What’s the Virginia Kids Trail?

Promoting family-friendly experiences in the Shenandoah Valley is the Virginia Kids Trail mission. Founder Nancy Craun believes children, along with their parents and grandparents, should put down the phones and get out and experience the world.

Kids learn and find their passions through play. The Trail, along with its diverse group of destinations, focuses on the rich action, creativity, heritage, and wellness of the Shenandoah Valley. Each stop represents at least one of these areas of interest. And they all love families!

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Where to find the Kids Trail

The Trail is your go-to resource for planning your visit to the Valley – whether it’s a day trip, weekend getaway, or week-long vacation. Located primarily along the I-81 corridor, families from the Greater Washington DC, and Richmond areas can access the trail via I-66 and I-64. Dulles International Airport is only 30 minutes away. And Valley locals use the Trail as a handy guide for a backyard adventure.

We’ve divided the Kids Trail into four geographical regions. Be sure to enjoy some of these stops while visiting one of them.

Winchester

You’ll find outdoor adventure on land and water at Shenandoah River State Park. Relive history and become a Junior Ranger.  Visit a pick your own farm or community store. Younger children can express their creativity at the local children’s museum. At the end of the day, go retro with a drive-in movie. Want to go back to a simpler time? Then head over the state line and unplug at Capon Springs and Farms.

Harpers Ferry

Get your fresh air and exercise with a bike ride on the C&O Canal. Explore the historic town of Harpers Ferry and then take a hike to Maryland Heights Overlook. And even though they are located in Virginia’s Loudoun County, Harpers Ferry Adventure Center is just a stone’s throw across the river. Make Shepherdstown’s Bavarian Inn your home base for West Virginia adventure. Your kids will love the infinity pool.

More Blue Ridge Family Fun

Leesburg

In addition to outdoor family fun at Harpers Ferry Adventure Center, you’ll find a wealth of history, as well as hiking trails, in western Loudoun County parks. You can even walk across and explore a 200-year-old bridge. Nature lovers appreciate The Blue Ridge Center with is nearly 900 acres. Spend some time with the kids at Great Country Farms then pick up some goodies from their farm store. Pack a picnic for a sunset family dinner at nearby Bears Den Overlook.

Harrisonburg

At the southern end of the Kids Trail, you’ll find Massanutten Resort. Enjoy mountain biking, tennis, golf, and other activities Spring, Summer, and Fall. In the winter, you’ll find skiing and snow tubing. Looking to make lasting family memories? Then book an outdoor experience with WILD GUYde Adventures. Explore the George Washington National Forest hiking, canoeing, caving, and rock climbing. Need something a little more laid back, but still fun, for the younger set? Then be sure to put “Picnic ‘n’ Play” at Back Home on the Farm on your itinerary.

Meet the Kids Trail Mascots

Each area of interest on the Trail has a mascot. Here you’ll meet Bucket and his friends Shenny, Ridge, and Fungi. These little guys and gals have distinct personalities. Match them to your children’s personalities and start planning your Kids Trail adventures.

Jump into Action on the Kids Trail

Get ready for Action with Bucket – an inquisitive girl whose passion is fitness and action. She’ll take you and your family on exciting outdoor adventures. And when the weather doesn’t cooperate, Bucket knows the best places for indoor active fun.

Get Creative on the Kids Trail

Shenny is Bucket’s creative sidekick. She has a love for art, music, and even live theater. Creativity is her middle name and she’ll show you the way to music camps, makerspaces, art exhibits, and live performances – all geared to imaginative children.

Find Heritage on the Kids Trail

Nerds rule and Bucket’s buddy Ridge leads the pack. While this little guy loves the Internet, what he really loves is learning new things. Heritage, especially history, is his passion. You’ll find Ridge exploring natural wonders, traveling through time, and learning about America’s history in the Shenandoah Valley.

Experience REAL FOOD on the Kids Trail

Joining these three mascots is Fungi. The gang met this little guy on one of their nature hikes. He’s never met a food he didn’t like and always has something good to eat in his backpack. He’ll take you through “Virginia’s breadbasket” where you’ll tour farms, local markets, and food artisans, finding REAL FOOD all along the way.

With 160 miles of action, creativity, heritage, and wellness, the Virginia Kids Trail offers the best family-friendly travel experiences in the Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge Mountains. Pick your destinations, build your itinerary, and get going on the Kids Trail! And find more things to do with your kids on our Facebook page.