2015 Richmond Summer Fun – What to Do With Your Kids This Summer in RVA

We’ll constantly be adding to the list, so check back often, and if you have any to suggest, please let us know!

A couple of quick links before we get started:

Weekly Events and Activities
Summer Camps
Farmers Markets
Playgroups
Kids Eat Free
Birthday Party Places
Volunteer Opportunities

Outdoor fun- Parks and Outdoor Events

Anthem Lemon-Aid  *FREE
July 17th through the 19th – Put the squeeze on childhood cancer! Host a LemonAid stand and raise funds for Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. Sign up online at www.anthemlemonaid.com.

The Berry Patch at Gallmeyer Farms *FREE
Free hayrides every day. Also children can enjoy the free play area where toys and equipment are supplied. Bring your own picnic to enjoy in our free shaded picnic area. Free admission and free parking always. Find them on Facebook for daily Berry Patch information.

Cobblestone Park
Located in Glen Allen, Cobbestone Park features one of the largest pools on the east coast, water slides, a beach area, floats for the kids and other fun ways to beat the heat. Admission is $12 for agest 2 and up.

Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation *FREE
Plenty of free activities throughout the summer and some great volunteering opportunities for kids

Farmer’s Markets around the City  *FREE
Support our local farms!  Many markets offer free samples, entertainment, and lots of fun for kids and adults. It’s a festive way to spend a couple of hours and check things off your grocery list!

Flying Squirrels’ Squirrel Tail Kids Club *FREE
Squirrel Tails is the Richmond Flying Squirrels FREE Kids Club for all kids 14 & under!  Kids Club members enjoy free Sunday games throughout the season (see website for dates), eat free on Sundays, and receive special giveaways just for being a member!

Food Truck Courts throughout RVA
Catch a food truck and satisfy the picky eater, the foodie the vegetarian and your sweet tooth.

Hanover County Parks and Recreation  *FREE
Hanover County offers free family events throughout the season including Family Movie Nights, Family Fishing Day and the Hanover Tomato Festival, which will be celebrating its 35^th year!

Henrico County Parks *FREE
Great parks like Deep Run Park, Dorey Park, and Three Lakes where there are nature trails, playgrounds, picnic areas, and lots more. Crump Park/Meadow Farm Museum has an historic house open for tours at various times throughout the week, and they have animals for the kids to enjoy – they offer lots of outdoor fun with plenty of room to run and play.

Henrico County Parks and Recreation *FREE
Special summer events including puppet shows, magicians, musicians and theatre troupes are offered at facilities and parks throughout the county, see site for details. And don’t miss the free Open Gym for ages 10 and up.  All skill levels are invited to play pickleball—a fun blend of tennis, table tennis, and badminton! The sport is played using a paddle and plastic wiffle ball on a badminton-sized court. Equipment provided.  Tuesdays 5:30-8:30 p.m. Moody Middle School Tennis Courts.  Mon & Wed 5:30-8:30 p.m. Sandston Recreation Area Tennis Courts.

Henricus Historical Park in Chesterfield County *FREE
Fun events for all ages.The recreated 1611 Citie of Henricus, an outdoor living history museum with 12 recreated colonial structures, demonstrates history through “hands-on” encounters with period dressed historical interpreters. Visitors interact with interpreters during which time visitors may be asked to assist with cooking, blacksmithing, planting or harvesting. Visitors may even be asked to join the Militia! Be ready for an exciting and provocative experience in living history! Events all summer.

Kids Bowl Free at Kingpin Lanes *FREE
Registered kids get two free bowling games every day all summer long any day of the week at King Pin Lanes.

James River Park *FREE
Enjoy hiking, canoeing, biking, picnicking, birdwatching, photography, and many more activities – create your own fun!

