With its year around outdoor weather, Raleigh is a great city to raise children in. There’s always something to do outside and there are lots of museums and other indoor activities as well. Regardless of how old your kids are or what their interests are, there’s bound to be something on this list that will make them happy, and keep you entertained as well. So without any more preamble, let’s look at the top 10 family activities in Raleigh.
1. Jumpin JoJo’s
Numerous Yelp reviewers have noted how clean JoJo’s facilities are, and how helpful the staff are. Inside you’ll find lots of different bounce houses and other games for kids to enjoy. The atmosphere is great and as a parent you’ll be able to relax as your kids run around and have fun in a safe environment. The prices are affordable and they a limited selection of snacks in case your kids get hungry. Just make sure your kids have socks, as they won’t be allowed on the bounce houses without them.
2. Marbles Kids Museum
Marbles is the perfect place to take your kids without having to worry about them touching the exhibits or making too much noise. There are interactive displays for kids of all ages, and numerous parents have noted that their kids love Marbles and want to go back again and again. If it’s raining outside or the weather is too hot for the playground, Marbles may be just the spot that you’ve been looking for.
3. Frankie’s Fun Court
Frankie’s fun court is great for the whole family because they have lots of games for the kids, and also a chill out zone for the adults. A cafe inside means that you won’t have to worry about packing food. There are lots of games for kids of all ages, including go karts and laser tag, which means any of your older children will still probably enjoy the experience. Outside there is also mini golf, which many adults have been known to get into from time to time.
4. The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
This might not be the best spot if you have children under five, but otherwise it’s a fantastic place to spend time with the family. The museum is free to get into and features numerous interactive exhibits. There are also lots of interesting skeletons from animals like whales, sharks, and dinosaurs. Some of the newer exhibits will be interesting for adults as well, like the iMax theater and the 3-D printing section. The museum is packed with things to do and you’ll easily be able to spend the whole day here with the family.
5. City Market
City market might not have interactive activities for the kids, but it is a great place to take the family to teach everyone about healthy eating and where food actually comes from. There are dozens of vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables, and $20 is enough to buy all you need to have a fantastic dinner. On top of the fresh fruits and veggies, there are also stalls selling great dishes like BBQ chicken, which means you can eat lunch while you’re shopping and looking at all the fresh produce.
6. Adventure Landing
Adventure Landing is agreat amusement park located in Raleigh that has all sorts of cool activities for the whole family. There are rides, mini golf, laser tag, and even an arcade. Reviewers on Yelp have also pointed out that the pizza is good, which means you’ll be able to stay here the whole day.
7. Three Bears Acres
Located on the outskirts of the Raleigh Durham area, Three Bears Acres is a fifty-acre facility designed for families with children of all ages. Outside there are unique activities as well as playgrounds for children to enjoy. Not only that, but Three Bears Acres is also the perfect place to host a birthday or family reunion. With lots of room outdoors you can accommodate the whole family and have room to spare.
8. Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center
The aquatic center is the perfect place to visit during on the of the hot days that Raleigh is well known for. It features several indoor pools as well as a large water slide. Even if you have younger children they’ll still be able to enjoy the aquatic center owing to the unique pools designed for younger children. The aquatic center is a great place to take the family too and everyone is guaranteed to have fun!
9. 401 Par Golf
401 Par Golf is designed to be fun for everyone in the family, even dad. A driving range gives you the chance to practice your swing and see how far you can hit a ball. The mini golf is a great deal as it’s only $3 for kids under 13. You can bring the whole family and you won’t end up paying more than you want to. In addition, 401 Par Golf also offers golf lessons if you want to come back regularly and work on golf. The location might mean a bit of a drive, but it’s a great chance to get out of the house and do something fun with the family.
10. Pullen Park
You might be surprised to find out that Pullen Park is the 16th oldest amusement park in America. It’s not just the history that makes this park exciting though, there’s a lot to do here for everyone in the whole family. There is an indoor park, a mini train, kiddie boats, and even paddle boats that can accommodate people up to four people. On top of this, there are also fun arts and crafts activities like painting, printmaking, jewelry making, and glass arts. If you have younger children in your family, there is a playground that is designed for children of four different age groups. Finally, Pullen park even has softball fields and tennis courts. That means there’s something for everyone here. Pullen park is conveniently located and it’s a great place to spend the day with your family and friends.