Looking for budget-friendly and free things to do with kids in Charlottesville and the surrounding counties?
As a mom to lots of littles (four kids five and under, thanks to unexpected twins at the tail end!), I personally find that getting all or part of my crew out of the house helps all of us. However, this is a season where we don’t have much wiggle room in the budget, so I’m always looking for things around town to take my kids to do that don’t cost too much extra money – or, preferably, are free!
Thankfully, Charlottesville is a wonderful place for families, and keeping kids entertained doesn’t have to be expensive. Whether you’re looking for music, art, sports, museums, outdoor adventures, educational experiences, or rainy-day activities, this guide covers the best free and low-cost activities for families in and around Charlottesville.
12 Low-Cost & Free Things To Do With Kids in Charlottesville
1. Explore the Virginia Discovery Museum’s Pay-What-You-Can Days (or other low-cost ways to go!)
The Virginia Discovery Museum on the Downtown Mall is one of my preschool- and kindergarten-aged kids’ favorite destinations—and even littler ones can join in on the hands-on, interactive fun! My son loves cooking up and serving pretend meals in the restaurant, while my daughter loves playing in what we call “the old-fashioned house.”
While general admission is $10, there are several ways to go more cheaply, or even for free:
- The museum occasionally offers “Pay-What-You-Can” days, making it an affordable option for all families.
- The museum also generously offers free entry to kids who meet a large variety of categories, such as kids on Medicaid, WIC, or who are involved in a long list of partner programs that can be found on the museum’s website.
- Lastly, the library has passes to the Discovery Museum! Put them on hold through the Library of Things page on JMRL’s website.
Bonus: Check out the museum’s rotating STEM exhibits and pretend play areas, perfect for toddlers and young kids.
2. Go on a Mural Hunt in Downtown Charlottesville
Charlottesville is home to vibrant murals and public art, making a fun and free scavenger hunt for kids. Take a stroll through the Downtown Mall and surrounding areas, particularly down West Main, to spot colorful street art and unique installations. This is a great free thing to do with kids and you can always plan a stop for a donut or ice cream treat too!
Must-See Murals & Public Art:
- IX Art Park Murals – A collection of ever-changing, interactive, and colorful murals perfect for photo ops, and a bonus (very unique!) play area too. BONUS TIP: Bring chalk to add your own art!
- The Charlottesville LOVE Sign – Located near the Downtown Mall, this iconic sculpture is part of the statewide “Virginia is for Lovers” campaign. Have your kids peek through the O for a cute photo op!
- Community Chalkboard & Free Speech Wall – A giant chalkboard where kids (and adults) can leave their own artistic mark. BONUS: it’s right by the Discovery Museum’s free carousel, so hop on for a spin after!
- The ‘I Love Charlottesville a Lot’ Sign – Located a bit past the Downtown Mall in Belmont, this is another fun photo op spot, and kids can touch the tires that are built into the words.
Encourage kids to count how many murals they find or bring along a sketchbook to draw their favorites. This is a great way to explore Charlottesville while appreciating its local art scene—without spending a dime!
3. Take a Kid-Friendly Hike Near Charlottesville
Hiking is a great free activity that lets kids burn off energy while exploring the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain region. Charlottesville and the surrounding area have plenty of easy, family-friendly trails perfect for all ages. Add a picnic and you’ll have a full day of free fun for the whole family!
Or if your kids, like mine, are still learning how to build stamina while hiking, pick a spot that’s more paved path than trail in the woods and bring along their bikes or scooters.
Where to Go:
- Rivanna Trail – A scenic in-town option that connects multiple parks. Riverview Park is a great entry point for families. You can start or end at the playground there, and also pause to let one of your toddlers throw sticks in the river while the other sits on a bench to complain (ask me how I know).
- Ivy Creek Natural Area – Offers a variety of trails (including many that are very doable for kids!) in the woods and along a stream. Definitely try to join in on their free ‘Little Naturalists’ program (more details on that in #12 below!).
