23 Fun Family Friendly Things to Do in Louisville with Kids
Fans of the four sports will enjoy a trip to Louisville because it has produced many champions in fried chicken, baseball, boxing, and roller derby.
This city in Kentucky just has so many interesting parks and museums to explore.
Local eateries, go-kart tracks, and the zoo are additional fantastic attractions for both children and adults.
In all seriousness, this city is a must-visit location if you’re in the South.
Don’t trust our word?
The best family-friendly activities in Louisville are listed below.
- Louisville Zoo
Located near Poplar Level, the 134-acre Louisville Zoo is home to over 1,700 animals.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
Two of the things to do in Louisville with young children and animal enthusiasts are exploring the zoo’s numerous exhibits and saying hello to its resident animals.
They will enjoy interacting with seals, zebras, monkeys, elephants, and other animals.
Recommended Ages
The zoo is an age-friendly place, so you may wander about with a baby or with your teenagers (ages 0 to 17), and everyone will undoubtedly have fun.
- Kentucky Science Center
On Museum Row, there is a science museum called the Kentucky Science Center that emphasizes interactive learning.
It’s one of the kid-friendly attractions in Louisville right now.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
When curious minds engage with the interactive exhibits at this museum, their brains will be loaded with fresh information.
Your young inventors and scientists are welcome to explore their creativity while they’re here by performing experiments and creating new things.
Recommended Ages
Everyone can enjoy the fascinating exhibits at this museum, but school-age kids between the ages of 6 and 12 really like them.
- Belle of Louisville Riverboats
Local tour company Belle of Louisville Riverboats operates steamboat tours along the Ohio River.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
This 1900s steamer, which is often anchored downtown, will enchant history buffs and budding explorers.
On the boat, you can choose to go sightseeing or perhaps enjoy a delicious lunch with your family.
Recommended Ages
One of the best family activities in Louisville is taking a river cruise because it’s fun and leisurely.
To enjoy this exercise, you won’t need to run around.
Most cruises are suitable for children from 4 years old to 17 years old and are family-friendly.
- Muhammad Ali Center
The boxer Muhammad Ali is a native of the city, and the Muhammad Ali Center is a local non-profit museum devoted to his life and achievements.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
Let’s say you’re trying to figure out what to do in Louisville with children who enjoy boxing.
The educational exhibits at this museum make it a must-see in such a situation.
Artifacts from Muhammad Ali’s life and boxing fights will appeal to fans.
Even the gallery is an entertaining method to discover more about the renowned fighter.
Recommended Ages
For young boxing enthusiasts aged 10 and above, this activity is entertaining and instructive.
- Cherokee Park
This 409-acre green space called Cherokee Park was created in 1891 by renowned landscape designer Frederick Law Olmsted.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
The vast park grounds are the ideal location for free, family-friendly activities, including biking and running on the picturesque loop, picnics, and even playing golf or Frisbee.
Recommended Ages
This weekend, bring the entire family here for some affordable family fun because this park has something fun to do for everyone, from infants to adults.
- Joe Huber’s Family Farm & Restaurant — Borden
In Borden, which is located about 28 minutes from Louisville, there is a comfort cuisine restaurant called Joe Huber’s Family Farm & Restaurant.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
When visiting this property with the family, you may choose your produce to pair with hearty delicacies like country-fried chicken, fried biscuits with apple butter, and more.
It embodies delicious cuisine and rural living at its best.
Recommended Ages
Visit this eatery with your entire clan, from the tiniest babies to your coolest teens, if you’re looking for nearby kid-friendly activities (ages 1-17).
Everyone will feel full after picking their vegetables and chowing down on delicious meals.
- Louisville Slugger Museum
The Louisville Slugger Museum is a baseball bat-focused factory and museum situated on Museum Row downtown.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
The enormous baseball bat outside the museum will be a hit with young baseball lovers who will be thrilled to take pictures with it.
Baseball purists will also find the great exhibitions about the sport’s history to be intriguing.
A terrific addition to your list of family activities in Louisville is exploring the area.
Recommended Ages
Young sluggers ages 6 and up will like this museum and factory tour the most.
- Kentucky Derby Museum
American Thoroughbred horse racing is the centerpiece of the Kentucky Derby Museum, a historical museum in Churchill Downs.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
A visit to this museum will reveal a wealth of intriguing information about the history of the area because this city and state are well recognized for their roller derby events.
