Planning a visit to Charlotte, the largest city in North Carolina, and looking for exciting and enjoyable activities to keep your kids happy, engaged, and free from boredom? You are in luck! Plenty of kid friendly activities and places in Charlotte will surely leave a smile on your face and make your kids excited and happy.
Here is a list of some awesome places where you can indulge in fun-filled, kid friendly activities with your little ones.
Discovery Place Science
If you are looking to give your kids a fun-filled educational experience, look no further than Discovery Place Science in Uptown Charlotte, NC.
It’s a science and technology museum offering interactive learning exhibits designed to engage young minds. Discovery Place Science offers a dynamic and interactive environment where children can learn, play, and discover the marvels of science. Kids can participate in hands-on activities and experiments that make learning a fun and immersive experience. It is one of the most-recommended things to do with kids Charlotte NC.
ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center
ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center is a collaborative venture of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. Here fun and learning come together for an exciting adventure. In this 102,000-square-foot landmark learning center, kids can learn about storytelling art, puppetry, and imaginative activities in a library and theater setting. If you are looking for a place where your kids can learn and have a great time, visit ImaginOn.
Carowinds Amusement Park
Opened to the public in 1973, Carowinds amusement park is an exciting place with fun-filled activities. It offers a variety of rides and attractions not only for the kids but for the whole family. From thrilling roller coasters to entertaining shows, you name it; there is fun for everyone here. The park is a perfect point to kick away everyone’s boredom. No wonder, it is one of the top-fun things to do with kids Charlotte NC.
SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord Aquarium
Located at Concord Mills in Concord, North Carolina, a suburb of Charlotte, this interactive aquarium offers a fun experience for kids and adults. The aquarium contains thousands of sea life creatures, allowing visitors to interact with the animals and enjoy the aquatic environment. There is also an interactive touch pool and a 180° ocean tunnel, making it a perfect place to visit with your kids and make exciting aquatic memories. It is one of the top things to do in Charlotte NC.
The Billy Graham Library
This unique library honors the life and work of Billy Graham, a well-known Christian preacher. The library offers a unique opportunity for visitors to learn about Billy Graham’s essential contributions to Christianity worldwide. The display of Bill Graham’s home and other fascinating exhibits showcase different aspects of Billy Graham’s life. So, if you want an educational and learning experience for your children, consider visiting the Billy Graham Library.
Ray’s Splash Planet
Having fun in the water park, splashing water around, playing with each other, and going down water slides, what can children want better than this? You can do all this and more at Ray’s Splash Planet, an indoor water park in Charlotte. It has shallow areas for younger kids and larger pools for older kids to swim around and have fun. As a result, it is a perfect venue to cool off, have a water fun time, and kick away your boredom. It is one of the most-recommended things to do in charlotte with kids.
Discovery Place Nature
Discovery Place Nature is an ideal place to take your kids to explore and learn about the natural world and various ecosystems. Kids can observe live animals, engage in hands-on exhibits, and have fun closer to the natural world. They can also participate in multiple fun activities that will give them a learning experience, like identifying animal tracks, examining insects, and discovering wonders of nature.
The NASCAR Hall of Fame
This unique museum celebrates the history and heritage of stock car racing. It is a super-fun place for people of all ages to explore car racing through interactive exhibits, learn about the science behind racing, and even experience the thrill of racing through virtual racing simulators. You can see iconic race cars up close, hear fascinating stories, and talk about legendary and famous drivers. For kids who like cars and racing, this place is heaven on earth.
Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary
Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary is a peaceful and mind-soothing place that takes you to the heart of nature. Here kids can discover the beauty of nature, explore the beautiful gardens, observe many species of birds, and learn about their habitats. Walking along the nature trails, enjoying colorful flowers and birds flying over them chirping around, it is a lovely spot to take your kids and spend time with them close to nature. Visiting the peaceful sanctuary is one of the top things to do in Charlotte.
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art showcases a remarkable modern and contemporary collection. While the art museum may only sometimes have specific activities for kids that interest them, it offers a perfect opportunity for them to learn about the fantastic artwork and explore creativity. They can discuss and learn about different art styles and know more about the art pieces they find exciting.
Charlotte Museum of History
The Charlotte Museum of History offers a dive into a sea of the city’s rich history. It will allow your kids to live in the past for a few moments through different artifacts, photographs, and stories. They can learn about the region’s Native American history, colonial times, and the development of Charlotte as a city.
The museum often arranges interactive workshops and events to engage the public, especially children. It will be an excellent experience for kids, introducing them to Charlotte’s past.