- Saunders-Monticello Trail – A stroller-friendly boardwalk trail with gorgeous views. The downside is that parking in their lot means a mainly uphill climb. If you have multiple adults and multiple cars to work with, one pro trip is to drop off one car in the parking lot at the bottom, drive everyone to park near Monticello at the top, then only walk downhill!
- Shenandoah National Park Trails – Free entrance days are offered several times a year!
For a full list of the best kid-friendly hikes, visit CharlottesvilleFamily’s Hiking Guide.
4. Play at McGuffey Park & Visit the McGuffey Art Center
Located just off the Downtown Mall, McGuffey Park is a shady, modern playground perfect for toddlers and big kids alike – my kids love the abundance of ‘spinny things’ here! Right next door, the McGuffey Art Center showcases local artists’ work, and families are welcome to browse for free. Check for Open Studio Days and First Friday tours.
Why It’s Great:
- Watch artists at work in open studios.
- Explore changing art exhibits featuring local talent.
- Let kids run off energy at the playground’s climbing structures and swings.
5. Walk the Historic UVA Grounds & Find Edgar Allan Poe’s Room
You’ll find one of our favorite free things to do with kids in Charlottesville right in the middle of the downtown: a self-guided family tour of the University of Virginia Rotunda. You can just walk right in! And once you’ve visited the Rotumda, there are plenty of other nearby stops to explore the historic campus, designed by Thomas Jefferson.
Must-See Stops:
- The Lawn (a great place to just let the kids run!) and the oldest student rooms still in use.
- The walled gardens that run along the outside of the Lawn are all open to the public. Wander through a few and see how each one is a little bit different, and stop to notice the unique design of the outer serpentine walls.
- The Fralin Museum of Art, which offers by-donation entry and kid-friendly exhibits.
- Edgar Allan Poe’s Room (#13 West Range), a preserved dorm room where the famous poet lived as a student in the 1820s. Kids will enjoy getting to push the button to hear the audio recording that shares about this spooky piece of history.
- The grassy area across from the Corner, featuring the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers, is another place kids can run freely – grab some food from a spot on the Corner and carry it across the street here for a picnic.
Bonus Tip: Play Pokemon Go on grounds to keep the kids engaged!
6. Visit the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Museum
While many associate UVA with the museum, the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection is actually located in the Pantops area of Charlottesville. It is the only museum in the U.S. dedicated to Indigenous Australian art and offers free admission with a suggested donation.
Why It’s Great:
- Interactive exhibits introducing kids to Indigenous Australian storytelling and culture.
- Hands-on family programs on select weekends.
- Small enough for young kids to explore without getting overwhelmed.
Looking for more museums? Find 13 Charlottesville Museums & Attractions to visit with your family!
7. Free Library Storytime, Craft Kits, & Board Game Checkouts
If you’re looking for free things to do with kids in Charlottesville, don’t forget how much the local Jefferson-Madison Regional Library has to offer beyond just books to check out. Each of our local branches of the JMRL library have toys available for kids, regular story times, and other events, as well as prepped crafts and coloring pages you can take home with you. You can even check out toys, board games, and STEM learning sets to take home from their Library of Things!
Programs Include:
- Toddler & Baby Storytime (interactive music and rhymes)
- Bilingual Storytime (Spanish & English)
- LEGO & STEM Days for school-age kids
- A summer 2025 line-up of weekly performances across all library branches for kids of all ages, and a summer reading challenge where kids can earn prizes!
If the weather is nice and we have extra time to fill, we sometimes head to a playground after visiting our local library branches. Here are some of my favorite pairings:
- Gordon Library + Trailblazer Elementary school playground (on a non-school day – head to Washington Park if school is in session!)
