Whether you’re in town to see some basketball or eat some barbeque, Charlotte is buzzing metropolis that offers a variety of activities. Bring the kids to the amusement park or rent a kayak for a price you won’t find anywhere else. Try these popular kid-friendly activities today:

• Fly down the roller coasters at Carowinds amusement park
• At Inner Peaks Climbing Center, boulder the beginner wall, rope stations, and terrain for every skill level
• Enjoy a meal while you watch a blockbuster at Studio Movie Grill
• Explore the galleries at Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
• At Lake Wylie, rent a kayak from Water Sports Carolinas

Parents, get ready for a family vacation that is just as fun for you as it is for the kids. Race around the go-kart park for thrills or sip a beer while the kids paint. Try these things to do with kids in Charlotte:

• Visit Funtasticks Family Fun Park and race the kids to the finish line on the go-kart track
• Create your own vase during a Pottery Wheel Experience in Alexander Hill
• Try your luck at wakeboarding when you visit Shark Wake Park
• Tour the African-American Cultural Center to learn important American history
• BYOB to a family-friendly painting class where you’ll make a group masterpiece together

One of the best parts about seeing a new place is learning its history and culture. In Charlotte, affordable sightseeing opportunities include civil war reenactments, horse-drawn carriage rides, and jousting. Try these family-friendly kid attractions on your trip:

• See a Civil War reenactment Latta Plantation
• See a cooking demonstration and enjoy live music at the Matthews Community Farmers’ Market
• Take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the downtown area of the city
• Bike, jog, or roller-blade at one of Mecklenburg County’s 15 greenways
• Feast on turkey legs and see the fortune teller at the Carolina Renaissance Faire

Let the kids run free with a variety of activities that keep imagination front and center. Speed around the race track or watch in awe at manatees inside the aquarium. Here are some of the best ways to spend a day with kids in Charlotte:

This urban city is as group-friendly as it gets. Many of Charlotte’s local restaurants accommodate large groups, just call ahead about kid-friendly options and availability. Try these kid-friendly group activities in Charlotte:

• Eat fried pickles, a can’t miss southern fare, at Diamond Restaurant
• Pick pumpkins and strawberries at Hall Family Farm
• Challenge the crew to a bowling tournament at Strike City
• See a movie or shop at one of the many stores at Stonecrest Mall
• Celebrate cultural heritage at one of the city’s festivals, like Rural Hill Scottish Festival or Festival of India

There is plenty of fun to be had in Charlotte, so why not learn something new along the way? The city’s museums and nature centers are second-to-none, so spend the afternoon exploring together. Try one of the following educational activities for kids in Charlotte:

• Learn about raptor habitats at Carolina Raptor Center
• Allow science to take you by surprise at Discovery Place Museum
• Explore the childhood log cabin homestead reconstructed at the James K. Polk Historic Site
• Take a hands-on science workshop at Main Library Maker Space
• Mine for new knowledge about gold mining at the Wells Fargo History Museum

Dance, sing, and create in Charlotte. Explore 3D art-making or take a theater class. The options are endless, so try the following kid-friendly creative outlets:

• Create various 2D and 3D projects in the studios at the Mint Museum
• At Art Buzz Kids, parents can choose to stay or drop off kids for a two-hour painting class
• On Wednesdays, kids are invited to create their own pottery at Dish it Out
• Art-Kiddo offers immersive, bilingual art instruction to help kids grow their art skills as well as their social skills
• Take a theater class at the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte

North Carolina experiences the ups and downs of every season, but don’t let that rain on your parade. Try these exciting indoor activities for kids in Charlotte:

• Stay the night or swim for a day at the Great Wolf Lodge indoor water park resort
• Root on the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena
• Play Bechtler Bingo while you explore the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
• Jump from wall to wall on the trampolines at SkyZone Charlotte
• Play for hours inside the the ultimate fun zone at Sports Connection