12 Fun Family Friendly Things to Do in Fredericksburg, VA with Kids

Set up in 1728 and sitting on 10.5 square miles of land, Fredericksburg, VA, is known for its historical value. Many battles occurred here, leading to democracy being brought up by signing treaties and agreements.
Of course, Fredericksburg, VA, is not all about the history of treaties and battles. It is also where one can find many family-friendly activities to do with your kids! Whether you’re looking for something to do outdoors or indoors, there’s sure to be an activity that your family will love! These 12 exciting things to do with kids in Fredericksburg, VA, are perfect for a day out or a weekend getaway.
- Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park
If you are an antiquity lover, then this is a must-see destination. Located in Fredericksburg, VA, the park commemorates eight major Civil War battles, including the Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Spotsylvania Court House campaigns. Visitors can explore over 14 miles of battlefields and hike over 20 miles of trails.
The park also offers a variety of ranger-led programs, including battlefield walks, hikes, and talks. For those considering a more hands-on experience, the park provides living history demonstrations and soldier encampments. Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park is the perfect place to learn about American history and have a great time!
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
This is a great place to take the kids for a day of learning and fun. The park offers a variety of kid-friendly activities, including ranger-led programs, Junior Ranger activities, and self-guided tours. There is also an adventure playground and picnic area for families to enjoy. The park is also great for hiking, biking, and exploring battlefields and historical sites.
The Visitor Center is also a grand place to learn about the area’s history and the wars that took place here during the Civil War.
Recommended Ages
There are no age restrictions When it comes to Fredericksburg, VA! This is an excellent place for people of all ages to explore and learn about American history.
- Chatham Manor
Chatham Manor is a National Trust Historic Site located in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The construction of the manor house started in 1768 and was completed in 1771. It was the home of George Washington for a brief time during the Revolutionary War. During wars, the manor was used as a communication center and a hospital.
Today, Chatham Manor is open to the public as a museum and is a great place to learn about American history. The house is also surrounded by beautiful gardens, making it a perfect place to take a stroll on a sunny day.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
The living history museum offers a unique opportunity to learn about 18th-century plantation life. The Manor House and outbuildings have been authentically furnished. They have imaginatively interpreted the lives of those who lived and worked here. The surrounding grounds are beautiful and perfect for a picnic lunch. There are also plenty of kid-friendly activities, such as a scavenger hunt, historic games, and crafts.
Recommended Ages
Bring all family members, from grandparents to young kids; Chatham has something for everyone.
- Old Town Fredericksburg
Old Town is sure to keep everyone entertained with its rich history and abundance of family-friendly activities. In addition, the town has over 350 buildings and over 100 shops, making it the perfect place to explore and find a souvenir.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
With its rich history and abundance of family-friendly activities, Old Town is the perfect spot to while away for a few hours or even an entire day. First, start your visit at the Fredericksburg Visitor Center, where you can pick up maps and brochures to help plan your day. Then, visit the many museums in Old Town, such as the Fredericksburg Area Museum or the Mary Washington House.
For a closer look at the town’s past, take a walking tour of Old Town or visit one of the historic homes open to the public. And no trip to Old Town would be complete without stopping by one of the many shops and restaurants that line its streets. With so much to comprehend and do, Old Town Fredericksburg is sure to please everyone in the family.
Recommended Ages
To visit Old Town Fredericksburg, your age group does not matter; there is something fun for everyone!
- Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center
The center was built in 1936 and was used as an office for the National Military. Later, it was converted into a visitor center Battlefield section. The center offers a variety of interactive exhibits, as well as a short film that chronicles the battle of Fredericksburg.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
The visitor center offers various activities and exhibits perfect for families with kids. Visitors can study the history of the Fredericksburg battlefields and see artifacts used during the battle. The visitor center also offers various educational programs for kids of all ages.
In addition to the Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center, several other fun things to do in Fredericksburg with kids. Families can visit the Fredericksburg Children’s Museum, tour the Fredericksburg battlefields, or explore the many different shops and restaurants that Fredericksburg offers.
Recommended Ages
The visitor center is accessible to family members of all ages.
- Fredericksburg Visitor Center
The Fredericksburg Visitor Center is a great place to start exploring Fredericksburg with kids. The center offers interactive exhibits that teach children about the town’s history and culture. Kids can also pick up a free map of Fredericksburg, which they can use to explore the town independently.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
It is an exhibit that teaches kids about the town’s founding, its role in the Revolutionary War, and its importance during the Civil War. The exhibition is informative and fun, making it an excellent activity for families with kids. In addition to the Visitor Center, Fredericksburg offers various kid-friendly activities, such as museums, parks, and restaurants.
It offers maps, brochures, and staff who are knowledgeable about the area and can offer suggestions on what to do based on your interests.
Recommended Ages
All are welcome at the Fredericksburg Visitor Center despite their age.
- George Washington’s Ferry Farm
George Washington’s Ferry Farm is one of Fredericksburg, VA’s most popular tourist destinations. It was George Washington’s boyhood home and is now a living history museum. Visitors can now explore the farmhouse, the outbuildings, and the grounds. They can also see demonstrations of 18th-century farming techniques and learn about George Washington’s life as a boy. The farm is open year-round, and special events and programs are held throughout the year.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
As any parent knows, finding activities that are both fun and educational can be a challenge. Fortunately, Fredericksburg, VA, has no shortage of family-friendly attractions. George Washington’s Ferry Farm is a perfect example. It is a Historic Landmark and a place where kids can learn about early American history while playing in the gravel pits and exploring the woods.
