Kid-Friendly Things To Do in Raleigh 

Are you searching for the best kid-friendly things to do in Raleigh, NC? Here are ten great fun things to do that the whole family will enjoy in Raleigh! 

Raleigh is not only the capital of North Carolina but has been named one of the top cities in the country to raise a family. Best known for its affordable cost of living, beautiful homes for sale, excellent education, and abundance of recreational activities, it is no wonder that many parents with young children want to call Raleigh home. 

Spending time as a family has many benefits, including strengthening family bonds, creating memories, and encouraging communication between parent and child. Raleigh has many pros and cons, and its kid-friendly activities are just one of the many great things about living in the area. Whether you are looking for interactive museums or libraries full of books, there are plenty of fun and free things to do with your kids, no matter their age or abilities.

Check out these fun, kid-friendly things to do in Raleigh

1. Marbles Kids Museum 

Address: 201 E Hargett Street, Raleigh, NC 27601 

Hours: Closed Monday, 10 AM to 5 PM, Tuesday through Sunday

Marbles Kids Museum is one of the best places to take your kids in Raleigh since it offers a fun and educational experience for toddlers and school-aged children. Marbles is an ideal destination for families and school groups, featuring many interactive and hands-on exhibits geared toward kids aged ten or under. 

Located in the heart of Downtown Raleigh in the Moore Square Historic District, Marbles Kids Museum requires tickets to be bought online since admission is known to sell out ahead of time, especially on the weekends and holidays. General admission tickets are non-refundable and are $9 for both adults and children between one and 11 years old. 

There are many fun and exciting exhibits spread out over two floors, and there is an IMAX Theatre, which is Raleigh's only giant-screen movie experience. Movie screening times can be found online before buying your tickets. 

Summer Camps are also available at Marbles Kids Museum, which is filled with play and creativity every day. Half-day camps are available for preschool students, and half-day and full-day camps for elementary school students. 

2. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 

Address: 11 W Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601 

Hours: Closed Monday, 10 AM to 5 PM, Tuesday through Sunday 

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is the oldest in the state and is a must-visit for families with kids. Located in Downtown Raleigh, this museum features natural history exhibits, including fossil collections, flora and fauna, and live animal programs. 

Providing a unique experience for visitors, this museum's interactive exhibits and free admission make it a local favorite for children throughout the week. This is an excellent place in Raleigh for kids to learn about science and nature through its exhibits, programs, and events.

There is even a movie theatre that plays 3D films that cover topics from dinosaurs to the oceans. Movie tickets can be bought either in person at the museum or in advance online. 

All permanent exhibits are free, but special exhibits come to the museum throughout the year that require tickets unless you are a museum member. All exhibit and event information can be found on the museum's website. 

3. Frankie's of Raleigh 

Address: 11190 Fun Park Drive, Raleigh, NC 27617 

Hours: 12 PM to 11 PM Sunday through Thursday, 12 PM to 12 AM Friday, and 11 AM to 1 AM Saturday 

If you want something fun and unique to do with your kids in Raleigh, visit Frankie's of Raleigh. This amusement center is located near the airport and is best known for its family-friendly adventures and various attractions. 

Featuring arcade games, go-karts, laser tag, bumper boats, flight simulators, mini golf, batting cages, ropes courses, and an indoor playground, Frankie's of Raleigh offers fun for all ages and is a popular spot for kids. 

An ideal place for birthday parties and group events, Frankie's of Raleigh offers excellent service and has a cafe and lounge on-site that serves food, beers, wines, and specialty cocktails.

Prices of tickets vary depending on the attraction. Before visiting, remember that some attractions have height and age requirements if you are bringing your children. 

4. Sky Zone Trampoline Park 

Address: 2101 Westinghouse Boulevard, Suite 111, Raleigh, NC 27604 

Hours: 1 PM to 8 PM Monday through Thursday, 1 PM to 10 PM Friday, 9 AM to 10 PM Saturday, 12 PM to 8 PM Sunday 

All ages are welcome at Sky Zone Trampoline Park, which is why it is such a popular place for families to take their kids when looking for something fun to do in Raleigh. 

This chain of indoor trampoline parks has a location in Raleigh and is a great place for kids, teens, and adults to jump around and play all day. Featuring opportunities to freestyle bounce, join a fitness program, have a birthday party, play ultimate dodgeball, and celebrate any occasion, it is no wonder Sky Zone Trampoline Park is such a family-friendly attraction. 

All-day tickets are $34.99, and 90-minute ticket options are $24.99. All tickets can be purchased online ahead of time and are nonrefundable and nontransferable. 

5. Pullen Park

Address: 520 Ashe Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27606 

Hours: 10 AM to 6 PM daily 

Recognized as the first public park in North Carolina, Pullen Park has historic significance and is a frequented spot for Raleigh families and kids of all ages. 

This 66.4 public park is located west of Downtown Raleigh and is close to the North Carolina State University campus, one of Raleigh's best colleges. Not only does Pullen Park offer a playground, picnic tables, a barbeque area, and beautiful views, but this park is best known for its amusement rides, making it one of the most well-known parks in the area. 

Pullen Park is exceptionally kid-friendly, featuring an aquatic center, tennis courts, athletic fields, an arts center, theatrical performances, pedal boat rentals, carnival games, a carousel, and a miniature train. All amusement rides are $2 per person per attraction. 

