Things to Do with Kids in Richmond, VA

Maymont

Wander the gardens and grounds, then visit the wildlife habitats.

• Walks & Hikes
• Gardens & Views

Science Museum of Virginia

Try hands-on science exhibits, explore interactive labs or add a Dome show.

Check admission and any separate Dome or special-exhibition tickets.

Deep Run Park

Find ponds, paved trails, playgrounds, and a bike pump track.

• Walks & Hikes
• Playgrounds
• Biking

Children’s Museum — Downtown

Hands-on play, pretend shops and an art studio for young children and their caregivers.

Designed for ages 0–8. Check admission and current exhibit availability.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Explore themed gardens, lakeside paths, and the conservatory.

• Walks & Hikes
• Gardens & Views

SkateNation Plus

Go ice skating, try laser tag or visit the arcade at the Short Pump rink.

Check the public skating schedule and activity availability before visiting.

Pocahontas State Park

Choose forest trails, mountain biking, kayaking on Swift Creek Lake with kayak rentals, or seasonal swimming pools at the Aquatic Recreation Center.

Kayak rentals include an app-based self-serve kiosk; staffed rentals vary by season and weather. Check current equipment availability, rental details and park notices before visiting. The aquatic center operates seasonally with a swimming fee; check pool access and park fees. Lake swimming is prohibited.

• Walks & Hikes
• Gardens & Views
• Biking
• On the Water

Forest Hill Park

Explore wooded trails, the lake, picnic spots, and a playground.

• Walks & Hikes
• Gardens & Views
• Playgrounds

Byrd Park

Walk by the lakes, relax on the grass, or visit the playground.

• Walks & Hikes
• Gardens & Views
• Playgrounds

Bryan Park

Explore the azalea gardens and wooded trails, then stop at the playground.

• Walks & Hikes
• Gardens & Views
• Playgrounds

Crump Park & Meadow Farm

Follow the park trails, play outside, and see the farm animals from public areas.

• Walks & Hikes
• Playgrounds

Three Lakes Park & Nature Center

Walk by the lakes, visit wildlife exhibits, and use the playground.

• Walks & Hikes
• Gardens & Views
• Playgrounds

Dorey Park

Circle the pond, explore wooded paths, or head for the playground.

• Walks & Hikes
• Gardens & Views
• Playgrounds

Taylor Farm Park

Try the nature play area or check the all-wheel park for riding.

• Playgrounds
• Biking

Robious Landing Park

Access the James for kayaking or canoeing, enjoy a picnic or visit the playground.

Check current county trail and river-access notices before visiting, and follow posted restrictions. Bring your own paddling equipment.

• Playgrounds
• On the Water

Children’s Museum — Chesterfield

Explore pretend-play spaces, a transportation station and an art studio with young children.

Designed for ages 0–8. Check admission; this is the Lake Harbour Drive location.

Patterson Golf Park

Play outdoor miniature golf or practice your swing at the driving range.

Check current opening hours and conditions before heading out.

Bogey’s Sports Park

Choose miniature golf, the driving range or batting cages at this outdoor sports park.

Check the park’s current hours and attraction details before visiting.

The Park RVA

Try duckpin bowling, indoor mini golf, arcade games or karaoke, with food and drinks in one venue.

Check the current age policy before a family visit; some late evening hours are 21+.

River City Roll

Plan bowling, a meal or live music at the Myers Street venue, with dog-friendly outdoor dining on Tommie’s Patio.

Dogs are welcome on the outdoor patio; check current patio availability and pet rules. Check lane booking and the current age policy; later evening visits are 21+.

K1 Speed Richmond

Race electric go-karts on an indoor track, with separate junior and adult sessions.

Check height requirements, waivers and availability. Junior and adult karts race separately.

Kids Empire Glen Allen

Explore soft play with climbing structures, slides, ball pits and a multi-level indoor play maze at Broad Street Plaza.

Designed for ages 1–12. Check admission and supervision rules before visiting.

Romp n’ Roll — West End

Try gym, art and music classes designed for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.

