Farmers Markets around Raleigh for Kids

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“Kids these days don’t even know that milk comes from a cow!” Therefore, we take them to a farmers market, where they can meet the people who grow their food, and see all the natural and healthy products from the pastures that surround our city.
At least, that’s the idea. If you want to combine that good old ideal world with a realistic family outing around Raleigh, you find something that suits you in this list I put together based on what would be most interesting for a family visit.

The biggest: State Farmers Market

Let’s start with “The Farmers Market”, the real one, the big one, the official one. The one where real farmers show up with their trucks, and where high end chefs buy the food they will serve that night. (Yep, I’m not kidding. And in addition to bulk buyers like restaurants, farmers also sell to wholesalers here.)

Probably the best day to visit is a weekday morning – so next time there is a teacher workday, consider a visit to the farmers market in the morning. (They are open 7 days a week, year-round.) However, this could also backfire, because some of the farmer’s booths are not open on slow days. If you go on the weekend instead, it will be bustling, but everything will be open (for sure on Saturday, when it’s busiest. Sunday also “depends”.

There is no coincidence that I’m writing this in late August. As the days get chillier, the fresh produce suffers less from the heat (no A/C), and this makes the visit more pleasant, and a wide variety of foods are available – Peaches are still available, early apples are coming, tomatoes, watermelons, peppers… you will not be disappointed.

Building 1 (photo credit “NC State Farmers Market” by Chuck Allen, CC BY-SA 2.0)

Recommended tour when visiting with kids:

First stop: “Farmers Building 1”. Park around Building 1, where the farmers are; if you go to the end near “Super Sod”, there is often still parking nearby. Leave the stroller in the cart, especially on a busy day. Everything is nearby, and all the fresh produce is in that building. Let the kids lead – let them explore what they know, ask what they don’t. Buy them that funny ugly potato. And those juicy bright red tomatoes. Somewhere along the way, there may be a stall selling baked goods or other treats.

Depending on how many bushels you bought and how far the kids can walk, you head now over to second stop: “The Market Shoppes (building 2)”: Yes, it has A/C, yes it has coffee and ice cream. No, not everything is local and artisanal. (But a lot actually is – talk to the vendors, find out about their story.) Most of them are small family businesses with a passion for what they do. From meat to honey to candy to coffee, I’m sure there is something that you like.

Third stop: “Logan’s”. Yes, it’s ok to drive over to Logans, especially with kids. Or you tag-team, and while one walks with the kids, the other gets the car. Logan is a dream for anybody with a yard, a garden, or a small balcony, they sell everything from small seeds to fully grown trees.

North Carolina State Farmers Market details:
Address: 1201 Agriculture St, Raleigh, NC 27603
Getting there: even though Walnut Creek greenway and Dix Park are right there, loading up the minivan is the right choice here. Park to the right and behind building 1 (between 1&2).
Dates: open every day year round
Hours: M-F 5a-7p, Sun 8a-5p
Website: State Farmers Market – Raleigh | NC Agriculture
Tips: Go Sunday or Friday, go before 10am, bring good shoes (but no stroller), consider an empty cooler with an ice pack if you live farther away

The smallest: Raleigh City Farm

The “big Farmers Market” is authentic, but it is also massive. For a more idyllic, and truly field-to-table experience, walk or bike over to Raleigh City Farm. Everything they sell is grown right there, on site, on a small city block that 15 years ago became a farm. Here, you can see tomatoes and squash on the plant, and then head over to the farmstand and buy them. Also herbs, salad and more. While you can go to the farmers market with a grocery and expect to find anything that is in season, here you show up and look for inspiration, and make dinner from what they sell. The Farmstand is open Wednesdays from 4-6, from April-October.

Raleigh City Farm Market Stand details:
Address: 800 N Blount St., Raleigh NC
Getting there: Walk or bike, this is in downtown.
Dates: Wednesdays, April – October (confirm on website)
Hours: 4p-7p
Website: Farm Stand at Raleigh City Farm
Tips: Be flexible on what to get, and pick up one of their recipes.

The realest: Agri Supply of Garner Farmers Market

If the big Farmers Market is “Farm to Table”, then the Agri Supply of Garner’s Farmers Market is “Backyard-to-table”. A small farm at the Farmers Market is still somewhere from 10 to 100 acres or more in size. But if your neighbor has a flock of chicken in the backyard, they will sell those eggs at the Agri Supply in Garner. (And quite possibly the chicken as well.) According to Agri Supply, they host around 50 local businesses in their large parking lot, selling everything from produce to baked goods to meat, dairy, home made crafts and home sewn oven mitts – you name it. And speaking of Agri Supply, make sure to step inside the store and look around. “If you need it on a farm, you can buy it here.” From tractor tires to plumbing supplies to seeds to poultry feed, they have it at Agri Supply.