The interactive exhibits that display trophies, statues of winning horses, and more will appeal to history buffs of all ages.
You may also take selfies with the Electric Starting Gate display or ride a horse race simulation.
Recommended Ages
For children ages 4 and up, this family-friendly museum is a wonderful place to visit.
- Churchill Downs
The Kentucky Derby is thought to be held every year at Churchill Downs, a renowned horse racing facility.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
If you want to experience real Kentucky culture, go to the famous horse racing facility.
The Derby Cafe is open after you have finished exploring the museum.
Recommended Ages
Children of all ages are welcome to explore the grounds.
So you may bring your children, aged 0 to 17, with no worries.
However, they wouldn’t be able to wager on horses because the minimum age is 18.
- The Big Four Bridge
The Big Four Bridge is a 770-meter-long former railroad truss bridge that has been renovated for cycling and pedestrian use.
It spans the Ohio River and links Kentucky and Indiana.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
Go for a jog or bike ride on this historic bridge for some fun kids’ activities in Louisville, KY.
A round-trip stroll takes around 30 minutes, so it’s not too tough.
A walk over this bridge at night is really exciting because it is all lit up.
Recommended Ages
Even athletic children will find it simple to jog around the bridge because it is short enough (ages 4 and up).
- Bluegrass Karting & Events
Bluegrass Karting & Events is a nearby go-kart track with a multi-turn racetrack.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
On this indoor track, you can compete at high speeds as your junior racers ride in lightning-fast go-karts.
You may also try your hand at the thrilling ax-throwing pastime, which is guaranteed to be entertaining for teenagers.
Recommended Ages
Go-kart racing requires a minimum age of 7 years old and a height of 48 inches (1.22 meters).
Ax throwing is only for teens 14 and over.
- Charlie Vettiner Park
Having its golf course, baseball diamond, and basketball court, Charlie Vettiner Park is a 238-acre neighborhood park in Jeffersontown.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
The numerous sporting facilities in this park will appeal to your older children without a doubt.
In contrast, the smaller children will be playing in the playground or running about on the green field.
As part of your list of Louisville activities, you may also go hiking and picnicking nearby.
Recommended Ages
Bring the whole family—from your baby to your 18-year-old—to the park; there will be fun things for everyone to do.
- Mary M. Miller
The Mary M. Miller is a contemporary, propeller-driven riverboat with vintage charm that was built in 1985.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
Do you wish to embark on a memorable sightseeing vacation with your kids?
Then, I advise scheduling a trip on the Mary M. Miller.
It has decks that are suitable for all weather, including open-air and fully enclosed, climate-controlled decks.
It gives among the best vantage points from which to take in the area’s breathtaking waterfront vistas.
Recommended Ages
Youngsters of all ages are welcome at the Mary M. Miller, which also provides free admission to children under the age of four.
- Falls of the Ohio State Park
The 1990-founded Falls of the Ohio State Park is only a short drive from Louisville.
It is a 165-acre park that receives about 160,000 visitors each year.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
Enjoy the outdoors with your family at the Falls of the Ohio State Park as a respite from inside attractions.
It features exposed fossil beds, a visitor center with natural history exhibits, beautiful hiking trails, educational programs, guided tours, picnic sites, a gift store with a variety of souvenirs, and educational activities.
Recommended Ages
Families with kids of all ages are gladly welcomed at the Falls of the Ohio State Park.
- Waterfront Park
The 85-acre municipal park known as The Waterfront Park is situated on the Ohio River’s banks across from the downtown area.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
Take your kids to the Waterfront Park, a well-known local attraction that receives at least 1.5 million visitors each year, to spend quality time together.
In addition to numerous interesting events throughout the year, like festivals and live performances, it provides free wireless internet access.
Recommended Ages
The Waterfront Park is a great place for young children, toddlers, preteens, and teens, as well as their parents.
- Cave Hill Cemetery
The Cave Hill Cemetery is a 296-acre historic cemetery from the Victorian era.
It is a historical site that was established in the middle of the 1800s.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
Are you seeking Louisville’s must-see tourist attractions for your sightseeing tour?
I strongly advise going to Cave Hill Cemetery after that.
Beautiful landscaping and exquisite architecture may be found at this famous monument.