For ages 3 months–5 years. Check the class or open-play schedule and booking requirements.

Romp n’ Roll — Midlothian

Find movement, art and music classes for young children at the Busy Street location.

For ages 3 months–5 years. Check the class or open-play schedule and booking requirements.

PARK365

Play together at an inclusive park with accessible play equipment, sensory areas and gardens.

Check seasonal hours and closures. The park welcomes children and adults with and without disabilities.

• Playgrounds

Henricus Historical Park

Explore a reconstructed colonial settlement and learn about the region’s Indigenous and English history.

Check admission and current programming. Most of the visit is outdoors, with gravel and dirt paths.

• Walks & Hikes

Windy Hill Golf Course & Sports Complex

Choose golf, practice at the driving range, or take a turn on the outdoor go-kart track.

Check current attraction hours, weather closures and go-kart requirements before visiting.

Ironbridge Sports Park

Play outdoor mini golf or practice your swing at the driving range and batting cages.

Check current attraction availability, hours and weather conditions before heading out.

Monster Mini Golf — Tuckahoe

Play glow-in-the-dark indoor mini golf, then try the arcade or mini bowling.

Check admission and attraction options. The operator lists suite K220 at Regency; use its directions for the entrance.

Hyper Kidz Richmond

Explore circus-themed indoor soft play with climbing structures, slides and a ball pit in separate children’s play zones.

Designed for ages 0–13. Check admission, socks, supervision and waiver requirements before visiting.

Henrico Theatre

Catch a movie or live performance in Highland Springs’ restored Art Deco theater.

Visits follow the movie and performance schedule. Check tickets, film ratings and show times; live shows have separate admission.

Art Factory & Party Place

Choose a canvas, wooden project or decorative figurine and make something in the drop-in art studio.

Open Studio is self-guided and priced by project. Check current hours; acrylic-painted projects go home the same day. Groups of eight or more should call ahead.

Powhatan State Park

Explore multi-use trails, picnic with the family or plan a paddle along the James River.

Parking fees apply. Check trail conditions and boat-launch guidance; cartop launches are for canoes and kayaks. Bring suitable equipment for river conditions.

• Walks & Hikes
• Biking
• Playgrounds
• On the Water

Leakes Mill Park

Walk or bike wooded trails with bridge crossings, then stop at the playground or picnic area.

Check current park information and trail conditions. Trails are shared by walkers and cyclists.

• Walks & Hikes
• Biking
• Playgrounds

Ashland Theatre

See a film, live music or a special performance at Ashland’s nonprofit theater.

Check the current program, ticket availability and film ratings. The box office opens before scheduled events.

Hand/Thrown Ceramics Studio

Try a single-session pottery class in a community ceramics studio on Brookland Park Boulevard.

Book ahead; there are no public walk-in hours. Wheel classes are for ages 16 and up; children ages 5 and up can join one-day handbuilding with a booked adult. Fired pieces usually need pickup two to four weeks later.

Tucker Park at Maidens Crossing

Follow a riverside walking trail, visit the playground or launch a canoe or kayak on the James River.

Check current park and river conditions. The launch is for nonmotorized boats; bring suitable equipment and plan your river trip before setting out.

• Walks & Hikes
• Playgrounds
• On the Water

Ashland Museum & Red Caboose

Explore Ashland’s history through local exhibits, then step inside a restored railroad caboose next door.

Check museum and caboose opening times before visiting. Groups should make arrangements in advance; tours and special programs may have separate fees.

Varina Area Library

Browse books, enjoy woodland views or explore creative projects at a library with a Digital Media Lab and outdoor walking trail.

Check current hours and Digital Media Lab booking or library-card requirements. Some programs require registration; printing and materials may carry fees.

• Walks & Hikes

Richmond Railroad Museum

Explore railway artifacts and a model railroad inside a historic station, then see locomotives and railcars outside.

Admission is charged. Public opening hours are on weekends; check current hours before visiting. This is a museum visit, not a train ride.

