Things to do with Kids in Charlotte

Whether you live in the area or are visiting for vacation, if you’re looking for things to do with kids in Charlotte, I’ve got you covered! From thrilling amusement parks and waterslides for the older kids to interactive activities for the younger children, the Charlotte area is full of family fun. We’ve lived here for close to two years now and have had the chance to explore–many of these suggestions will work for anyone, not just kids.

Carowinds Amusement Park

What could be a more perfect thing to do with kids in Charlotte than spending a day at an amusement park? Carowinds is a 407-acre park with both thrilling, adventurous roller coasters for the big kids and rides a little more laidback for the young ones. It’s home to the tallest and fastest giga coaster in the world, Fury 325, as well as the Dale Earnhardt-inspired Intimidator that reaches speeds of up to 80 mph. If that sounds like a little too much excitement, head over to Camp Snoopy for rides at a slower pace.

Carolina Raptor Center

The Carolina Raptor Center rescues and rehabilitates raptors and other birds of prey. Kids who are interested in animals will enjoy the short ¾ mile Raptor Trail that loops around the property and the enclosures of the rescued birds on property.

They also have live shows and demos are certain times and even STEM programs throughout the year, so take a peek before visiting.

NASCAR Hall of Fame

One of Charlotte’s biggest tourist attractions, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, is a must-visit for families. Those who already have an interest in NASCAR will be over the moon but even those who don’t dream of becoming racecar drivers will enjoy the museum. And once they try the racing simulator, they may have a new answer to what they want to be when they grow up! I’ll admit to not being a NASCAR fan, but it’s definitely a big deal around here.

Charlotte Motor Speedway

In the same vein, the Charlotte Motor Speedway is also worth a visit if you’re in town during a race. There are two major NASCAR races each year, one in May and one in October, but many other events throughout the year. Besides racing, the speedway also hosts various music festivals and special events like monster truck bashes, so be sure to check out their calendar. My favorite event is getting to drive around the track at Christmas when it’s full of lights and music.

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Located on the banks of Lake Wylie, the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden spans over 380 acres, with many paths to stroll. Gardens to explore include the Four Seasons Garden, the White Garden, Cottage Garden, and Canal Garden. But perhaps the most intriguing for families is Lost Hollow, built in 2014 as a place for kids to explore with an ampitheatre, sunken pond, and more to explore.

Depending on the time of year of your visit, the butterfly garden may also be open. There are also Christmas lights to enjoy during the holidays.

Freedom Park

For a little outdoor fun, head to Freedom Park. They offer enough activities that you can easily spend an afternoon here. Feed the ducks at the pond, head to the batting cages, or burn off some steam at the NFL Play 60 KidZone, a fun obstacle course intended to encourage kids to exercise.

There are also plenty of tables for enjoying a picnic as a family and trails for walking.

Great Wolf Lodge

Great Wolf Lodge is a chain of the largest indoor waterparks in the country and their Charlotte location is a guaranteed fun day. While you can stay at the lodge, you can also purchase a day pass to the indoor water park if you’re local or staying elsewhere on your family vacation in Charlotte.

There are attractions at Great Wolf Lodge for all ages. Toddlers can enjoy climbing Fort Mackenzie and Whooping Hollow which features a toddler-sized water slide, while other kids can race tobbagan-style down the Mountain Edge Raceway water slides or get an adrenaline rush on the Howlin’ Tornado.

ImaginOn

ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center is a collaboration between the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte and holds the title of the best library in the US. But, it’s so much more than a library. ImaginOn is full of interactive exhibits like Page Stage, where kids can dress up and put on a show in the oversized storybook.

ImaginOn also holds programs and special events throughout the year, so be sure to check the calendar.

Discovery Place Science

Discovery Place Science is a hands-on museum designed to get kids involved and interest in all types of science. Some of the most popular exhibits are the indoor rainforest with all the sights and sounds of the jungle, Fantastic Frogs which gives you an up-close view at the amphibians, and Unseen Oceans, all about what lives under the sea.

