What To Do With Kids In Charlotte During The Winter
What to do when it's cold outside in the post-holiday months
January and February weekends can be tough on parents. Most sports are on hiatus, events around town are few and far between, and it can be too cold (for parents at least) to spend the day outside.
So here are a list of performances, museums, and indoor activities in Charlotte to keep you and your family busy until the flowers start to bloom.
Family-Friendly Performances & Events, Winter 2025
The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs
Jan 4 – 26, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
Hamilton
Jan 15 – Feb 2, Belk Theatre
Gershwin’s Magic Key
Jan 18, Knight Theatre
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents The Greatest Show On Earth
Jan 17 – 19, Spectrum Center
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Parade
Jan 18, Tryon St. Uptown
Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Musical
Feb 1 – March 2, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
WWE Monday Night RAW
Feb 17, Spectrum Center
Wild Kratts – Live! 2.0
Feb 19, Ovens Auditorium
Museums
Discovery Place
Discovery Place Science
301 N. Tryon St.
This hands-on museum will intrigue kids of all ages with aquariums, design labs, indoor rainforest, IMAX theater, interactive science experiences and exhibits. This uptown spot is now open 7 days a week. Save on ticket price and parking, by prepaying online.
Discovery Place Nature
1658 Sterling Road
Geared toward younger children, but enjoyable for all ages, the hands-on nature facility lets kids get up close with animals and insects. The nature museum has both indoor and outdoor exhibitions, including “Creature Craven” and “Insect Alley,” where kids can go nose-to-nose with a variety of creatures and bugs. Discovery Place Nature is open Tuesday through Sunday, at $8 per person. Children under 2 are free. Purchase tickets in advance online.
Discovery Place Kids
105 Gilead Road, Huntersville
Suited for children 7 and under, the museum and its extensive play exhibitions are themed around a small town, allowing children to learn through play. Discovery Place Kids is open Tuesday – Sunday, and tickets ($14 per person on weekdays, $15 per person on weekends) must be purchased online in advance.
Schiele Museum
1500 East Garrison Blvd, Gastonia
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.
Museum of Illusions
601 S. Tryon St.
Adults and kids will enjoy the mind-bending hijinks created by mirrors, lights, and depth perception challenges. We’ve got everything to know before you go, here. Be sure to buy tickets in advance, they often sell out.
NASCAR Hall of Fame
400 E. MLK Blvd
Racing fans can see exhibits and more than 50 interactive experiences, like the iRacing Simulator and Pit Crew Challenge.
SEA LIFE
8111 Concord Mills Boulevard, Concord
This underwater adventure features 10 interactive zones including an Interactive Touchpool, the Tropical Ocean tunnel with more than 800 creatures inside 117,000 gallons of water, the Sea Turtle Rescue Center, and the Stingray Bay exhibit, among others. The newest exhibit, Doodle Reef, allows you to design your own virtual fish and watch as it swims in the reef. Purchase tickets here.
NC Transportation Museum
1 Samuel Spencer Dr, Spencer
If you have a train lover – this is the spot for you. This family-friendly place is a 57 acre site filled with interesting exhibits, train rides, historic structures, and special events.
Indoor Play
Photo courtesy iFLY Indoor Skydiving
Sports Connection
11611 Ardrey Kell Rd.
Enjoy bounce houses, laser tag, bowling, arcade games, bumper cars, a ropes course, virtual reality, and more at this Ballantyne mega center. The littlest ones won’t be left out with mini-bowling and the Playland Adventure Center.
Urban Air Adventure Park
9108 Lawyers Rd., Mint Hill
With daily open play hours, kids of all ages can enjoy an adventure playground, climbing walls, dodgeball, a ropes course, trampolines, tumble track, warrior course, and more.
Ninja Nation
14120 Statesville Rd, Huntersville
If your kids love American Ninja Warrior and Floor Is Lava, or generally treat your home like a parkour challenge, they’ll love this obstacle-course gym owned and operated by a former Hollywood stuntman.
Just Play
9535 South Blvd.
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.
Playland Indoor Playground
2700 Gray Fox Rd., Monroe
Kids 12 and under can take on obstacle courses, ball blasts, swings, and ball pits, while little ones can hang in the special toddler play section. Parents will love Playland’s coffee café, free WIFI, and open floor plan that allows for full visibility.
Romp N’ Roll
3611 Mt. Holly-Huntersville Rd.
In addition to a line-up of weekly classes, the indoor gym offers daily open playtime hours for children ages 3 months to 5 years.
Superior Play Systems
11415 Granite St Suite C
For a small fee, kids can come and free play on all of their playground equipment, basketball hoops, trampolines, and more.
Frankie’s Fun Park
10621 Bryton Corporate Center Dr
This place has it all – arcade, fun house, bumper cars, bowling and more. No children under 18 after 6pm on weekends.
Ray’s Splash Planet
215 North Sycamore Street
The indoor waterpark has a variety of slides, a lazy river, current pool, and lots of fun splash and spill beach bucket stations.
iFLY
7840 Lyles Lane, Concord
Suited for ages 3 and up, those ready to jump out of a plane can satisfy their inner daredevil at this indoor skydiving facility.
Inner Peaks
Matthews – 10715 Independence Pointe Pkwy.
South End – 2220 S Tryon St
The indoor rock climbing facility offers customized programs for all ages and skill levels. Note: there is a minimum 1:3 adult to child ratio.
Cliff Hangers
326 Oates Rd., Mooresville
This indoor climbing facility has a special kid’s climbing area, yoga, fitness studio, and café.
The Pit
346 East Plaza Dr., Mooresville
Known for their indoor go-karting, The Pit also has an arcade, mini-golf, laser tag, cannonball, ax throwing, escape rooms, and the Peanut Track with kiddy-karts for children 3 to 9.
Trampoline Parks
Charlotte – 7325 Smith Corners Blvd.
Pineville – 10200 Centrum Pkwy.
2408 Sardis Rd. N
8116 University City Blvd.
Day or Weekend Trips
Winterplace Ski
Great Wolf Lodge
10175 Weddington Road, Concord
This indoor water park fun and exciting land attractions offer something for the entire family – kid-friendly activities, dining options, interactive games, 11 waterslides, four pools, and more. Don’t want to go overnight? Purchase a day pass!
Want to get away for the weekend? Check out our WEEKENDER series.
In search of snow? Check out our guide to the closest skiing and snow tubing spots.
