Your guide to 27 family-friendly things to do in Charlotte

Once you’re a parent, days start early. Kids wake ready to explore and interact. After creating arts and crafts at home and visiting neighborhood parks run their course, parents (and the kids) may need an outing to fill the day.

Luckily, there are are endless family-friendly activities for children and parents in Charlotte, from parks to museums to ImaginOn and the Lazy 5 Ranch.

Sure, there’s Discovery Place and Carowinds, but there are some best-kept secrets in the city that will keep your child entertained for hours. Some activities are free or no cost to children, while other businesses charge for entry.

(1) 10 Park Lanes

Teach the kids to bowl at 10 Park Lanes. Leave time for cornhole, bocce ball and arcade games. A full menu with kid selections is available, too.

1700 Montford Drive

(704) 523-7633

Costs: Rates vary depending on day, evening or weekend play. Weekday rates begin at $25 per hour for a lane or $6 per game.

(2) Abari Game Bar

Challenge your kid to a game at Abari Game Bar — it may be the only time you win. Play 50 classic arcade or pinball games such as Donkey Kong and Ms. Pac-Man. It’s open to children accompanied by a parent on Saturdays and Sundays from noon-5 p.m.

1721 N. Davidson St.

(980) 430-4587

Admission: a one time $1 membership for each adult, game play starts at 50 cents

(3) Carowinds

Thrill seekers enjoy roller coasters at Charlotte’s amusement park, Carowinds. Fury 325, the Intimidator and Drop Tower are favorites among visitors. Carowind’s waterpark, Carolina Harbor, offers waterslides, a wave pool and Kiddy Hawk Cove for the youngest members of the family. Children ages 3-5 are eligible to receive a Pre-K Pass, with unlimited free visits for the entire year. Parents need to purchase a ticket for the park.

14523 Carowinds Blvd.

(704) 588-2600

Admission: Ticket costs and parking fees vary by season, daily tickets and annual pass

(4) Charlotte Douglas International Airport Overlook

Pack a picnic and head to the Airport Overlook to watch planes land and take off. One Facebook fan group suggests checking flights before a visit — there can be 30-40 minutes of down time. Picnic tables and benches are available, but there are no restrooms.

4355 Airport Overlook Drive

Admission: Free

(5) Crowders Mountain State Park

There are 11 trails at Crowders Mountain State Park, ranging from easy to strenuous. Tweens and teens may appreciate the challenging trails to Crowders Mountain and Kings Pinnacle. On a clear day, Charlotte’s uptown is visible.

Visitor Center: 522 Park Office Lane, Kings Mountain

(704) 853-5375

Admission: Free

[Related: Your guide to hiking, camping and climbing at Crowders Mountain]

(6) Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens

Stroll through 110 acres of various gardens just 30 minutes west of Charlotte. Visit the permanent exhibits such as the Canal Garden and Orchid Conservatory. Let your children roam free in Lost Hollow, a garden especially created with young kids in mind. Special exhibits, holiday events, programs and classes are available throughout the year.

6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont

(704) 825-4490

Admission: $14.95 adults, $7.95 children ages 2-12

(7) Discovery Place Museums

Whether it’s science, nature or imaginative play your family is craving, one of Discovery Place’s three museums will meet your needs. Discovery Place Science is in uptown Charlotte. It has permanent exhibits such as the aquarium and rainforest. They bring in special exhibits throughout the year. Discovery Place Nature is in the Myers Park neighborhood, adjacent to Freedom Park. Look for birds, reptiles and small mammals. Visit the butterfly garden, the interactive play areas and the outdoor area with building activities. Discovery Place Kids in Huntersville is set up like a small town, perfect for pretend-play. Children cook and serve their guests at the cafe, shop for food at the grocery store and deposit money at the bank.

Discovery Place Science, 301 N. Tryon St., Admission: $19 adults, $15 children, free under 2

Discovery Place Nature, 1658 Sterling Road, Admission: $8 adults and children

Discovery Place Kids, 105 Gilead Road, Huntersville; Admission: $11 adults and children

(704) 372-6261

(8) Dish It Out Pottery Studio

Explore your family’s creative side — create a one-of-a-kind mug, plate, vase or another ceramic piece with your kids. Draw designs, use stencils and paint with your favorite colors. Make it a gift for grandma or bring it home as a memento of the occasion.

