 actually appears 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 by the boxwood maze behind the Governor’s Palace.
We liked 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. ft of interactive displays. Your children 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 children can role-play totally different jobs, or the Caperton Planetarium & Theater, the place you’ll be able to see out-of-this-world area 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 full of over 30 rides and points of interest 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 beneath 48 inches, with charming rides like Hand Automobiles, Kiddie Boats, and Pony Carts which might be simply the proper 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 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 gorgeous 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 wonderful proper?!). You possibly can 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 mountaineering trails, together with the Light Path, a wheel-chair accessible path that results in a lovely 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 the whole 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 classes, and even find out about wildlife conservation in a approach that’s tremendous hands-on and fascinating. There’s even a veterinary hospital on web site the place you’ll be able to watch animal care in motion, which is so cool in case you’ve obtained an aspiring vet within the household!
Exterior of the zoo, Oglebay Park affords tons of area 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 mother and father included pleased 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 in addition adults, the second you stroll in. In the event you’ve obtained somewhat 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 displays that make studying about aviation and area exploration tremendous enjoyable and hands-on. Plus, an IMAX theater exhibits cool academic movies, and an commentary tower the place you’ll be able to 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 essentially the most hands-on, partaking approach.
Younger guests can seize an Journey Map, which turns the property into somewhat treasure hunt with enjoyable clues and colourful illustrations to information them alongside the way in which. Contained in the Palms-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 attempting out themed actions that make studying really feel like play.
In the event you’re visiting within the hotter months, don’t miss the working farm, the place you’ll be able to meet animals and watch demonstrations of how farming was accomplished in George Washington’s day.
Leesburg Animal Park
Leesburg Animal Park is such a candy, fun-filled spot for households the place your children will likely 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.
But it surely’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 if you want somewhat 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 Honest Oaks Mall, the Lab is full of interactive zones that cowl all issues STEM (science, expertise, 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 somewhat steerage, 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 really 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 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 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 play.
Luray Caverns
Luray Caverns is a magical pure marvel in Virginia that actually appears like an journey for each children and grown-ups alike. This can be a enjoyable household outing that blends nature, studying, and somewhat little bit of wow-factor!
As the biggest caverns within the japanese US, the underground views are gorgeous. You’ll wander by large 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 talent ranges, and Toy City Junction, which options classic mannequin trains and basic toys that even adults will love.
Get able to discover Virginia by 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 the entire above. I’m all the time in search of enjoyable methods to get the youngsters out of the home and into new, academic experiences.
In the event you’re planning a visit or possibly even excited about making Virginia your new residence you should definitely try a few of my different weblog posts under the place I share our favourite spots, suggestions, and family-friendly finds throughout the state.
