Ages 0 to 10, always
Everything we list is for kids ages 0 to 10.
Free or low cost
We highlight free and budget friendly picks.
Curated by real NoVA parents
Local notes on drive time, bathrooms, parking, and age fit.
Rainy day ready
Find indoor fun when the weather does not cooperate.
Save good ideas
Keep favorite places and events ready for later.
Things to do with kids in Fairfax County
Fairfax parents have a lot nearby, but the useful answer depends on weather, age, cost, and how far you are willing to drive. This page keeps Fairfax area choices in one scan.
Quick answer
Near Fairfax, choose between contained indoor play, free library programs, accessible playgrounds, gardens, farms, and older kid arcades. Start with the child's age and the weather, then compare drive time, admission, bathrooms, parking, and whether a reservation is needed.
- Me Land Chantilly, Chantilly, VA. Large indoor playground in Chantilly with slides, climbing, toddler play zones, and parent seating. $12.99 to $19.99 Official source
- Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA. A paid 95-acre botanical garden walk with paved paths, lakes, seasonal plants, Visitor Center restrooms, and two free first-come wheelchairs. Outdoor toys, outside food, and pets are not allowed inside the fenced garden. $5 to $9 Official source
- Clemyjontri Park, McLean, VA. Large accessible playground with wide paths, year round restrooms, and a strong mixed-age setup. Free Official source
- Frying Pan Farm Park, Herndon, VA. Free farm park outing with animals, paths, and easy parking; paid only for select programs or rides. Free Official source
- Our Special Harbor and Chessie's Big Backyard, Alexandria, VA. Start at the free accessible spray park, then walk over to Chessie's Big Backyard for dry playground time before getting back in the car. The map documents a permanent year round restroom, and picnic tables are available under two pavilions. Free Official source
- Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton, VA. A free historic art-campus visit with galleries, artist studios, public restrooms, accessible single-level buildings, and generally free parking. A hands-on child class is not a standing daily activity and needs its own current program listing. Free general admission Official source
- Super, Awesome & Amazing, Springfield, VA. A large active destination with separate tickets for the Active Entertainment Center, weekend indoor waterpark, Sunday Tot Time, and arcade. Choose the attraction before paying. $18 to $30 Official source
- Scramble Falls Church, Falls Church, VA. Indoor playground with separate infant, toddler, kid, and big kid areas, plus climbing, parent seating, and an onsite cafe. $5 to $27 Official source
- Jolly Yolly Kids, Fairfax, VA. Bright indoor gym and play space with age level equipment, daily cleaning notes, and birthday party options. $11.95 to $18.95 Official source
- Play Street Museum Fairfax, Fairfax, VA. Small-format children's museum with pretend-play exhibits, reservation sessions, and birthday party options. $18 Official source
- Romp n' Roll Fairfax, Fairfax, VA. Classes and Open Playtime for children from 3 months through 5 years, with parent participation based on the child's age and the selected class. Memberships from $129 monthly Official source
- City of Fairfax Regional Library with Kids, Fairfax, VA. A free indoor backup with children's books, multilingual collections, internet stations, and a covered 199-space garage. Storytimes and other programs appear as dated events with their own age, time, registration, and room limits. Free Official source
- Van Dyck Park, Fairfax, VA. A free 36 acre City of Fairfax park with a playground, paved trail, basketball, pickleball, tennis, volleyball, a skate park, gardens, picnic tables, benches, pavilions, a Throne restroom, and onsite parking. Free Official source
- Reston Farmers Market, Reston, VA. A Saturday food shopping stop at Lake Anne Plaza. Musicians and community groups can appear, but a child activity is not guaranteed. Free Official source
- Burke Farmers Market, Burke, VA. A practical Saturday grocery stop with rotating food vendors. The official page does not promise a weekly child activity. Free Official source
- Lorton Farmers Market, Lorton, VA. A Sunday food shopping stop with rotating vendors. The official page does not promise a weekly child activity. Free Official source
- Dave & Buster's Fairfax, Fairfax, VA. An older-kid arcade and restaurant option inside Fair Oaks Mall. Set the Power Card amount before arrival, and ask for a current birthday quote because package prices vary. Power Card amount varies Official source
