Hampton Roads is the area in Virginia (and North Carolina, depending on who you talk to) that stretches from the Williamsburg, VA area all the way to Elizabeth City, NC. Although it seems like a lot of area covered, the drive time from one end to the other isn’t much longer than 2 hours. However, living in this diverse area means there are a plethora of fun activities to choose from. This blog post will round up the top 7 things to do with kids in Hampton Roads.
Best Things To Do With Kids in Hampton Roads
We are lucky to live in the area that we do! For the most part, the weather is tolerable year-round. This means outdoor activities, like going to local parks, are easy and fun for kids. But sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate. Or sometimes we are looking for activities that are a bit more stimulating and different from your average local park. This list includes a little of both.
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
With a newly renovated wing, the Virginia Aquarium is an excellent choice for a fun day out. The exhibits allow children to get a glimpse of the marine life living in our area. From daily shark feedings to occasional mermaid visits in the tank, there is plenty for the kids to be excited about. The aquarium also features interactive exhibits where kids get to touch rays and learn about what it takes to be a veterinarian or field biologist. The aquarium also offers annual Military Days, so be on the lookout for those special tickets!
Children’s Museum of Virginia
The Children’s Museum is located in Portsmouth. It is an absolute blast, and one of my own daughter’s top requests as a rainy day activity. In the museum, you will find a number of fun exhibits for kids to explore. There is a special toddler area, complete with soft play blocks and climbing structures. In the main area, there is a bubble room and various imaginative play stations. My oldest particularly loves the grocery store, while my youngest could spend her whole visit at the vet’s office. There is also a designated room for rotational exhibits, either on loan or season. Stop in around winter and check out the “sock skating” rink!
Virginia Air & Space Science Center
Located in Hampton, the Air & Space Center is the official NASA visitor center for Langley. Since we can sometimes see NASA launch their rockets from Wallops Island, it is natural that kids may show some interest in space exploration. The center has air and spacecraft on display. They also have a STEM center for kids, allowing them to explore and play while learning about space. It’s definitely worth a visit for a unique indoor kids activity!
Historic Tours
Although perhaps not top of your list when thinking about fun things to do with kids in Hampton Roads, historic tours are a great option. Our area is home to the historic cities of Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown. My own daughter particularly enjoyed visiting the Jamestown settlement where she learned that Pocahontas was a real person. Colonial Williamsburg is another can’t miss! There you will find historic houses to tour, with tour guides dressed in period clothing. The gardens are lovely, and they have an adorable area to do some shopping.
Virginia Living Museum
Home to injured, non-releasable, and orphaned local animals, the Virginia Living Museum offers exhibits to educate kids about the local wildlife. Along with the native wildlife, you will also find a large collection of native plants to learn about here. But perhaps the most exciting part for kids is the Dinosaur Discovery Trail, featuring realistic dinosaur statues and a play area that allows kids to pretend to be paleontologists, discovering fossils. If your child is a dinosaur lover like my youngest, this is a can’t miss activity!
Busch Gardens & Water Country USA
Virginia’s very own theme park and water park are located in Williamsburg. The water park is only open in the summer, but Busch Gardens is open year round and even offers seasonal events. You can go at Halloween, Christmas, even St. Patrick’s day and attend a fun celebration. Even more exciting? Busch Gardens offers the Waves of Honor program, which gives activity duty service members and their dependents free tickets once a year! You definitely don’t want to miss such a wonderful opportunity.
Beaches, the Ultimate Fun Thing To Do With Kids in Hampton Roads
And of course, no list of things to do with kids in Hampton Roads would be complete without mentioning the beaches. We have quite a few beaches to choose from in the area, and you can’t go wrong with any of them. If you are looking to be a tourist for a day, the Virginia Beach Oceanfront is the way to go. The giant statue of King Triton is sure to be a hit with the kiddos! I recommend Sandbridge for a more kid friendly feel. They even have a playground to break up the day a bit. And, for a more private experience, military families should check out Fort Story or Little Creek beaches. Since you need base access to get to them, you will be able to avoid the crowds at the other beaches.
Things To Do With Kids in Hampton Roads
There’s no doubt about it, there are so many fun things to do with kids in Hampton Roads. This is by no means a complete list, just some of the ideas that stand out the most to me. I would love to hear your ideas if you have more!
I believe this time with our kids is precious. We should be doing everything we can to make their memories special. And if you are in the market for a Hampton Roads family photographer to preserve those special memories, I would love to be considered! Reach out today and we can chat about your dream season.
