Things for Kids to do in Richmond

Whether it’s summer, fall, winter, or spring – there are plenty of things to do with kids in RVA. Check out these ideas and let us know of others! And don’t miss our lists of more activities and attractions in Historic Sites, Museums, Parks & Fun Places, Report Card Rewards, Orchards & Berry Farms, and Special Needs Resources.

Visit attraction websites for current hours, exhibits, features, and costs.

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Busch Gardens Williamsburg: Just a short jump down the interstate and you’re at Busch Gardens where the fun takes you to far-away lands. Attractions include rides, roller coasters and exciting shows – and don’t miss the incredible food and beverages. Water Country USA is 3 miles down the road. Check website for special holiday events and pricing.
Chesterfield County Museum & Jail. Built as a replica of the county’s 1750 Courthouse, the museum is located directly behind the historic 1917 courthouse. The Old Jail, adjacent to the museum, was built in 1892 and housed prisoners for 70 years. A Civil War Trails sign is located nearby which describes the April 1865 retreat from Petersburg through the county by Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army. Free admission.
Cheswick Park. Henrico’s oldest neighborhood park features picnic shelters, approximately a mile of walking trails, and a playground. Great playground for kids. Free.
Children’s Museum of Richmond (CMoR): A fantastic place for kids to play and let their imagination run wild! Plenty of fun at the Richmond city main locations as well as Short Pump, Chesterfield and Fredericksburg, VA! Annual membership or daily entrance fees available.
Edgar Allan Poe Museum: Where Poe’s creepy stories come to life! Visit the museum to see a collection of artifacts belonging to Poe. The gift shop takes a humorous approach that is worth a visit alone for off-beat souvenirs. Youth admission just $6, adults $8.
Escape Room RVA offers a fun activity where you have to work as a team to escape a themed room.
G-Force Karts center offers karting, laser tag, Nerf fun and more
Hadad’s Lake is a warm weather center of aquatic fun with Rope swings, floating trampoline, launch tower, horseshoes, volleyball, paddleboats and miniature golf. May to September.
Ironbridge Sports Park attractions include a driving range, batting cage stations, laser tag, Go Karts and mini-golf.
Jumpology has 11,000-square-feet of trampolines, Ninja training skill course, a rock wall and foam pit.
Kayak Richmond provides the kayak, canoe or paddleboard equipment for paddling trips on the James River and other waters in the Richmond area.
Kings Dominion: A short drive from most any part of town and you’re instantly transported to a park filled with rides and fun. Lots to see and do including live shows – and don’t miss the delicious food! They offer lots of discounts and special prices for events so visit the website and check it out – and don’t miss the FREE preschool passes!
King Pin Lanes in Midlothian, VA
Laser Quest Richmond offers live action laser tag in a multi-level maze with swirling fog, space age lighting and space age music.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden: What a beautiful place for kids and adults. Enjoy the thousands of plants and blooms. Take the kids to the specially designed children’s garden, roam through the amazing tree house and visit the butterfly room. Annual membership or per visit fees available.
Maymont Park: Convenient from all sides or town, Maymont is a 100-acre Guilded Age property that is also fun kid-oriented destination. Enjoy the children’s Farm Barn and play with the chickens, goats, and other animals. Or watch the fox and bear roam around and play. Visit the indoor nature center or hike the trails around the park and see birds, butterflies and more. It’s FREE! (Some fees for manion tours or other special events).
Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park. Meadow Farm Museum, an 1860 living history farm site and museum, presents programs and exhibits on the culture of the rural South. Costumed interpreters provide insight into the lives of Dr. John Mosby Sheppard, the owner of Meadow Farm, and his family. On selected weekends, they demonstrate seasonal activities in the farmhouse, barn, doctor’s office, blacksmith forge, kitchen, fields, and pastures. Visitors can also stop by Meadow Farm’s Gift Shop for a variety of items. Free admission (some fees for special events and exhibits).
Peak Experiences indoor rock climbing cent offers a 15,000 square-foot climbing terrain that can present a fun physical challenge for the athletic. Great for a rainy day
Richmond Metro Zoo: Richmond center for wildlife, with exotic animals and plenty of outdoor fun. It’s home to over 2,000 animals! Fees on website.
Richmond Flying Squirrels is our hometown minor league baseball team. An intimate setting for America’s favorite pastime.
Richmond Kickers soccer team. Players from around the world bring the beautiful game to the river city.
River City Adventures is an outfitter on the south side of the James River that helps you get onto the river to enjoy whitewater tubing, kayaking or whitewater rafting.
Riverside Outfitters is s complete safety conscious outfitter to the aquatic experience on the James River providing equipment for trips for a few hours or by their Brown’s Island Outpost.
The Science Museum of Virginia: Wonder and amazement await every age. Explore traveling exhibits or enjoy some of the areas that are available all year long. Special events, camp-ins, and more! Annual membership or per visit fees apply.
Laurel Recreation Area & Skate Park is a fun and safe place for both youth and adults to skate. The Skate Park has a free skate area of 6,700 square feet with ramps, rails, a half-pipe, and bowl. So get your skateboards, in-line skates or BMX/Freestyle bikes and give it a try! Other area skate parks include Carter Jones Park in Richmond.
Soak City is the waterpark counterpart to Kings Dominion that features slides, the Tidal Wave Bay, inner tube attractions and lazy rivers.
Sky Zone trampoline park offers weightless fun with open jumping, trampoline basketball, foam pits and Ultimate Dodgeball.
Thunderbolt Indoor Karting is a thrilling indoor electric powered racing experience in Chesterfield
Treetop Zoofari Zip Line and Adventure Park is where kids and adults can Travel tree-to-tree for 2-3 hours through 42 different obstacles and 16 zip lines.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts: Kids will love this amazing museum in the heart of Richmond. Enjoy the art and exhibits – and create their own art! FREE admission (fees for some special attractions and exhibits).
Virginia Repertory Theatre: Kids will love the entertainment and while learning about theatre at the same time. Admission fees included on website.
Water Country USA: Splish, splash and have a ball! Combine your fun with Busch Gardens and get tickets to both venues– and save money!

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Whether it is waterparks, skate parks, museums or libraries, there are plenty of places for kids to have fun in the Richmond area. Visit websites for details, dates, and other information.

Okay – not free but really close to it! $1 CarMax Family Nights at Children’s Museum of Richmond on the 2rd Friday of each month.

FREE Stuff to Do

Book Club and Story Time every Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at Pottery Barn.

Home Depot Kids Workshops on the first Saturday of the month from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Kids Bowl Free all summer long. King Pin Lanes, 200 Otterdale Road, Midlothian, VA 23113.

Kids Skate Free at Rollerdome Family Fun Center 4902 Williamsburg Rd – 804-726-2841. Visit websites for specific times and other requirements.

Library story times at all local libraries (find your city or county)

Local RVA Museums including Virginia Historical Museum, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and others (visit specific websites to confirm FREE admission – some require a fee).

Mommy & Me (and Daddy Too) at Willow Lawn features live entertainment on the second Wednesday of every month from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. held in The Square at Willow Lawn.

Nature Exhibit at Three Lakes Park

Parks and recreation

Short Pump Pals Club meets the second Tuesday of every month for a special clubhouse meeting.

Richmond SPCA Animal loving volunteers must be 14 or older to volunteer independently (without a parent or guardian). Youth volunteers 7 or older may volunteer with a parent or guardian.

Water play at Stony Point Fashion Park (dogs welcome!) Concerts at Stony Point take place in Triangle Park on the 1^st and 3^rd Thursday of each month from the end of May through the end of September.

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More things to do in and around Richmond: