Things to Do with Kids in Williamsburg VA: 11 Best Activities

Planning a family vacation? It’s time to consider the Colonial Capital as your new go-to. While Williamsburg may be more closely associated with hoop skirts and historical reenactments, this Southeastern oasis is overflowing with everything from roller coasters to Revolutionary War battlefields.

Thanks to a surplus of water parks and family-friendly museums, not to mention a plethora of landmarks, Williamsburg VA with kids is a dream. Follow along to discover the best things to do in Williamsburg with kids.

From touring the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown to spying on the blacksmith demonstrations of Colonial Williamsburg, children of all ages will be enthralled by the intricacies of 18th-century life.

Once you’re ready to embrace some adrenaline, you’ll uncover loads of splashtastic fun conquering the slides and wave pool action at Water Country USA.

Stop endlessly googling ‘Williamsburg VA things to do family’ or ‘ fun things to do in Williamsburg VA for kids.’ Or even, ‘things to do with kids near me’. Our team of dedicated experts has done the dirty work to bring you a comprehensive breakdown of all of the things to do in Williamsburg, VA.

Best Family Vacation Spots Virginia

Woo hoo! Can’t wait to kick off your week (or two) of family fun Williamsburg VA style? Ensure you and your brood can relax in style when you secure some A+ lodgings. Stay in the charming historic district and enjoy easy access to Colonial Williamsburg, or enjoy a complimentary breakfast and on-site fitness facilities.

Whether you are on the hunt for playgrounds or would prefer to sleep close to Busch Gardens, we offer Williamsburg hotels & resorts for every taste and budget. Reserve your room or suite ASAP, and get back to taking advantage of all the things to do with kids in Williamsburg.

Things to Do with Kids in Williamsburg VA

Colonial Williamsburg: Hope you’ve packed your tricorne hat and breeches because no trip to the ‘Burg is complete without a visit to Colonial Williamsburg. Hightail it to this historic area to experience one of the top activities in Williamsburg for kids.

The world’s largest living museum delivers an unparalleled peek into 18th-century life. Everyone from your toddler to your preteen will be amazed by the attention to detail as they tour trade shops, art museums, and historic homes.

Participate in a military parade, smell the floral blooms in the gardens, or walk through reconstructed buildings where George Washington and Thomas Jefferson conspired for colonial independence. Take part in a witch trial, learn how to mend clothes, or watch woodworkers construct sheds, roofs, and more.

With over 300 acres to tackle, there’s always something to see in this Revolutionary City. Explore the nation’s largest living history museum at 101 Visitor Center Dr, Williamsburg, VA 23185.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg: An amusement park with a dash of European flair? Yes, please! Treat your brood to the European vacation of their dreams all while remaining stateside, when you spend a day at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Brace yourself for the dizzying speeds and turns of the world’s fastest multi-launch coaster, or hold tight as you experience the drop on Apollo’s Chariot.

Adrenaline junkies will be dying to conquer the all-new indoor DarKoaster, while mini munchkins will be in heaven palling around with Big Bird and Elmo at Sesame Street’s Forest of Fun. Enjoy dance and story time, or hop aboard Grover’s Alpine Express for some pint-sized thrills. Don’t forget to meet the amazing animals with visits to the Highlands to see sheep, cattle, and more.

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Round out your day of fantastic fun with a giant hand-rolled German pretzel or delicious BBQ from Trappers Smokehouse. Experience thrills at Busch Gardens, 1 Busch Gardens Blvd, Williamsburg, VA 23185.

Great Wolf Lodge: Don’t let some cloudy skies ruin your water slide dreams. Keep the summery fun going year-round when you stay at Great Wolf Lodge. Whether you are a hotel guest or have just purchased a day pass, you’ll flip over to their on-site indoor water park.

Catch a wave in Slap Tail Pond, or climb the ladders and floors of Fort Mackenzie’s four-story water fort treehouse. Grab a partner for a tandem tube ride down Alberta Falls, or challenge your agility and coordination by attempting to cross the Lily Pads at Big Foot Pass. Play at Great Wolf Lodge, 549 E Rochambeau Dr, Williamsburg, VA 23188.

Water Country USA: Prime yourself for hours of H20-fueled hijinks when you swing by Virginia’s largest waterpark. Slap on that SPF and swimsuit and revel in state-of-the-art water rides, resort-style amenities, and more at Water Country USA. From water slides to lazy rivers and even a high-energy water playground, tiny minnows of all swimming abilities will feel cared for.