The store is open every day. The farmer’s market takes place about once a month, the website says on the second Saturday, but I also saw one listed for Sat, 8/29 (see below). Check their Facebook page to make sure.

The dates seems to be roughly 2nd and 4th Saturdays with a twist:
Second Saturdays: Farmer’s Market: From their Facebook page: “… about 50 small local businesses … artisans will feature HANDMADE products … farmers will have their FRESH produce and HOMEMADE goods like eggs, bread, vegetables and more … several food trucks …”
Fourth? Saturday: Farm Swap: From their Facebook page: “… a variety of animals will be available for swap or sale, including chickens, roosters, sheep, turkeys, … [also] FRESH produce like plants, crops, fruits and HOMEMADE goods like eggs, sourdough, canning …”

Did I pique your interest? Again check the events section of their Facebook page for dates – it looks like both the Farmers Market and the Farm Swap are worth a visit: I actually found about this when I went to the store one Saturday, and I can’t even tell if that was a Market or a Swap.

Agri Supply of Garner Farmers’ Market / Farm Swap details:
Address: 409 US Hwy 70 E, Garner NC (½mi after passing the Benson Rd bridge, on the left)
Getting there: It’s closer than it sounds, just about 15 minutes from downtown Raleigh
Dates: usually on the 2nd Saturday, but check their facebook group below 
Hours: typically 9a-1p or 9a-3p
Website: Agri Supply of Garner, also check their facebook group with market dates
Tips: Next time you need to go to a home improvement store, go the extra mile and come here (on the right Saturday)

Two that I want to check out next, and more

While researching for this article, I came across two promising looking markets, but I cannot vouch for them with first-hand experience. One is the Wake Forest Farmers Market, year-round on Saturdays, with an eclectic looking mishmash of offerings. Then on Sundays, alternating between Raleigh (2nd and 4th Sat) and Durham (1st and 3rd Sat) is the Black Farmers Market. The Raleigh location is on Rock Quarry Road, and they list about 3 dozen vendors on their list.

Wake Forest Farmers Market overview:
Address: 235 S Taylor St, Wake Forest, NC 27587
Getting there: a good ½ hour drive from downtown Raleigh, less from North Raleigh
Dates: “every Saturday year round rain or shine” (their words)
Hours: 8a-12p (Apr-Oct), 9a-12p (Nov-Mar)
Website: Wake Forest Farmers Market and Wake Forest Farmers Market on Facebook (better up to date)
Note: I have not yet visited this one

Black Farmers Market overview:
Address: 2718 Rock Quarry Rd Raleigh, NC 27601
Getting there: 10 minutes from downtown, take Rock Quarry to just past SE Raleigh High
Dates: 2nd & 4th Sundays (1st and 3rd Sundays in Durham)
Hours: 1p-4p
Website: https://blackfarmersmkt.org/the-market/

Small Town Farmers Markets

Beyond that, it appears that Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs as well as Cary and Morrisville all have their local markets, but verify times and dates if you are planning to go. There is a good overview by Wake County.

Lastly, if you search the web for Raleigh farmers market, you’ll find several listings on commercial websites that are simply wrong. Moore Square Farmers Market no longer runs, and its successor Dream Farmers Market neither. I also couldn’t find any current information on a “North Raleigh Farmers Market”, even though several sources list one. This shows: make sure websites you check are up to date, and verify schedules before you go. One tip is to check not just the website, but also the Facebook / Instagram account of the markets; if they haven’t posted in 71 weeks, chances are the market no longer exists.

When you go, remember it’s about a positive experience for the kids, and connecting them to the origin of their food, and the joy of fresh, local products. If you find some ingredients for next week’s meals, all the better. Oh yeah, and that line about kids not knowing milk comes from a cow? That song (John Denver, Daddy what’s a Train) is from the last century anyway.

Have fun!

What fruits and vegetables are in season?

Your wonderful Department of Agriculture’s What’s in Season chart has got you covered.

Hopscotch Music Festival with Kids

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Totscotch 2026 and more for families at Raleigh’s best festival

The iconic City Plaza stage (credit: “X at Hopscotch Music Festival, Raleigh” by James Willamor, CC BY-SA 2.0)

September is one of the best and busiest months in Raleigh: We’re back to school, but there are also a ton of events and festivals, and literally multiple things happening every weekend. One of the highlights for music aficionados is the annual Hopscotch Music Festival. Started in 2010 as “The Independents’ Hopscotch Music Festival”, the event has from the beginning been a blend of different genres, putting global stars on the same stage as brand-new bands, and that with a heavy slant towards music from North Carolina. It has been nice to see the event grow, adapt, struggle, reinvent itself, but always been a convincing format, and a music event with a reach far beyond Raleigh.
And then we had kids.
Seeing the Hopscotch posters on a walk with the stroller reminded us of time BC (before children), and by the time the headliners got on stage, we were fast asleep. Then one year we tried Lazy Daze, and it was nice, but, eh. The kids grew up, not on Kids Bop and Baby Mozart, but on real music, again, transfusing all the genres, many influences, that’s how you find yourself. We took them to see music, at the amphitheater, at Raleigh Wide Open.
And now, they are ready for Hopscotch.

