We’re not kiddin’ around. From major attractions like the Children’s Museum to the best playgrounds around town, there’s something in the River City for children of all ages. You’ll have no trouble entertaining the youngsters with this list of 30+ kid-friendly activities around the 804.
Ready to visit these local attractions but don’t know where to start? We’ve created this handy map to explore.
🎨 All about the arts
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd. | 🎟️ Family memberships
Wander the galleries or register for kid-specific programming to cultivate their love of the arts. Make an afternoon out of it with lunch at the Best Café or in the sculpture garden.
Visual Arts Center of Richmond, 1812 W. Main St. | 🎟️ Family memberships
Register for classes and camps that teach kids the basics of sewing, metalworking, stained glass, and more.
All Fired Up, 2232 Old Brick Rd.
Richmond’s first paint-your-own ceramics studio is walk-in friendly and available for parties.
For the whole family: All Fired Up is a great activity across ages. Adults will find painting a piece enjoyable too, and there’s a range of price points for different items if you want to keep it simple.
Virginia Repertory Children’s Theatre, 4204 Hermitage Rd.
The new outpost for Virginia Rep features plays for kids of all ages, camps, and educational programs. Kids will remember embracing the drama at the Young Performers Institute.
SPARC, 2106 N. Hamilton St.
The youth performing arts school puts on kid-friendly plays all year. Kids will remember their first onstage experience.
🌳 Great outdoors
James River Parks, various locations
Kid-friendly spots include Belle Isle, Floodwall Park, Pony Pasture, and the Virginia Capital Trail. Kids will remember spotting turtles near the T. Pott Bridge.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave. | 🎟️ Family memberships
The Klaus Family Tree House and splash pad have been recently updated and are included with admission to the Garden.
Riverside Outfitters, 6836 Old Westham Rd.
Get your river thrills on a rafting trip with the whole family.
Pro tip: If you’ve got an adventure-loving kid, they’ll love jumping in the James and can get early exposure to river safety and education.
Pocahontas State Park, 10301 State Park Rd.
This Chesterfield park was the largest state park in Virginia when it was created and is home to the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum.
Bonus: Kids will remember seeking out adventure with the help of the Junior Ranger Book.
🦁 Animal encounters
Maymont, 1000 Westover Rd. | 🎟️ Family memberships
Interact with animals on the farm, at the Robins Nature Center, and at wildlife habitats.
Bonus: Access to the park is free, but you can purchase tickets to the Nature Center and experience the 34-foot-tall interactive sculpture River Reach.
Metro Richmond Zoo, 8300 Beaver Bridge Rd., Moseley | 🎟️ Memberships
Feed animals, take a ride in the skylift, and try out the Treetop Zoofari zipline and adventure park.
Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park, 3400 Mountain Rd.
Schedule a tour of the farmhouse and explore Henrico County’s history and meet the farm animals living on the site.
Pro tip: Keep up with the park for special events like Farm Field Day.
Flat Creek Farm, 13342 Lodore Rd., Amelia
You can bring a groups of up to 12 to the petting zoo for half or one-hour sessions.
Kids will remember hand-feeding dozens of animals.
Richmond SPCA, 2519 Hermitage Rd.
Kids can tour the humane center, get take-home crafts, or attend a camp.
Pro tip: Opportunities at the SPCA vary for different age groups. Middle schoolers can join the Animal Brigade Service Club to get involved in humane education.
🧠 Educational activities
Children’s Museum of Richmond, multiple locations | 🎟 Family memberships
With locations in Richmond and Chesterfield, the Children’s Museum includes multiple attractions and special events perfect to help little ones ages 0-8 learn through play.
Robin here: I remember trips to the Children’s Museum when I was a kid. RIP to the massive walk-through Tour de Tummy, which really unnerved me as a smell-sensitive child.
Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad St. | 🎟 Family memberships
From daily demonstrations to visiting exhibitions to rat basketball, young scientists will find something to enjoy.
For the whole family: Test your strength, balance, and agility in the interactive exhibit “Boost.”
Virginia Museum of History & Culture, 428 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd. | 🎟 Family memberships
The kids area features hands-on activities to introduce young learners to the Commonwealth’s history.
