Virginia Kids Trail Free Family Fun
Sometimes the best things in life really are free. And the Virginia Kids Trail has free activities for kids all along the way. Take a walk in the woods with your children. Enjoy a community concert or art exhibit. Visit historic sites and learn about the early settlers. Or just enjoy a healthy snack at a roadside picnic table with a stunning view. Local libraries offer a wide range of programs for children and families at no cost. And there are plenty of free festivals and First Friday events on the Kids Trail. The memories your family will make are priceless.
Free Family Action Fun
Walking is a great free family fun activity. Take a stroll on Winchester’s Green Circle Trail and then explore Abrams Creek Wetlands Preserve. Arboretums are also a wonderful place for a walk. Spend some time at the Virginia State Arboretum in Boyce or head to Harrisonburg and enjoy the tranquility of the Edith J Carrier Arboretum, part of James Madison University.
The Appalachian Trail offers families hiking and adventure. Hike up Jefferson Rock in Harpers Ferry or get in a scenic climb at Bear’s Den in Berryville. You’ll also find 10 miles of hiking trails at the Blue Ridge Center in Purcellville. Get in your cardio and enjoy the view with a climb up the Woodstock Tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Then go test your balance on the swinging bridge at Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area.
Don’t forget your two-wheel action. Take a bike trip along the C&O Canal in Harpers Ferry or pick up the W&OD trail in Purcellville. And special needs children can get their fill of fresh air and activity at A Dream Come True Playground in Harrisonburg.
Free Family Creative Fun
There are two children’s museums on the Kids Trail. Both the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum in Winchester and Explore More Discovery Museum in Harrisonburg have “Free First Fridays”. And on Wednesdays, kids get in free at Glen Burnie House and Gardens at Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester. Music lovers will enjoy free weekly jam sessions at Barns of Rose Hill in Berryville. While you’re there, be sure to take in an art exhibit. And Harpers Ferry National Historic Park plays host to Marine Band concerts.
Free Family Heritage Fun
Virginia is rich in history. Learn about the past at Kernstown Battlefield and the Pritchett House. Make gravestone etchings at the Stonewall Confederate Cemetery at Mount Hebron in Winchester. And kids can become Junior Rangers at Cedar Creek Battlefield.
Discover the history of one of America’s greatest hiking trails at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Center in Harpers Ferry. Then take a short ride to Shepherdstown and visit the James Rumsey Monument and learn about the country’s first steamboat.
And history’s not just monuments and battlefields on the Kids Trail. Visit True Treat Historic Candy in Harpers Ferry and see the history of sweets from hickory bark enjoyed by the Iroquois to “retro” treats. And the Harrisonburg Fire Department Museum features a display of uniforms, medals, equipment, alarms, and photographs.
Free Family Wellness Fun
The Shenandoah Valley is the “breadbasket” of Virginia. Farming plays an important role in both the area’s economy as well as its heritage. Take a walk through the orchards at Mackintosh Fruit Farm in Berryville or enjoy the playground at West Oaks Farm Market.
Tours are a great way to learn about wellness on the Kids Trail. Visit Mt. Crawford Creamery and see the cows being milked and help feed the calves. You can also take a free private tour of Doc’s Tea near Charles Town, WV, and learn about their healthy beverages. And put the Friendly City Food Co-Op and Harrisonburg Farmers Market on your itinerary too. If all this makes you hungry, pack a basket and savor an outdoor family meal at one of these beautiful Blue Ridge picnic spots.
Free Family Fun
These are just a few of the no-cost family activities you’ll find on the Virginia Kids Trail. We’ll keep adding more free family fun, so be sure to visit our blog. And if you discover a great free adventure while traveling the Shenandoah Valley with your family, we want to spread the word. Just email bucket@vakidstrail.com with your discovery.