Totscotch is just the start

For a few years now (started in 2023), Hopscotch and Marbles Kids Museum have been putting on Totscotch, and while the combination sounds as cringe as the name, don’t dismiss it just yet. The entire Moore Square part of Hopscotch has been revamped as “Moore Square Commons”, and Totscotch is part of that. It takes place from around 10am-1pm on Saturday 9/12 (some sources say 10a-1p, some 10a-2p, some 11a-2p, oh well), and like the Hopscotch Day Parties it is free. And with food trucks and a small market (I don’t know, tie-dye t-shirts and bracelets and stuff, I assume), it should be entertaining enough for a relaxing Saturday afternoon.

The music: I got a bit nervous when I saw them call it “Music for Kids”, because we all know what this could sound like. So I checked out the billed bands: Ricochet Chicken (11:45a) does not seem to exist on the internet except for their band page on the hopscotch website (correct me). They are a group of 17-year-olds out of Durham with original music and a couple gigs in Durham. Go support them at Hopscotch! Horse Deniers (12:45p) has played a few gigs in Carrboro and Chapel Hill. No music to be heard online, but described as alt/hard/jam rock. I was ready to give up on the hard-to-Google name of “No One Mind”, but they do exist, have been around for over a decade and released several albums. Self-declared psychedelic art pop, your kids will like them, and so will you. (They go on at 2:15p, so technically after Totscotch ends.) Additional bands billed that day are Bass Battery and Mellow Swells, also out of Durham. Full disclaimer: I haven’t gone to Totscotch in previous years, but I’m planning to check it out this year, take in the whole “Moore Square Commons” vibe as well as probably a few day parties.

Hopscotch Day Parties

The list of day parties is not out yet, but these are free, meaning generally all ages (but in the end, depends on the venue). They are traditionally hosted at various clubs, bars and other locations around downtown. I will update when I hear more.

Kids at the evening concerts and clubs

If you do have a festival pass to see bands at the ticketed concerts (starting at 4p Thu/Fri and 2:30p on Sat), the good news is that kids under the age of 12 are free to enter the general admission area of the main stage. For the club concerts, it again depends on the venue, with Lincoln Theater typically all ages, but Neptunes and Slims 21+. (I don’t know about the rest.)

Venue / StageAge LimitTicketNotes
Main Stage (City Plaza)All AgesFestival Pass; free 12 and underGeneral admission areas only
Totscotch (Moore Square Commons)All AgesfreeSaturday 10a-1p
Official Day PartiesvariesfreeVarious bars, restaurants and other locations
Lincoln TheatreAll agesFestival Pass; free 12 and underGenerally all ages
Slim’s / Neptunes21+ onlyFestival PassAdults only

Hearing Protection

You are a good parent for taking your kids to Hopscotch. Now be a good parent and protect their ears. If they are little, they will not mind the big over-ear capsules, and that is what they need. If they’re teenagers, they may accept the same ear plugs that you are wearing. And if they are adults, well, you had your chance at raising them right 🙂.

And while I had my dad hat on, bring water and sunscreen, and good shoes if you’re planning to go to different venues (Moores Square to City Plaza is about a 10-15min walk).

They are doing it right! (credit: “High Water Festival” by North Charleston, CC BY-SA 2.0)

Summary

Address: around Moore Square and Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh
Date and Hours: Hopscotch: 9/10-12 Totscotch: 9/12, 10a-1p (on Moore Square)
Cost: Totscotch and Day Parties are free, the festival is now $159 (adults) and free under 12.
Website: Hopscotch Music Festival , especially Totscotch and Moore Square Commons
Getting there: We will of course walk, but any city bus would drop you off right at Moore Square. For my North Raleigh friends and out-of-towners, try to park in the Wilmington St Deck (use 114 S Blount for directions) and plan to arrive early; once this one is full, getting to other parking decks might be a hassle with the closed roads.

Lastly, Hopscotch is a big event, and downtown will be crowded. Do some additional research for your specific needs before going. I hope I got you interested, but reading this article alone is not enough preparation.

The Beach Is Right Here: Raleigh’s Lake Spots for the late summer

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It’s the end of August, you are coming back from the beach, from Florida, the Caribbean, or wherever you may have been. Speaking of the beach: You can catch a nice sunset while sitting on a sandy shore right here, close to Raleigh: While not as pristine as the Maldives and less trendy than Ibiza, Falls Lake and Jordan Lake are a quick ½-hour-ish drive away, for a relaxing Saturday afternoon or even a quick dash after work / school.

