Addy Grace Playground

When my children were little, Addy Grace Playground was one of our favorites. Located beside the Kirk Family YMCA, it features equipment designed with younger children in mind, including fun zipline-style swings, soft rubber safety surfacing, and plenty of room to explore. The playground is free and open to everyone—no YMCA membership required.

Fishburn Park

If someone asks me where to take young children outside, Fishburn Park is always near the top of my list. The playground is shaded, the trails are short enough for beginning walkers, and the shallow creek becomes irresistible during warm weather. Bring water shoes or an extra pair of sneakers because someone almost always ends up soaked.

Mill Mountain Zoo

If you're looking for a zoo that won't exhaust little legs, Mill Mountain Zoo is just the right size. Children love seeing the red pandas, snow leopards, and other animals, and the seasonal ZooChoo train ride adds just enough excitement without turning the visit into an all-day commitment. Most families can comfortably enjoy the zoo in a couple of hours before heading home for nap time. The playground is a nice bonus.

Fall Farm Festivals for Little Ones

Fall farm festivals are especially magical for younger children because so many activities are designed with them in mind. Layman Family Farms in Blue Ridge, about 25 minutes east of downtown Roanoke, features one of our favorite toddler areas, the giant Corn Crib, where little ones can dig, scoop, and play in thousands of dried corn kernels, along with a tunnel slide, giant tires, farm animals, and other hands-on play spaces. Jeter Farm in Botetourt, roughly 20 minutes north of the City Market, has become a local tradition with hayrides, barnyard activities, and seasonal harvest fun. If you're willing to drive, Sinkland Farms in Christiansburg, about 45 minutes from downtown Roanoke, offers giant hill slides, farm animals, children's play areas, and a family-friendly corn maze. Plan for at least half a day, dress for getting a little dusty, and don't forget a change of clothes for the ride home. We round up the season's farm festivals each fall under Family Fun.

PlayTime Roanoke

Rainy days happen, and sometimes everyone simply needs to burn off energy. Located inside Tanglewood Mall, PlayTime Roanoke is an indoor playground designed for children from crawlers through age 12. Soft climbing equipment, slides, and a dedicated toddler area make it a favorite for younger children. Socks are required, and children ages 0 to 3 can enjoy all-day play for $10 as of 2026.

Parent tip: One of my favorite touches is that they've added massage chairs overlooking the play area. After chasing little ones all week, it's not a bad place to relax for a few minutes while your children happily play within sight.

Kids Square Children's Museum

Kids Square Children's Museum inside Center in the Square was practically built for preschoolers, though elementary-aged children enjoy it as well. Rather than asking children to look but not touch, the exhibits encourage hands-on exploration through imaginative play, a miniature town, sensory activities, and construction-themed areas. It's one of the easiest ways to spend a rainy morning downtown, and it sits under the same roof as several other family stops we cover in our things to do guide.

Art Venture at the Taubman Museum of Art

The Taubman Museum of Art's Art Venture gallery introduces even the youngest children to creativity through hands-on exhibits, sensory experiences, and age-appropriate art activities. Designed for children as young as 12 months, Art Venture encourages little ones to touch, build, imagine, and create while making art feel playful rather than intimidating.

Parent tip: I love that this isn't an activity where you're constantly telling your toddler, "Don't touch that." Art Venture was created for little hands to explore, making it a refreshing change from the usual museum experience.

South County Library

South County Library feels like two outings in one. Inside you'll find a welcoming children's area with books, toys, and early literacy activities. Outside, a stroller-friendly StoryWalk and a 900-foot boardwalk wind through peaceful wetlands where little ones can look for birds, butterflies, frogs, and turtles without tackling a long hike. It's a reader favorite for combining indoor and outdoor play in a single visit.

Indoor Playgrounds at the Roller Skating Rinks

Not every indoor play space is a traditional playground. Several of the Roanoke Valley's roller skating rinks also offer indoor play areas where younger children can climb, slide, and explore without ever putting on a pair of skates. It's a great rainy-day option, especially for families with children of different ages.

Skate Center of Roanoke Valley and Firehouse Skate 'N Play both feature indoor playgrounds designed for younger children. While older siblings enjoy the skating rink, laser tag, or arcade games, little ones can burn off energy on age-appropriate climbing structures, slides, tunnels, and other indoor play equipment. It's one of the few places where toddlers and older children can each find something they'll enjoy under the same roof.

Parent tip: Check each facility's schedule before you head out. Open play hours can vary depending on skating sessions, birthday parties, and special events, and some locations also offer special sessions geared toward younger children.

Libraries: A Free Morning That Actually Works

Some of our favorite mornings didn't cost a thing. When my son was only a few months old, we began attending library story times, often twice a week. Story time became one of the few outings that worked equally well when he was a baby and later as an active toddler. I could hold him during songs when he was tiny, then watch him participate in crafts and stories as he grew.

Every library has its own personality. When we lived in Rocky Mount, the Franklin County Library, about 40 minutes south of downtown Roanoke, quickly became one of our favorites. The librarians genuinely loved the children, the crafts were always creative, and there's a puppet crocodile that makes a regular appearance during "Five Little Monkeys." Watching toddlers slowly work up the courage to pet him became part of the fun.

Libraries also became where I met other moms in the same season of life. Many of those friendships continued long after story time ended.

Parent tip: Every local library system offers regular story times and children's programming, so it's worth exploring a few branches to find your favorites.

Melody Makers

Some little ones would rather sing than climb, and that's where Melody Makers Roanoke shines. Designed for children ages 5 months to 5 years, these interactive music and art classes combine singing, movement, instruments, sensory play, and simple crafts in a relaxed, welcoming environment. It's a wonderful way to introduce babies, toddlers, and preschoolers to music while giving them plenty of opportunities to explore, create, and interact with other children.

Parent tip: This is one of those activities that's just as much for parents as it is for kids. You'll meet other families in the same stage of life, and your child will leave having burned energy in a calm, creative way rather than bouncing off the walls.

Mommy & Me Classes

If you're looking for more structured activities, the Roanoke Valley also offers a variety of Mommy & Me classes, including music, movement, art, gymnastics, and early learning programs designed specifically for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. These classes are a wonderful way to introduce little ones to new experiences while allowing parents to build friendships with other families. Our kids sports & classes guide has the full local list.

Mother's Day Out & Parent's Morning Out

Sometimes the best gift isn't another activity to do together—it's a few hours to catch your breath. Several churches and community organizations across the Roanoke Valley offer Mother's Day Out (MDO) or Parent's Morning Out (PMO) programs for toddlers and preschoolers. These part-time programs typically provide a safe, nurturing environment where children can play, learn, and socialize while parents run errands, work, attend appointments, or simply enjoy a little uninterrupted time.

Local programs have included First Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church, South Roanoke United Methodist Church, Church of the Holy Spirit, and South Roanoke Preschool. Programs vary by age, schedule, and availability, so it's worth checking with churches and childcare providers near your neighborhood, as new offerings are added from time to time.

Parent tip: Many Parent's Morning Out programs fill before the school year begins, while others are open to drop-ins.