Does being slow, small or sleepy have advantages? Sometimes, yes! Survival of the Slowest takes its time and proves just that. Featuring a variety of live animals, this touring exhibition [...]
From air to sea to land, discover ways first responders help those in distress. Do you have what it takes to be a hero? Dive into a high-intensity experience where [...]
Little Nature Explorers is a weekly outdoor program created for young children ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers. This free event takes place every Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. in the beautiful setting of the Garden. It combines early childhood learning with the magic of nature, offering a fresh experience each week. Each session features a new topic that includes story time, hands-on art, and outdoor discovery. Through movement, creativity, and close observation, children explore the natural world in ways that are both educational and fun. The program encourages curiosity, builds sensory awareness, and fosters early connections to [...]
Learn & Play at the Orchard Mondays & Tuesdays @ 10:30 AM June 1–August 25, 2026 Cultivating Curiosity is Carter Mountain Orchard’s weekly children’s program, running every Monday and Tuesday during the summer. The program is geared towards ages 3-8, and all ages are welcome. Sessions include storytime, a take-home craft, pick-your-own fruit (in season), and a snack. Themes include apples, peaches, pumpkins, flowers, bees, and more! - Arrive at least 15 minutes early to register. - No drop-offs — an adult must be with children at all times.
Join for an open studio-style cake decorating session with all the tools and materials to make your own mini wedding cake. The perfect midweek treat, our self-guided sessions include piping [...]
Program Type: Drop-In Ages: Ages 2-5, with Adult Access: Included with Admission Toddler Yoga & Movement explores and encourages physical wellness and emotional regulation in early childhood development through mindfulness, stretching, games, and play. This program is led by Programs & Administrative Coordinator Emily Pearcy, a certified 95-hour registered children’s yoga teacher. She has 4 years of experience teaching children ranging from infancy to age 13 and received her certification through Kidding Around Yoga, a Yoga Alliance recognized program.
Sensory Exploration for Littles Baby Buds is an open-exploration activity time for newborns, infants, and toddlers and their parents and caregivers that encourages physical growth, social-emotional development, and emerging language skills. Engage in structured activities and sensory stations focused on tactile stimulation, sound, light, and art. Ages: 0-24 Months (with Adult) When: Thursdays (See Calendar) Time: 10:30-11:00 a.m.
Ages 5-8. Required registration begins August 3. A Monthly STEM Adventure with NRAO Come create, experiment, and dive into the wonder of making! Join the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) for a lively, hands-on program designed for early learners who love to build, test, and imagine. Whether they're designing mini-machines, exploring motion with playful challenges, or building models that show how the world works, kids will learn by doing—just like real engineers and inventors.
Join every Friday for freshly-baked cake scraps and fillings paired with a flight of premium ice cream from our friends at Sugar Bear Ice Cream! Our Ice Cream and Cake [...]
Join Hannah Barnaby, local author and bookseller, every Friday for an engaging storytime featuring the reading of 2–3 delightful books. CharlottesvilleFamily connects you with what matters most! From education resources and school guides to family health advice and seasonal activities in and around Cville, we cover it all. Don’t miss a thing—sign up for our free CharlottesvilleFamily e-Mag and get the latest straight to your inbox. And don’t miss the chance to meet our talented local partners who bring these resources to life.
Join the Frontier Culture Museum this January, February, and March for Toddler Time! Each Toddler Time at the Frontier Culture Museum will include a story time. Then, there will also be a hands-on historical activity and a craft to keep. January 10, 2026: Our first Toddler Time will be focused on historical music, instruments, and rhythms. Our small friends will have the opportunity to see, touch, and hear historical instruments. They will also have the chance to make and play their own! *Please be advised that this program will be loud and may affect friends who are sensitive to noise. January [...]
Join for Storytime! New Dominion’s weekly Storytime, held at 11 AM on Saturdays, features both recent storybooks and the classics kids know and love. Rain or shine. All ages welcome. Bring a friend! Running late? No problem—they’ll be reading from a variety of books during each Storytime hour. Happy Learning! Explore helpful resources in our blogs for Cville families—like how to identify your child’s learning style, ways parents can support homework success, local school news, and practical tips for helping your preschooler dress themselves. Be sure to sign up for our free CharlottesvilleFamily e-Mag so you’ll receive weekly or monthly (you [...]
The Greenwood Community Center offers public roller-skating on Saturday Nights 6pm-8pm. Admission is $3 to rent skates and $2 if you have your own skates. Roller blades are allowed. No metal wheels! Skating Rink is available for private skating parties! CharlottesvilleFamily connects you with what matters most! From education resources and school guides to family health advice and seasonal activities in and around Cville, we cover it all. Don’t miss a thing—sign up for our free CharlottesvilleFamily e-Mag and get the latest straight to your inbox. And don’t miss the chance to meet our talented local partners who bring these [...]
Join for a free Butterfly Walk led by local naturalist Nancy Weiss. This guided tour offers a unique opportunity to explore native butterflies and the plants that help them thrive. Whether you’re a gardener, a nature lover, or just curious about pollinators, this walk is sure to inspire. As you walk through BGP’s meadows and pollinator-friendly plantings, Nancy will point out butterflies like monarchs, swallowtails, and skippers. In fact, you’ll learn how to identify them by their colors, patterns, and behaviors. Throughout the tour, Nancy will highlight essential host and nectar plants that butterflies rely on throughout their life cycles. Additionally, she’ll explain [...]
Sing, dance, decorate a snowflake wand, and take photos with Elsa at this Summer Snow Day! Child Ticket: $55 Adults: Free! Save $10 if you purchase before 8/16 at midnight!
Enjoy free entry into Shenandoah National Park in recognition of the 110th anniversary of the National Park Service.
Moms Lit Society meets quarterly at 6:30pm at Starr Hill Brewery inside Dairy Market—a cozy, welcoming space where you can enjoy a drink, browse books, and join in meaningful conversation. You do not have to have read the book to join. Meet the author! Join us on August 25 for a book club featuring Elizabeth Becker’s The Moonlight Healers. Elizabeth Becker’s debut novel follows generations of women bound by a secret gift of healing, intertwining World War II France and present-day Appalachia to explore family legacy, sacrifice, and the fragile balance between life, death, and love. August 25, 2026: The Moonlight [...]
Ages 7-10 For young dancers who love ballet and are ready for more individual attention. Small-group classical ballet training for Charlottesville-area homeschool dancers. FREE Trial Class Limited to 8 dancers for individualized attention and focused classical training. Led by former Hamburg Ballet dancer Anna Finan, with over nine years of teaching experience in Charlottesville.