We have six options for lake beaches near Raleigh: Jordan lake has three beaches open for swimming, and so does Falls Lake. You prefer a short hike instead of a splash? I’m planning to write about both Lake Johnson and Shelley Lake, which have nice hiking trails that are mostly in the shade and have lake access (not for swimming though).

Jordan Lake: Seaforth (nicest view) – Ebenezer Church (smaller) – Parkers Creek (largest)

Falls Lake: Beaverdam (no motorboats) – Sandling Beach (largest) – Rolling View (also nice)

Hours and Fees

Note: The NC State Parks website is nice and full of information, but it can be hard to navigate, and it is difficult to determine when and where swimming is permitted. For example, it may say “during summer season” (but not the exact dates), and more importantly, all parks are one big website, so it’s easy to look at a specific park in Raleigh, click on an activity, and suddenly see the opening hours of a Charlotte location – so pay close attention. They also often jsut recommend calling, so do that, and hope they have the time to answer the phone.

Swimming in Jordan Lake

“Jordan Lake State Recreation Area (2)” by Gerry Dincher, CC BY-SA 2.0

First, a warning to level your expectation: Jordan Lake is neither a blue lagoon, nor a crystal clear mountain lake. The water is brown with sediment and sometimes infested with algae – but the kids won’t mind. Also, the water is not “dirty”, it just contains a lot of suspended clay that gives it the brownish color. You do have to take the algae seriously though – and they will issue advisories if the algaes are bad. Be especially careful if you have a dog, they can get really sick from the toxins. (Also, they are not allowed on most beach areas.) If you’re still reading, Jordan Lake is right for you. There are three locations where day visitors can swim, 

Note that most campgrounds don’t allow day visitors for swimming, and swimming near boat ramps is forbidden for obvious reasons. If you go, call ahead and be flexible; note that the three Jordan Lake sites are all close together, if Seaforth is too busy or closed, head over to Ebenezer Church Rd.

The following information should be correct as of summer 2026; Vista Point may be open for day use swimming (website is not clear), and White Oak theoretically too, but is often closed for private groups. These three areas are the best bet for day use.

Jordan Lake – Seaforth

Address: Seaforth Beach Road, Pittsboro, NC 27312

Distance: about 35 min from downtown Raleigh

Amenities: roped off swim area, sandy beach, nice playground near beach, beach volleyball, restrooms, showers, picnic tables and grills, some shade near beac/playground

Hours: Nov-Feb: 8a-6p, Mar/Apr: 8a-8p, May-August: 8a-9p Sept/Oct: 8a-8p

Cost: $10 per car  (all week from Memorial to Labor Day and weekends in Apr/May/Sept; free entrance on all other days)

Website: Jordan Lake – Seaforth access (see NC Parks website note above)

Jordan Lake – Ebenezer Church

Address: 920 Beaver Creek Rd, Apex, NC 27502

Distance: about 35 min from downtown Raleigh

Amenities: roped off swim area, sandy beach, playground, restrooms

Hours: Nov-Feb: 8a-6p, Mar/Apr: 8a-8p, May-August: 8a-9p Sept/Oct: 8a-8p

Cost: $10 per car  (all week from Memorial to Labor Day and weekends in Apr/May/Sept; free entrance on all other days)

Website: Jordan Lake – Ebenezer Church (see NC Parks website note above)

Jordan Lake – Parkers Creek

Address: Parkers Creek Beach Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517

Distance: about 35 min from downtown Raleigh

Amenities: roped off swim area, sandy beach, playground, restrooms, showers, picnic tables and grills

Hours: Nov-Feb: Closed Mar/Apr: 8a-8p, May-August: 8a-9p Sept/Oct: 8a-8p

Cost: $10 per car  (all week from Memorial to Labor Day and weekends in Apr/May/Sept; free entrance on all other days)

Website: Jordan Lake – Parkers Creek (see NC Parks website note above)

Swimming in Falls Lake

“Falls Lake” by VirtKitty, CC BY-SA 2.0

Falls Lake, like Jordan Lake, has to deal with development pressure on its shores, and is no clear mountain lake. But nothing beats swimming in a lake, and I know that since I grew up on a lake. There are three areas that allow swimming, and when you go, call ahead and be flexible; note that the three Falls Lake sites are also close together, if Beaverdam is too busy or closed, head over to Sandling Beach.

The following information should be correct as of summer 2026. 

Falls Lake – Beaverdam

Beaverdam is a nice area for hiking, mountain biking and boating (no motor boats), and also has a nice swim beach. There are restrooms, but I’m not sure if there are changing facilities and showers. While the boat ramp is right next to the beach, there are no motorboats allowed on this section of the lake.