Lavender Fields Farm *FREE
Older kids might enjoy a farm tour or garden tour at Lavender Fields Farm. Tours end with free ice cream for each adult.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Lewis Ginter has several different offerings for kids this summer, including Garden Explorations where kids and adults can enjoy story time and a fun-filled adventure while exploring different areas of the garden, the Summer Survival Series which combines outdoor adventure, teamwork and nature awareness to teach families basic survival skills for the outdoors, Drop In and Dig, the Garden Art Studio and of course the water play area.  See website for full schedules and fees.

Maymont *FREE  (Donations warmly accepted)
Lots of fun, outdoor activities, a petting zoo, trails, and more. Visits are free or have a recommended fee of $2-$5. The Children’s Farm Barn is a major attraction and hit with the young ones.  Bring a picnic lunch and make a day of it!

Metro Richmond Zoo
Home to over 1,500 animals representing 148 species from around the world, the Metro Richmond Zoo offers a variety of optional experiences that will make your visit memorable.  Visit a herd of giraffe up close and let these gentle giants eat right out of your hand! Hop aboard the Safari Train and take a fifteen minute ride into the African Savannah. Get up close and personal with free-ranging animals while receiving a guided tour. Pack a picnic and enjoy the day!

Mommy & Me (and Daddies Too!) at The Shops at Willow Lawn *FREE
This FREE monthly event features fun entertainment (which this summer will be provided by the Diggity Dudes and Rocknoceros!), giveaways and interactive crafts for the kids, and lots of helpful information about area kids’ services for parents.  Richmondmom.com is thrilled to be a part of this fun event each month!

National Battlefield Park *FREE
Richmond was the scene of a number of battles during the Civil War, and National Battlefield Park encompasses 13 separate sites with four visitor centers along an 80 mile route through the City of Richmond, and Henrico, Hanover and Chesterfield counties. Park admission is free. Visitor centers at Tredegar Iron Works (fee), Chimborazo and Cold Harbor are open daily. Visitor centers at Glendale and Fort Harrison are open daily June through August.

Pedal Boats at Fountain Lake
Take a walk around Fountain Lake, rent a pedal boat and pack a picnic.

Pocahontas State Park *FREE (parking fees)
Just 20 miles from downtown Richmond, Pocahontas offers boating, picnicking, camping, camping cabins, hiking, and interpretive and environmental education programs. The Aquatic Center offers seasonal water-based activities for the entire family. The park itself is free but there are parking fees.

Regency Square Mall Kids World *FREE
The first Thursday of every month Kids World meets at the Fit & Fun Play Area for a fun activity or craft.  Moms will enjoy special discounts, free samples and more!

Rockwood Nature Center *FREE
Visit the Center’s live snake, turtle, and honeybee exhibits to learn more about the plants and animals that live in the fields, forests, pond, and marshes of Rockwood Park. Take an archery lesson, join a nature club, learn about geocaching, follow a letterboxing trail, learn map and compass navigation, and much more! Call 804.674.1629 with questions. Location: Rockwood Park, 3401 Courthouse Road (804) 674-1629.  Summer Hours: (June 12-Sept. 2) Tuesday-Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

Stony Point Fashion Park *FREE
The splash pad at Stony Point Fashion Park is a great way to cool off with younger kids.

The Nature Exhibit at Three Lakes Park *FREE
Free to the public and fun for all ages, the exhibits in the Nature Center will introduce visitors to the plant and animal life native to the area and wildlife living in the wetlands and woodlands of the park.  Summer hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Saturday & Sunday, noon-4:30 p.m.

Beat The Heat- Great things to do inside

All Fired Up  –Savvy Saver Discount!
Richmond’s original paint your ceramics studio – also offering fun special summer projects and summer camps for kids.  Locations in Midlothian and Short Pump.

Barnes and Noble’s Summer offerings and storytime  *FREE
Check our weekly calendar for times.

Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program *FREE
It’s free and kids get a free book when they participate!

Barnes & Noble Kids’ Club *FREE
Free to join, the Kids Club offers 30% off list price on any one kids’ book for toy for your children. $5 reward for every $100 you spend on kids’ stuff online and in stores. FREE cupcake from cafe for birthdays.