Metro Richmond Zoo

Spend a family day exploring animal habitats, from giraffes and penguins to hippos, at a privately owned zoo in Chesterfield.

Admission is charged. Check current opening days, tickets and attraction availability; plan for an outdoor visit.

Short Pump Park

Visit the playground, enjoy a picnic or bring your dog to the fenced dog park. A seasonal sprayground adds warm-weather play.

Check park rules and current sprayground dates before visiting. The sprayground operates seasonally.

• Playgrounds

Rockwood Park & Nature Center

Walk wooded trails, visit the playground or explore nature exhibits at Chesterfield’s Rockwood Park.

The nature center has more limited hours than the park. Check opening days, trail conditions and registration or fees for scheduled programs.

• Walks & Hikes
• Playgrounds

All Fired Up — Short Pump

Choose a pottery piece and paint your own design at a locally founded ceramics studio in West Broad Village.

Projects have a charge. Call the Short Pump studio for reservations, especially on busy days; kiln-fired pieces require later collection.

Fonticello Park

Enjoy neighborhood playtime at the playground or practice at the community skatepark in Southside.

Check current park information and skatepark etiquette. Bring appropriate protective equipment; proposed expansions are separate from existing facilities.

• Playgrounds

Ashland Skateland

Roll around an indoor skating rink with family or friends at a public skating session in Ashland.

Check current public-session times, admission and skate-rental options. Private party bookings are separate from public skating.

Goochland Drive-In Theater

Make a movie night different by watching a scheduled screening under the stars at Goochland’s drive-in theater.

Check current screenings, ticket arrangements, arrival guidance and film ratings. Outdoor showings depend on the schedule and weather.

Unplugged Games Cafe

Choose a board game from the library, settle in with food or drinks and ask staff to help you learn something new.

Check current game-pass charges and table availability. Food and drinks are separate from the game pass.

Gnome & Raven

Solve puzzles together in a fantasy-themed escape-room adventure at Stony Point Fashion Park.

Reserve a session and check age and sensory guidance. Children under 13 need an adult in the room; private experiences have a four-person minimum charge.

Richmond Pinball Collective

Try a roomful of pinball machines at a nonprofit club that welcomes first-time players and experienced competitors.

Guest passes are paid and limited to three visits per person per year; regular visits require membership. Check public hours and tournament arrangements.

Mission Laser RVA

Team up for indoor laser tag at a family-owned arena off Midlothian Turnpike.

Check public-session availability, admission, age and equipment guidance, and waiver requirements before visiting.

Pouncey Tract Park

Play pickleball, explore park paths or bring children to an inclusive playground at this western Henrico park.

Check current court access and park hours. Bring appropriate equipment for pickleball; reserved facilities have separate arrangements.

• Walks & Hikes
• Playgrounds

Belmont Golf Course

Choose a round on the main course, the Little Bell short course or the Ringer putting course at a public golf venue operated by First Tee.

Check tee times, course charges, equipment options and current access to the short course and putting course.

Cheswick Park

Take a wooded neighborhood walk, try outdoor fitness equipment or stop at the playground in Henrico’s oldest county park.

Check current park hours and access. Bring water and shoes suitable for the paths.

• Walks & Hikes
• Playgrounds

R. Garland Dodd Park at Point of Rocks

Follow woodland trails and a floating boardwalk through a tidal marsh, with playgrounds and picnic spots nearby.

Check trail and boardwalk access before traveling, especially after severe weather. This listing is for Dodd Park on Enon Church Road.

• Walks & Hikes
• Gardens & Views
• Playgrounds

The Valentine

Explore Richmond stories through exhibitions, the historic Wickham House and a downtown garden at one museum campus.

Check admission and tour availability. General admission is currently free on Thursdays; other days have admission charges or specific eligibility discounts.

Lloyd Family Farms

Plan a fall farm outing with a pumpkin patch, corn maze, hayrides and children’s play activities in Rockville.

Activities operate on seasonal dates with paid admission. Check the current schedule, weather guidance and additional activity charges before traveling.