Address: 14600 Creedmoor Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587

Note that this address is both the entrance to Beaverdam (to the East) and Sandling Beach (to the West)

Distance: about 30 min from downtown Raleigh, 20 min from Wake Forest

Amenities: roped off swim area, sandy beach, grassy area with some shade, small playground, restrooms, picnic tables/shelters (but not all close to the beach)

Hours: Nov-Feb: 8a-6p, Mar/Apr: 8a-8p, May-August: 8a-9p Sept/Oct: 8a-8p

Cost: $10 per car  (all week from Memorial to Labor Day and weekends in Apr/May/Sept; free entrance on all other days)

Website: Falls Lake – Beaverdam access  (see NC Parks website note above)

Falls Lake – Sandling Beach

Sandling Beach has no boat ramp, but it is not the part of the lake that has motorboats; however, not too many come down this sidearm. Sandling Beach has a small playground and showers, with picnic tables close to the beach and further away.

Address: 14600 Creedmoor Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587

Note that this address is both the entrance to Beaverdam (to the East) and Sandling Beach (to the West)

Distance: about 30 min from downtown Raleigh, 20 min from Wake Forest

Amenities: roped off swim area, sandy beach, some grass, plenty of shade (trees), small playground, restrooms, showers, picnic tables.

Hours: Nov-Feb: 8a-6p, Mar/Apr: 8a-8p, May-August: 8a-9p Sept/Oct: 8a-8p

Cost: $10 per car  (all week from Memorial to Labor Day and weekends in Apr/May/Sept; free entrance on all other days)

Website: Falls Lake – Sandling Beach (see NC Parks website note above)

Falls Lake – Rolling View

Rollingview is on the opposite shore, and while Sandling Beach and Beaverdam get full sun exposure well into the evening, Rollingview provides welcome shade on hot afternoons as soon as the sun goes down just a little bit.

Address: 4201 Baptist Road, Durham, NC 27703

Distance: about 40 min from downtown Raleigh, 30 min from Wake Forest

Amenities: roped off swim area, sandy beach, some shade from trees, playground right on the shore, restrooms, showers, picnic tables.

Hours: Oct-Mar: closed, Apr: 8a-8p, May-August: 8a-9p Sept: 8a-8p

Cost: $10 per car per day (all week from Memorial to Labor Day and weekends in Apr/May/Sept; free entrance on all other days)

Website: Falls Lake – Rolling View (see NC Parks website note above)

Before you head out

While I have extensively kayaked on both lakes, I’ve only been to Beaverdam, Sandling Beach and Parker’s Creek myself, all other information is from the online research. I also tried to determine which is the most crowded, but there is contradictory information; from what I can tell, Ebenezer Church and Sandling Beach are likely the most crowded, but it varies and is also a very subjective impression. And if someone tells you “this place is crowded”, take it with a grain of salt, it always compares what you compare it to.

Parker’s Creek and Rolling View are closed in the winter, all others are open year round. (However, it does not say anywhere if swimming is allowed in the off-season. I’ll have to find out.)

New Playgrounds in Raleigh

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Hint: There’s more than Gipson Plaza.

Are you tired of going to the same old playground in the same old neighborhood of Raleigh? Good news: There are several new playgrounds in Raleigh that are worth checking out. Have you already been to Gipson Plaza in Dix Park? That is still the flagship, and worth a visit. The others below are options when Gipson is getting old or is too crowded. That said, let’s start with the flagship anyway:

Gipson Plaza

I’m sure you have visited Gipson Plaza since it opened last summer. What, you haven’t? Well, then it is just about time that you finally do – and the crowds have also died down a bit by now. Gipson Plaza is by far the best playground in Raleigh, in the Triangle, possibly even in the state, if not the entire Southeast.

And here is why I think that: Back in 2021, on a family roadtrip, we visited the Gathering Place in Tulsa, OK. “If only every child in America could have such a playground.” Fast forward four years: when I first visited Gipson Plaza, something felt eerily familiar. And sure enough, both the overall plan and the custom playground equipment are from the same companies as those in Tulsa. So yes, the next comparable playground (that I know) to Gipson Plaza is a thousand miles away. (The links to the two companies give you a good impression of this beautiful space.)

Address: 715 Biggs Dr, Raleigh, NC 27603 (if you arrive by car, follow signs to parking, or plan using the map at Dix Park – Gipson Plaza)

Hours (Dix Park): technically, sunrise-sunset (but not strict)
Hours (Gipson Play Plaza): 8a-9p (water features start at 10a)
Surface: rubber surface, stone, wood
Shade: some, but limited if crowded
Age Range: 0-15 (my opinion 🙂)
Website: Gipson Play Plaza in Dix Park 

Even newer: Caraleigh playground

If you’ve pushed a stroller on Walnut Creek greenway, you’ve probably found Eliza Pool park as a welcome spot for a break. Just two blocks up is the brand new playground called Caraleigh park. It’s small, it’s cute, it’s good for younger kids (officially 2-12). From downtown, it’s a nice 30-40 minute walk on Rocky Branch greenway, turning this new playground into a nice destination – that’s what I did when I checked this place out today. You can also very conveniently take the bus: The 21 runs on a loop, stops right in front of the park, and comes every 15 minutes. (See my upcoming article on “Taking the Bus” or check out the 21 Line on GoRaleigh.org.)