Brickz 4 Kidz
Check their site for classes and programs for preschoolers and older kids that teach architecture, engineering and technology concepts with Lego bricks.

Cartwheels and Coffee
Beat the heat with some coffee for you and free play for the kids.  There’s a special corner for the littlest ones, and two big play areas for the toddlers and preschoolers.  Special events such as Story Time and Move With Me are hosted throughout the week and free with admission to this Carytown play area.  ($5 per child, $4 additional child(ren).

The Children’s Theatre of Virginia
Goodnight Moon will be running July 10 – August 2, 2015 at the Children’s Theatre at Willow Lawn.

Children’s Museum of Richmond
CMoR has some fun events planned for the kids this summer:
Target Family Night: Visit CMoR for just $1 every third Friday through July from 5:00pm – 7:30 pm.
CMoR’s annual Summer Series program also returns to CMoR Central. All Summer Series events are free with museum admission.

Home Depot Kids Workshops *FREE
FREE hands-on workshops designed for children ages 5 – 12 offered the 1st Saturday of every month at area Home Depot stores between 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Jumpology
Jump around on over 8,000 square feet of connected, world-class trampolines. Our trampoline field features over 50 trampolines, the famous angled wall trampolines and a series of launching decks of different heights. Open jump time slots on Friday and Saturday book up fast! Please call 2-4 days in advance to pre-purchase your ticket and reserve your flight time. Special jump time pricing for ages 6 & under! $8.00 per child and one accompanying adult jumps free.  Check site for days and times.

Kangaroo Jac’s 
For inflatable play, visit Kangaroo Jac’s, where walk-in play is always available for kids with a little extra energy.  Available every day of the week, no need to call ahead.  For a flat fee, stay and play all day!  Visit site for fees and locations.

Lowes Build and Grow Kids Clinics *FREE
This free clinic is available at select stores on various Saturdays at 10am.  Build a wooden project and get a free apron, goggles, patch and more.  Check site for details and to register.

Pottery Barn Book Club *FREE
Stop by the store for story time every Tuesday from 11 – 11:30 a.m. (check with store near you to verify actual times). Members receive special Book Club Passport and special gift if they attend 5 times.  And don’t forget the PBK Summer Reading Challenge!

Romp n’ Roll  
in addition to classes, Romp ‘n Roll offers special one time events like Kids Night Out, stay tuned to our calendar for special events.

Science Museum of Virginia
From bugs to space and what’s inside human bodies … explore our world at the Science Museum of Virginia. The IMAX & Planetarium is the biggest in Virginia and puts the audience in the middle of all the action.  Be sure to check out BOOST.  This summer there will be Monsters at the Museum (check our calendar for updates on special events).  If you haven’t seen it yet, the new Dome is pretty spectacular.

Short Pump Pals Club *FREE
Pals Club members enjoy discounts to participating stores and extra-special birthday treats!  And don’t miss the Short Pump Pals Clubhouse Meetings the 2^nd Tuesday of every month at 11:00am in the Food Court for fun activities and entertainment.

Spirited Art
Each Friday during the summer, Spirited Art teams up with Bricks 4 Kids or All Fired Up to offer Kids Fun Fridays.  Each Friday from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm kids ages 5 and up can unleash their inner artist!  Fee is $35 per class, visit site for details.

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts *FREE
Admission to permanent collection galleries is always free. Different events and programs all summer so click here for details and don’t miss the delicious cafe while you’re there.

Movies

Bow Tie Cinemas Movieland 17 at Boulevard Square *FREE
Free kids summer film series, every Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from June 25^th through August 21^st.  Doors open at 9am, show starts at 10am.  Seating is limited to theater capacity, tickets issues on a first come, first served basis.  See site for movie details.

Byrd Theatre
The Byrd offers lots of low-cost, family friendly movies all summer long for $1.99. Check the website for information.