7828 Rea Road

(704) 544-4848

Costs: $6 per hour for studio time plus cost of pottery, typically $10-$20

(9) Freedom Park

This Charlotte landmark has 98 acres for picnics, playing and walking. There are three playground areas, including an NFL Play 60 KidZone and the Freedom Park Express, an old locomotive train for children to climb aboard.

1908 East Blvd.

Admission: Free

[Related: Why is there a coal-burning steam locomotive permanently parked in Freedom Park?]

(10) ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library’s Imaginon is in uptown Charlotte, steps away from the LYNX Blue Line. It’s especially for kids: children peruse the shelves for books, take part in a creative activity or join in a storytime. There are nooks for reading and interactive activities on each level. There’s a Teen Loft on the top floor with a 3D printer and vinyl cutting. It offers special workshops and volunteer and leadership opportunities for teens.

300 E. 7th St.

Admission: Free

There are 20 libraries in Mecklenburg County, each offering special programs such as storytime for various ages, scavenger hunts, tutoring, Lego Club and Makerspace workshops. Check the events calendar for topics, dates and times.

(11) Inner Peaks

Get to the top of the wall at this indoor climbing gym. Beginners and expert climbers feel welcome here. Summer camps, Saturday climbs and specialty groups available for kids to learn how to climb or improve on the skills they already have.

Crown Point

9535 Monroe Road

(704) 844-6677

South End

(980) 242-3244

2220 S. Tryon St.

Costs: First time climbers start at $28 adults and $24 children and youth, including a harness. Day passes are $19, and equipment rental is extra.

(12) Jetton Park

For beautiful lake views, drive 20-minutes north on Interstate 77 to Jetton Park, a 104-acre park on Lake Norman. Walk or ride bikes along the path, climb and swing at the playground, play tennis or enjoy the beach. Although there’s no swimming in the lake, there’s plenty of sand for digging at the beach.

19000 Jetton Road, Cornelius

Admission: Free

(13) Lazy 5 Ranch

See antelopes, emu, giraffe, pigs, goats and many other animals by car or wagon. This adventure promises to bring your family laughs — the animals are eager to eat out of your hands and go to great lengths to follow your car or the wagon to get fed.

15100 Mooresville Rd., Mooresville

(704) 663-5100

Admission: General - $11 adults, $8 children; Wagon Rides - $16 adults, $11 children; cash only

(14) Latta Nature Center and Preserve

Latta Nature Center and Preserve is 1,460 acres with activities for the entire family. The Nature Center has small creatures, hands-on activities and a wildlife viewing area. There’s fishing, hiking, family programs and workshops available through eParks. The Carolina Raptor Center and Latta Plantation are in the same vicinity as the park.

6211 Sample Road, Huntersville

Admission: Free for park and Nature Center

(15) Lower McAlpine Creek, McMullen Creek & Four Mile Creek Greenways

Walk, ride or cycle these 5.8 miles of Charlotte’s greenway. Look for wildlife such as the Great Blue Heron, deer, frogs and turtles.

5803 Bevington Place

11823 Johnston Road

8135 Pineville-Matthews Road

Admission: Free

(16) LYNX Blue Line

Introduce your child to public transportation early. The LYNX Blue Line stops 26 times between I-485 and the UNC Charlotte campus. Most stations offer opportunities for an experience: J.W. Clay Blvd. Station for Shoppes at University Place’s playground and boardwalk; 9th Street Station for Optimist Hall and 7th Street Station for Imaginon, Discovery Place Science, Mint Museum and several parks.

Admission: $2.20 one-way ticket for adults, $1.10 one-way ticket for youth, free for children under 5-years-old

[Related: Take a look at Optimist Hall, now open]

(17) Mint Museum Uptown

The Mint Museum makes museum-going fun for kids and their parents. Family-friendly programming such as Sunday Fun Day is offered every other month. It’s family focused and includes a hands-on activity.

