Call me frugal, a penny pincher, a coupon mom. I love to save whenever/wherever possible. Here is my list of favorite places in the Charlotte area. Many of them are cheap/free, but all of them worth the splurge!
Top 5 Kid Friendly Things To Do:
(In no particular order)
Storytime at the library - I don't know which is the bigger draw: it's FREE or it's AIR CONDITIONED. Now if you can just find an open branch ;) Be sure to visit their website to find the storytime/branch closest to you: http://www.cmlibrary.org/
Discovery Place Kids (Huntersville) - Perfect for kids ages 6 months to 5 years. Your kids will be entertained for hours. They can create artwork, pretend to be doctors (or veterinarians, firemen, and more), shop in the supermarket, pretend in the cafe, and play in the elaborate water table. They have a special area designated for children 3 and younger...We went once and loved it so much we had to buy a membership. ($8 per person (1-99 years old))
Hall Family Farm - Pick strawberries in late spring/early summer- they have chickens and roosters, a maze, kids play area, shaded picnic areas, duck races and the best strawberries on the face of the planet. There is nothing like eating a fresh, off-the-vine strawberry or watching the juice from said strawberry drip down your child's chin :) Be sure to dress your children in dark shirts (we wear red) so the juice doesn't stain.
Lazy 5 Ranch - Where else can you go to feed yaks and giraffes and to see zebras and camels? Both are worth the drive and the entrance fee. I'm super frugal, but I highly recommend "splurging" and paying the extra $3 per person to ride on the wagon instead of driving your own vehicle.
Carowinds - We went last spring and my daughter has been begging to go back ever since! The Snoopy-themed children's area has rides for even the smallest thrill seeker. Their website states the height requirements, so you can see which rides your little one can enjoy. I have heard wonderful things about the water park, but we haven't been there yet. This is another splurge, but there are often coupons/discount tickets at Harris Teeter, BiLo, and Bojangles.
Honorable Mentions:
Small Hands Big Art or Noah's Art - Now that my child can be in the drop off class, this is even better. She loves the independence, and I love that I don't have to clean up the mess after all of her creativity!
Amelie's Bakery - This NoDa bakery is one of my favorite places in Charlotte. It is not designed to be expressly "kid-friendly" but it's also not kid unfriendly. Their treats are too good to share, so be sure to order a cream puff for your child. I love the chocolate croissant, but, to be honest, everything I have ever had from here is delish!
Great Wolf Lodge - This one missed the list because of cost- it is definitely a big splurge, but the waterpark, pajama storytime, and just general kid-friendliness earn at least a mention. We went for a "staycation" and had a blast!
Summer Morning at the Movies - $1 admission at 10AM on Tuesday & Wednesday mornings. Check your local Regal Theatre to see if they participate and for movie listings. The theatre is packed with kids, so you don't have to stress if your little one does a running commentary.
Did I miss one of your favorite places? Please share, I'm always looking for new experiences!
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