In addition, the farm is home to a variety of animals, including sheep, goats, chickens, and ducks. And if that’s not sufficient to keep the little ones entertained, there’s a playground and a picnic area.
Recommended Ages
All family members can visit except on specific days and holidays. Also, there’s free admission for children aged five and below.
- Old Mill Park
Old Mill Park is a great place to take the kids in Fredericksburg, VA! There’s plenty of parking, and the park has a playground, a picnic area, a walking trail, and a creek.
The playground has traditional and modern play equipment, and the picnic area has tables and grills. The walking trail is paved and goes through the woods, and the creek is a great place to explore. There are also masses of trees for shade on hot days.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
Old Mill Park is the complete place to take the kids for a day of exploring and learning. The park structures a working grist mill, a Museum of Rural Life, and a variety of animals, including sheep, goats, chickens, and ducks. The mill museum offers a glimpse into the past, while the animals provide a chance to interact with nature.
Kids will also love playing in the park’s playground and splash pad. In addition, there are plenty of hiking trails to explore. So if your kids are looking for a fun and educational activity, Old Mill Park is worth a visit!
Recommended Ages
There are no age restrictions when visiting Old Mill Park.
- Alum Spring Park
With 34 acres of land, Alum Spring Park is among the best places to take your kids in Fredericksburg, VA. There’s something for everyone to enjoy: a playground, picnic areas, and a spray park.
The spray park is open to the public and perfect for cooling off on a hot day. The playground has a diversity of equipment for kids of all ages, including slides, swings, and monkey bars. And the picnic areas are perfect for a family lunch or dinner.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
Alum Spring Park is an excellent place to explore nature and get fresh air. The park has a small pond where kids can feed the ducks. Moreover, there is a trail that goes around the park. The trail is perfect for walking, running, or biking. Also, there is a creek that runs throughout the park. The kids will love playing in the creek!
The park has a playground with various equipment for kids of all ages, including slides, swings, and monkey bars. And the picnic areas are perfect for a family lunch or dinner.
Recommended Ages
Infants, toddlers, children, and teens can all find things to do at Alum Spring Park.
- Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop
This historic shop offers a unique glimpse into the past with its collection of 18th and 19th-century medicines and apothecary supplies. Kids will love seeing all the strange and exciting items on display and learning about how they were used in the past. As they tour the shop, kids can see how medicines were made in colonial times and even try to make their herbal remedies.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop offers a variety of family-friendly activities, including candle-making, pottery-making, and soap-making. These activities are fun and educational, providing kids with a chance to learn about early American crafts. Best of all, Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop is located in the heart of historic downtown Fredericksburg, making it easy to explore other nearby attractions.
Recommended Ages
The Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop is a great place to take kids of all ages and is free for kids aged five years and below.
- Rising Sun Tavern
Rising Sun Tavern is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and it’s easy to see why! The Rising Sun Tavern was built in the 1760s and is one of the oldest buildings in Fredericksburg. It acted as a stagecoach stop, tavern, and inn throughout its long history.
Today, it is a museum that offers a glimpse into 18th-century life. Visitors can see how the tavern would have looked when it was first built and how it changed over time. The Rising Sun Tavern is also a great place to learn about early American history. There are interactive displays and Activities for kids that make learning fun.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
We recommend this kid-friendly activity because it is a very educational and exciting experience for children. It is also great for families to bond and have fun together. The Rising Sun Tavern offers a variety of activities for children, such as tours of the tavern, educational programs, and games. Kids will learn about the tavern’s history and use during the Revolutionary War. Also, they will learn about the different types of beer brewed at the tavern and the people who lived in Fredericksburg, VA, during the 18th century.
Recommended Ages
The entire family, comprising children of all ages, can visit the Rising Sun Tavern.
- Splitsville Luxury Lanes & Dinner Lounge
Splitsville Luxury Lanes & Dinner Lounge is the perfect place to take the family for a fun-filled day or night out! The state-of-the-art facility offers 16 bowling lanes, a full-service restaurant and bar, and various arcade games.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
Located in downtown Fredericksburg’s heart, Splitsville is close to many of the area’s attractions. A short walk from the historic district, Splitsville is close to unique shops, restaurants, and other businesses.
Splitsville also has a full bar, making it the perfect place to unwind after a long day. And if you’re looking for something unique, Splitsville also offers private karaoke rooms! Additionally, Splitsville offers private lanes that can be rented for an hour or more.
Recommended Ages
The Splitsville Luxury Lanes & Dinner Lounge is designed for the whole family except for the bar, which is only accessible to adults.
- Fun Land of Fredericksburg
Fun Land of Fredericksburg is a family-friendly amusement park that offers something for everyone! It is the perfect place to spend a day with the family with rides, games, and various food options.
The park also features several special events throughout the year, making it an excellent destination for a day trip or weekend getaway. And with its suitable location just off I-95, Fun Land is easy to get to from anywhere in the Fredericksburg area.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
Fun Land of Fredericksburg is a great kid-friendly activity because it is an indoor playspace perfect for rainy days or hot summer days. The staff is also attentive and engages with the kids. They even have a baby area for the little ones.
You can find comfortable seating for parents to relax while their children play. In addition to being a lot of fun, the amusement park is also educational. The park offers a variety of historical exhibits that teach about the town’s rich colonial history.
Recommended Ages
There are no age restrictions in the Fun Land of Fredericksburg except that you must meet the weight and height requirements to visit some sections.