Address: 110 Maywood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27603
Hours: dawn-dusk (like all Raleigh parks)
Surface: rubber surface, grass, and a small area with wood chips
Amenities: play structure, sensory activities, nest swing, benches, picnic tables, basketball
Shade: some over the play structure, plus more from surrounding trees
Age Range: 2-12y (officially, plus basketball court)
Website: Caraleigh Park

Not that new, but still in good shape: Optimist playground

Another little gem that is worth a short trip is Optimist playground, located by the community center and pool with the same name. Pro tip: park on the tennis court side, and add a very short (300ft) walk through the forest that will allow for some exciting exploring in nature.

There’s a cool thing here for toddlers that I haven’t seen anywhere else: It’s a tandem swing, where parents sit and face their toddlers. For older and more adventurous kids, there is a big nest swing

For older kids (or athletic stroller pushers), this playground can also be reached from the greenway (Mine Creek greenway / Shelley Lake).

Address: 5900 Whittier Dr., Raleigh, NC 27609
Hours: dawn-dusk (like all Raleigh parks)
Surface: rubber surface, forest
Shade: almost none over the play structure, but surrounded by high trees
Age Range: 2-5, 5-12
Website: Optimist Park Playground

And if it’s hot: Chavis playground with splashpad

I was disappointed when they closed Chavis pool, and it took half a childhood until the new playground and splashpad reopened. But it was worth the wait, the playground is pretty cool, and the splashpad is refreshing during the summer months. Your kids will also spot the carousel – it runs from 11-6 (Sun 2-6), and costs $2 per ride.

Address: 505 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27601
Hours (Park): dawn-dusk (like all Raleigh parks)
Hours (Splash Pad): 9a-9p every day
Surface: concrete (splash pad), rubberized and grass (playground)
Shade: none of the splashpad, very limited on the playground
Age Range: 2-5, 5-12y
Website: Chavis Park Splash Pad

And if you need more: the playground finder

The City of Raleigh has a park and playground finder that can be a bit finicky to use, but overall is a nice tool to have.

Mud Day at Walnut Creek Wetland Center – TOMORROW 8/15

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Let’s get muddy…

This just popped up on my calendar, and I wouldn’t want you to miss it! Tomorrow Saturday is Mud Fest, a great opportunity to get wet and muddy at my favorite wetland center.

About Walnut Creek Wetland Center

Walnut Creek Wetland Center is one of my favorite park spaces in Raleigh. It is educational and practical, but also just a beautiful place to be: Grab one of the rocking chairs on the large platform out back, and enjoy the views of the Walnut Creek floodplain, a natural area with a rich ecosystem.

About Mud Fest

I’m surprised to see that Mud Fest is already in its 8th year, and the photos sure look like a lot of fun. There are not a lot of details available for what will be new this year, but you can expect food trucks, info booths from local environmental groups, table activities like crafts, and of course, most importantly, a lot of mud. (Let’s hope the fire departments is back this year as well to hose off all that mud at the end.)
Also, even though the website does not have much detail, I feel comfortable recommending to just go. Even if the event itself is not what you expect, the permanent exhibits as well as the nature path will be a worthwhile visit anyway. (And it is centrally located, walkable from downtown and around 10 minutes from most central Raleigh neighborhoods.)

For older kids: Volunteering opportunity

Feeling to old to roll around in the mud? They are still looking for volunteers (16+) to help with the event – get a headstart on volunteering hours for school. Details here.

Details

When: Saturday, August-15, 2026, 10am-1pm
Where: Walnut Creek Wetland Center, 950 Peterson St., Raleigh NC 27610
Cost: FREE
Website: https://raleighnc.gov/parks-and-recreation/events/mud-day

Rainy Days and Heat Waves – Indoor Outings for Kids in Raleigh

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Five indoor locations for kids in Raleigh for rainy or scorching days – a science museum, a play barn at a farm, the library, and more.

Ugh – the weather seems to have two modes right now: too wet to go outside or too hot to go outside. And while I’m a firm believer in “no bad weather, just bad clothing”, everything has its limits. So what to do when home sweet home doesn’t do it anymore? There is no shortage of options, but I selected a handful that I can personally recommend.

Here are the five best options for indoor activities with kids for those days where the great outdoors don’t cut it: the NC Museum of Natural Sciences (free), The Barnyard at Willow Oak Farms in Fuquay-Varina ($6/child), Greystone Indoor Playground (free), story time at Oberlin Regional Library (free), and Marbles Kids Museum ($9.50–$12.50/child).