Great Wolf Lodge Water Park
Great Wolf Lodge is a popular family-friendly resort with a water park in Concord, just outside of Charlotte. Where adults can enjoy other activities, kids can have a thrilling time having fun splashing in the various water slides and playing in the wave pool. The resort also offers fun activities such as mini-golf, arcades, and interactive games. It is a dream destination for a fun day with family, water-filled excitement, and other fun activities. It is one of the top fun things to do Charlotte NC.
Carolina Raptor Center
The Carolina Raptor Center is a bird sanctuary and rehabilitation center dedicated to conserving birds of prey. Kids can observe different species of eagles, hawks, owls, and falcons closely. They can learn about these magnificent species and how they play an integral role in the world ecosystem through educational programs and events that the Carolina Raptor Center arranges. Children can also enjoy live bird presentations and nature trails, combining learning with fun.
Lazy 5 Ranch
Lazy 5 Ranch is an animal park in Mooresville, near Charlotte. It has domestic and exotic animals from 6 continents. Kids can enjoy a safari-like experience, interacting with exotic and domestic animals from their vehicle. They can learn about different animals and their habitats and even feed some animals. The animal park allows for an unforgettable encounter with wildlife with wagon rides and petting areas, making the experience even more exciting for kids.
Sky Zone Trampoline Park
Sky Zone Trampoline Park is an indoor entertainment place where kids can jump, bounce and play on various trampolines. Children are super active and energetic, and they need some activity to exert this energy, and it is a perfect place for this. Kids can enjoy freestyle jumping, dodgeball, basketball dunking, and flipping into foam pits on these trampolines.
The park provides a safe environment for children to show off their energy and have thrilling fun. It is one of the most-recommended things to do with kids Charlotte NC.
Kid Friendly Activities at Monkey Joe’s
Monkey Joe’s is a super fun indoor play center just for kids. It has many inflatable slides, obstacle courses, and bounce houses. Children can jump, climb, and slide to their heart’s content, letting their energy run wild within a safe and fun environment.
To ensure the safety of children, the play center has separate play areas designated for different age groups. So younger kids can have their own space to play and have fun, ensuring their safety.
The Schiele Museum of Natural History
The Schiele Museum of Natural History is in Gastonia, near Charlotte. It offers exhibits and displays showcasing the region’s natural history. Kids can explore interactive sessions and presentations about dinosaurs, animals, fossils, and geology. The museum also provides educational programs, live animal encounters, and outdoor nature trails where children can learn about the novelties of the natural world in a fun environment.
Romare Bearden Park
Romare Bearden Park is a 5.4-acre public park in uptown Charlotte. Named for Charlotte-born artist Romare Bearden, the park offers various amenities and spaces for kids to enjoy and have fun. It features a splash pad where children can cool off in the water and play during warm weather. There are also many open green spaces for running and playing games and a playground with equipment suitable for different age groups.
Discovery Place Kids – Huntersville
Discovery Place Kids in Huntersville is a children’s museum for younger minds. It offers hands-on exhibits and interactive play areas where kids can engage in imaginative and educational activities. They can explore a miniature town, climb on structures, play with water tables, and participate in themed play sessions here.
The museum encourages creativity, learning and exploration in a fun and safe environment. It is your stop if you want your children to learn and have a memorable experience.
Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve
The center has animals in a 927-acre preserve with exciting activities like fishing, hiking, and more. It is a serene natural oasis where kids can explore nature trails, observe wildlife, and learn about local plants and animals. With different educational programs, guided hikes, and interactive exhibits, this center helps visitors connect with the environment.
The preserve is perfect for kids to experience nature’s beauty, develop a love for it, and learn about conservation.
BounceU of Charlotte
BounceU is a unique indoor play center designed specifically for kids. It is packed with a wide range of inflatable structures, slides, and obstacle courses to keep kids busy with entertainment for hours. One of the highlights of BounceU is the open bounce sessions, where kids can jump around and explore the various inflatable attractions.
Besides the regular bounce sessions, BounceU hosts themed events and private parties, offering kids an exciting and active play environment.
Freedom Park
Freedom Park is a large urban park in Charlotte, offering children plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities. Kids can enjoy and have fun in the playgrounds with swings, slides, and climbing structures. The park also has sports fields, walking trails, and open spaces for picnics and games. There is a pond where families can feed the ducks and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. In short, it is an excellent spot for families to spend quality time together while engaging in kid friendly activities.
My Gym Charlotte
My Gym is a fitness and play center designed specifically for children. The gym offers separate classes for children of different age groups, involving physical activities that focus on developing strength, coordination, and social skills through play. Kids can participate in gymnastics, games, and interactive exercises in an exciting, fun, and supportive environment.
