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toddler activities charlotte nc

As a local mom of two toddlers, I’ve been on a mission to find the best toddler activities in Charlotte NC where my kids can explore, play, and burn off some of their endless energy—without totally wearing me out in the process. Off the Eaten Path’s guide to toddler activities in Charlotte NC is packed with tried-and-true toddler-friendly outings across the Queen City, from splash pads and playgrounds to hands-on museums and hidden gem farms.

A young child with blonde hair walks on green grass among large, colorful toy blocks, with more children and adults playing in the background under a clear, sunny sky.

The Best Activities to Do with Toddlers in Charlotte NC 

Let’s be real: planning activities with toddlers can feel like herding cats… if the cats perpetually had food stuck to their face and deep passions about selecting the correct color cup. 

A woman helps a young child feed two goats through a wire fence at a barn, with straw on the ground and greenery visible outside.

I’ve lived in Charlotte, North Carolina for almost thirteen years, but what once was a website about exploring a new-to-me city one bite at a time, we now have two toddlers of our own, so we’ve been in the business of testing all the kid corners of the Queen City (including places like farmers markets, restaurants and more!). Our two little ones are three and one, and we all have a deep appreciation for activities that are fun, flexible, and don’t end in a meltdown (for them or me).

If you’re a fellow parent, grandparent, caregiver, or just someone Googling “things to do with toddlers in Charlotte before I lose my mind,” this post is for you. From interactive museums to shaded parks, these are real-deal recommendations from a mom in the trenches—and yes, every single one has been approved by my tiny, very vocal in-house critics. 

A person pushes a stroller with a baby, a smiling young child stands nearby holding snacks, and a black dog is on a leash. They are on a bridge with a large white building and greenery in the background under a clear sky.

Whether you’re a local or just visiting the Queen City with a toddler in tow, I’ve rounded up the very best activities that are toddler-tested, parent-approved and fun for the whole family.

IMAGINON: THE JOE & JOAN MARTIN CENTER

300 East Seventh Street, Charlotte, NC 28202

Monday to Thursday 9:00am – 8:00pm
Friday to Saturday 9:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday 1:00pm – 5:00pm

Looking for a magical mix of educational play and creative wonder?

ImaginOn is part library, part theater, and part interactive play space—all wrapped up in a beautiful, stroller-friendly building right in Uptown at E. 7th St.

ImaginOn is a joint venture between the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. The building includes a kid-friendly library zone, cozy reading nooks, costume corners, and sensory play areas. Check their schedule for daily and weekly interactive story times, or buy tickets to one of several award-winning, professional theater productions (several of which are toddler appropriate with shorter runtimes and lively storytelling) hosted in The McColl Family Theatre or Wells Fargo Playhouse.

A young child in a red shirt sits in the driver’s seat of a large green tractor, holding the steering wheel and looking forward. Sunlight shines through the cab’s windows, and the sky is clear and blue outside.

TOUCH-A-TRUCK EVENTS

Touch-a-Truck events in the Charlotte area are a toddler’s dream come true, offering hands-on experiences with a variety of vehicles and the opportunity to meet local heroes. These events are designed to be both fun and educational, allowing young children to explore fire trucks, ambulances, trash and recycling trucks, police cars, construction vehicles, and more. Many are hosted by local municipalities in Mecklenburg County and beyond, as well as local neighborhoods and churches.

A young child in a red sweater stands in front of a large red Salisbury fire truck with open doors, looking up at its shiny grill and equipment on a sunny day.

FREE STORYTIME AT LOCAL LIBRARIES 

Most Charlotte Mecklenburg libraries offer Baby Time, Toddler Time, and Family Storytime, and some branches even include bubbles, songs, and simple crafts. All you need to do for this low-effort, free outing is check the online calendar of your local branch, as times vary by location.

Two adults and two young children lean over a large artificial rock in an indoor exhibit, looking at something below; the adults have backpacks, and the children appear interested and curious.

DISCOVERY PLACE

Discovery Place is a local non profit organization focused on education and exploration with three locations in Charlotte, each of them a little bit different: 

DISCOVERY PLACE KIDS-HUNTERSVILLE

105 Gilead Road Huntersville, NC 28078

Monday Closed
Tuesday to Thursday 9:30am-3:30pm
Friday to Sunday 9:30am-4:30pm

Discovery Place Kids is the ultimate children’s museum: colorful, hands-on, and chaotic in the best possible way.

This children’s museum is the perfect place where kids can learn through play and using their imagination. It’s one big zone for curious little hands, full of hands on exhibits like driving a firetruck or shopping at a grocery store where kids can explore everything by touching, climbing and pushing all of the buttons.

