Playgrounds, spray grounds, story times, free roller skating, the Discovery Museum and the indoor pool: kids' activities in Charlottesville from official pages.
Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Facts come from Charlottesville Parks and Recreation’s park and program pages, the Virginia Discovery Museum and the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library. Programs change by season; check before you go.
Charlottesville’s free basics for families are its park playgrounds, four spray grounds (back in May 2027) and the library. For rainy days, the Virginia Discovery Museum on the Downtown Mall, the indoor pool at Smith Aquatic and Fitness Center and free roller skating at Carver Recreation Center cover most ages.
Who to call
- Parks and Recreation: 434-970-3260
- Carver Recreation Center: 434-970-3053
- Virginia Discovery Museum: 434-977-1025
- Central Library: 434-979-7151
Playgrounds
The city lists a playground at each of these parks:
| Park | Address | Also there |
|---|---|---|
| Benjamin Tonsler Park | 500 Cherry Ave. | Spray ground, life-size chess board, lighted basketball courts |
| Belmont Park | 725 Stonehenge Ave. | Spray ground, swings, basketball court |
| Forest Hills Park | 1022 Forest Hills Ave. | Spray ground, trails, view of Carter’s Mountain |
| Greenleaf Park | 1598 Rose Hill Drive | Spray ground, 14 acres, trails |
| McIntire Park | U.S. 250 Bypass | Picnic shelters, skate park, ball fields |
| Pen Park | 1300 Pen Park Road | Trails, tennis, picnic shelters, river access |
| Riverview Park | 1909 Chesapeake St. | Open field, Rivanna River Trail |
| Azalea Park | 304 Old Lynchburg Road | Ball fields, gardens, dog park |
| Booker T. Washington Park | Preston Avenue | Outdoor pool, ball field, basketball |
Most parks are open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; McIntire, Pen, Tonsler and Washington parks stay open until 10 p.m. Details are on our parks and trails guide.
Spray grounds and pools
The four free spray grounds, at Tonsler, Forest Hills, Belmont and Greenleaf parks, are closed until May 2027. The outdoor pools, Onesty Family Aquatic Center and Washington Park Pool, open for the summer; in 2026 the season ran May 23 to Sept. 7. Children 3 and under swim free. See summer camps and pools.
Rainy-day picks
Virginia Discovery Museum, 524 E. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. A hands-on children’s museum for babies through age 8, open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; Sundays are for private rentals. One admission covers all-day re-entry. Every four children need one adult, and caregivers must be 18 or older. Drop-in programs include Storytime at 10:30 a.m. Mondays, included with admission, plus Baby Buds and Toddler Yoga and Movement (museum programs). The museum suggests parking at the Market Street garage, 550 E. Market St.
Smith Aquatic and Fitness Center. The city’s indoor pool has family swimming, indoor water slides and an in-water playground. It is open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday; call 434-970-3072 to check recreation swim times.
Free roller skating at Carver Recreation Center, 233 Fourth St. NW. The city lends skates for free. Hours are Wednesday 5 to 7:45 p.m., Friday 4 to 7:45 p.m. and Sunday noon to 2:30 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m., with room for 50 skaters (skating page).
Drop-in classes at Carver for ages 1 to 6, at $8 a child: Tumble Time at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays and 4 p.m. Thursdays, Art Adventures Mondays and Thursdays, and an Open Art Studio for ages 1 to 12 on Wednesday mornings (drop-in schedule).
The library. The Jefferson-Madison Regional Library’s Central Library, 201 E. Market St., runs storytimes and children’s programs listed on the JMRL events calendar. Library visitors can scan the Metropolis code to validate three hours of free parking, courtesy of the Friends of JMRL.
Outdoors, any season
- Trails: the paved Rivanna River Trail from Riverview Park and Pen Park’s flat 1.5-mile nature trail are flat and easy for families. See walking and biking trails.
- Botanical Garden of the Piedmont, 950 Melbourne Road: free programs, including its Little Nature Explorers series (calendar).
- Skate park: the Charlottesville Skate Park at McIntire Park, with summer skate camps.
Seasonal favorites
- Halloween: Monster Mash, Boo Bash and more on our Halloween events page.
- Holidays: Winter Wander lights and Santa; see holiday lights and Christmas events.
- Easter: the city’s Eggstravaganza; see Easter.
- Spring break and summer: spring break and summer camps and pools.
What this means for you
- On a wet day, start at the Discovery Museum for under-8s or Carver for free skating.
- Spray grounds return in May; playgrounds are open year-round.
- Library visits come with three hours of free parking downtown.
Related guides: free things to do, parks and trails and things to do this month.
Frequently asked questions
What can kids do on a rainy day in Charlottesville?
The Virginia Discovery Museum on the Downtown Mall is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday for children 8 and under. Smith Aquatic and Fitness Center has indoor slides and a playground pool, and Carver Recreation Center has free roller skating.
Is there free roller skating in Charlottesville?
Yes. Carver Recreation Center, 233 Fourth St. NW, offers free roller skating with free skates: Wednesday 5 to 7:45 p.m., Friday 4 to 7:45 p.m. and Sunday noon to 2:30 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. Capacity is 50 people.
Where are the best playgrounds in Charlottesville?
City parks with playgrounds include McIntire, Pen, Tonsler, Belmont, Forest Hills, Greenleaf, Azalea, Riverview and Booker T. Washington parks. Tonsler, Belmont, Forest Hills and Greenleaf also have spray grounds.
Where is story time in Charlottesville?
The Virginia Discovery Museum holds Storytime at 10:30 a.m. Mondays, included with admission. The Jefferson-Madison Regional Library lists its storytimes, including at Central Library, 201 E. Market St., on its events calendar.
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