Slip and slide your way through a white water rafting adventure on Big Daddy Falls, or enjoy the high speeds of the Cutback Water Coaster. For some more laid-back aquatic reverie, hightail it to the Lil’ Surfers Splash Pad and hang ten with the best of them. Conclude your day of watery wonder with a soft-serve cone from Coolsville. Splash at Water Country USA, 176 Water Country Pkwy, Williamsburg, VA 23185.

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Children’s Museum Williamsburg VA: STEM, stories, and bubbles, oh my! Wondering what one of the best indoor things to do in Williamsburg VA is? The Children’s Museum of Virginia* is a wonderland of education and entertainment, where children aged 1-11 are encouraged to create, imagine, and explore. Step into the world of your favorite book characters when you enter Storyland.

Or, learn about energy consumption and recycling in My Backyard and Beyond. Head to the Tot Lot for tactile, nature-themed play and activities, or play in a real fire truck cab in the Safety Zone. Make sure you make time to stop by the Beazley Planetarium for some starry sky viewing and an animated feature screening. Explore the Children’s Museum, 221 High St, Portsmouth, VA 23704.

* Children’s Museum Williamsburg, VA is also known as the Williamsburg Children’s Museum.

guests on Alpengeist Inverted Roller Coaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg virginia

Kid Activities Williamsburg VA

SeaQuest: Why choose between land and sea when you can have both? Traverse five different continents and a variety of ecosystems when you sojourn to SeaQuest Lynchburg. Uncover a world of stingrays, sharks, sloths, and more when you soak in over 1,200 animals and 300 species.

Hang out with a real mermaid, hand feeds a sloth, or snorkel with stingrays. From the Amazon Rainforest to the Caribbean and Pirate Island, you’ll get to see all corners of the Earth. Meet diverse species at SeaQuest, River Ridge Mall, 3405 Candlers Mountain Rd, Lynchburg, VA 24502.

America’s Historic Triangle Pass: Family things to do in Williamsburg VA? Take a deep dive into our Nation’s past and the birthplace of the Revolution when you spring for America’s Historic Triangle Pass.

Your whole family will be able to immerse themselves in the intricacies of the early settler’s lives when you obtain seven consecutive days of unlimited admission to Colonial Williamsburg, Historic Jamestowne, Jamestown Settlement, Yorktown Battlefield, and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

Hightail it to the Jamestown Settlement to see America’s original colony come to life. Climb aboard recreations of the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery ships, or settle in for a 4D multisensory film illustrating Bacon’s Rebellion. Historic Jamestowne allows kiddies to witness archeology in action and tour the scenic James River.

Visit Colonial National Park to view the famous Yorktown Battlefield, giving color and depth to the conclusion of the Revolutionary War. Here, learners of all ages may observe artifacts and recreations at the Yorktown Victory Center.

Lastly, view continental army encampment setups. Or help out with household colonial chores on a Revolution-era farm at the American Revolution Museum. Explore multiple historic sites with America’s Historic Triangle Pass.

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York River State Park: Trade in textbooks for hiking boots and give your brain a reprieve at York River State Park. Inhale that fresh Virginia air as you appreciate over 30 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails maintained by the National Park Service. Budding biologists will relish the opportunity to view this rare and delicate estuary environment up close.

Peek at fossil beds, Native American artifacts, local wildlife, and more. Be sure to pack a picnic! Chow down on your lunch by the river shoreline or utilize any of their picnic shelters. Enjoy nature at York River State Park, 9801 York River Park Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23188.

America’s 10th state delivers a dazzling mix of amusement, education, and history. While Williamsburg may seem like a choice for silver-haired history buffs, the Burg more than rolls out the red carpet for little ones. Journey to Busch Gardens where older tykes will be clamoring to ride roller coasters like Griffon and Patheon. Meanwhile, smaller folks will be smitten by in-person Sesame Street character encounters.

Travel to the depths of the ocean at Seaquest and snag a selfie with a glittering mermaid. Or learn about dental hygiene and fitness at the Children’s Museum. Whether you are yearning for days spent traversing estuaries and marshland by the York River or want to witness a real musket salute, there are endless things to do with kids in Williamsburg VA.

Tell us, what are your top family activities in Williamsburg VA?

Couple walking on the Riverwalk Landing with their gear for a picnic in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA
photo credit: Visit Williamsburg via Facebook

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Written by Isis Maya Nissman

A New York native, Isis-Maya spent most of her professional life working in TV production until a vacation whisked her away to Central...


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