Summer weather and longer days bring a variety of fun park programs and amenities to keep your little ones busy. Allow this list of cool things for kids, age 7 and under, to do at Virginia State Parks to help get you started! Be sure to check out the other two blog articles geared towards teens and tweens for more ideas. 

1. Play at the beach.

Beach fun at Bear Creek Lake State Park

 

A day at the beach can be great fun with young kids, and a few of Virginia’s state parks provide opportunities for water play. The swimming beaches at Bear Creek Lake, Holliday Lake and Twin Lakes state parks have “critters” and other things for climbing on in the designated swimming areas. Guarded beach swimming is available at these parks and several others between the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day. 

Learn more at https://dcr.es.virginia.gov/state-parks/swimming. 

2. Explore a Children’s Discovery Area. 

One of the play stations at Sky Meadows State Park’s Children’s Discovery Area

 

State parks such as Natural Bridge, Seven Bends, Sky Meadows, Sweet Run, James River and Caledon have unique play areas for kids. These natural outdoor spaces offer engaging play stations for creative learning and hands-on activities. The Children’s Discovery Area at Sky Meadows State Park was the first of its kind in Virginia when it received certification as a Nature Explore Classroom in 2018. These discovery areas are not your average playground, and kids will have fun exploring.  

Find more parks with playgrounds at https://dcr.es.virginia.gov/state-parks/playgrounds.  

 

3. Spend a day on the farm. 

Chicken at Chippokes State Park

Kids love getting a close-up view of farming equipment and tools at the Farm and Forestry Museum at Chippokes State Park, where they can explore exhibits showcasing the lives of Virginia farmers and how farming has changed over time. Even farm animals, such as a pig and chickens, can be spotted nearby. 

 

4. Check out an exploration backpack. 

Backpack fun at Natural Tunnel State Park

Many Virginia State Parks offer backpack rentals full of items to help kids explore and learn during their visit. Whether you check out Nature Knapsacks at Douthat State Park, Discovery Backpacks at Sky Meadows State Park or Explorer Backpacks at James River State Park, they will be loaded with gear such as binoculars, field guides, magnifying glasses and more. These free resources can be checked out at the park’s visitor center. 

5. Hunt for fossils. 

Fossil program at York River State Park

Discover relics of very old marine creatures while learning about the history and natural resources of the park. Little hands will love searching for shark teeth and more on a ranger-guided fossil excursion, such as York River State Park’s Fossil Frenzy, Westmoreland State Park’s Fossil Quest or Chippokes State Park’s Fossils of the James.  

 

6. Make a souvenir. 

Art in the Park at Smith Mountain Lake State Park

A light glows beneath the surface of Holliday Lake. Watch as insects are first drawn from the darkness to the bright light, followed by minnows, then bigger fish, and eventually turtles. This evening program illuminates what lies in the depths below and sheds light on the active nightlife under the water at Holliday Lake State Park. Participants are encouraged to bring a flashlight, bug spray, and a light jacket for the cooler nights. The underwater lights will stay on for the entire hour.

 

7. Cool off at the splash park. 

Splash Park at Occoneechee State Park

Younger kids, as well as the whole family, love cooling off in refreshing sprays of water when it’s warm outside. The splash park area at Occoneechee State Park has playground equipment, two charcoal grills, a picnic shelter, restrooms and a parking lot. This type of splash pad fun can also be found at Pocahontas State Park’s Aquatic Recreation Center.  

 

8. Go for a walk in the park. 

TRACK Trail for kids at Claytor Lake State Park

Help little ones get off on the right foot in outdoor exploration. Kids are never too young to hit the trails – whether in a stroller, baby carrier or on their own two feet – and Virginia State Parks offer a variety of short, easy hikes that are great for all skill levels and abilities. Check out this blog article with nine hikes for non-hikers to get a few trail recommendations.   

Don’t forget to log your hikes in the Trail Quest program. It’s for all ages! 

 

9. Join the Caterpillar Club. 

Caterpillar at Pocahontas State Park 

Just as caterpillars grow and change, the Caterpillar Club programs at Pocahontas State Park are designed to help your little one grow and change. The hands-on activities and experiences are geared towards early childhood (ages 3 to 5 years old), but all family members are welcome and encouraged to participate.  

Additionally, programs such as Animal Tracks at Staunton River State Park, Salamander Meander at Douthat State Park and Turtle Time at Fairy Stone State Park give kids the opportunity to learn about cool animals through fun activities led by park rangers. 

 

10. Go for a wagon ride. 

Wagon ride to Tye River Overlook at James River State Park

Take your little ones on a wagon ride to the scenic Tye Overlook at James River State Park, or catch views of the Staunton and Dan rivers on a Staunton River Wagon Ride, or play a game on the “I Spy” Wagon Ride at Caledon State Park. Young kids will get a kick out of this unique way to tour the park, one that the whole family can enjoy.  

 

What else can they do? 

For a bit of indoor fun to beat the heat or wait out the rain, explore a park’s visitor center. Most have kid-friendly exhibits, animals, snacks, gifts and souvenirs. Visit the events webpage to find more fun events for your little tike and the whole family. Make a trip of it by staying a few nights in a campground, yurt or cabin. Learn more about overnight lodging here.