Discovery Place Kids also offers special daily activities like story times and science shows, and also has sensory friendly hours.

DISCOVERY PLACE SCIENCE

168 W. 6th Street, Charlotte NC 28202

Monday to Friday 9:00am – 4:00 pm
Saturday 10:30 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday 10:30 am – 4:00 pm

Discovery Place Science is often thought of as a place for “big kids;” and while the main museum is geared towards older children, it is a great place for kids of all ages!

Toddlers will love the KidScience zone; a gated area for ages 0 to 7 with soft blocks, water tables, tunnels and plenty to touch. After all, hands on learning is fun!

A small child with blond hair, wearing a green shirt and jeans, walks on a brick path in a lush garden surrounded by vibrant plants and greenery.

CHARLOTTE MUSEUM OF NATURE

Writers note: The former site of Discovery Place Nature (which has newly been named the Charlotte Museum of Nature) is currently under construction with plans to open in 2026.

In the heart of Dilworth near Freedom Park, toddlers can meet live animals, visit a butterfly pavilion, explore a shaded nature trail and play in a natural play area outdoors.

INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS AND PLAY PLACES

Indoor playgrounds and play places are the perfect places for energetic toddlers who want to bounce, build and burn off energy (they can throw themselves in ball pits or foam pits, explore an obstacle course, bounce on a trampoline or slide down slides), and tired adults (many serve coffee, food and other treats!). An indoor playground is perfect for a rainy day and many host birthday parties!

Here are some of the best in the greater Charlotte NC area:

  • Grow Play Cafe (University): Modern space with great coffee and imaginative play 
  • Funtown Play Cafe (Lake Wylie): Clean, bright, and built for toddlers 
  • Spirited Sprout (Waxhaw): Montessori-style play and baby zone 
  • High Five Playhouse (Matthews): Open gym plus pretend play areas 
  • Playland (Pineville & Lake Norman): Big play structures and sensory zones 
  • The Playhouse (Fort Mill): Unique climbing structures and themed rooms 
  • Confetē Play and Soirée (Huntersville): Stylish and sweet with great photo ops 
  • Big Air Trampoline Park (Charlotte): Toddler time is safe, enclosed jumping fun (and stroller-friendly)

A young child with blond hair, wearing a blue and gray outfit, sits sideways on a green playground slide, looking to the left and smiling. The playground structure and trees are visible in the background.

OUTDOOR PLAYGROUNDS

Sometimes the best outings are free, close, and reliably fun. Charlotte is packed with amazing playgrounds, and we’ve tested a lot of them.

A man helps a young girl in a pink striped shirt as she slides down a blue double slide next to a boy in a blue shirt at a playground. Trees and playground equipment are visible in the background.

Our three year old personally hasn’t met a slide he didn’t love. Several playgrounds have a picnic area, so you can pack lunch and eat outside. These are our top picks for toddlers in the Charlotte area:

  • Freedom Park (Dilworth) Home to a fenced toddler area, train engine, walking paths and nearby ducks in the pond. 
  • Park Road Park (South Charlotte) Shaded with a dedicated toddler play structure 
  • Marion Diehl Park (Madison Park) Fully accessible playground with a rubber ground 
  • Stream Park Bowl at Ballantyne (Ballantyne) Hillside slides, hammocks, and walkable to food like Harriet’s Hamburgers and Honeysuckle Gelato (pro tip: grab pre playground coffee at Fly Kid Fly) 
  • Chantilly Park (Chantilly) A low key, neighborhood park with toddler-sized equipment.  
  • Latta Park (Dilworth) Shaded playground, splash pad and Hornets’ themed basketball court. 
  • Sedgefield Park (Sedgefield) Quiet and tucked into a neighborhood 
  • William R. Davie Park (South Charlotte) We love the slide here!   
  • Veterans Memorial Park (Plaza Midwood): Busy shaded play area and popular summer splash pad. 
  • Crooked Creek Park (Indian Trail): Huge playground and nature trail 
  • Pineville Lake Park (Pineville): Playground, paths around the lake and walkable to downtown Pineville restaurants and coffee shops 
  • Squirrel Lake Park (Matthews): Explore the outdoors in the heart of Matthews with a fishing pond and walking trails. 
  • Dan Nicholas Park (Kannapolis): splash pad, train rides, and farm animals 
  • Romare Bearden Park: Skyline views, water fountains, and easy access to all of what Uptown has to offer.

A black and white dog in a harness lies on blue playground flooring near an iced green drink, watching children play on a slide and grassy hill in the background. White buildings and trees are visible behind the playground.