6. Galaxy Fun Park 

Address: 14460 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh, NC 27614 

Hours: Closed Monday and Tuesday, 12 PM to 7 PM Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 12 PM to 9 PM Friday, 10 AM to 9 PM Saturday 

Galaxy Fun Park is one of the best amusement parks in Raleigh, with over 65,000 square feet of indoor fun for the whole family to enjoy. Considered the largest indoor family fun center in Raleigh, all visitors are guaranteed to have a blast. 

Featuring go-karts, a full-sized trampoline park, laser tag, a ropes course, mini golf, and bumper cars, there is no shortage of fun attractions to check out and explore here. 

Offering group events and birthday parties, your kids and their friends will have a great time. Just to let you know, some attractions have height and weight limits before visiting. 

Pricing varies depending on what attractions you want to participate in. Still, two and three-hour unlimited passes are available for $33 for two-hour unlimited play and $39 for three-hour unlimited play. 

7. Dorothea Dix Park 

Address: 1030 Richardson Drive, Raleigh, NC 27603 

Hours: Open 24 hours 

Dorothea Dix Park is one of the most well-known parks in Raleigh that offers picturesque views of the city skyline. This large park was the site of North Carolina's first mental health facility, Dorothea Dix Hospital, but has since turned into a city park and the headquarters for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. 

Not only is Dorothea Dix Park a great place to picnic with the whole family, but it offers plenty of open space to walk around and a popular dog park that is free and open to the public. This park is highly family-friendly and a great spot to spend time with your kids, especially when the weather is nice and warm. 

The Raleigh Fourth of July celebration is also hosted here and will feature lots of fireworks, food trucks, live music, and kid-friendly games. There are also plenty of free seasonal activities to check out here, including Falling For Local at Dorothea Dix Park, which features pumpkins and hayrides. 

8. Little Doodles Play Cafe 

Address: 6548 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27613 

Hours: 9 AM to 3 PM Monday through Friday and closed Saturday and Sunday 

If you have younger children, then make sure to bring them to Little Doodles Play Cafe in Raleigh, which is located off Glenwood Avenue. This play cafe provides the opportunity for your kids to be creative and to connect with other kids. 

This indoor play space provides endless fun for your kids while the grown-ups get to hang out, do some work, or sip a coffee at the cafe. Whether you visit for the day or want to purchase a membership, Little Doodles Play Cafe is a safe space for the whole family to hang out. 

Closed on the weekends to host birthday parties, all parties include two hours of playtime, up to 15 kids, private use, decorations, and add-ons. 

9. North Carolina Museum of Art 

Address: 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27607 

Hours: Closed Monday and Tuesday, 10 AM to 5 PM, Wednesday through Sunday 

The North Carolina Museum of Art is a well-known Raleigh art museum with a free permanent exhibition. Though younger kids might not fully appreciate looking at artwork and paintings, this museum boasts a beautiful 164-acre museum park, which is a perfect place to picnic, walk, bike, bird watch, and hang out with family and friends. 

This museum is also known for its kid-friendly summer camps, which allow kids to be creative and meet new friends.

10. Pleasant Park 

Address: 3400 Pleasant Pins Road, Apex, NC 27502 

Hours: 6:30 AM to 10 PM daily 

Though not directly located in Raleigh, Pleasant Park is a new addition to Apex, a suburb of Raleigh and a sought-after place for many families. This park is a hit with many parents in the Triangle since it features many kid-friendly activities and play areas. 

As one of the best ways to spend the day and things to do in Apex, visitors can enjoy its six multiple-purpose fields, six pickleball courts, four tennis courts, four basketball courts, two picnic shelters, well-maintained restroom facilities, and 1.5 acres of enchanted forest, which includes nine-play villages for kids of all ages. 

Make sure to visit Pleasant Park in Apex for a fun outdoor play day. 

Methodology

We used data and information from WRAL News, University Health, and local kid-friendly businesses to determine the best things to do in Raleigh that are kid-friendly and fun for the whole family. 

FAQs 

What is fun for older kids in Raleigh, NC? 

Raleigh has many fun things to do for kids of all ages and is home to trampoline parks, arcades, mini-golf, go-karting, and family-friendly comedy shows for older kids throughout the Triangle. There are also various seasonal things to do, including haunted houses and attractions around Halloween. 

What to do with a toddler in Raleigh, NC? 

Raleigh is very toddler-friendly and has multiple museums with interactive exhibits, well-maintained parks, playgrounds, and picnic areas that kids will enjoy. 

Is Raleigh good for kids? 

Raleigh is an amazing place to live for families with young kids since it offers beautiful parks, greenways, museums, and safe neighborhoods. The NC State Fair also comes to Raleigh every October and is a great family-friendly activity that kids enjoy. 

Fun Kid-Friendly Things To Do in Raleigh, NC - Final Thoughts 

From preschoolers to teenagers, Raleigh is very kid-friendly. Whether you are moving to Raleigh for a new job or for its many fun things to do, the city is full of events and activities that everyone will enjoy.

If you want to raise a family in Raleigh and are ready to find your dream home in the Triangle area, contact the experts at Raleigh Realty. We are here to help and are prepared to answer any questions.