100 Things to Do with Kids in Richmond, Virginia (Spring & Summer 2026, part 2)
- The West End Mom
- May 7
- 8 min read
Hey Richmond! Looking for things to do in Richmond with kids? I’ve got 100 ideas for you to try this summer with your family.
From the best parks and kid-friendly hikes to epic water parks and tree top adventures, I've curated a summer bucket list for Richmond families that will keep your family entertained, educated, and exploring all summer long!
The second part of my curated guide to summer fun around Richmond covers special events and activities you can only try on certain dates. Think pick your own flowers, free outdoor sports & music festivals, fireworks shows... and more! So grab your calendar and mark down these upcoming Richmond area events!
*Heads Up:
Everything on my list includes places that are 2 hours or less from the Richmond metro area. IMO, summer is for epic day trips!
*Follow @thewestendmom on Instagram for things to do with kids in Richmond!
*Heads Up: My website uses affiliate links. This means I may get a commission or freebies if you book through or purchase items from my website. Clicking my links is no extra charge for YOU, and it makes sure my guides are available for FREE to the community. Thank you for supporting my small, mom-owned business!
This guide is brought to you by River Run Law!
River Run Law is a boutique law firm that can help YOU with all your legal needs. Specializing in Personal Injury, Motor Vehicle Accident and Workers’ Compensation, their highly skilled legal team delivers results with exceptional service.
Serving the Richmond area community since 2020, River Run Law has helped the RVA community recover from a range of injury related cases -- Car, Truck & Motorcycle Accidents to Premise Liability and Wrongful Death.
Thank you, River Run Law, for your support!
Here is Part 2 of my 100 Things to Do with Kids in Richmond series — your go-to local guide for family-friendly activities, outdoor adventures, and unforgettable summer break ideas!
All of these 2026 events, exhibits and activities have specific dates in May, June and July. Make sure to add them to your calendar now!
Attend Dominion Energy Riverrock 2026.
Riverrock is a 3 day outdoor adventure & music festival around Richmond’s riverfront, and it is the biggest one of its kind in the county! Other than purchasing food or drink, Riverrock is completely FREE - there are no tickets or reservations needed.
You can cheer on the nation’s top pro climbers as they ascend a man- made 20 foot high bouldering cave! You can watch the Ultimate Air Dogs competition.While the live music line up is awesome, I love that there are so many activities in The Adventure Zone. This area is open to all ages, and volunteers will be on hand to teach you proper techniques on each activity, too.
You can try activities like:
kayaking around the Tredegar Boat Ramp
skimboarding on an inflatable pool in the Adventure Zone
skateboarding with RVA Skate School
beginner-friendly sessions & obstacles designed for all levels, catch high-energy demos, and watch local skaters battle it out
Dates: Friday, May 15 through Sunday, May 17, 2026.
Times: all day
Cost: Free!
Click here for more information.
Location updates: Due to construction, the festival has shifted from Brown's Island to Tredegar Street, Tredegar Green & the Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront!
Explore The Science Museum of Virginia’s NEW exhibit: Survival of the Slowest.
"The Survival of the Slowest" invites guests to take a look at how some species’ perceived disadvantages help them not only survive, but thrive in a world full of fast animals at the top of the food chain! You can learn how sloths avoid predators, discover how snakes go so long without eating, and more.
What makes this touring exhibit so special is that it features LIVE animals. You can check out a group of live animals while inside the exhibit that includes snakes, spiders, a tenrec (similar to a hedgehog) and the star of the show, a two-toed sloth!
The Science Museum of Virginia participates in Museums for All. Museums for All must be purchased in person at Guest Services by showing proof of assistance.Tickets cost between $1-$2 pp. Teachers as well as active duty military, retired military and veterans receive free general admission everyday.
Dates: May 23 to September 7, 2026
Times: 9:30am-5pm
Cost: Daily admission costs between $11 and $19 pp.
Heads up: June 11 is a $10 admission day! All tickets cost $10.
Attend the Richmond Greek Festival.
The 48th annual Richmond Greek Festival is May 28-May 31, 2026 at Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral! This 4-day festival is open to the public & free attend. You can try traditional Greek food, enjoy Greek folk dancing & music and shop in the marketplace.
Visit between 11am-9pm on Thursday, 11am-10pm on Friday & Saturday and noon to 6pm on Sunday.
Our food favorites are Souvlaki, Spanakopita, Pilaf, Baklava. The kiddos loved the music & dancing too!
Dates: Thursday, May 28 through Sunday, May 31, 2026.
Times: Thursday from 11:00am - 9:00pm, Friday from 11:00am - 10:00pm, Saturday from 11:00am - 10:00pm, and Sunday from 12:00pm - 6:00pm
Cost: Free admission; pay for what you eat and drink
Click here for more information.
Attend VMFA's Family Day | Celebrate African and African American Art: Music and Rhythm.
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts hosts 3 Family Days a year, and all ages are invited to discover the richness of world cultures, the science behind artmaking, and the stories behind artists and their art. Each Family Day is tied to a world culture and draws on the museum’s collection of art, which spans nearly 5,000 years of history.
Family Day | Celebrate African and African American Art: Music and Rhythm on Saturday, June 6. The whole family will enjoy a celebration of African and African American cultures through art and music. You can participate in art activities such as painting a rhythmic design, creating a musician portrait, collaging with jazz imagery, and making your own drum.
