Fourth of July Summer Family Fun in Richmond
If July snuck up on you and you’re not sure what you’re going to do with your kids during a three (or four, in some cases) day weekend, I have some ideas for you. The first ones on this list are decidedly July 4th activities, but if you need general “summer” activities this weekend, I have a little grouping of ideas for that too.
Fourth of July specific ideas:
Lewis Ginter has free admission on Friday for Independence Day. Open 9am-5pm, they have a splash pad, a popular treehouse, and storytime happening at 10:00am.
Crump Park in Henrico is hosting its free, annual Red White & Lights (no fireworks, but there is musket fire in a cow field at the park at 5:30pm). Lots of food trucks, music with the Richmond Symphony, and a laser light show. Starts at 4pm and runs through the end of the show (9:30pm?). Free watermelon, face painting, balloon animals, bounce houses, a car show, and an interactive US Air Force exhibit. Check out the website for more details.
The Richmond Squirrels are moving to a new stadium next year, so this is the last year of fireworks at The Diamond. Requires a ticket to get in ($10-$20). Important note: there’s no game before the fireworks. They are holding a family-centered event with food, games, and live music prior to the fireworks.
Chesterfield Fireworks at the Fairground - free event at the Chesterfield Fairgrounds, including food vendors, a kids zone, and live music before the fireworks. Gates open at 5pm. Important note: the Kids Zone costs $5 to enter.
Now for some non-Independence-Day-themed, summer ideas in RVA:
A picnic on the VMFA lawn, followed by the Frida Kahlo exhibit (yay for AC). The Frida exhibit costs money but the museum itself is free to enter and tour. They’re open 365 days, starting at 10am.
Walk along the trails at Pony Pasture, Belle Isle, or many of the other spots along the James River Park system trails. Pony Pasture and Belle Isle both have flat, even paths, good for little legs.
The Science Museum of Virginia has their dino exhibit AND their Lego exhibit running through August 24th. Don’t forget the playground on the basement level for kids 5 and under! Note that the dino exhibit costs an extra $5, but the Lego exhibit is free with admission.
Go playground-hopping: Huguenot Park and Forest Hill Park are both newly renovated. Park 365 is a classic favorite for everyone in our house, and the newest (and farthest, for us) spot at Taylor Farm Park has a splash pad and a creek running through it (so maybe do that one last, and/or bring a change of clothes?)
Ice Cream! Run to Ruby Scoops, Gelati Celesti, Bev’s, or grab some for-sure nut-free Nightingales from Kroger or Costco (or a ton of local spots like Perk and Stella’s) and run home for some sprinkler fun.
Need a movie? Paddington 2 is playing at the Byrd at 10am on Saturday, July 5 ($5), and Mufasa: The Lion King is playing at Henrico Theater at 3pm on Saturday, July 5 ($1). Check out the other theaters in Richmond for Kids’ Day movies during the week.
That’s my list! Summer is officially 1/3 over; feel free to rinse and repeat these outings throughout the summer here in Richmond.
Oh, and ps: don’t forget to check your Richmond, Henrico, or Chesterfield library for other indoor funtivities for young kids!
