Family-Friendly Activities

Charlottesville is full of entertainment offerings, and most of them take into consideration families with both younger and older children. The following resources should serve as a helpful start when looking for things to do:

In addition, check out the Things to Do page. Charlottesville also hosts annual events that include children's programming such as the Virginia Film Festival and the Virginia Festival of the Book.

Children’s Activities: Arts & Sciences

Child Development Laboratories at the University of Virginia

Research at the Child Development Labs at the University of Virginia helps create better learning environments for children. They are looking for children from birth to 7 years of age to participate in fun, quick studies. Your child might read a story or play a game, and you can be with your child at all times. Call or visit the website for more information.   

McGuffey Arts Center

Located Downtown, the center has classes for children depending on which resident artists are teaching, but may include painting, calligraphy, bookmaking, Chinese art, stained-glass mosaics, modern dance and African dance. Call or look online for the seasonal schedule. 

Virginia Discovery Museum

This museum on the Downtown Mall specializes in hands-on activities and exhibits related to history, culture, nature and science. It's great for rainy afternoons, especially for kids up to age 10. Toddler Time offers directed activities for toddlers.

Michaels

Located at the Barracks Road Shopping Center, Michaels offers many craft classes that both kids and their parents would enjoy, ranging from beading to card making. 

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Children’s Activities: Story Time

The Jefferson-Madison Regional Library system offers a variety of children's programs.

Crozet Library

Gordon Avenue Library

Northside Library

Children’s Activities: Sports and Recreation

Albemarle County Parks and Recreation

Parks and Recreation offers classes in ice skating, roller skating and karate for children as well as summer swim and playground programs.

Blue Ridge Fencing Center

Offers fencing classes six days a week for children as young as 5.

Carter Mountain Apple Orchard

Enjoy beautiful views while you pick your own fruit. Fruit picking is July through November. It is also open through mid-December (weather permitting) on the weekends. The Apple Harvest Festival is the first two weekends of October. Pre-picked fruit, pumpkins, cider and apple fritters are for sale. Hay rides are free.

City of Charlottesville Parks and Recreation

A broad range of classes and competitive sports are available for children ages 6 months and up on a seasonal basis. Activities vary by age and include art, dance, music, basketball, tennis, swimming, gymnastics, and much more. 

YMCA

The Brooks Family YMCA is located by McIntire Park. YMCA members, nonmembers, and their children have access to a variety of educational classes, little league sports teams, and other leisure activities. 

Massanutten 

Located about an hour away, Massanutten has an all-seasons water park, skiing, snowtubing and an obstacle course.

Charlottesville Sw​imming Pools

The Charlottesville Aquatics Program has indoor pools, outdoor pools and “spray grounds.” Hours vary by season. 

Regional Entertainment

Other offerings in Virginia that are a relatively short drive from Charlottesville include the Children's Museum of Richmond, the Science of Museum of Virginia (also in Richmond) and Amazement Square in Lynchburg.

Find More Fun Things to Do

Charlottesville Family

Local publication Charlottesville Family has a number of great suggestions under its "Find Fun Things to Do" website tab. Here are some links from their website to get you started:

Events Directory
Family Fun
Go-to Guide for Family Fun
Food and Home
Online Summer Camps Fair

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