15 Things to do in Richmond
with kids

What is it?
A 223,000-square-foot science museum featuring hands-on exhibits, lab spaces, and the largest film screen in Virginia.

Why should you go?
The Science Museum of Virginia is one of the best indoor attractions for kids, offering almost endless opportunities to learn and have fun. Children and adults alike can try to beat a robot playing air hockey, generate power on a human-sized hamster wheel, and experience what it is like to be on board the International Space Station. Besides getting engaged in various activities, you can enjoy live science demonstrations and explore the earth and the entire universe while sitting on your chair and looking at the IMAX dome screen.

What is it?
An innovative museum with a wide range of engaging exhibits, helping kids learn through interactive play.

Why should you go?
The Children's Museum is packed with an almost endless array of fun kids' activities in Richmond. You will find everything you expect to see at a museum of its kind, from a carousel to ride and a treehouse to climb to a hospital to play a doctor. The Bank exhibit will help you to introduce big concepts around money to your little ones, the Dairy Barn will show how certain food products come from animals, and the Cave will help kids to explore different rock formations in an adventurous way.

What is it?
A historic estate and park featuring gardens, wildlife habitats, a small farm, and a nature center.

Why should you go?
The beautiful Maymont Estate is among the best family places in Richmond, where you can breathe fresh air, have a picnic sitting on the soft grass, and admire magnificent flowers and blooming trees. Moreover, it gives a chance to see the amazing wildlife, like elks and foxes, in their natural habitat, get mesmerized by the river otters at the Robin Nature Center, and visit the Maymont Farm to get up close with chickens and goats and enjoy other cute things to do.

What is it?
A museum located in a former train station with a range of indoor and outdoor exhibits telling the story of railroads.

Why should you go?
The Richmond Railroad Museum, housed in the restored Southern Railway Station, is a fantastic place for kids to learn about trains and the history and evolution of railroads. Inside the museum, you will see a large collection of signals and lanterns, an authentic station master's office, and an amazing large-scale model railroad layout representing the old downtown area of Richmond, as well as small towns, coal mines, and mountainside railroading. Outside, you will find railroad cars and a steam locomotive that you can enter.

What is it?
The city's largest public park, featuring three man-made lakes and an amphitheater hosting free concerts and plays.

Why should you go?
The beautifully landscaped Byrd Park is popular among locals and tourists alike and provides nearly endless fun for all ages. Feeding the friendly birds on Swan Lake, fishing for trout in Shields Lake, and cruising Fountain Lake in a paddleboat can be named among the best family things to do in Richmond if you visit the city during the summer. The park is stroller-friendly and features miles of hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, and Dogwood Dell outdoor amphitheater hosting free events on summer evenings.

What is it?
Virginia's largest zoological park, which is home to 2,000 animals representing 190 species from around the world.

Why should you go?
You can never go wrong with a zoo when you are looking for fun outdoor kids' activities. The Metro Richmond Zoo is the place where you can meet the red kangaroo, snow leopard, Asian black bear, and many other animals from various parts of the globe. Be sure to purchase some zoo treats to feed the giraffes and colorful budgie birds with your little ones. And be ready to pay a little more if your kids notice the beautiful Jungle carousel and other zoo attractions.

What is it?
One of the country's top botanical gardens with about a dozen themed gardens and a classical domed conservatory.

Why should you go?
A visit to the beautiful 50-acre Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is one of the greatest things to do in Richmond with kids, especially during the spring and summer. It is a place where you can relax in an amazing setting, learn more about plants, and also take part in numerous children's activities. There is a special Children's garden featuring a tree house, water play area, farm garden, Fairly Forest trail, and many more. Kids can play hide and seek, climb a one-hundred-year-old mulberry tree, or even enjoy doing nothing at all.

What is it?
One of the largest climbing facilities in Virginia offering various activities and special programs for youth.