As mentioned above, Charlotte is also home to several public splash pads which are perfect for water fun on hot afternoons. A few of our favorites:

  • Latta Park (Dilworth)
  • First Ward Park (Uptown)
  • Urban District Market (NoDa)
  • Veteran’s Memorial Park (Plaza Midwood)
  • Blakeney Town Center (South Charlotte)
  • Ray’s Splash Planet and Eastway Rec for winter, indoor water adventures

A young child in colorful shorts smiles while playing in a sunny splash pad with water fountains. Other children and adults are in the background, also enjoying the water on a bright day.

CLT Airport Overlook 

5130 Airport Overlook Drive, Charlotte, NC

Daily 8:00am-10:00pm

The recently redesigned Charlotte-Douglas International Airport Overlook features two aviation themed playgrounds, informative exhibits featuring aviation history in the Carolinas, and the highlight, a clear view of the Charlotte skyline and airport runways to watch planes take off and land. 

The playgrounds are mostly in the full sun, but there are shaded areas with benches and trees, covered picnic tables (and a rotation of visiting food trucks) and restrooms with baby changing stations.

Two young children wearing baseball caps sit in a playground airplane ride-on toy. A picnic table and grassy field are in the background, with an airplane visible in the sky above the horizon.

SULLENBERGER AVIATION MUSEUM

4108 Minuteman Way, Charlotte, NC 28208

Monday Closed
Tuesday to Saturday 10:00am – 4:30 pm
Sunday 12pm – 4:30 pm

The Sullenberger Aviation Museum (formerly the Carolinas Aviation Museum) lets kids get up close to real aircraft—without ever needing to take a flight. 

Across from Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the museum is home to 40 authentic aircraft and family friendly attractions (including the actual Miracle on the Hudson plane, a fenced outdoor observation area to watch planes land at the airport, paper airplane launch and more).

CAROWINDS

14523 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte NC 28273

Open daily in the summer at 10am

Big theme parks don’t always scream “toddler-friendly,” but Carowinds actually has an entire section called Camp Snoopy designed for little kids (and an entire section on their website full of tips for families). With toddler size rides, splash pads, shaded areas, and character meet and greets, this is the perfect place for family friendly fun with littles. Camp Snoopy also has a Family Care Center, a quiet, air-conditioned space for families with infants and toddlers, including diaper changing stations and nursing areas. 

Kids under 2 are free, and daily passes for children three and up (and adults) run about $40. Carowinds also offers an annual Pre K pass for kids aged 3 to 5 (with the purchase of a Gold or Prestige Season Pass ) which includes admission to two special events (Tricks and Treats and Winterfest).

Admission to Carowinds also includes admission to Carolina Harbor (Carowinds’ waterpark which is home to a lazy river and wave pool) which opens Memorial Day weekend.

SEA LIFE AQUARIUM

8111 Concord Mills Blvd Concord, NC 28027
Open daily 10:00am – 6:00 pm

Sea Life at Concord Mills is stroller-friendly, and packed with fish, jellyfish, turtles, and a tunnel that feels like you’re walking under the sea. Your kids will love walking through a glass tunnel under sharks and stingrays and the interactive touch tank. 

Bonus: it’s right next to the food court and family restrooms.

A young child smiles and reaches up toward giant colorful toy blocks outdoors on a sunny day, with another child and play structures visible in the background.

CAMP NORTH END

300 Camp Road, Charlotte NC 28206

The industrial creative space at Camp North End caters to people of all ages and is super family friendly. 

We love to spend a weekend morning at Camp: listening to live music (bonus if it’s my kids’ favorite band, the Jolly Lollies), building with life size legos on the lawn, and popping into a family story time at That’s Novel Books or participating in a free art workshop with the Broken Crayon (they offer free workshops every other month featuring art activities like planter painting and tote bag tie dye, which you have to register for in advance.) 

Two toddlers stand on a concrete surface, facing a stage where a band is performing outdoors. The toddlers appear to be dancing, and the scene is bright and sunny with people in the background.

Before heading home, we grab lunch at one of the food stalls or other restaurants, and do a little shopping (our three year old loves books so we shop around That’s Novel Books and I love plants so there is a must stop at Grow too).

Camp North End also has fun seasonal events like the North End Farmers Market in the spring and summer, the Mistletoe Market and Ice Skating in the winter, and Crossroads Cinema (outdoor movies) in the summer.

A toddler with blond hair sits on the ground outside, smiling and holding a maraca and a bell. Other children play in the background on a sunny day.

