Creative adventures with the kids
Keep it fresh for the little ones with these tried-and-true spots to have fun
People pay a lot of attention to trendy spots. They’re new and exciting. But what about tried and true locations — especially ones that don’t attract a lot of buzz? In this brief July 4 week series, The Ledger shares our picks for spots that are largely unheralded but still worthy, in a series we’re calling … Charlotte Under the Radar.
MONDAY: Walking trails
TODAY: Things to do with kids
WEDNESDAY: Day trips from Charlotte
From cheerleading gyms to interactive nature exhibits, get out and find some offbeat family fun
by Cristina Bolling
Today, we’re suggesting fun things to do with your kids around Charlotte — from places to take tiny tykes to teens.
Here you go!
For phone-free fun with teens
District 57: This entertainment complex in west Charlotte is a great place to take teenagers who have a competitive spirit. The 20,000 s.f. facility is set in a dystopian future world, and it offers both laser tag and “the grid,” which is a grid of 30 rooms that each present a single challenge that teams must complete in a short amount of time. Tech-savvy wristbands take care of scoring. It’s best for the teen-to-adult crowd; kids under 10 aren’t allowed. Food and alcoholic beverages are available in the main lobby. One of the best features of the grid: Only one cell phone is allowed per team, and it can only be used to help navigate the grid rooms — the rest of the phones get padlocked in lockers while you play!
Prices: Grid prices vary depending on the length of the session – $17 for 30 minutes, $23 for 60 minutes, $26 for $90 minutes. “Bordertown” laser tag is $30 per session. Be sure to make a reservation ahead on the website.
District 57’s “The Grid” offers fast-paced challenges that get players working as a team — great for parents and teens to play together. (Photo courtesy of District 57)
To get a breath of fresh air
Quest at Latta Nature Preserve: Kids (and adults) will love dipping their hands into interactive aquatic exhibits and gazing at the 6,000-gallon freshwater fish tank at this expansive facility in Huntersville that opened in 2021. And that’s just the start of your visit — helpful guides at Quest will open up maps and direct you to the best spots at Latta Nature Preserve to scratch your nature itch, whether it’s a lengthy hike on their 16 miles of hiking trails, or a stroll out to a fishing pier on Mountain Island Lake. (They’ll even loan you a rod.) Admission is free.
Take your visit a step further and spring for admission to the Carolina Raptor Trail ($12-$16), which is also in the Latta Nature Preserve, and you’ll see at least 30 birds of prey from all over the world.
Quest at Latta Nature Preserve offers lots of opportunities to learn about nature before venturing out to explore the great outdoors.
To tire your toddler out
Charlotte All Star Gymnastics and Cheerleading: This Matthews cheerleading gym hosts a “lil’ bit fit time” in the mornings Monday through Friday where kids ages 1 ½ through 5 ½ (who have not yet started kindergarten) can jump on the trampoline and climb through obstacles. It’s parent-led and costs $6 per child. Reservations are required and you can make them online starting at 12 p.m. Sunday for the week ahead.
To give yourself a parenting break
Smaland at IKEA: Enjoy air conditioning and reasonably priced home decor in blissful kid-free fashion while your children frolic in Smaland, the free, expansive in-store daycare center that offers play equipment, activities and even a chill space where kids can watch a G-rated movie. Kids will be supervised but they need to be potty trained, and they can stay for 60 minutes, although members of the IKEA Family program can stay 90 minutes.
If you prefer a more, ahem, hands-on parenting break, we can suggest one of the many play cafes in the area, where adults can enjoy a specialty latte or fresh pastry while watching their children play in ball pits, go down slides or climb through tunnels. (Here’s a recent Ledger article with some new ones around town.)
For a daylong trip they won’t forget
Dan Nicholas Park: This public park in Salisbury is a solid 1-hour drive from Charlotte, but it’s packed with things to do that’ll satisfy even the hard-to-please family members with an expansive playground, paddle boats, a gem mine, a kid-sized train (that adults can ride, too), a carousel, a petting zoo, nature center and mini golf. There’s a snack bar with ice cream and popcorn, too. Admission to the park is free, and while most activities require tickets, they’re reasonably priced – $1 for a train ride, $4 for a game of mini golf, $2 per paddle boat ride and $15 for a bucket of sand-buried gems that will take the whole family awhile to pan in the flumes.
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What suggestions do you have for under-the-radar spots with kids? Our community of Ledger members is invited to share suggestions in the comments:
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Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Staff writer: Lindsey Banks; Business manager: Brie Chrisman