Dates: Saturday, June 6
Times: 11am-3pm
Cost: Free; no registration required
Click here for more information.
Pick your own sunflowers at Burnside Farm's Sunflower Festival.
Known as Holland in Virginia, Burnside Farms blooms with millions of tulips every spring and millions of sunflowers every summer. And you can PICK THEM!
Burnside Farms' 70 acres of sunflowers are usually ready for picking in July. With a large play space, tractor rides & picnic area, this flower farm is a must visit for Virginia families!
*Click here for more details on Burnside Farms.
Attend Virginia Museum of History and Culture’s SailFEST.
In 2026, the United States of America will mark its 250th anniversary. This once-in-a-generation moment—one of celebration, reflection, and aspiration—will be marked with numerous events across the country, including a fleet of the world’s most magnificent international tall ships and military ships making their way up the country’s east coast in an epic peacetime gathering. Thanks to The Virginia Museum of History and Culture, we are lucky enough to view them right here in Richmond!
VMHC's Richmond SailFest is a free, family-friendly, weekend-long festival celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States. It features historic tall ships and military ships, ship tours, live music, reenactors, and fireworks on the James River. The evening of Saturday, June 13, will end with an epic display of fireworks over the James River!
You can also enjoy art & history exhibitions like VMHC Traveling Exhibitions: Give Me Liberty and We The People, VMFA on the Road Artmobile, Live printing from Studio Two Three, Living history displays, Riding the Fall Line exhibit.
Things To Know:
The festival site is 100% outdoors and covers approx. 0.5 miles of ground. Please be prepared for the weather and walking.
Due to the nature of historic tall ships, strollers are not permitted. There will be a place to park strollers prior to accessing the ships.
Due to the nature of historic tall ships, they are not accessible to wheelchairs.
Dates: June 12-14 at Intermediate Terminal on the James (near Rockett’s Landing, Dock Street Park & Intermediate Terminal)
Times: 11am-3pm
Cost: Free; no registration required
*Check here for more information!
Attend Virginia Museum of History and Culture's IllumiNATION.
In June 2026, to honor America’s 250th anniversary, the Virginia Museum of History & Culture will unveil VMHC IllumiNATION, a breathtaking video art projection that brings the American story to life.
Over the course of 4 days, The Virginia Museum of History and Culture will turn into a festive block-party with popular local bands and pyrotechnics, art displays, cultural demonstrations, community group exhibitors, and crafts and games for the whole family.
There’s also special family-friendly programming, including: bounce house, petting zoo, and art-themed partner tables w/ activities!
Dates: June 25-28 (evenings 6-9:30pm) at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture
Times: 11am-3pm
Cost: Free; no registration required
*Check here for more information!
Visit Virginia War Memorial's Hill of Heroes.
Virginia War Memorial's annual Hill of Heroes will be on display from June 26 to July 10, 2026. A powerful display of 12,000 flags are placed to represent the nearly 12,000 Virginians who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom - I definitely recommend visiting the memorial while it's up. The last couple of years, we made a visit on July 4, and added on a walk to the Tyler Potterfield Bridge.
You can also volunteer to help install the flags on June 26 between 8am and 11am - it’s open to adults, families and children. If you’d like the volunteer, the morning will start off with a short kickoff ceremony at 8am that explains the meaning of Hill of Heroes. Following the ceremony, volunteers will assist with placing more than 12,000 flags across the hillside.
This is a rain or shine event. You should wear study shoes too!
Dates: June 26 to July 10
Times: all day
Cost: Free; no registration required
Attend the biggest July 4th celebration in Colonial Williamsburg.
Colonial Williamsburg is hosting a bigger than usual Independence Day celebration, commemorating 250 years of freedom. The special events will be from July 2 to July 4 to celebrate Independence Day: live concerts, interactive family experiences, public readings of the Declaration of Independence, and a July 4th birthday event like no other.
Fireworks will end the weekend's celebrations on Saturday, July 4 at 9:35, lasting about 15 minutes. The best locations to watch them are on Palace Green, Market Square, and behind the courthouse.
The July 4th event is FREE between 10am-5pm. You do need to reserve “free tickets” on their website. If you’d like to visit for all the events between July 2-July 4, tickets range from $20-40 per person.
*Check here for more information!
Attend Red, White & Lights by Henrico County Parks & Recreation.
Henrico's annual Fourth of July Celebration is back at Meadow Farm this year. This year's Independence Day celebration starts at 5pm - you can enjoy music, entertainment and food trucks for Red, White and Lights 2026 .
The Richmond Symphony will also be performing, you can watch a flyover, and check out the Air Force Display and the Hot Air Balloon display. The grand finale is a laser light show the event is 5-10pm).
This event is FREE to attend.
Location: Glen Allen's Crump Park
Address: 3400 Mountain Road, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060
*Check here for more information & check here for more information on Crump Park.
things to do with kids in RVA, summer bucket list for Virginia families, things to do in Virginia, Virginia is for lovers, the best things to do with kids in Virginia, the best things to do with kids in Richmond, Virginia Bucket List
Looking for all the free things to do around Richmond, Virginia? Check out my guide to FREE things to do in RVA with kids: Free Things to do with Kids in Richmond this Summer!
For more things to do with kids around Richmond, follow me on @thewestendmom on Instagram!
