Wondering what classes and activities are open to babies, toddlers, and preschoolers during the week? I've rounded up our favorite RVA weekly activities for little kids, so you know exactly what to do with your kiddo.
This guide is specifically for weekly activities that are open to everyone without a membership. Some activities are drop in style, while others require advance registration. I've also included activities that are free for families and programs that have an admission cost.
*Follow @thewestendmom for things to do with kids in Richmond and around Virginia!
RVA's Best Weekly Classes to Try with Little Kids:
These classes typically meet every week. Make sure to double check, as some locations take breaks during the year. For example, Henrico's weekly story times take a 2-3 break starting February 12.
Also, families can visit any library in the City of Richmond, Chesterfield County, Goochland County, Hanover County, or Henrico County even if they are not a resident of that city or county. You can even get a library card for each one, if you want.
Mondays
1. Bon Air Library's Toddler Story Time
Ages: 2-3 years old
Times: 9:15AM-9:45AM
Class Duration: 30 minutes, parent and me style
Location: Chesterfield County's Bon Air Library
Cost: free
*Registration begins 3 days before the class.
2. Miss Anne's Music and Movement
Times: 9:30
Class Duration: 30 m, parent and me style
Location: West End Academy of Dance
Cost: $15 per family
*Check here for my review.
3. Bon Air Library's Pajama Story Time
Ages: 2-5 years old
Times: 6:30PM-7PM
Class Duration: 30 minutes, parent and me style
Location: Chesterfield County's Bon Air Library
Cost: free
*Registration begins 3 days before the class.
4. Clover Hill Library's Pajama Story Time
Ages: 2-5 years old
Times: 6:30PM-7PM
Class Duration: 30 minutes, parent and me style
Location: Chesterfield County's Clover Hill Library
Cost: free
*Registration begins 3 days before the class.
Tuesdays
1. Bass Pro & Cabela's Fish Feedings
Ages: all
Times: noon
Location: Ashland and Short Pump respectively
Cost: Free
2. Henrico County Parks' Story Tots and Tunes
Ages: 2 years old to 5 years old
Times: 10-10:45am & 2-2:45pm on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays each month
Class Duration: 45 minutes, parent and me style
Location: Deep Run Recreation Center
Cost: Free, no registration required
*Check here for my review.
3. Miss Anne's Music and Movement
Ages: 3 months to 5 years old
Times: 10AM-11AM
Class Duration: 30 minutes, parent and me style
Location: All Saints Episcopal Church
Cost: $7 per parent/child pair, $5 for siblings
*Check here for my review.
4. The West End Branch's Toddler Time
Ages: 18 months - 3 years old
Times: 10:30AM
Class Duration: 30 minutes, parent and me style
Location: City of Richmond's West End Branch
Cost: free
5. The Main Branch's Book Babies
Ages: babies - young toddlers (non-walkers & wobblers)
Times: 10:30AM
Class Duration: 30minutes, parent and me style
Location: City of Richmond's Main Branch Library
Cost: free
6. The Main Branch's Toddler Time
Ages: 18 months - 36 months
Times: 11:15-12PM
Class Duration: 45 minutes, parent and me style
Location: City of Richmond's Main Branch
Cost: free
Wednesday
1. Art Factory's Little Explorers Class
Ages: 2 years old to 5 years old
Times: 10:30am & 1:30pm
Class Duration: 45 minutes, parent and me style
Location: Midlothian
Cost: $18.90 (10% sibling discount)
2. Miss Anne's Music and Movement
Ages: 3 months to 5 years old
Times: 9:30 & 10:30
Class Duration: 30 minutes, parent and me style
Location: All Saints Episcopal Church
Cost: $7 per parent/child pair, $5 for siblings
*Check here for my review.
3. Wee Praise
Ages: babies to 4 years old
Times: 10am, 5pm & 6:15 pm
Class Duration: 45 minutes, parent and me style
Location: Second Baptist Church, The West End
Cost: free, no registration required
4. The West End Branch's Book Babies
Ages: babies - young toddlers (non-walkers & wobblers)
Times: 10:30AM
Class Duration: 20 minutes, parent and me style
Location: City of Richmond's West End Branch
Cost: free
Thursday
1. Art Factory's Little Explorers Class
Ages: 2 years old to 5 years old
Times: 10:30am & 1:30pm
Class Duration: 45 minutes, parent and me style
Location: Midlothian
Cost: $18.90 (10% sibling discount)
2. Bass Pro & Cabela's Fish Feedings
Times: noon
Location: Ashland and Short Pump respectively
Cost: Free
3. Skate-a-Way's Tiny Tots Skate
Ages: Toddler/Preschool (we started when G was 2yo)
Times: 10am-11:15am
Class Duration: 1h15m, parent and me style and you can push a stroller on the rink
Location: Midlothian
Cost: $7 (cash) per child & parents skate for free. This includes skates, a skate assist & snack.
