7 Things to Do in Charlotte with Toddlers

Charlotte, North Carolina may surprise you with how many fun things there are to do with toddlers. Fortunately, Charlotte doesn’t usually get too cold throughout the year so you have plenty of time to explore fun outdoor venues. Here we break down our favorite 7 things to do in Charlotte with toddlers.

1. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Explore 380 acres of beautiful grounds when you visit the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, located off Lake Wylie. You’ll find a wide variety of garden exhibits to explore including the Canal Garden, Orchid Conservatory, Dry Piedmont Prairie, and more. 

There’s even a garden specifically for kids, Lost Hollow: The Kimbrell Children’s Garden. Here you and your toddler can explore “…manicured gardens and old forest featuring an amphitheater, sunken pond, Moonkeep, play spaces and more…” The Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is definitely a top thing to do in Charlotte with toddlers.

• Price: Adults ($14.95), Child 2-12 ($7.95), Children under 2: Free
• Hours: Wed-Sun (10am-4pm), Closed Mon-Tue

2. Carolina Raptor Center

The idea for the Carolina Raptor Center began in 1975 when a hawk (or “raptor”) was given to Dr. Richard Brown. Since then, thousands of birds have been admitted and released through the rehabilitation center. You can take your toddler along The Raptor Trail, a ¾-mile journey that covers facts about 20+ species of birds. Pre-K toddlers can also meet raptors, which makes this one of the more adventurous things to do in Charlotte with toddlers. Also, don’t forget to check out storytime during the center’s Tiny Talon Tales program!

• Price: Adults ($12), Students 4+ ($8), Children under 3: Free
• Hours: Wed-Sun (10am-12:30pm, 1:30pm-4pm)

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3. NASCAR Hall of Fame

If your little one is into race cars and all things that go fast, then the NASCAR Hall of Fame is one of the best things to do in Charlotte with toddlers. You’ll even get to meet Lightning McQueen from Disney Pixar’s Cars movie! 

After you walk through each of the exhibits (some being interactive), you can grab a bite at the Pit Stop Cafe and then stop by Champ’s Corner at the Gear Shop to see the NASCAR’s Hall of Fame mascot. If your toddler is jonesin’ to see the real thing, try to catch a nearby race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

• Price: Adults ($25), Children 4-12 ($18), Children under 3: Free
• Hours: Mon, Wed-Sun (10am-5pm), Closed Tue

4. Discovery Place Kids

The Discovery Place Kids Museum is one of the best things to do in Charlotte with toddlers. Little ones can explore a variety of exhibits such as I CAN Create (art studio), I CAN Grow (nature-inspired play area and water table), I CAN Explore (underwater adventure), and more. Not sure what exhibits are best for your child? Filter exhibits by age on the Explore the Museum page. For even more fun, check out Discovery Place Science and Discovery Place Nature, both also located in Charlotte, NC.

• Price: Adults 14+ ($11-$14), Children 1-13 ($11-$14), Children under 1: Free
• Hours: Thu-Sun (10:30am-4:30pm), Closed Mon-Wed

5. Small Hands Big Art

Small Hands Big Art is a fun children’s art studio where toddlers can get their hands dirty having fun and creating something new. Small Hands Big Art offers art programs for children starting at 18 months of age. They also offer Family Art Sessions where you and your toddler can make a piece of artwork together. This is a great family-friendly thing to do, especially when you’re looking for indoor fun.

• Price: Varies (see website for rates)
• Hours: Varies (see website for schedules)

6. SEA LIFE Charlotte

Photo credit: Yelp.com

At SEA LIFE Charlotte, you and your toddler can enjoy more than 10 exhibits (including the Interactive Touchpool) and experience North Carolina’s only 180-degree underwater tunnel. One of the best things that SEA LIFE offers for toddlers is a time, called Little Sea Stars, where little ones up to age 7 can play before the aquarium opens to the public. There are also fun activities offered, sing-alongs, and more. If your little one loves water and fishes, SEA LIFE is a must do!

• Price: Adult ($17.95), Children 3-12 ($14.95), Children under 2: Free
• Hours: Varies (see website for calendar) 

7. Carolinas Aviation Museum

The Carolinas Aviation Museum was founded in 1992 by Floyd Swinton Wilson, a commander of the Carolinas Wing of the Confederate Air Force. Toddlers who have a liking for aircraft will enjoy seeing these larger-than-life airplanes including civil aircraft, commercial aircraft, military aircraft, and helicopters. There’s also a special exhibition called the “Miracle on the Hudson” surrounding the famous New York Hudson River landing in 2009. While currently closed, you can expect the Carolinas Aviation Museum to reopen to visitors in 2023.

• Price: Adults ($12.87), Students 6-18 ($8.58), Children 5 and under: Free (with family visit only)
• Hours: Mon-Fri (10am-4pm), Sat (10am-5pm), Sun (1pm-5pm)

As you can see, there is a wide variety of family-friendly things to do in Charlotte with toddlers. Whether your little one loves things that go, exploring different aspects of nature, or getting hands-on and creative, Charlotte, North Carolina, has it all. There is plenty to do when the weather is great and plenty to do when it’s not. Bottom line: your toddler won’t get bored in Charlotte…and neither will you!

What’s your favorite thing to do in Charlotte with toddlers? Let us know if we missed something!