Things to Do in Virginia with Kids on Your Next Vacation!

LoudounStay is a luxury vacation rental property located in the heart of Virginia Wine Country. Featuring rolling hills, vineyards, and romantic atmosphere, Loudoun County offers guests an extraordinary escape from their everyday lives. Our collection of luxury Loudoun County rentals and personalized concierge services are carefully crafted to elevate your experience to new heights.

Allow us to be your gracious hosts as we unveil the best kid-friendly activities in Virginia. Let’s explore the things to do with kids in Virginia!

History for Kids 

Morven Park

Covered in history and brimming with natural beauty, Morven Park calls those seeking an elegant retreat in the heart of Virginia’s vernacular. This 1,000-acre estate humbly referred to as the “Central Park” of Loudoun County, has a rich tapestry of formal boxwood gardens, equestrian pastures, Grecian-inspired mansions, and trails that whisper stories from eras past. Morven Park shines brightly because of its rich history and the conservation efforts of its visitors.

Ball’s Bluff Battlefield Regional Park

Ball’s Bluff Battlefield Regional Park is a quiet keeper of important history, marking the place where a big Civil War battle happened in Loudoun County. Its hills quietly tell stories of battles and lives lost. It’s more than just a place to remember and respect the past, Ball’s Bluff is also a place for families to learn and connect with history. It offers fun learning activities like scavenger hunts, and making history come alive for everyone who visits Loudoun County, Virginia.

Oatlands Historic House and Gardens

Oatlands is a beautiful place set in 360 acres of land and is a shining example of beautiful old architecture under the care of the National Trust. With its Greek-style mansion and a carefully restored greenhouse, it mesmerizes visitors. They love walking through the stepped English gardens, feeling like they’ve traveled back to a luxurious past. Whether you’re enjoying a simple picnic with the kids, attending a fancy wedding, or at a special corporate event, Oatlands captures everyone’s heart with its everlasting beauty.

Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum

The Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum is more than just a place with historic items; it’s a celebration of human strength. This museum shares the stories of Loudoun County’s farms and the strong, proud communities that thrived during the difficult times. Each item here, like the Nokes Manure Spreader, tells a story about the Nokes family and the people of Nokesville. The museum’s true heart is seen in its upcoming projects like community gardens, apple orchards, and sensory gardens. This mix of old and new combines the unique history of Loudoun County with hope and plans for the future.

Outdoor Adventures

Bike Washington & Old Dominion Trail

Cyclists regularly enjoy the Washington & Old Dominion Trail (W&OD) both as a means of recreation and as a commuter route. The 45-mile paved trail is used for walking, running, bicycling, and skating. There’s also a 32-mile gravel trail adjacent to the paved portion of the W&OD, ideal for horseback riding. The trail features playgrounds located at several spots along the route suitable for kids of all ages. These playgrounds include multi-level slides, staircases, and a swing set placed over a sandy area. 

Volcano Island Water Park

Located within Algonkian Regional Park, Volcano Island Waterpark is loaded with fun features for adults and kids. Its highlights include a pair of riveting waterslides, a large main pool, a play feature positioned in shallow water, and a splash pad. The waterpark is home to the Paradise Café, offering all your favorite food and drinks to complete your day. 

young boy ziplining
Photo from Shutterstock

Zipline at Harpers Ferry Adventure Center

The Harpers Ferry Adventure Center offers zip-line tours that have the best views in Virginia! Your 90-minute to two-hour tour includes 7 exciting zips and a 100-foot Sky Bridge. You’ll fly through the treetops along the Potomac River and through historically significant and pristine wilderness.

Dulles Golf Center

Recognized as one of the Top 50 Stand-Alone Golf Ranges in the US by the Golf Range Association of America, Dulles Golf Center’s practice range features lighted and heated extra-wide tee stations. For family fun, they offer a mini-golf course with replicas of famous lighthouses, batting cages offering both slow and fast-pitch baseball and softball, and the Rocky Cove Mining Company, where kids can find over 25 varieties of semi-precious stones in a 20-foot mining sluice.

Things to do in DC with Kids 

Enchanting Wonder at the National Children’s Museum

Looking for one of the best things to do in Washington DC with kids? Just a short drive away from our rentals, venture into the heart of our capital for an unforgettable day with your little ones at the National Children’s Museum, where imagination blooms. Let’s explore what exhibits the National Children’s Museums provide to the children. The Dream Machine invites children ages 5 and above to climb to the heights of creativity among the clouds. The Innovation Sandbox is a digital tempest of creativity, children brandish the might of lightning, command the rain to fall, and conjure clouds with the touch of their fingertips, all within the shelter of an interactive wonderland. With Art & Tech, we coax out the inner artisan with activities steeped in the iconic charm of Nickelodeon favorites—where SpongeBob SquarePants and PAW Patrol meet in a virtual mélange of color and spirit. There are many more exhibits for children to explore and learn. 

Soar Among the Clouds at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

Begin a journey at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. Discover iconic aviation: the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the Concorde, the Boeing 376-80 Jet Transport, and the Grumman F-14D(R) Tomcat, and many more. Peruse the galleries of Aerobatic Flight, marvel at the Applications Satellites and Business Aviation, and discover the history of Cold War Aviation, inviting you to appreciate the multifaceted history of these exhibitions. 

A Walk on the Wild Side at the Smithsonian Zoo

Let’s dive into some of the animals you might see while visiting the Smithsonian Zoo! Tread down the Africa Trail, where cheetahs, ostriches, and zebras roam. Explore the Amazonia’s realm, with turtles, stingrays, and the grandeur of arapaima. The Asia Trail is a land of the exquisite and rare—here reside sloth bears, red pandas, clouded leopards, and fishing cats. In the Kids’ Farm, touch the essence of rural elegance; the cows, alpacas, hogs, and goats offer a tactile connection to the land. There are many other exhibitions for you to discover at the Smithsonian, be sure to check them out! 

Play Ball with History at a Nationals Game

As you step into the vibrant atmosphere of Nationals Park, you’re not just a spectator; you’re part of a grand narrative that spans the ages, connecting generations through the love of the game. Embrace America’s pastime with the enduring spirit of a Nationals game—where every pitch, every hit, and every home run fills the stadium with excitement. Beyond the exhilaration of the sport itself, a Nationals game is a celebration of community. It’s a place where you can feel the pulse of the city, its highs and lows, its defeats and victories. The pitches will curve, the bats will crack, and the bases will be run with the intensity of a nation’s enduring spirit on full display.

Plan Your Visit

Find your ideal vacation rental in Loudoun County with LoudounStay. Book today and experience all the family fun activities during your stay!

Book Your Loudoun County Vacation Rental with LoudounStay

LoudounStay extends beyond the ordinary, offering a gateway to an elevated country experience that intertwines the luxury of sophistication with the comforting embrace of local charm. What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to providing an intimate glimpse into Loudoun County through the portal of our meticulously selected vacation rentals in Virginia. Our selection process for each property is rigorous, ensuring that it not only meets our standards of comfort and elegance but also embodies the spirit of the locality. From estates that have panoramic views of the vineyard landscapes that are perfect for corporate retreats to cozy pet-friendly vacation rentals in Virginia that offer a secluded country paradise away from the world, our collection is diverse yet uniformly exquisite. We take great pride in connecting our guests with the very best local chefs, sommeliers, and artisans, ensuring that your stay is not just relaxing but enriching. Allow us the privilege of hosting you, and discover why LoudounStay is the perfect place to stay while on your Virginia vacation.