- Central Library + McGuffy Park
- Northside Library + Pen Park
- Scottsville Library + Dorrier Park
8. Explore Pen Park & Play at Bennett’s Village Playground
Pen Park is one of the largest parks in Charlottesville, offering wide open spaces, scenic walking trails, and one of the area’s best playgrounds. My kids love the instrument area of the playground, as well as exploring beyond the playground into the natural area just below. It’s a great spot for kids of all ages to run, play, and explore.
Why It’s Great for Families:
- Bennett’s Village playground – Charlottesville’s first fully inclusive, all-abilities playground
- Paved walking & biking trail – Perfect for young kids learning to ride a bike or scooter
- Open fields – Great for kite flying, soccer, frisbee, or just running around
- Shaded picnic shelters – Ideal for a free outdoor lunch or snack break
- Tennis & pickleball courts – Bring your own equipment for a free game
If you’re looking for a versatile outdoor space with something for toddlers, big kids, and parents alike, Pen Park is a must-visit for free family fun.
9. Play Disc Golf at Walnut Creek Park, Meadowcreek Gardens & Chris Greene Lake
Need free activities in Charlottesville for slightly older kids? Charlottesville and Albemarle County have several free disc golf courses that make for a fun, active family outing. Bring your own discs and enjoy the challenge of these scenic courses.
Where to Play:
- Walnut Creek Park – A wooded 18-hole course with varied terrain
- Meadowcreek Gardens Disc Golf Course – A shorter, beginner-friendly course located near Charlottesville High School
- Chris Greene Lake Park – A mix of open and wooded holes near the lake
Bonus: Some of these parks also have sandy beaches for swimming! Entry does include a small fee of $2 for Albemarle County children, $3 for Albemarle County adults, and $1-2 more for non-county residents.
10. Free Outdoor Concerts & Festivals
If you’re a family of music lovers, some of our favorite free activities in Charlottesville are the many outdoor music events. While you can keep an eye out for individual events, plan on spending a Friday evening at the Downtown Mall for Fridays After Five! Head downtown on a Friday evening to grab some food, take a spin on the Discovery Museum’s carousel, and color on the Free Speech Wall. Then head into the Ting Pavillion for a free concert! Check out the Summer 2025 Lineup to pick your favorites.
Another free summer fun activity is to enjoy Polo at King Family Vineyard. And no matter what time of year it is, you’ll be able to find wonderful, local family festivals!
11. Cheer on the Charlottesville Tom Sox Baseball Team
Catch a budget-friendly summer baseball game with the Charlottesville Tom Sox, the city’s collegiate summer league team. Games are held at Charlottesville High School. While technically not a free thing to do with kids in Charlottesville, admission is just $5 per carload, making it an affordable way to enjoy America’s pastime. Bring all your friends!
Why It’s Great:
- Family-friendly atmosphere
- Special theme nights and giveaways
- Kids can run the bases after the game
12. Attend a Free Nature Program
There are two spots I know of that each offer a regular, free nature program for kids – both of which my kids have enjoyed!
- We had such a sweet time at the Ivy Creek Little Naturalists program – we started in their building with a nature-themed book and craft (ours was about camouflage!) then all went on a very doable hike together on their trails. Check out the full schedule!
- Botanical Garden of the Piedmont also offers a variety of free programs for kids of all ages! We’ve enjoyed their “Little Nature Explorers in the Garden” series (also featuring a nature-focused craft or activity), but they have many other kid-friendly options.
Looking for more activities on the go? We’ve rounded up some of our favorite family-friendly day trips for dinosaur lovers, science enthusiasts, and young artists!
There are dozens of free activities in Charlottesville for families, from nature trails and playgrounds to free concerts, art galleries, and baseball games. Whether you’re looking for outdoor fun, educational experiences, or a rainy-day escape, there’s something for every family—without breaking the bank.
Caroline Swartz recently made an unexpected return to Virginia after six years abroad due to her twins’ premature birth. Now a stay-at-home-mom to four, she enjoys reading, thrifting, and exploring what Charlottesville has to offer in this stage of life!