Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Memphis - 2020
2020's Best Places for Kids in the Memphis area!
Memphis is rich in fun events and exciting places. It was hard for our readers to select their favorites from the hundreds of choices! The venues listed below are wildly popular with kids and families in the area. But don’t miss out on ALL the other wonderful places as well! Browse through KidsOutAndAbout.com, check out our calendar, and discover lots more to do, especially Everything That's Free.
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Memphis Zoo
Memphis Zoo's mission is Creating Adventures, Saving Wildlife. We support that mission with informative and engaging keeper chats, animal encounters, top-rated STEM education programs, a fully developed Conservation and Research Team, and more! Click the link to our website and plan your adventure today.
Memphis Botanic Garden
Memphis Botanic Garden strives to enhance lives by connecting people with nature, increasing awareness and appreciation of our environment. Our 96-acre property includes 28 specialty gardens that families can explore together, including the 2 ½ acre My Big Backyard children’s garden, a Prehistoric Plant Trail with interactive dino features, a Butterfly Garden, and a Delta Garden featuring traditional vegetables and crops.
Children's Museum of Memphis
The Children’s Museum of Memphis creates memorable learning experiences through the joy of play in hands-on exhibits and programs.
My Local Library
Of course, the libraries in the Memphis area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication. They're proud that locals voted them #3 in best places to take kids this year!
National Civil Rights Museum
The National Civil Rights Museum, located at the Lorraine Motel, assassination site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., chronicles key episodes of American civil rights movement & its legacy to inspire participation in civil & human rights globally.
Cedar Hill Farm
Cedar Hill Farm is located in the Community of Love, outside of Hernando, Mississippi, just minutes south of Memphis, Tennessee. ach year improvements are made to make Cedar Hill Farm one of the top Agri-Tourism businesses in the Mid-South. Take a tractor drawn hayride around our farm, out to the Easter Egg Hunt Field in the Spring, to pick Berries in the Summer, the Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maize in the Fall and to the Choose & Cut Christmas Tree Fields in the Winter.
Lichterman Nature Center
Located in the heart of metropolitan Memphis, the Center features exciting new exhibits, lush gardens featuring native wildflowers and trees, and a tradition of excellence in environmental education set in the midst of 65 acres of lake, meadow, and forest. Home to a wide variety of plants, birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals, Lichterman is an urban nature center, easily accessible to the people who need it the most, the people who live in the city.
New Ballet Ensemble & School
New Ballet brings children and youth together from diverse backgrounds by providing equitable access to excellence in dance training.
Pump It Up - Bartlett
At Pump It Up of Bartlett every day's a party! Whether you're looking to have your kid's birthday party or just bounce house fun, we've got it all. Pump It Up's private indoor arenas are filled with gigantic inflatable bounce houses, slides, jousting arenas and more. Pump It Up offers open jump hours and preschool playtime.
Safari Wild Animal Park and Preserve
450 acre drive through Safari Park. Drive through 6 miles of Safari Roads in the comfort of your vehicle. Ride a camel, feed a giraffe, animals free roaming on hundreds of acres. Great Family Fun!
Dixon Gallery and Gardens
Founded in 1976 by Hugo and Margaret Dixon, the Dixon Gallery and Gardens is a fine art museum and public garden distinguished by its diverse and innovative programs in the arts and horticulture.
The Orpheum Theatre
The historic Orpheum Theatre is the Mid-South home of touring Broadway productions. Along with the Halloran Centre for Performing Arts & Education next door, these venues make up the Orpheum Theatre Group. Patrons can enjoy concerts, comedians, family shows, dance troupes, and local cultural and community events throughout the year. The nonprofit also serves thousands of students, teachers, and families through its education and community programs that include summer camps, workshops, the High School Musical Theatre Awards, free storytelling programs, and more. Professional development is available for educators throughout the region. Families can enjoy low-cost shows and engagement activities as part of the Saturday Series.
Chuck E.Cheese's
Family-friendly entertainment venue known for kids birthday parties, pizza, and arcade games. Located on Hickory Hill Road in Memphis.
High Point Climbing and Fitness Memphis
High Point Climbing And Fitness Memphis is located just west of Shelby Farms Park off of Walnut Grove Road. High Point Memphis brings world-class climbing to West Tennessee with over 30,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor climbing surface featuring walls up to 55 feet tall! We also offer a Kid Zone, Bouldering Room, Weight and Aerobic Rooms, and yoga classes! Climbing Clubs and Teams can be joined at anytime. Yoga classes are offered throughout the week and are included with any Membership or Day Pass!
Magic Springs Theme and Water Park
Magic Springs Theme and Water Park is an amusement park and water park located in Hot Springs, Arkansas, about 50 miles from Little Rock. A single price admission includes all day use of the rides and attractions in both parks. The park is open weekends from April through October and daily late-May through mid-August.
Memphis River Parks
The Memphis River Parks Partnership is a nonprofit organization that manages, activates and maintains five miles of riverfront parks on behalf of the City of Memphis. The partnership works to create a connected, catalytic and fun riverfront for all Memphians.
Memphis JCC
The MJCC has something for everyone. Be sure to check out our fitness center, amazing water park, early childhood center, summer camp and so much more!
Billy Hardwick's All Star Lanes
Bowling alley on S. Whitehouse Station Road with 40 Lanes total (20 Lanes on each side of the house). League Bowling every night of the week for all types of bowlers. Cosmic Bowling every night starting at 9pm.
Cordova Skating Center - Memphis Skating
A family-friendly Memphis tradition for over 25 years. We combine roller skating with bright lights, great music, and games, all while exercising and getting out of the crazy Memphis weather. We also specialize in birthday parties. Come join the fun!
Graceland
The Ultimate Rock ‘n’ Roll Destination Explore Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland Mansion. Fully immerse yourself in Elvis' life and career like never before at Elvis Presley's Memphis as you experience Elvis' roots, his influences and his artistry. Savor delicious Memphis cuisine at our themed restaurants. Stay in luxury at our AAA Four-Diamond Guest House at Graceland resort.
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in six categories. Here were their choices.Favorite Place for Arts Education
Paint A PiecePaint a Piece is a fun creative arts studio in Memphis, TN. We offer pottery painting, glass fusing, canvas painting, clay hand building, wood art and silver clay jewelry. One of our helpful and fun art assistants will offer step by step instructions and supplies to help you create your masterpiece. Whether you are a walk in artist or reserving for a group, we can help you create today! If you are doing pottery, glass, or clay, you leave it for one week for kiln firing. If you do a canvas, or a wooden door hanger you can take it with you when you go! Come in and see just how everyone here can be an artist!
Favorite Place for Physical/Sports Education
YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-SouthIncrease energy, decrease stress, prevent illness, maintain a healthy weight, find personal balance, and enjoy quality time with family and friends... at the Y! We combine spirit, mind, and body in an integrated approach to well-being that goes beyond just fitness.