Charlotte, NC Activities with Kids

Even if your visit does not coincide with a race meeting at the Charlotte Motor Speedway you can still give your children a taste of race day magic by visiting the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Your family tour of the Hall of Fame will start in the Hi Octane Theater, (which features an enormous 64-foot wide screen and surround sound) where you will watch a movie to give you a great overview of the facility. As you and the children make your way through the Great Hall, Glory Rd, Hall of Honor and Race Week exhibits you will see many displays of famous NASCAR drivers and their amazing vehicles. When you need a break you can pop into the Pit Stop Café to refuel.

NASCAR Hall of Fame, 400 E M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28202, Phone: 704-654-4400

At Discovery Place Science, you can stimulate your child’s imagination with a wide variety of fascinating and educational interactive science exhibits. The museum is ideal for a great family day out and children will have the time of their lives enjoying the various exhibitions which include World Alive (complete with live reptiles), the Bug Lab (featuring Orchid Mantis, jewel wasps and much more) and Being Me (all about the human body). In addition there is plenty of time to play and construct at Project Build and Kidscience (for the little visitors). In addition there are amazing shows at the IMAX theatre, live chemistry shows and much more.

Discovery Place Science, 301 Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202, Phone: 704-372-6261

A family visit to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art could prove to be the first vital step you take to awaken your child’s inherent artistic creativity. The museum offers both audio tours and docent-guided tours which offer a great insight into the amazing collection of art on display. If you are visiting with younger children you should try and schedule your visit for one of the museum’s regular Family Days when special guided tours are arranged especially for younger visitors and children are encouraged to have fun creating their own works of art to take home with them. The museum has a brilliant shop where you can buy a variety of children’s art books and equipment.

Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Levine Center for the Arts, 550 S Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202, Phone: 980-236-1521

For Younger Kids

Covering nearly 400 acres along the banks of Lake Wylie, Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is a spectacular tribute to nature and beauty. Here the entire family can enjoy a memorable day out admiring nature in all its glory. Even the youngest visitors can enjoy learning about nature at one of the garden’s special children’s programs which are aimed at children between two and five years of age. Some of the highlights of the garden include the Orchid Conservatory, the Kimbrell Children’s Garden (Lost Hollow) and the colorful Canal Garden. In November and December the garden is festively dressed up in thousands of lights and hosts a Fairy Festival for the children and Beer Garden for the adults.

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 South New Hope Rd, Belmont, NC 28012, Phone: 704-825-4490

ImaginOn (the Joe and Joan Martin Center) is located in the heart of Charlotte’s culture and art district where it offers a unique space for young people to learn about art and culture. The center includes an enormous children’s library, two remarkable theatres, class rooms, a production studio and an exhibition space. The Spangler Library for Children caters for your children from birth to fifth grade, with a special baby and toddler area and hands-on activities for all ages. If you have teenagers in the family you can introduce them to The Loft and Studio I, while pre-teen children (seven to twelve) can have hours of fun in The Block.

ImaginOn, 300 East Seventh Street, Charlotte, NC 28202, Phone: 704-416-4600

Small Hands Big Art is an independently-operated children's art studio offering two locations in Charlotte and Fort Mill, recognized as the region's best art studio for young artists. The chain, which was opened to the public in 2009, focuses on fine art principles infused with contemporary flair, presenting a high-quality and innovative art curriculum for young students of all ages and ability levels. Weekly mixed media courses are available for children between the ages of 18 months and 15 years, exploring media such as drawing, painting, sculpture, and printmaking and introducing art theory principles in an easy-to-understand manner. Mixed media and pottery camps are also offered throughout the year, along with school vacation day workshops, family art sessions, and offsite programming partnering with local schools and organizations. Children wishing to celebrate their birthdays at the facility can enjoy full birthday party packages, with packages also available to commemorate graduations, holidays, or other milestones.

8025 Ardrey Kell Rd., Suite 103 Charlotte, NC 28277, Phone: 704-246-8271

The entire family will love spending time at Sea Life Charlotte-Concord where children can see a vast assortment of the most amazing sea creatures in a variety of marine habitats. The aquarium hosts talks and feedings throughout the day so be sure to check times on their website to make sure your children can share the excitement.

For most children the highlight of their visit will be the Interactive Touchpool Experience where they get to touch live crabs, urchins and sea stars. Other exciting activities include walking through the under-water tunnel as you watch sharks, shoals and even turtles swim overhead. Families get special rates on Toddler Tuesday.

SEA LIFE Charlotte, 8111 Concord Mills Blvd, Concord, NC 28027, Phone: 855-450-0812

If you have creative teens in your family you should introduce them to the Idea Box at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library, where young adults will find all the equipment they need to make just about whatever they can dream up. Idea Box is a unique place for talented young minds to get together and complete projects. The maker-space has a variety of essential tools including 3D printers, vinyl and laser cutters, sewing and knitting machines and various other tools needed to produce inspiring creations. You can also use a variety of tablets and computers which may not be available at home or at school. Younger children can attend Story Time and several other educational sessions at the library.

Idea Box, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Main Library, 310 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202, Phone: 704-416-0100

You can set your child’s imagination free when you enroll them in one of the many creative classes offered by the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. There are classes for all ages starting with the Side-by-Side class for two and three-year olds, which helps these very young children to learn social skills and build their confidence. As children get older they will graduate to My Spotlight and Acting Adventure classes, followed by Shooting Stars and Young Explorer’s workshops. If your child would prefer to watch some theatre before joining in you can bring them to see one of the delightful shows at the McColl Family Theatre or the Wells Fargo Playhouse.

Children’s Theatre Charlotte, 300 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202, Phone: 704-973-2828