Quick Comparison

VenueClimate- Controlled?CostBest For
NC Museum of Natural SciencesYes (AC + heat)FreeAll-day outings, dinosaur fans, birthday parties
The Barnyard at Willow Oak FarmsCovered only — no AC/heat$6/childRainy days (not extreme heat); farm animals + ice cream
Greystone Indoor PlaygroundYes (AC + heat)FreeShorter visits, budget-friendly, younger kids
Oberlin Regional Library Story TimeYes (AC + heat)FreeQuieter activities, low sensory input
Marbles Kids MuseumYes (AC + heat)$9.50–$12.50Longer visits, mixed ages, downtown day trips

Always good: NC Museum of Natural Sciences

Our “science museum” is a true gem, and you have to search far to find an equal this side of Washington DC. Of course you will have to see the flagship Dueling Dinosaurs (make sure to also go to the upper floor where you can see the Triceratops up close). Beyond that, there is a wealth of exhibits about North Carolina and beyond, and opportunities to observe real research being conducted. This always changes, but I remember researches (paleontologists?) working on cleaning specimens, and once there was something involving turtles. They also do memorable birthday parties, we did one that my kid still talked about years later.

At this expansive place, you can easily spend a day and never notice how hot (or rainy) it is outside. Make sure to check out what I call the “globe theater” (officially, it is the SECU Daily Planet), a big planet on the outside and an immersive giant theater on the inside (showing nature movies etc., it is not an IMAX or movie theater).

Hours: 10am – 5pm daily
Address: 11 W Jones St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Price: FREE
Website: http://naturalsciences.org/

For future farmers: The Barnyard at Willow Oak Farms

I’m typically skeptical about indoor playgrounds, but this here is a whole different type: Willow Oak Farms – already a draw with their ice cream – appear to have opened a nice, custom made, covered farm-themed play area. I have not yet checked this out myself, but judging from the photos, this is a really cool space with a variety of activities. Plus, ice cream! Plus, bunnies and goats! Note though, while it is covered/indoors and therefore a good option for a rainy day, it does not have AC or heat and may not be ideal on a sweltering summer day.

If you have been to this farm, please send me a note about what you thought!

Hours: Closed Mon/Tue, Wed-Sat 11a-9p, Sun 1p-9p
Address: 1510 Lafayette Rd, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 (about 40min South of downtown Raleigh)
Price: $6 per child
Website: https://willowoakfarms.net/the-barnyard-play-area

Still around: Greystone Indoor Playground

Yes, one of the playgrounds of the City of Raleigh is indoors, in a Rec Center located in a former strip mall. I have not been back in years, but I once wrote about it, and judging from the city website, it is still the same. Chances are that it will be crowded on a rainy day, but it is still worth checking out. Let me know if you’ve been there recently!

Hours: Mo-Fr 9a-8p and Sat 9a-3p, but may be closed for rentals after 5p / after 12p Sat.
Address: 7713-55 Lead Mine Road, Raleigh, NC 27615
Price: FREE
Website: https://raleighnc.gov/parks-and-recreation/places/greystone-recreation-center

The quiet(er) version: Story time at Oberlin Regional Library

Is Marbles too loud and dinos too big? Then try a story time at a library near you, for example Oberlin Regional Library in Oberlin Village. There are a variety of options, from Baby Story time to Bricks and Books (LEGO themed), and options for all ages up to teens (and adults).

Hours: Mo-Th 9a-9p, Fr-Sa 9a-6p, Su 1p-5p
Address: 1930 Clark Ave, Raleigh, NC 27605
Price: FREE
Website: https://www.wake.gov/departments-government/libraries/locations/oberlin-regional-library 

The old standby: Marbles

Everybody and their toddlers has been to Marbles, so I’m giving away any secrets when mentioning it as an alternative for a rainy or sweltering day. But if you’re new to town, or passing through, or have always held out – don’t be the parent who never went to Marbles 🙂.

Marbles is open daily 10a-5p (9a for members) and will give you a wide range of active energy and quieter play; Crafts, Science, Sports – there is a bit of everything, and it’s big enough to keep them engaged for a few hours. You save a few bucks if you buy the tickets online the day before. It is downtown, with a big parking garage right across the street.

The cafe is nice for a quick break, but please take advantage of all that downtown Raleigh has to offer, including many restaurants, cafes and ice cream shops in the vicinity.

Hours: daily 10a-5p (9a for members)
Address: 201 E Hargett St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Price: $9.50 (day before) or $12.50 (day of)
Website: https://marbleskidsmuseum.org/ 

Of course, as always, check before you go, and check both the sites’ websites and their social pages before getting everybody excited. Have fun!

