Must-Do Experiences for Kids in Charlotte
Create memories and find new adventures with this list of must-do experiences for kids in Charlotte.
by Kristen Moore
Charlotte is home to an array of kid-friendly activities and attractions that make the Queen City a must-visit destination for families. Here are some quintessential Charlotte activities that every kid (or kid at heart) should experience in the city.
Spend a Day at Carowinds
Careen down the tracks of the exhilarating roller coasters at Carowinds. Grab a seat on Fury 325, the tallest and fastest giga coaster in the world, or other thrilling rides like Copperhead Strike and Thunder Striker. Younger kids can meet Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang at Camp Snoopy.
Have Some Friendly Competition
Challenge your family to lighthearted competition at Frankie’s Fun Park. This entertainment facility is filled with more than 120 arcade games, amusement rides, a two-story laser tag zone and bowling lanes.
Cheer on Charlotte’s Sports Teams
Snag a seat near the field at Bank of America Stadium in hopes of being handed a scoring football by a Carolina Panthers player or to proudly wave your soccer scarf at a Charlotte FC match. Meet and snap a selfie with Charlotte Hornets mascot, Hugo, during a game at Spectrum Center, where Charlotte transforms into Buzz City. Cheer on the Charlotte Checkers hockey players, and take a photo with polar bear mascot Chubbie, at a game at Bojangles Coliseum.
Enjoy Summer Fireworks and Baseball
Watch the fireworks light up the sky above Truist Field as you cheer on the Charlotte Knights. Gather your crew, chow down on a mini helmet full of ice cream and don't miss the chance for kids to run the bases after select Sunday games.
Attend a Family-Friendly Show
Let imaginations soar as the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte brings fan-favorite childhood stories to life in the McColl Family Theatre at ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center.
Rev Up Your Engine
Feel the rush of childhood wonder come roaring back at more than 180 miles per hour during a race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Catch one of the two NASCAR Cup Series races, the annual Coca-Cola 600 in May or the Bank of America ROVAL 400 in October.
Put the Pedal to the Metal
Race in high-speed go karts at The SpeedPark at Concord Mills, Victory Lane Karting, K1 Speed or GoPro Motorplex, some of the same facilities where NASCAR stars from the area got their start.
Reach New Heights
Jump around at Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Charlotte or Pineville. Or soar to higher heights at iFLY indoor skydiving in Concord. Fun for children and adults, it may be hard to come down from these activities.
Spend an Afternoon at the Park
Let the kids test their skills on the NFL Play 60 KidZone at Freedom Park, which features an obstacle course, timed 40-yard dash, climbing structure and pep talk station with messages of encouragement from Carolina Panthers players. Or grab a photo with a 1920s steam locomotive, one of Charlotte's hidden treasures.
Make a Splash
Dash through the water spouting from the fish fountains at The Green in Uptown's Second Ward on a warm day. Or beat the heat at Ray’s Splash Planet, Ramsey Creek Park, Lake Norman State Park or another sprayground in Charlotte.
Experience Outdoor Adventure
Lather up with sunscreen and head to the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Take on the whitewater rapids, climbing walls, zip lines, ropes courses, trails and more.
Explore a Beautiful Nature Preserve
Pass on the joy of nature to future generations at the 2,100-acre Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, S.C. Discover hidden waterfalls, massive lakes and beautiful hardwood forests while hiking or biking its numerous trails.
Have Educational Fun at Discovery Place Science
Take a field trip to Discovery Place Science, which has been igniting kids’ minds with fascinating science, nature and technology exhibits since 1981. Permanent exhibits include Project Build, where children can act as architects, and World Alive, which highlights the earth’s biodiversity.
Dive into Local and U.S. History
Explore the 19th-century log cabin homestead of the U.S.’ 11th president, and learn about frontier cooking in the old kitchen, at the President James K. Polk State Historic Site in Pineville. To continue your journey through time, visit The Charlotte Museum of History.
Learn about Racing History
Learn about Charlotte’s racing roots, put the pedal to the metal in the realistic racing simulators or prep a race car in the Pit Crew Challenge at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Uncover Natural History
Learn more about science and the natural world at The Schiele Museum of Natural History. Examine dinosaur fossils, walk through halls showcasing animal habitats and get lost in the Natural aMAZEment.
Get Up Close with Marine Wildlife
Under the sea is always better, especially at SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord Aquarium at Concord Mills. Kids will love the Interactive Touchpool where they can get hands on with up to seven species of aquatic creatures.
Meet Birds of Prey
Walk the Raptor Trail and participate in the behind-the-scenes tour of the Raptor Hospital at the Carolina Raptor Center. Nearby, explore Quest, an educational gateway to the 1,460-acre Latta Nature Preserve, the largest nature preserve in the county and home to a variety of animals and natural habitats.
Pan for Gold
The Charlotte region was the location of the country’s first gold rush. Pan for gold at Reed Gold Mine just outside of Charlotte in Midland, N.C. and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings of this historic space.
Pick Fresh Produce
Pick strawberries, garden veggies, apples or pumpkins, depending on the season, with your family at Carrigan Farms in Mooresville or Wise Acres Organic Farm in Indian Trail. Or find locally grown goods at Charlotte area farmers markets.
For more activities and ideas, visit our family friendly page.
Article originally written by Kristen Moore. Updates by Arielle Patterson in April 2024.