*Check here for my review.
4. Twin Hickory Library's Read, Grow, Play
Ages: 3yo-5yo
Time: 9:30AM-10AM
Location: Henrico County's Twin Hickory Library
Cost: Free
5. Fairfield Area Library's Adaptive Story Time
Ages: 1-12 years old, all abilities with an adult
Time: 10AM-10:30AM
Location: Henrico County's Fairfield Library
Cost: Free
6. Tuckahoe Library's Hello! Story Time (bilingual)
Ages: infant - preschool
Time: 10AM-10:30AM
Location: Henrico County's Tuckahoe Library
Cost: Free
7. The Main Branch's Preschool Story Time
Ages: 3 years old - 5 years old
Times: 10:30AM-11:15AM
Class Duration: 45 minutes, parent and me style
Location: City of Richmond's Main Branch
Cost: free
Friday
2. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden's Story Time
Class Duration: 30 m
Times: 10AM
Cost: These classes are free for members, and they are included in the admission price for nonmembers ($8 for kids & $14 for adults). Children under 3 can visit the garden for free.
2. Miss Anne's Music and Movement
Times: 10AM & 11AM
Class Duration: 30 minutes, parent and me style
Location: All Saints Episcopal Church
Cost: $7 per parent/child pair, $5 for siblings
*Check here for my review.
Saturday
1. Bass Pro & Cabela's Fish Feedings
Times: noon
Location: Ashland and Short Pump respectively
Cost: Free
2. Home Depot's Kid's Workshops
Ages: Depends on your kiddos! I started taking my son at 2 years old, but it is definitely a parent & me activity. Real tools are involved.
Times: It’s the first Saturday of each month from 9am-noon.
Location: all Home Depots
Cost: free
*Check here for my review.
3. Launch Trampoline Park's Toddler Time
Ages: 6 and under + an adult
Times: 9AM-11AM
Location: Midlothian
Cost: It costs $15 for a parent/child pair.
*Check here for my review.
4. LaPrade Library's Once Upon a Cuento (bilingual story time)
Ages: 2-5 years old
Times: 10AM-10:30AM
Class Duration: 30 minutes, parent and me style
Location: Chesterfield County's LaPrade Library
Cost: free
*Registration begins 3 days before the class.
5. VMFA's Wee Kids Workshops
Ages: 3m-13m, 14m-30m, 2.5y-5y
Times: 10:30-11:45
Location: VMFA
Cost: $24 per toddler/adult pair
*Check here for my review.
6. Fairfield Library's Family Fun
Ages: infant - preschool
Time: 10AM-10:30AM
Location: Henrico County's Fairfield Library
Cost: Free
7. Libbie Mill Library's Family Fun
Ages: infant - preschool
Time: 10:30AM-11AM
Location: Henrico County's Libbie Mill Library
Cost: Free
8. Tuckahoe Library's Family Fun
Ages: infant - preschool
Time: 11-11:30AM
Location: Henrico County's Tuckahoe Library
Cost: Free
9. Varina Library's Family Fun
Ages: infant - preschool
Time: 11-11:30AM
Location: Henrico County's Varina Library
Cost: Free
10. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden's Story Time
Class Duration: 30 m
Times: 10AM
Cost: These classes are free for members, and they are included in the admission price for nonmembers ($8 for kids & $14 for adults). Children under 3 can visit the garden for free.
11. Chester Library's Family Story Time
Ages: 0-5 years old
Times: 11AM-11:30AM
Class Duration: 30 minutes, parent and me style
Location: Chesterfield County's Chester Library
Cost: free
*Registration begins 3 days before the class.
Sunday
1. Libbie Mill Library's Family Fun
Ages: infant - preschool
Time: 2pm-2:30pm
Location: Henrico County's Libbie Mill Library
Cost: Free
2. Fairfield Library's Family Fun
Ages: infant - preschool
Time: 2pm-2:30pm
Location: Henrico County's Fairfield Library
Cost: Free
We also love visiting our local parks and playgrounds. These spaces are free to visit, and they are open from dawn to dusk daily. Check out my categorized guides below for parks that are perfect for toddlers & little kids!
*Check here for my guide on playgrounds with thoughtful flooring. All of these playgrounds have ADA surface, which is perfect for crawlers and new walkers.
*Check out this post on The Best Shaded Parks in Richmond, Virginia. I've included the playgrounds that have the most shade in the summer, and the ones that have the least shade in summer.
*Check out this post on fenced in playgrounds in central Virginia.
Looking for more things to do with kids in Richmond? Follow along on our weekly adventures on @thewestendmom !