Pro tip: Get a free look at the museum’s offerings during First Fridays, which also features face painting, crafts, and music.
The Valentine, 1015 E. Clay St. | 🎟 Family memberships
Learn about the River City’s past from the experts and complete a scavenger hunt of local artifacts — don’t forget to grab a prize for completing it.
Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, 122 W. Leigh St. | 🎟 Family memberships
BHMVA has been a local staple for history for 40+ years.
Kids will remember surveying historic photographs and sculptures.
Virginia Holocaust Museum, 200 E. Cary St. | 🎟 Family memberships
Older kids (recommended for sixth grade and up) can learn about the complex and sobering history of the Holocaust with relevant exhibitions.
🎳 Indoor adventures
Richmond Public Library, multiple locations
Register your young reader for a fine-free library card or check the schedule of events at a branch near you.
Pro tip: Residents of Chesterfield, Henrico, Hanover, Petersburg, and more regional cities and counties can obtain a free RPL card.
DEFY Richmond, 10087 Brook Rd. and Short Pump, 205 Towne Center W. Blvd. | 🎟 Tickets
Burn off some energy at this trampoline park chain.
Kids will remember trying stunts in the foam pit.
Sky Zone Trampoline Park, 1345 Carmia Way | 🎟 Tickets
Dodge ball, basketball, and a ninja warrior course await.
Bonus: Summer passes are available for kids who want to keep up a regular jumping schedule.
Young Chefs Academy, 2230 John Rolfe Pkwy.
Workshops and classes teach children the basics of baking, farm to table cooking, and nutrition.
Bowlero Richmond, 6540 W. Broad St.
Reserve a lane online for an even more convenient indoor activity.
Kids will remember hitting the arcade between games.
⚽️ Accessible playgrounds
PARK365, 3600 Saunders Ave.
The park is designed to accommodate individuals with disabilities, but all are welcome to play.
Preview: PARK365 features an accessible tree house, merry-go-round, calming gardens, water features, and sensory play areas.
A Playground for Katie and Friends, 10901 Robious Rd.
This playground is located in Huguenot Park, which also offers a fitness trail, basketball and tennis courts, and fields.
☀️ Summer fun
Riverfront Canal Cruises, 139 Virginia St. | 🎟 Tickets
Book a 40-minute, historically narrated boat tour of the James and Kanawha Canal.
For the whole family: Older passengers will appreciate the historic details, while younger ones can have fun just being on the water.
Kings Dominion, 16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell | 🎟 Tickets
Young thrill seekers can explore Planet Snoopy and cool down at Soak City.
Robin here: Spying my favorite attractions from atop the Eiffel Tower is one of the things I remember most about my childhood trips to Kings Dominion.
Go Ape!, 5537 Centerville Rd., Williamsburg | 🎟 Tickets
Head east for zip lines, axe throwing, and courses to navigate.
🧃 Be prepared
Shop some of our favorite kid-friendly essentials to keep the whole family happy, hydrated, and ready to make memories.
- Owala Kids Insulated Stainless Steel Tumbler | This tumbler has a spill-resistant straw (yes, that’s a thing) and is top-rack dishwasher safe.
- Bentgo Kids 5-Compartment Lunch Box | Pack snacks for kids in a popular Bentgo box that’s BPA-free and dishwasher safe.
- Nintendo Switch | You just can’t beat a handheld gaming device for keepings kids quiet, happy, and entertained during car rides around town.
- Hap Tim Travel Backpack | Keep everything in a backpack that’s got good padding on the straps, plenty of compartments, a wide mouth opening, and a rain-resistant exterior.
- Kids sketch pad | Kids can sketch, take notes, and feel connected to your adventures with a sketchbook meant to inspire creativity.
- Disposable cameras | Kids will have a ton of fun + stay entertained by taking their own pictures of what they see during your adventures.
- KeepGoing Travel First Aid Kit for Kids | Be prepared for minor scrapes or bruises that could slow your day down — this kit contains 60 pieces of essential first aid supplies.
- Sunscreen stick | Have a portable sunscreen stick handy for outdoor adventures.