Cinema Classics at the Henrico Theatre in Highland Springs
Enjoy popular kids’ movies Fridays and Saturdays throughout the summer at Henrico Theatre in Highland Springs. Tickets are only $1 per person and can be purchased at the door.    For more information call: 328-4491.

Goochland Drive-In
Nowhere else in RVA can you experience a good ol’ drive-in movie.  And nowhere else can you take a whole family to the movies and spend so little!  Tickets are $8.00 for adults and kids 12 and up, $3.50 for kids 4-11.  All snack bar items are priced $3.75 and under.  Movies offered are all new/current release, see site for schedule.

Regal Cinemas Summer Movie Express
Moviegoers of all ages can climb aboard the Summer Movie Express to enjoy a great selection of films. During this 9-week festival, participating Regal Cinemas, United Artists and Edwards Theatres will offer selected G or PG rated movies for only a dollar on Tuesday and/or Wednesday mornings at 10:00. A portion of proceeds from the Summer Movie Express will be donated to the Will Rogers Institute.  Check site for participating theatres and times.

Summer Concerts

Dogwood Dell *FREE
Concerts in the amphitheater all summer long;  Visit website for information.

Forest Hill Music in the Park *FREE
Free evening summer concerts, see site for dates and schedule of bands.

Friday Cheers
A Richmond favorite, each Friday from 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at Brown’s Island.  Tickets are $5 to $10 depending on the show, children under 12 are free.  Season passes available.  See site for band lineup and more information.

Henrico Concert Band and Henrico Community Band In The Park (FREE)
For all ages. The Henrico Concert Band and Henrico Community Band will each perform a series of three outdoor concerts. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and spend a casual evening in the park listening to your favorite band music! In case of inclement weather, the concerts may be cancelled. There will be no rain dates. Information: 501-5859.

Jammin’ on the James (FREE)
This free concert series on the grounds of the Wilton House Museum is great fun for all ages. Bring a picnic dinner and a lawn chair for family-friendly music on the scenic terrace overlooking the James River. Enjoy complimentary walk-through tours of Wilton as well as face-painting, games, and crafts for kids.

Summer Sounds at Stony Point Fashion Park *FREE
Performance Times Fridays and Saturdays from 4pm – 8 pm, Sundays, 1pm – 5pm
With A Special Performance on Friday, July 4 from 1 pm – 5 pm
Labor Day – Monday, September 1 from 1pm – 5pm
All performances are located in front of Sur La Table near the Panera Bread Entrance.
Weather permitting. Bands subject to change.

Day Trips

Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA
Busch Gardens and Water Country are great ways to spend the day.  We’ll be having a great time with them all summer long.

Go Ape
This Williamsburg adventure park opened Treetop Junior in 2013, a fun-filled experience of canopy exploring, trail blazing and obstacles for all to enjoy. Kids ages 6-12 can negotiate crossings and finish on a high (literally) with two awesome zip lines!

Great Wolf Lodge
Our massive, 84-degree indoor water park in Williamsburg Virginia contains thousands of square feet of family fun, from jaw-dropping slides for the thrill seekers to zero-depth entry playgrounds for the little ones.

Jamestown Settlement
This museum of 17^th century Virginia history explores America’s first permanent English colony. See the replicas of the three ships that sailed from England to Virginia in 1607. Other highlights include the colonists’ fort and Powhatan village. Kids will enjoy this fun tour of the “old days” – be sure and take a picnic to enjoy right by the waterside.  See site for admission details.

Kings Dominion
It’s not a long drive for a whole lot of fun at Kings Dominion.  Ride the classic Rebel Yell, take the littles to Planet Snoopy and don’t forget to bring your bathing suit to enjoy the newly expanded Soak City water park included in the cost of admission.

Yorktown Beach
Want a little sun and sand without the 2 hour VA Beach drive? Yorktown Beach is an easy one hour drive from Richmond there aren’t big waves and it’s usually not too crowded so it’s perfect beach day with little kids.

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