Hanover Vegetable Farm

Visit a local farm market or plan a seasonal pumpkin and family-festival outing near Ashland.

Market visits and scheduled festivals are different experiences. Check seasonal dates, activity tickets and age guidance; haunted attractions are separate from family activities.

Chimborazo Playground

Bring the family for an outdoor play stop at a Church Hill city playground one block from Chimborazo Park.

The playground is at 29th and East Grace Street, separate from the main park at 3201 East Broad Street. Check current park access and conditions.

• Playgrounds

Jefferson Park

Take the family to a Church Hill neighborhood park for outdoor play at the city’s playground on Princess Anne Avenue.

Check current park access and playground conditions before visiting. This listing is for Richmond’s Jefferson Park on Princess Anne Avenue.

• Playgrounds

Triangle Rock Club — Richmond

Try indoor rock climbing and bouldering at a Richmond-area climbing gym with options for adults and young climbers.

First visits require a waiver and orientation. Check pass and equipment charges and the age rules for your chosen activity; some guided sessions are adult-only.

Twin Hickory Park & Recreation Center

Walk park trails, enjoy a picnic or bring children to the playgrounds at a public park on Twin Hickory Road.

Check park hours and rules before visiting. Reserved shelters, recreation-center rentals and scheduled classes have separate arrangements; a class is not guaranteed by this Place listing.

• Walks & Hikes
• Playgrounds

Twin Hickory Area Library

Browse books, read indoors or explore creative projects at a public library with children’s and teen areas and a Digital Media Lab.

Check current hours and Digital Media Lab booking or library-card requirements. Consult the library calendar for programs; some require registration, and printing or materials may carry fees.

Art Corner VA

Explore painting, mosaics and art classes for children and adults at an indoor art studio and café serving specialty coffee and Ukrainian desserts.

Check current projects, class availability and online booking before visiting. This Place listing does not confirm a class date or guarantee drop-in availability.

Sky Zone — Short Pump

Jump on indoor trampolines, try dodgeball and explore a large slide at an active recreation park in Short Pump.

Check tickets, waivers, attraction rules and current availability before visiting. Admission is charged; this listing does not guarantee every attraction is operating.

Echo Lake Park

Walk the half-mile nature trail beside a fishing lake, enjoy a picnic and let children explore the playground.

Check park notices and picnic shelter reservations before visiting. Fishing is subject to current Virginia licensing and park rules.

• Walks & Hikes
• Gardens & Views
• Playgrounds

River City Escape Room

Solve puzzles and follow clues through themed indoor escape rooms with friends, family or a small group.

Check room age recommendations, physical requirements and available time slots before booking. Advance reservations are recommended.

CSz Richmond Theater

Watch live improv comedy and ComedySportz shows, or take improv classes and workshops at Richmond’s nonprofit comedy theater.

Book through the current show or class listings. ComedySportz shows are family-friendly; other and late-night shows may include mature content. Check the audience guidance for your chosen show.

CREATE Pottery Shop

Paint pottery, hand-build a clay project or try a scheduled glass-fusing session at an independent indoor art studio.

Most visits are walk-in projects; some classes and group visits require reservations. Fired pieces need a later pickup. Pottery-wheel experiences are not offered; check project availability.

Richmond Ice Zone

Go indoor ice skating during public sessions, rent skates or explore skating lessons at the Johnston Willis Drive rink.

Check the current public-skating schedule, admission and skate-rental details. The rink is also used for lessons and hockey, so public access depends on the session.

Huguenot Park

Walk wooded trails, explore the azalea garden, enjoy a picnic or visit A Playground for Katie and Friends, an inclusive play area renovated in 2025.

Check county park notices, court availability and picnic-shelter reservations before visiting.

• Walks & Hikes
• Gardens & Views
• Playgrounds

Uptown Alley — Richmond

Go indoor bowling, try arcade games or watch sports at the Brad McNeer Parkway entertainment venue, with food, drinks and scheduled live music.

Check lane availability, bowling and arcade charges, and current show listings before visiting. The Rotunda lounge is 21+; check age rules for your planned visit.