Enter to Win A 2-Night Stay + Spa Treatments at Omni Grove Park Inn
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While you may first think of outdoor exploration during a family vacation to Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains, you will be surprised at the number of indoor activities and things to do with the kids. This is especially important on those rainy or wintry days. Find plenty of places that provide children with the stimulation, exercise and free play they need. Plus, they often give parents a much needed break. (Feature photo: Asheville Museum of Science)
From hands-on, interactive STEM exhibits, art workshops, and children’s museums to trampoline parks, arcades, games and more - below you’ll find a wide variety of indoor activities for kids in Asheville and nearby towns in western North Carolina. Also see our guide for Hands-On Learning & Children's Museums.
Indoor Things for Kids to Do
Lazoom Kids Comedy Tour, Asheville
All aboard the big purple bus for this kid-centric comedy tour featuring a blend of Asheville’s history and humor. Geared for kids 5–12, the tour includes magic, jokes, and more with outlandish… read more
KidsSenses, Rutherfordton
This large, interactive space in Rutherfordton offers fun indoor and outdoor exhibits where kids can learn and stimulate imagination through hands-on playing. There are 14 different interactive… read more
Mineral & Lapidary Museum, Hendersonville
Featuring many diverse underground treasures like raw minerals, meteorites, gemstones, and fossils the museum is a great place to take kids to see the many exhibits and especially highlights like… read more
Hands On! Children's Museum, Hendersonville
This children's museum in historic Downtown Hendersonville has interactive exhibits with focus on science, nature, engineering, motor skills, and more. Exhibits include pet vet hospital, grocery… read more
Aquarium & Shark Lab, Hendersonville
This inland aquarium is home to 275 fish, invertebrates, reptiles, and salamanders with 2 dozen exhibits, including a shark study tank. With focuses on education, enrichment and exploration, there… read more
Asheville Pinball Museum
This downtown Asheville treasure trove for pinball and classic video games is a great rainy day activity with over 80 games. Play a flat rate admission, no tokens or coins necessary. Admission for… read more
Asheville Art Museum
Designed for young visitors, the Art PLAYce is a creative space for everyone to play and learn together in a sensory-rich environment with free exploration of colors, shapes, textures, and… read more
Smoky Mountain Sk8way, Waynesville
This large skating rink offers open skate sessions, bounce houses, obstacle course, arcade games, snack bar a more with various themed events. Find a variety of skate rental options, including… read more
Asheville Museum of Science (AMOS)
This fully interactive science museum in downtown Asheville is a must visit for the whole family! Exhibits include elements of forestry, minerals, planetary exploration, dinosaurs and more. Check… read more
WNC Air Museum, Hendersonville
Celebrating flight, this air museum has an impressive collection of historic airplanes, flight manuals, engines, historic photographs of airplanes and pilots, and more. See and touch airplanes… read more
SkyZone, Asheville
This indoor jump park offers wall-to-wall trampolines, obstacle courses, climbing wall, foam pits, toddler courses and more! Jump passes range from 30-120 minutes. Join fun events like GLOW, an… read more
Retrocade, West Asheville
With a large selection of classic and modern video games, pinball machines, air hockey, skee-ball and more, this family-friendly business welcomes people of all ages. It’s a great place to do… read more
Waynesville Recreation Center Indoor Pool
This indoor pool and water park is open daily throughout the year, making it a great way for kids to be active on rainy day or snow day. They also do pool parties! A family day pass is $20, and… read more
Museum of the Cherokee Indian
The Museum of the Cherokee Indian shares the history and culture of the Cherokee people and sets the scene for the Cherokee Heritage Trails. See impressive exhibits that take you from 11,000 years… read more
Sky Lanes, West Asheville
Make it a family date at this West Asheville bowling alley, open daily with lots of options for kid-friendly bowling, including bumpers and assist ramp. In-house Bar & Grill menu has a wide… read more
Mountain Play Lodge, Asheville
This large indoor play space, ideal for kids 10 and younger, offers two age-appropriate play floors with a variety of soft play equipment including a miniature village, toddler slides, and a large… read more
Fox-N-Otter Adventure Puzzle Rooms, Asheville
This locally owned, family friendly business creates brain-twisting puzzles where participants try to escape perplexing scenarios. Younger children are welcome, puzzles are geared towards kids… read more
RAD Skatepark, Asheville
This large, indoor skate park in the River Arts District offers a safe, supervised environment for skaters and riders of all ages. Kids may bring skateboards, bikes, or scooters to ride. Parents… read more
See more pages from our Family Guide: Family Top 20 Vacation Ideas | Kid-Friendly Hikes | Waterfalls for Kids | Biltmore for Kids | Family-Friendly Hotels & Lodging | Hands-On Learning & Children's Museums | Kids in Parks | Places for Kid's Birthday Parties| Overnight Summer Camps | Day & Half-Day Summer Camps | Kid-Friendly Restaurants | Family Date Ideas