These activities help their physical development and social skills and also teach them a sense of sportsmanship.
Marion Diehl Recreation Center
Marion Diehl Recreation Center is a community facility that provides various recreational activities for children. It offers a range of classes and learning programs such as sports leagues, arts and crafts, and fitness activities. The center has wading & lap pools for swimming lessons as well as a gym and a playground. Kids can engage in organized sports, participate in creative projects, and enjoy physical, kid friendly activities in a supervised learning and friendly setting.
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
The Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is a unique theater company that puts on amazing shows just for kids and families. The theater takes beloved children’s stories and brings them to life on stage, allowing them to witness their favorite characters and tales in a new way. These include performances, such as plays, musicals, and interactive exhibits. The theatre also encourages children’s participation.
Little Sugar Creek Greenway
Little Sugar Creek Greenway is a scenic urban trail that runs alongside the creek, offering a beautiful natural space and environment in the heart of Charlotte. Kids can stroll or ride bikes along its beautifully paved pathway, enjoy the green surroundings and environment, and families can even picnic in designated areas and have fun. The greenway provides a peaceful retreat where all family members can connect with nature and enjoy outdoor, kid friendly activities.
Carolinas Aviation Museum
It is an aviation museum on the grounds of Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, NC. The aviation museum showcases the history and technology of aviation and flights. Exhibits featuring vintage aircraft, interactive displays, and educational information about aviation provide a learning opportunity filled with excitement and fun for all visitors.
The museum also offers hands-on activities, flight simulations, and special events to engage the children with the world of aviation and make them experience it closely.
Mint Museum Uptown
This museum showcases contemporary art, crafts, and design pieces that capture your imagination. Although art museums may not always have dedicated activities for children, they can still have a great time exploring and learning from the various artworks. All in all, kids can develop an appreciation for different art forms, expand their creativity, and gain a deeper understanding of the artistic world. There are often family-friendly events and interactive workshops at the Mint Museum.
William R. Davie Park
William R. Davie Park is a spacious place offering children kid friendly activities. It has well-equipped playgrounds with exciting slides, swings, and climbing structures to entertain the kids. Open spaces also provide a perfect place for family picnics. Nature lovers will appreciate the park’s natural areas, where children can observe wildlife and discover the wonders of the natural environment.
In short, William R. Davie Park offers spacious playgrounds, picnic spaces, and wildlife and nature exploration opportunities.
YMCA of Greater Charlotte
The YMCA of Greater Charlotte is a community organization offering various programs and activities for children full of fun and excitement. They provide fitness classes, sports leagues, swimming lessons, and various recreational activities, which are not just for fun, but are very important for physical and social development. Kids can participate in organized sports, join youth clubs, engage in arts and crafts, and enjoy the YMCA’s indoor and outdoor facilities.
U.S. National Whitewater Center
The U.S. National Whitewater Center is an outdoor adventure center in Charlotte. Kids can experience exciting activities, including whitewater rafting, kayaking, paddleboarding, and zip-lining here. The center also has trails for biking and hiking, climbing walls, and ropes courses. It is a fantastic destination for kids who love outdoor adventures and want to try new and thrilling physical activities. As a result, it’s one of the top places in Charlotte for kid friendly activities.
Squirrel Lake Park
Squirrel Lake Park is a beautiful park in Matthews, near Charlotte. It features playgrounds, walking trails, fishing piers, restrooms, and open green spaces for picnics and games. Kids can enjoy the playground equipment and swing and explore the natural surroundings. The park is an excellent place for families to spend time together in a peaceful environment. You can also take your kids to the lake and fish or feed the ducks.
Romp n’ Roll
Romp n’ Roll is an indoor play center designed for children from infancy to six. It provides a safe and stimulating environment for young children to learn and have fun. Romp n’ Roll offers separate classes for children of different age groups and play sessions that focus on active play, socialization, and cognitive development of the children. Kids can engage in fun and exciting kid friendly activities such as tumbling, art projects, music, and imaginative play.
Conclusion: Kid Friendly Activities
There are plenty of kid friendly activities in Charlotte and destinations where you can take your kids to have fun and create long-lasting memories. These places are not just entertaining spaces but provide learning opportunities too for your children in different ways.
In summation, from being introduced to nature, interacting with wildlife, seeing the wonders of science and technology, enjoying various arts and crafts, and diving into the sea of history, these places are perfect destinations to take your kids and give them valuable experiences filled with fun and joy.