There are learning labs, where kids can get hands-on with projects, and a Thinker Space for designing and creating. This museum is definitely a must-visit for families in Charlotte!

The Lazy 5 Ranch

Located just outside of Charlotte in Mooresville, The Lazy 5 Ranch is a drive-thru safari with exotic animals like giraffes, zebras, and antelope, as well as local species like pot bellied pigs, horses, goats, and more.

You can either choose to drive through the zoo in your own vehicle or join a wagon tour that includes a bucket of food for the animals.

Small Hands Big Art

Small Hands Big Art is just the place for all the little artists in the world! Based in South Charlotte, this kids-only art studio offers regular pottery and art classes as well as themed workshops and summer camps. You can also host a birthday party here, with each attendee creating their own piece of art. This isn’t unlike other paint your own pottery places, but this one is kids-only, which can make it nice if you have younger kids.

If you have a budding artist in the family, this is definitely one of the best things you can do with them in Charlotte!

Discovery Place Nature

Another Discovery Place museum (you can also find Discovery Place Kids just outside the city), also known as Charlotte Nature Museum, provides a fun venue for the whole family to learn more about nature and animals. The Creatures Cavern exhibit is the perfect place to meet and learn about animals native to Charlotte while the Fort Wild is just the place to allow the young ones to release some energy, all while still learning, and there’s also a nature trail worth checking out.

 UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens

While nowhere near as massive as the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens are still worth a visit. The Dinosaur Garden with its impressive fossil collection is always a hit with kids, along with a few other quirky exhibits like the Carnivorous plants and Titan Arum plants with the funky smell. If you have an older kid, book a college tour while you’re at it–it’s a lovely campus and great school.

Mecklenburg County Greenways

There are over 37 miles of greenways – paved paths meant for pedestrians that run parallel to creeks and offer an alternative to walkings on busy highways – in the Charlotte area. These paths are ideal for exploring the area by foot (or stroller) and are also loved by kids riding their bikes or playing in the creeks. Wherever you are in Charlotte, you won’t be far from an entrance.

The Little Sugar Creek Greenway is also now a Trail of History, so it’s a fun one to take a stroll along, find the sculptures, and learn a bit more about Charlotte’s history.

Big Rock Nature Preserve

A hidden gem in a residential neighborhood, Big Rock Nature Preserve is the perfect place for some hiking and exploring. You’ll find the largest boulders in Charlotte, which were actually used by the Native Americans as a lookout point many years ago. We’ve had a number of new schools built recently and Big Rock has been a regular suggestion for names.

Support the Sports Teams

If you’re visiting Charlotte in the fall, don’t miss out on a Carolina Panthers game at the Bank of America Stadium! While they may not be as intense as other East Coast cities, the whole city does come together to cheer on their team and it’s sure to be a night the family won’t soon forget.

If you’re visiting in the spring, you can cheer on the Charlotte Knights at Trust Field in Uptown Charlotte instead and if basketball is your preferred sport, visit in the winter for a Charlotte Hornets game at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena.

The stadiums are located right in Uptown, so you get the city view during the baseball games and access to city life for all three.

SeaLife Charlotte-Concord

One of the great things to do on any family vacation is to visit the local aquarium and SeaLife surely does not disappoint. The aquarium boasts North Carolina’s only ocean tunnel, as well as rescued turtles, a jellyfish exhibit, and the chance to touch a starfish. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon with kids of all ages – especially when you need to escape the summertime heat!

The Hunter Farm

The Hunter Farm is a working farm located just outside of Charlotte. Kids can learn about farm life, including the animals on the farm and tasks like milking cows and even meet the animals at the petting farm. In the fall, the farm offers wagon rides and a pumpkin patch, so this is a great fall activity for the family.

There are so many kids’ activities in the area that it’s hard to narrow down the best family activities in Charlotte  but one thing is for certain – the whole family is guaranteed to have a great time on any trip to Charlotte! No matter their interests or age, there truly is something for everyone in the Queen City!