TAKE THEM OUT TO THE BALL GAME

Taking your toddler to a game? Trust us, it can be fun. Charlotte is home to a variety of family friendly professional sports teams like the Charlotte Knights (baseball), Charlotte FC (soccer), Carolina Panthers (football), Charlotte Hornets (basketball), and Charlotte Checkers (hockey). As an added bonus, most of them play Uptown, so you can take the light rail which is an added adventure for the train lovers in your life.

A man holding a baby overlooks a baseball game from stadium seats. The baby wears a cap with a D on it. The field, players, stands, and city buildings are visible under a partly cloudy sky.

WHITEWATER CENTER

5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28214

Opens daily at 9am (check calendar for special hours and events)

Explore the great outdoors with your family by spending a day at the US National Whitewater Center, which offers activities for kids of all ages. The centerpiece for young explorers is Wildwoods, a sprawling 2-acre nature-inspired play area designed with young kids in mind (an activity pass to Wildwoods is $18 and parking at USNWC is $12). 

Wildwoods features multi-level tree houses connected by swinging bridges, ropes course, and floating hammocks. Children can climb, slide, and explore to their heart’s content, while parents relax nearby with refreshments from the adjacent Wildwoods Cabin. For budding cyclists, Wildwoods also offers a balance bike course winding through a forested trail, complete with mini rollers and rock gardens. Families can bring their own bikes or check out balance bikes on-site.

As evening approaches, Whitewater’s River Jam concert series provides a lively yet family-friendly atmosphere. Held on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights from May through September, River Jam features live music ranging from Americana to soul/R&B, set against the backdrop of the world’s largest man-made whitewater river. Families often bring blankets or chairs to enjoy the performances, and you can grab food and beverages from one of the food trucks or Whitewater’s on site restaurant.

Beyond these highlights, the USNWC’s expansive grounds include shaded picnic areas, open spaces for free play, and over 40 miles of trails suitable for strollers and little legs. Whether you’re seeking active play or a relaxing evening under the stars, the USNWC offers a versatile and engaging environment for families with toddlers.

CAROLINA RAPTOR CENTER

6000 Sample Road, Huntersville, NC 28078

Daily 10:00am – 4:00pm

If your toddler is into birds, bugs, or just being outside, this combo outing of the Carolina Raptor Center followed by a visit to the Quest Nature Center at Latta Nature Preserve should be at the top of your list.

You can meet hawks, owls, and eagles up close at the Raptor Center, then pop into the Quest center for indoor educational exhibits and a cool nature-themed play space. 

A smiling toddler poses with their head through a cutout of a cartoon cow on a wooden board outdoors, creating the illusion that they have the body of the cow.

FUN ON THE FARM

Visiting local farms with toddlers is the perfect blend of fresh air, hands-on fun, and animal encounter.  Spots like Sweetwater Farms in Huntersville are toddler gold: kids can meet animals like pigs, goats, donkeys, and ducks, then burn off energy on natural playgrounds complete with sandboxes, swings, and a water play area. Another favorite in our family is The Hunter Farm in Weddington, which offers a tractor-pulled wagon ride to their petting barn, where you can feed their goats! 

A smiling baby in denim overalls sits among large orange pumpkins and green vines in a pumpkin patch, with tall trees in the background on a sunny day.

A variety of local farms also offer seasonal pick-your-own adventures: strawberries in the spring, flowers in the summer, apples in the late summer and early fall, and pumpkins in the fall. Our favorites to visit are Wise Acres, The Hunter Farm, Carrigan Farms, Windy Hill Orchard, and Aw Shucks Farm. 

A young child with light hair, seen from above, holds pink flowers while standing in a sunlit garden surrounded by green leaves and plants.

ANNE SPRINGS CLOSE GREENWAY

2573 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill SC 29715

Daily 7:00am to sunset

Daily admission fee: $14 for adults, $7 for children (annual membership options available)

Just a short drive from Charlotte, the Anne Springs Close Greenway is a 2,100-acre nature preserve with tons to do and explore for families. The Schroering Forest Playground encourages imaginative play with a natural play area, a fairy trail, a shrub maze, and a mud kitchen. 

Toddlers can also meet friendly animals like alpacas, goats and pigs at the Crandall Bowles Children’s Farm. The farm hosts family farm day events with animal feedings and themed activities.

The Lake Haigler Loop provides a stroller-friendly 2.5-mile trail around the lake, perfect for introducing little ones to nature. 

SCHIELE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

1500 East Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, NC 28054

Monday to Friday 10:00am-4:00pm
Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm
Sunday 1:00pm-5:00pm

The Schiele Museum in Gastonia is worth the short drive—it’s got life-sized dino models, hands-on science exhibits, a mini indoor play area, a working farm with real goats and chickens, and even planetarium shows for little ones.

 

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