The Daddy Weekly Legacy

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It is now a year since the last issue of the Daddy Weekly occurred. To my surprise and delight, I’m still getting a lot of visitors to the website – many of them just a regular mom or dad thinking about how to bring some joy to their kids and themselves.

While the Daddy Weekly has ceased publication in a weekly format, I still carry the thought to invest some time and make it useful for a few more years – many of the topics and events featured happen every year (like the Christmas Parade) or are permanent features (like Marbles).

For now, please feel free to use the site as is – and if it happened in 2013, there is good chance it will also take place in 2015 and beyond at around the same time.

If you have specific question, don’t hesitate to reach out – I’m still around at daddy@daddyweekly.me.

The Daddy Weekly bids farewell…

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The time has come to say goodbye – at least a little bit. It has been a little over two years since I came up with the idea of writing a newsletter and starting a website about “Things to do with Kids in Raleigh”. 90 Newsletters and 200 Articles later, covering just about any of the regularly reoccurring events, the time may have come to give some other interests more space. It has been a great and fun experience building this project and looking back on what it has become.
From a just small handful of friends from Boylan Heights and Country Day in early 2012, the list of email subscribers has grown and expanded steadily. I remember the excitement when the first person I didn’t know subscribed, and it is now rare that I recognize new subscribers; just a fellow mom or dad (or a grandparent) who is curious and wants to do something special with their kids this coming weekend This is very exciting to watch. The website sees thousands of visitors, even from faraway countries (which still surprises me given the local interest). People started asking me about it (“oh you’re the one who does that!”) and send emails about how their experience at events was. Short, a lot of joy and good vibes all around.
So it is certainly with sadness that I come to the conclusion to dial it back; but it happened more and more frequently that the Thursday evening all-nighters became a chore, and I think this would eventually show in the quality of the writing and the articles as well.

Which brings me to the most important part: A massive THANK YOU to all of you. First to all the email subscribers, website visitors, and twitter followers; you were the motivation that kept me going and gave me that sense of urgency to keep hitting that “Publish” button every week. Then to my wonderful wife who always supported me and and let me sneak away to go write the Daddy Weekly every Thursday night. Also to all those who gave feedback, pointed out events, and reminded me of upcoming happenings. And lastly, to this wonderful city and surrounding area with its abundance of fun things to do for all ages.

So with that: Happy weekend, Farewell, and all the Best for 2014!

LEGO® KidsFest 2014

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After a two-year hiatus, Lego® KidsFest is returning to Raleigh, and will fill the convention center with joy, laugther and millions of lego bricks. This touring show has visited Raleigh once before, in 2012 when my son was still firmly in the Duplo age (see image below).

legofest2012He is now approaching Small Lego age, and it is time to return to this cool event. No doubt about it; in the end this is a Lego promotion, but it is a lot of fun to attend, and while there are Lego sets for sale, there is no pressure to actually do so. (Your kids may have a different opinion, though.)

From memory, this is what stood out: First, the large Creation Nation is a giant outline of the US, which will be filled by small Lego creations from attendees. (I had fun with that myself while my little helper took a nap. Won’t happen this time.) The monochromatic builds (entire areas with just white or orange or whatever Legos) were also pretty cool. Then there are full-size models of Spiderman and the likes. A Lego-Pinewood Derby. And also various areas for the different Lego product lines like Lego City or Lego Technic.

Note that when you buy tickets, it is for a specific half-day: Saturday/Sunday, morning or evening. After the morning session, the exhibition closes briefly to be ready for the afternoon crowd again. All sessions are the same, and they usually do sell out.

Details and tickets (not cheap at $20/child and $22/adult) are available on the Raleigh KidsFest website. Note: This is still 10 weeks away, but it will sell out, at least some of the sessions.20101205-0790LKFHC10_creatiCreation Nation: Florida seen in a Lego world. (Photo Courtesy of LEGO® KidsFest.)

Tour de Toys 2013

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If you’re brave enough to take on the cold weather and threatening rain, join the Tour de Toys bike “race” this Saturday morning. The race is family-friendly and in past years, kids in trailer, trailer-bikes and on their own bikes have participated. There is a 12-mi course for the ambitious and a shorter 6-mile ride for the leisurely minded. Two free beers (not for the kids) are included; your entry into the race is not a monetary fee, but a donation of a new toy worth $15 or more.

The race starts at 10am at Natty Greene’s, curves through downtown and ends again at Natty Greene’s for a post-race party.

It will be very cold with possible rain – dress accordingly. We’re planning to go with kids and all if the weather is not too crazy. See you there?

Tour de Toys, Saturday 10am, Natty Greene’s. Sign-up today online or tomorrow (if there are any spots left) in person.

Umbrella required – Hands optional (Photo by Franck Vervial, licensed un der CC BY-NC-ND)