Harrisonburg offers plenty of kid-friendly activities and excursions in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley for families searching for outdoor adventure, cultural explorations and educational experiences – everything from cave exploration and scenic trail hiking to historical landmarks and interactive museums are perfect family adventures in Harrisonburg!
Are you searching for fun things to do with kids near Harrisonburg, VA? It will surely capture every child’s interest and imagination!
I. Outdoor Adventures
1. Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park offers some of the finest kid-friendly hikes and activities available, like Dark Hollow Falls, Blackrock Summit and Story of the Forest. This park serves as the ideal venue to introduce young ones to nature!
Kid-Friendly Hikes:
- Dark Hollow Falls: Offers one of the finest kid-friendly hikes for families with young children – hand down. Although relatively short in distance and elevation gain on return trip, its waterfall reward makes the trek worthwhile!
- Blackrock Summit: Offers the ideal hike for younger children. This easy route boasts stunning scenic vistas.
- Stony Man Trail: Is ideal for young hikers, offering breathtaking vistas without being overly strenuous.
- Story of the Forest Trail: This is an absolute must! This flat and shaded path near the visitor centre is an excellent way for young children or carriers to experience nature closely and personally.
Educational Programs:
Big Meadows offers exceptional educational programs for engaging children. Ranger talks and guided hikes provide fun ways for youngsters to gain knowledge about nature and wildlife while having a memorable experience!
The Best Times to Visit :
Visit Shenandoah National Park with kids between April – June and September- November for optimal conditions, foliage and crowds. Early October can bring stunning fall colours if that is what entices you most!
2. Massanutten Resort
Massanutten Resort provides children with some of the finest activities around. Families will especially love Massanutten’s indoor/outdoor water park; additionally, this resort features an exciting “family adventure park” complete with ziplines, ropes courses and tubing for maximum kid enjoyment, not forgetting its tiny amusement park with go-karts and bumper cars that’s sure to please younger visitors!
Winter Activities:
Massanutten is the place to go for winter recreation activities like skiing and snowboarding, and even with recent warm temperatures affecting snow quality, Massanutten makes sure its trails remain open and maintain great conditions as a top priority.
Indoor Water Park:
For families with kids, Massanutten Indoor Water Park is an unmissable attraction. It is far larger than any of the Great Wolf Lodge locations (Williamburg or Perryville) and offers more space and activities. However, as it can get very crowded quickly during busy periods, it would be wiser to plan your visit for less hectic moments for optimal experience.
Timeshare Offers:
Be wary of timeshare offers that promise free stays at Massanutten Resort. Although such offers can be legitimate, they typically involve attending a 90-minute seminar and high-pressure sales tactics that pressure people into signing contracts that don’t apply to them or hold onto their time longer than necessary. Be mindful and remain sceptical.
3. Caving Adventures
Luray and Endless Caverns provide families with an unforgettable experience, each featuring impressive formations such as its famous Stalactite Organ at Luray Caverns; on the other hand, Endless Caverns boasts lesser crowds in more natural settings and offers less dramatic formations.
Luray Caverns
Are truly magnificent! These spectacular caverns are easily navigable by anyone and feature amazing sights, such as an eye-catching stalactite organ that children absolutely adore! While some visitors might consider Luray too commercialized for educational value, many families still visit Luray as an enjoyable family destination.
Endless Caverns
Endless Caverns is ideal for families searching for an immersive yet relaxed cave exploration experience, offering smaller tour groups at more budget-friendly ticket prices – making this destination great for family trips!
II. Educational Experiences
1. Explore More Discovery Museum
Museum often host special exhibits and activities designed to engage children in active learning experiences. One such activity is “I Spy A Duck”, whereby kids explore both inside and outside the museum in search of hidden ducks – making visits more engaging while encouraging explorers outside its walls!
Timing can have an enormous effect when planning to visit Harrisonburg Children’s Museum. Weekday morning visits tend to be less crowded, creating a more relaxing environment; Sunday afternoon visits tend to see fewer visitors near closing time and are generally quieter as well. Also worth keeping in mind, during summer weeks, it might be busier due to field trip groups, so arriving after 1 PM might be best since groups usually leave by 2 PM.
We’re so excited to share some info about the awesome exhibits and programs at Explore More Discovery Museum that are perfect for kids!
- Maker City is a wonderful makerspace designed with young people aged 8 and up in mind.
- The museum also has a lovely Teaching Kitchen where you can have cooking parties with friends and family! Cooking parties are great for all ages!
- The museum also has several exhibits designed to encourage curiosity, creativity, and community, which we think you’ll really enjoy!
