25 Ideas Under $25 for Summer Fun With Kids in Charlotte

1. Hit the beach!

Grab the sunscreen and head to Ramsey Creek Park at Lake Norman. Ages 6 and under can come for free; kids 6 – 13 are $3; over 14 is $5. Monday through Thursday, it’s just $5 per car for Mecklenburg County residents to enjoy the lake and swim. The park is open dawn to dusk, with lifeguards on duty, through Labor Day. Pro tip: Skip the $10 parking on the weekends, and head to the Northcross Park and Ride lot in Huntersville, where a free shuttle picks up beachgoers every 15 minutes from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

2. Go fishing.

The nature centers at Latta Plantation, McDowell, and Reedy Creek parks let you check out a rod and reel for free. Bait can be purchased if they aren’t sold out, but consider bringing your own just in case. (Anyone over age 16 needs to have a N.C. fishing license).

3. Splash at one of the city’s stellar spraygrounds.

Most are open Memorial Day through Labor Day, and are sprinkled throughout the city.

4. Get Curious with ImaginOn’s Curious George Summer Exhibit.

Explore the exhibit that introduces young children into the world of Curious George, featuring a construction site, mini-golf, space rocket, a farm, and more interactive elements. Admission to the exhibit is free. The exhibit is open during ImaginOn building hours: Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday-Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m, with the last entry time being 30 minutes before the building closes.

5. Spend a morning at the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market.

Kids love the free samples and donuts any time of day, but get there early if you want the most options for garden-fresh veggies and locally raised meats. Located on Yorkmont Road. Find special happenings posted on the market’s Facebook page.

6. Make a trip to Quest.

Located at Latta Nature Preserve, Quest’s 13,000 square foot facility offers endless opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Walk the Carolina Raptor Trail, hike alongside a naturalist, create a nature craft, kayak, paddleboard, canoe, fish, and more! Check their calendar for special events and programming to plan your visit.

While admission to Quest is free, you must purchase tickets to the Raptor Trail (Adult ticket – $16, Ages 13 – 22 – $14, Ages 3 – 12 – $12, Children 3 and under are free.). Paddle sports also have fees. See their website for details.

7. Play the 12-hole disc golf course at Squirrel Lake Park.

Bring your bikes or scooters, too, for a quick ride on Four-Mile Creek Greenway, also accessible from the park, which is located on Pleasant Plains Road in Matthews.

8. Visit Anne Springs Close Greenway.

Hike or bike the more than 40 miles of trails at the greenway in Fort Mill. Canoeing, horseback riding and other programs are available. Admission is $14 per person, kids 5 – 12 is $7. Or become a member for free admission.

Anne Springs Close Greenway

Anne Springs Close Greenway outside Charlotte offers guided hikes, miles of trails, a Dairy Barn and more.

9. Hit Power Alley at Charlotte Knights

Take them out to the ballgame and enjoy the freedom and low cost of the Power Alley section. Situated on the sloped grass, kids are free to run around and tickets are just $17.

10. Head uptown to First Ward Park.

Just across from ImaginOn on Seventh Street is First Ward Park complete with splash pad and green space. The park also hosts live music on various dates throughout the summer.

11. Pan for gold at Reed Gold Mine.

Reed Gold Mine is the site of the first documented gold find in the United States.

Today, kids can pan for gold, take a tour of the historical site, and enjoy trails and outdoor exhibits. Admission is free. Gold Panning is available Tuesday through Saturday, between April 1 through October 31, weather permitting, for $5 per person.

12. Visit Big Rock Nature Preserve

Visit the 22-acre nature trail that hosts a historic Native American rock shelter. Escape the heat in the shady, easy trail and let the kids hide and climb amongst the large boulders.

13. Hike at Crowders Mountain State Park.

The hike to the summit of Crowders Mountain is challenging — and views are stellar — but families with younger children may want to choose one of the easier trails. The park, located in Gaston County, is about a 40-minute drive south on I-85 from uptown Charlotte.