It also serves as the ultimate resting place for famous people, including Paul Hornung, Colonel Harland Sanders, and boxing champion Muhammad Ali.
Recommended Ages
Visitors of any age are welcome at this well-known cemetery.
- APH Museum
The Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind is the official name of the APH Museum, which opened in 1994.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
Bring your loved ones to the APH Museum to experience something new and understand what it’s like to be blind.
Learn about education for those who are blind or visually impaired by experiencing the exhibits with senses other than sight.
View galleries that showcase braille production, writing instruments, instructional tools, historical blind schools, and more.
Along with activities like writing your name in braille, playing accessible video games, and others, it also provides guided tours for a more informative experience.
Recommended Ages
All ages are welcome at the APH Museum; however, your school-aged kids will enjoy it more.
- Kentucky State Fair
From August 15 until August 25, the Kentucky State Fair takes place annually.
At the Kentucky Exposition Center, you can locate it.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
Are you trying to decide when the best time would be for your family to visit Louisville?
Consider going to this energetic city in August when the renowned Kentucky State Fair is taking place.
It has multiple free concerts, horse shows, numerous food vendors, and several stores.
A carousel, roller coasters, Ferris wheels, and a variety of other traditional carnival games and attractions are also available.
Recommended Ages
The entire family can have fun at the Kentucky State Fair.
- Malibu Jack’s
The Town Fair Area, a shopping center, is home to the family-friendly amusement facility Malibu Jack’s.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
Take your family on an exciting excursion at Malibu Jack’s and have a blast indoors.
This amusement park has a ton to offer, including a go-kart track, a laser tag arena, a 4D theater, a miniature golf course, and much more.
The Bounce Beach, a secure play area for young children, the Spine Zone, an exhilarating bumper car ride, and the Twist N Shout Coaster, an indoor spinning roller coaster, are a few of its attractions.
Recommended Ages
There are rigorous age limitations for each attraction.
For instance, the Spin Zone has a minimum age requirement of at least five years old, while Bounce Beach is just for children ages 10 and under.
- the Kentucky Kingdom
Families are the target audience for the Kentucky Kingdom amusement park.
The Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom first operated there in May 1987.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
With your loved ones, make memories in the Kentucky Kingdom that you won’t soon forget.
It features several family-friendly and thrilling rides, including at least six roller coasters, a water park, a 5D movie theater, and a Ferris wheel.
Enjoy other activities like bumper car racing, dog shows, carousel rides, eating delicious food from its restaurants, relaxing under a cabana, and so on.
Recommended Ages
Age and height restrictions apply to every ride.
To access additional information on the precise restrictions of its attractions, visit its website.
- Louisville Slugger Field
Baseball fans can attend games at Louisville Slugger Field, which opened in 2000 and has a minimum seating capacity of 13,000 people.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
Are there sports fans in your family?
Consider going to Louisville Slugger Field after that.
You may watch sporting events like baseball, soccer, and more based on your schedule.
It offers conveniences, including event venues for special occasions, a playground to keep your kids occupied, outdoor picnic places, spotless restrooms, and several vendors selling delectable delicacies.
Recommended Ages
Families with kids of all ages are warmly welcomed at Louisville Slugger Field.
- Louisville Mega Cavern
Located in a disused limestone mine, the Louisville Mega Cavern is a recreational area.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
Visit the Louisville Mega Cavern with your family for an unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience.
It offers a variety of underground and indoor attractions, including one of the biggest mountain bike parks in the region and a ropes course.
In addition to an annual winter light show, it provides guided tram, ziplining, and strolling tours.
Recommended Ages
To participate in the indoor ropes course and zip lining, your kids must be at least five years old.
- Conrad Caldwell House Museum
The Conrad Caldwell House Museum was built in 1895 and resembles a medieval castle.
Why We Recommend This Kid-Friendly Activity
Take your kids on a tour of one of Louisville’s many breathtaking historical sites, like the Conrad Caldwell House Museum, which is just one of the city’s many entertaining activities to do with kids.
With its genuine furnishings and opulent embellishments, it captures the Victorian splendor of the Gilded Age.
It provides both adult and kid-friendly educational activities, as well as changing historical exhibitions, tours, and occasionally live lectures.
Recommended Ages
Visitors of all ages are welcome at this house museum.
Your older children might find it more beautiful and impressive than your younger ones.