2. Virginia Quilt Museum
Harrisonburg is home to many traditional crafts and traditions which the museum showcases. Quilting has long been part of American culture and history, particularly in Appalachia, where quilting was both a subsistence activity and an artistic craft. A visit to Virginia Quilt Museum provides children with an appreciation of this traditional art form while its historical context. Here, they’ll find displays with different quilts, which spark discussions on patterns, techniques, and the stories behind each one exhibited here.
We’re so excited to announce the current exhibits at the Virginia Quilt Museum!
- Mini Quilt Challenge Exhibit – Flower Power: This exhibit will be closing on December 21, 2024.
- Harrisonburg Quilt Along Exhibit! We’re so sorry to say that this exhibit will also end on December 21, 2024.
III. Fun and Games
1. Funky’s Skate Center
Funky’s Skate Center hosts events that are ideal for kids. Their events range from themed parties such as an ugly Christmas sweater party – offering children fun and festive activity – to other child-centric activities, which make the centre an excellent spot to visit during holidays and weekends.
Funky’s Skate Center provides the nostalgic experience of skating rinks to children while being an easy and safe environment where they can skate while listening to their favourite tunes.
You can have your birthday party at Funky’s Skate Center! You can book a party online or by calling 540-433-1834.
2. Valley Jump Trampoline Park
Valley Jump Park is the first trampoline park to open in Shenandoah Valley and currently ranks as its biggest kid-friendly attraction, with more than 7,000 square feet of trampolines situated across an 18,000-square-foot building.
The Park and similar venues offer lots of activities for kids of all ages and interests, so there’s something for everyone! Kids can have a blast playing on trampolines, climbing walls, going on obstacle courses, and playing interactive games. Some venues even have activities for adults, so you can relax and unwind while the little ones play!
IV. Dining with Kids
Harrisonburg offers an assortment of cuisines and dining experiences for every member of the family to enjoy, so there is sure to be something suitable in Harrisonburg for everyone:
1. Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint
Jack Brown’s is a favourite in Harrisonburg for its delicious burgers and casual atmosphere, appealing both to adults as well as families looking for a memorable dining experience. Though predominantly targeted towards adults, Jack Brown’s offers something enjoyable for young diners, too – which could prove popular!
2. Magpie Diner
Magpie Diner offers excellent breakfast offerings that are sure to please both kids and adults, boasting an inviting environment. A local favourite, Magpie Diner boasts excellent customer service!
3. Clementine Cafe
Clementine Cafe is an inviting gathering spot offering delicious cuisine suitable for every age and taste imaginable, making it the ideal location to engage with locals while enjoying meals with loved ones and their kids alike! Plus, their vibrant atmosphere adds another dimension of fun that ensures every trip here will be an enjoyable one!
4. LolaMo’s Delicatessen
LolaMo’s Delicatessen is widely known for its delicious deli-style fare. While their quality has fluctuated slightly over the years, LolaMo’s still provides families with an enjoyable casual dining experience featuring kid-friendly items on the menu.
5. Texas Inn
Looking for the classic diner experience? Texas Inn offers hearty breakfast items that both kids and parents will love at its no-frills diner setting – making this ideal for a weekend family breakfast out.
6. Hokkaido Restaurant
Hokkaido boasts an expansive menu featuring seafood and other delicacies to meet any family’s varied tastes, making this dining option particularly appealing to children who like trying different food without fully committing to one dish at once. Their buffet provides children with an ideal way to sample new flavours without making commitments just yet!
7. The Galley
Families searching for an accessible dining option will find The Galley to be an excellent selection, receiving praise for its food quality. Featuring an inviting setting suitable for children as well as adults.
V. Kind Kate’s Tips for a Successful Family Outing
- Carrier Arboretum provides the ideal place for parents with young children looking for an enjoyable strolling experience.
- Route 33W offers hikes suitable for hikers of all ages.
- Local breweries such as Pale Fire Brewing often host family-oriented events.
- Dinner can be found at Bella Luna Pizza, followed by dessert at Bella Gelato & Pastries or Kline’s Dairy Bar for some refreshing frozen dessert.
- If you’re seeking longer trips, nearby destinations like Natural Bridge, VA, with its Dinosaur Kingdom II attraction, could make an excellent weekend stopover. Berkeley Springs and Harper’s Ferry can also make ideal locations.
- For budget-friendly options, Hillandale Park and Dream Come True playground offers plenty of outdoor activities.
- Are you on the lookout for a more all-inclusive family vacation experience? Why not consider a Steamboat Resort?
Overall, Harrisonburg offers an abundance of activities and attractions suitable for families with young children. There’s something here for every age and interest group; whether that means outdoor adventures, educational experiences, recreational activities or community events – Harrisonburg truly has something fun for all to enjoy.