- Monster Mini Golf Chantilly, Chantilly, VA. Glow mini golf, arcade games, laser tag, and mini bowling for older kids who need an indoor activity. $12 to $33 Official source
- Fun Land of Fairfax, Centreville, VA. An indoor older-kid outing with arcade games, go-karts, laser tag, a ropes course, and climbing. Check height rules before promising a specific attraction. $10 attractions · $43.99 online day pass Official source
- Escapology Fairfax, Fairfax, VA. A private 60-minute escape-room outing for puzzle-loving older kids. Kids Mode is designed for ages 7 to 14, and families should allow about 90 minutes for arrival, the game, and the wrap-up. Price varies by room, group, and time Official source
- Muse Paintbar Fairfax, Fairfax, VA. A guided painting studio in Mosaic District with public kids and family sessions plus private birthday packages. Check the exact class age and start time before booking. Public classes vary · Kids parties from $50 per painter Official source
- Kidcreate Studio Fairfax Station, Fairfax Station, VA. A hands-on art studio with classes, workshops, camps, and private parties. The official program ages vary, so choose the exact offering for the youngest child and register before driving over. Paid classes · Free trial available Official source
- TCG Village, Chantilly, VA. Pokemon focused trading card shop with events, trades, collectibles, and older kid hobby browsing. Paid products and events Official source
- Burke Lake Park, Fairfax Station, VA. Large destination park with playgrounds, seasonal rides, a lake trail, and 100 wooded campsites for tents or small RVs. Free park entry Official source
Fairfax City this week
Start with the current weekend list for dated Fairfax programs and markets. For a plan that does not depend on an event, the City of Fairfax Regional Library has a children's area, bathrooms, and covered parking.
Choose a Fairfax library branch
The Fairfax library family guide compares City of Fairfax, Chantilly, Centreville, and Oakton. It keeps ordinary branch visits separate from scheduled storytimes, clubs, and children's programs.
Seasonal events worth planning ahead
The Fairfax seasonal event guide keeps the county fair, Fairfax Fall Festival, Asian Festival on Main, Chocolate Lovers Festival, and Independence Day updates on one permanent page. Use it when the date, parking plan, and extra costs matter more than finding a regular place.
Summer camps are a separate planning decision
The 2026 Fairfax summer camp guide compares Park Authority camps, Camp Fairfax, FCPS enrichment, City of Fairfax programs, and therapeutic preschool camp. It keeps age, dates, price, registration windows, and care hours in one table without treating a published program as proof of an open seat.
Museums that give children something to do
The Fairfax museum guide compares Children's Science Center Lab, Play Street Museum, Udvar Hazy, Fairfax Museum, Historic Blenheim, Colvin Run Mill, and Sully. It excludes places without a clear child experience.
Old Town Fairfax works as a two stop plan
The Old Town Fairfax family guide pairs Old Town Square with the nearby City of Fairfax Regional Library, then explains downtown events, parking, bathrooms, food, and the Fairfax Museum backup.
Mosaic District needs one real plan
The Mosaic District family guide separates the daily playground, seasonal splash pad, current child events, paid art and movie stops, parking, food, and bathroom uncertainty.
Indoor choices near Fairfax
Jolly Yolly Kids and Play Street Museum Fairfax serve different energy levels. Chantilly and Falls Church add larger active spaces. Compare the full set on the Fairfax indoor playground page.
Free mornings
Fairfax County libraries, local parks, Clemyjontri, and Frying Pan Farm Park make repeatable free outings. Some places charge for rides or programs even when the main experience is free, so those extras remain visible on the free Fairfax page.
Outdoor choices
Clemyjontri Park works for mixed ages and accessible play. Frying Pan Farm Park adds animals and paths. Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is the slower walking choice.
Parent questions
What is good for kids near Fairfax VA?
Jolly Yolly Kids, Play Street Museum Fairfax, City of Fairfax library programs, Van Dyck Park, Clemyjontri, and nearby farms or gardens are strong starts.
What if it rains in Fairfax?
Use indoor play, library programs, art centers, arcades for older kids, or the rainy day page when outdoor plans fall apart.