14. Feed the animals at Lazy 5 Ranch.

Lazy 5 Ranch is home to over 750 animals including birds, domestic farm animals, and exotic species. Not only can your kids view these animals roaming the ranch, they are able to get up close and feed them out of feed buckets right from your own car window! Kids and adults will delight in this one-of-a-kind experience.

The ranch is open seven days a week, however, check their Facebook page or call to confirm their hours if storms or extreme heat is predicted.

Adult Admission (ages 12-59) $15.00
Children Admission (ages 2-11) $11.00
Senior Admission (ages 60+) $11.00

Feed buckets (64oz)- $3.00 each

General Admission includes the drive thru in your own vehicle and walk around petting zoo. Cash or NC check only. No credit cards.

15. Visit the Schiele Museum 

Known for its amazing planetarium, kids will also explore and discover dinosaurs, animals, habitats, fossils, and minerals in this science and natural world museum. Open 7 days a week, visit here for hours, pricing, and directions.

16. Watch planes takeoff and land at the CLT Overlook.

For the flight enthusiasts in your crew, pack a picnic and head to “The Overlook” at Charlotte Douglas Airport. Park your car and chill while you watch takeoffs and landings.

17. Cool off at Ray’s Splash Planet.

With an array of slides, spilling overhead buckets, water basketball, a lazy river, special “Saturation Station” for children under 48 inches tall, and more, you’ll understand how Ray’s has been ranked on the city’s best-of lists since opening in 2002. Entry is $8-$10 for residents and $10-$15 for non-residents.

18. Play with an Alpaca at Good Karma Ranch.

Head over to this Alpaca Ranch, just 40 mins outside of Charlotte and pet llamas, tour the farm, or even do alpaca yoga. See their events calendar to purchase tickets in advance.

19. Go on an ARTventure.

Make a visit to the Mint Museum Uptown to check out the Lewis Family Gallery. The hands-on space provides a creative environment for creating art, engaging in building and puzzle challenges, posing for pictures, decorating a crown, and stepping into a Romare Bearden collage.

Check the calendar for Wild Wednesdays, when kids can gather on the lawn of the Mint Museum Randolph to meet an animal from the Stevens Creek Nature Center, participate in nature-themed art experiences, and go on a self-guided scavenger hunt through the museum.

20. Explore the Robinson Rock House ruins at Reedy Creek Park.

Built during the 18th century, just a few crumbling walls remain—a fun reward in the middle of an easy, shady hike. And if you like to fish, cast a line in Dragonfly and Slider ponds. Fishing gear and bait is available at the nature center.

21. Beat the heat or rainy days at Playland Indoor Playground.

Kids 12 and under will enjoy slides, obstacle courses, ball blasts, swings, ball pits, and a special toddler play section. Parents will love Playland’s coffee café, free WIFI, and open floor plan allowing for full visibility. Pricing for 2 hours of playtime varies $8.99 – 13.99 based on age and day.

22. Make a trip to Gastonia’s Lineberger Park.

Lineberger Park Pool in Gastonia features a zero-depth entry with fountain geysers, a lazy river, a two-story waterslide, three lanes for lap swimming and colorful splash features. The park also has a miniature train ride ($1) and sprayground. The lazy river and mini-waterpark are open daily through mid-August. Sessions are from 12:30 to 3 p.m. and 3:30 to 6 p.m. Cost: $4 per 2.5-hour session for children age 1 and older.

23. Take a day trip to DuPont Forest.

From hiking to swimming and canoeing to fishing, an outdoor adventure land awaits in the Blue Ridge Mountains’ DuPont State Recreational Forest near Brevard. This 10,400-acre area offers more than 100 miles of recreational trails in lush forested land that encompasses lakes and waterfalls. It’s open to walkers, mountain bikers, hikers and horseback riders. Admission to the park is free and the experience is priceless.

24. Play indoors at Superior Play Systems 

For a small fee, kids can come and free play on all of their playground equipment, basketball hoops, trampolines, and more.

25. Visit Just Play

This adventure playground has climbing structures, a ninja course, interactive digital games, and more. There’s a designated toddler area for the littlest patrons, and parents play for free.