Why should you go?
The Triangle Rock Club is a great option when you are searching for active, unusual, and fun things to do in Richmond with kids. It offers indoor and outdoor rock-climbing opportunities for all ages and abilities, as well as special youth programs, such as holiday camps and half-day and full-day summer camps for ages 6 and up. You can try bouldering and top-rope climbing, participate in interactive climbing games, or simply choose fitness and yoga classes if climbing is not your thing.

What is it?
An amusement park located 20 miles north of Richmond with over 60 rides and other attractions and a 20-acre water park.

Why should you go?
Kings Dominion, with its variety of fun activities, is a great destination for a family day out. The park houses world-class roller coasters that will entertain schoolchildren and teenagers, as well as themed areas designed for younger kids. After taking on the thrills, you can chill in the Soak City water park, featuring a massive wave pool, an interactive splash pad for little ones, and extreme water slides for those who are ready for new thrilling adventures. The park also holds numerous special events, such as Halloween Haunt and Grand Carnival.

What is it?
Over 550 acres of islands and shoreline in downtown Richmond featuring hiking trails and unspoiled natural beauty.

Why should you go?
If you plan a day of family hiking and biking or just looking for a quick stroll in a beautiful setting, the James Park River System might be the perfect option. It consists of numerous riverfront green oases, the most famous of which are Brown's Island and Belle Isle, located nearby on the south end of downtown. Belle Isle features a natural rock-climbing area and is great for active families. Brown's Island is ideal for a walk with a self-guided audio tour telling stories about the city's glorious past.

What is it?
One of the country's largest art museums offering a range of special programs for families and children of all ages.

Why should you go?
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is the perfect place to introduce your little ones to the world of art. Its impressive collection includes nearly 50,000 works representing different cultures and periods, so your children will undoubtedly find something to love. The museum is free to visit and offers numerous creative classes and educational programs suitable for various age groups. If you happen to be in Richmond on the first Sunday of the month, bring the whale family to the Open Studio to enjoy fun art activities together.

What is it?
A 40-minute narrated boat tour of the James River and Kanawha Canal along Richmond's historic Canal Walk.

Why should you go?
Taking a short cruise to admire beautiful cityscapes from the water is a unique way to explore the city's history and one of the best family things to do in Richmond during the warm season. Kids will enjoy the ride on an authentically styled canal boat and opportunities to spot James River wildlife. Adults will be happy to sit back, relax, and look at the city's landmarks while listening to stories about Richmond's past and one of the country's earliest canals.

What is it?
A large museum with over 200 trucks and tractors on display located about 30 minutes from Richmond.

Why should you go?
If your kids are into tractors, cars, and vintage vehicles, the Keystone Truck & Tractor Museum will amaze them and you as well. Encompassing over 125,000 square feet, the museum features over 180 fully restored antique tractors, and one of them is open for little ones to sit in. There is also a great collection of road trucks, classic cars, emergency vehicles, vintage gas pumps, and many more. In addition, the museum houses a grill restaurant, so you do not need to worry about breakfast or dinner.

What is it?
An 11,000-square-foot indoor extreme air-sport park with various trampoline attractions.

Why should you go?
Located about 10 miles from downtown, Defy Richmond is an amazing destination for active families eager for fun and exercise. This indoor sports park features a large free jump area with interconnected trampolines, obstacle courses designed to test your agility, an extreme dodgeball arena, a zip-line with landing in a foam pit, and more. Some areas are great for teens, while others are suitable for younger children. Moreover, all the mornings during the week are Kid Jump time, when little ones aged 6 and under can get out and explore the park together.

What is it?
A history museum telling the story of Virginia and featuring exhibitions for visitors of all ages

Why should you go?
Recently renovated, the Virginia Museum of History and Culture is a great place not only for history buffs but also for curious kids. The main highlight for families is the Commonwealth Explorers exhibit, with a wide range of story-driven features for kids to see, touch, and experience Virginia's past and present. They can dress up as Virginians who made history in their profession, smell the scents of Virginia-grown food, make their own fusion dish, and create their own museum display.