500 S. Tryon St.

Admission: $15 adults, $6 ages 5-17, free under 4 – these fees include admission to Mint Museum Randolph and is a two day pass with receipt; Sunday Fun Day is $6 adults, free for children; free from 5-9 p.m. on Wednesdays.

(18) Nevin Community Park

Nevin Park has an accessible playground with swings, slides and interactive activities on its 197 acres. There’s a sprayground, five bocce ball courts, an 18-hole disc golf course, walking trails, two shelters and horseshoe pits.

6100 Statesville Road

Admission: Free

(19) Oso Skate Park

Show off your skills at Oso Skate Park with your BMX bikes, skateboards, scooters, rollerblades and quad skates. They offer summer camps, private lessons and classes.

933 Louise Ave., Suite 109

(980) 819-6184

Admission: $7 one hour, $ 12 two hours, $15 all day

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation’s Grayson SkatePark at 750 Beal St. is an outdoor option for skateboarding.

(20) Ray’s Splash Planet

Open year round, this indoor waterpark offers slides, a whirlpool and an area to play water volleyball and basketball. The splash area has a zero entry, perfect for the little ones in your family.

215 N. Sycamore St.

(980) 314-4729

Admission: $10 adults, $8 children ages 1-17

(21) Reed Gold Mine

Strike it rich with a guided tour of a gold mine. Visit the museum to find out about the history of gold in North Carolina in the 1800s and how Reed Gold Mine played a part in it. There are a few walking trails, picnic tables and places to relax on the property.

9621 Reed Mine Road, Midland

(704) 721-GOLD (4653)

Admission: Free, $3 to pan for gold from April 1 through Oct. 31

[Related: Why Reed Gold Mine is worth the drive, even if you don’t strike it rich]

(22) Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve

Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation features 210 parks and facilities, each with unique playgrounds, trails and amenities. Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve offers activities for kids large and small. Race the little ones on the NFL-inspired and sponsored Play 60 Challenge Course. The big kids may want to play disc golf on the 18-hole course or hike or bike 10 miles of wooded-trails. Visit the turtles, snakes and other small creatures at the Nature Center. The experiential activities keep small children occupied.

2900 Rocky River Road

(980) 314-1119

Admission: Free

(23) Schiele Museum of Natural History

The Schiele Museum features hands-on activities, a planetarium, permanent collections and rotating exhibits. Kids learn about nature, history and science at indoor and outdoor exhibits. Look for special programming throughout the year.

1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia

(704) 866-6900

Admission: $7 adults, $6 children over 4, $5 for planetarium tickets

(24) Shoppes at University Place

Jump on a peddle boat with the family or watch the kids climb on the playground at Shoppes at University Place. Grab a treat at Ninety’s Sandwiches & Ice Cream, walk around the lake or feed the ducks. Check out the free outdoor concert series throughout the year.

Corner of W.T. Harris Boulevard and North Tryon Street

Admission: Varies by activity

(25) Spraygrounds

Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation understand that hot days in Charlotte are best spent in water at:. Clarks Creek Community Park, Cordelia Park, First Ward Park, Latta Park, Nevin Park, Romare Bearden Park, Veterans Park or, West Charlotte Recreation Center. Wear a bathing suit, bring a towel and jump in the spray.

Admission: Free

(26) USNWC

The U.S. National Whitewater Center’s activities include rock climbing, paddle boarding, kayaking, high and low ropes courses, mountain biking and hiking. The center features two man-made whitewater courses for family and adventure rafting.

Admission: Parking is $6 per car, costs for activities vary

(27) Wells Fargo Museum

Kids and parents learn how banking has evolved through interactive activities. Pretend to ride a stagecoach, act as a bank teller and learn about the Gold Rush of 1799.

401 S. Tryon St.

(704) 715-1866

Admission: Free

Have a family- or kid-friendly activity to suggest? Add it in the comment section or email us at charlottefive@charlottefive.com to let us know.

This story was originally published January 27, 2020 at 5:40 AM.