15 FREE Things To Do With Kids in & Around Charlotte

1. Airport Overlook

   We visited the new Aviation Museum for my dad's birthday this past August, and while that isn't free, the new play area and overlook just a short drive away is! It's in a perfect location to watch the planes take off and has a brand new playground for little and big kids, with plenty of benches and picnic tables. Go during the cooler season, as it gets hot.

2. Imaginon/First Ward Splash Park/Light Rail

   This is my favorite outing on the list. We took the Light Rail (the S. Blvd/485 stop) and rode it until 7th Street stop, which is right across from Imaginon. There, we were able to catch a Story Time (for ages 0-5) starting at 10:30, then the kids explored the books and museum inside, and we checked out some new books. We walked across the street to First Ward Park, where there were several splash pads. We had a picnic lunch in the park and the kids cooled off, then we took the light rail back. A full day, and totally free. In the winter, just skip the splash pad and do the park.

   

3. Pet Store

   Petco, a dog shelter, Pet Smart, or any local pet store - my kids love visiting. We start with the fish, then move on to reptiles, and birds and occasionally they will have cats, too. We talk about what they eat, their behaviors, their environment, all kinds of things. Sometimes the employees will even let you pet them or you can watch them get fed.

   
   

4. Mountain Island Beach

   Mountain Island Beach was a random discovery. I took the kids for a hike but did not know it would lead us to a beach. I chose the Mountain Island Park Trail because it was only a mile and a half, and mostly gravel - doable for a 2 and 4 year old (I brought my carrier for Ollie). Halfway in, there was a cove with a beach area, so we were able to unload and have a picnic there. The kids played at the water's edge. There were several boats nearby, and one came by and joined us.

   
   

5. Stumptown & Pineville Lake Concerts

   These are typically in the summer. Every June around my birthday, the Charlotte Symphony will play a free concert in the park at Stumptown in Matthews. We will bring a blanket and have a picnic as the sky darkens. They also do this at Pineville Lake Park. Sit up front so your kids can see the instruments, they will be much more interested and "in tune" with what's going on.

6. Draper Wildlife Management Sunflower Fields

   Each July, I pack the kids in the car for a ride down to York, NC. It's about a 45 minute drive, but worth it. If you go at just the right time in the season, you can see the most beautiful sunflowers. This area is free to explore. Just take the short marked trail to the fields, and they go on for quite a while. Great opportunity to photos. You can also make a little lesson out of it and talk about caring for wild areas like this, seeds, why they face toward the sun or droop, etc.

7. Parades

   So many great parades to catch in and around Charlotte! Some of my favorites:

   Fall: Mint Hill Madness

   Winter: Waxhaw Christmas parade, Fort Mill parade

   Summer: Waxhaw 4th of July parade

   Indian Trail 4th of July parade

   Matthews Alive (Labor Day)

   
   

   There are so many others - these are just the ones I've attended and enjoyed. They spark great conversations. "Why are they dressed like that? What's a Boy Scout?" and they love the candy - It's a concrete way to support our community.

8. Movies in the Park

   There are several of these to check out. Promenade, Ballantyne, and my personal favorite is at White Water Center (free if you have the yearly pass). These are usually only available in the summer, spring, or fall seasons.

9. Home Depot

   We spent a lot of time here because we are renovating our home. The aisles are huge and the kids can run without really breaking anything. Dogs are permitted so we often bring Chuck. We love the garden center and just walking around looking at all the plants. And we always visit the paint center to get free paint chips for crafting and art projects.

   
   

10. IKEA

    IKEA is in north Charlotte, closer to University Area. It's a bright, cheerful place with interesting setups for kids to look at. I will just take my little guy and just work the aisles, stopping along the way and sometimes I buy things, sometimes I don't. They also have a play area for kids called Smaland, but I haven't been able to use that with Ollie yet as they have to be potty trained-but it gives you childcare for an hour.

11. Nature Preserves & Centers - yes, they are free!

Latta Plantation- This one is located in Huntersville, just outside of Charlotte. They have Quest Nature Center (fun fact: my husband's plumbing company put in all the bathrooms/sinks here!) with animal exhibits and educational play areas indoors, then there are hiking trails from the parking there.

Stevens Creek Nature Center & Preserve- This one is in Mint Hill. The Nature Center has native animals and exhibits - you can even rent a room to have a party there, with 3 miles of trails (he also did all the plumbing in the learning center here, too! :)

Evergreen Nature Preserve- Evergreen doesn't have a Nature Center like the others, but it does have good hiking. There's a restroom at the parking lot, then trails meander throughout. We took the trail until it met with Sheffield Park, let the kids play on the playground and get water, then hiked out.

McDowell Nature Preserve- McDowell is also a little far from south Charlotte but worth the drive! They've got a great Nature Center with live animals and really helpful staff as well as an outdoor nature scape play area. This one is also great for littles because theres a 3/4 mile loop trail leading right from the Nature Center so it's short and you can't lose your way.

Reedy Creek Nature Center- I've been going to Reedy Creek since I was a kid. They recently added an outdoor play area with a treehouse structure. They also have a Nature Center and learning programs in the summer, plus trails.

12. Best Parks (that don't require an entrance fee)

    Squirrel Lake Story Walk and Creek- This park is located in Matthews. It has a playground, restroom, and plenty of picnic areas. But what I like best about it is that it has a pond and sometimes you can watch fisherman or wildlife down by the water, plus it has a creek to wade in and a Story Walk.

    
    

    Pineville Lake Park- They have a Story Time on Wednesdays at 9:30 from April - October, a paved trail around the lake, and a splashpad. We have also watched sailboat races here.

    
    

    Freedom Park- You can feed the ducks, walk the paved trail, play on the Carolina Panthers playground, walk on the steam locomotive, watch a game, attend one of the festivals they have there

    
    

    Colonel Beatty Park - Colonel Beatty has two playgrounds, lots of hiking trails, one of the best places for biking trails, and a pond that you could even take the kids to fish or kayak in.

    
    

    Purser Hulsey Park- There is no playground here, but they have something better - an Enchanted Forest. Cross a meadow from the parking area and you will be brought to a trail marked with butterflies pinned to trees. There are several painted rock gardens, handmade wooden tents and trails for the kids to play on and walk. There's also several bike trails here and a community garden.

    
    

13. McDonald's off Rea Road

When I asked my friend where a good place would be to bring the kids on a cold winter day, she suggested McDonald's. I had an idea that it would be dark and dirty (80s childhood), but this one is awesome! It's very large with big bay windows, and booths where you can even order from your table and they bring it out to you. There's a large playspace for the kids. We spent 2 hours here and the kids just played while we talked. 10 out of 10

14. Sam's Car Wash

    This one isn't free, but...for ten dollars you get to zoom through the wash, hear all the sounds, watch a giant hairbrush scrub down your car, get disco lighting, and a full blow dry on your way out. As if that isn't enough, you can pull into their vacuum area, put on kid's podcast and let them listen while you get to use their vacuums and you don't have to haul yours outside your house with 3 extension cords.

15. Construction

    When in doubt, visit a construction site. The thrills! Charlotte is growing and there is always something to see. You can even bring along some of their construction vehicles to look for matches. They will notice it all and have questions, and if you get out, they will start playing in the dirt.

Hope you get out there and explore.