Last Updated on July 27, 2022
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After many trips to the Cumberland County area, we can attest to the fact that there are almost too many things to do with kids in Fayetteville and beyond. And it’s not just for very young children, either, as many of these activities have just about every age group in mind.
And honestly, this lineup of fun is pretty unique, as you’ll be hard-pressed to find an area where you can zip over waterfalls, visit a brewery with a massive playground, and paint your own pottery.
If those three got you revved up, let’s take a look at them and the two dozen other fantastic ways for you and your kids to enjoy Fayetteville and its surroundings.
Read More: Outstanding Things to Do in Fayetteville
Things to Do with Kids in Fayetteville and Cumberland County
If you’re ready to do these fun kid-friendly activities NOW, our Eastern North Carolina Map will help you visually plan your day out!
Read More: The NC Tripping North Carolina Travel Map
Bowling
Maybe there’s some childhood nostalgia coming out, but bowling was one of my favorite things to do as a kid! And in Fayetteville, the family-owned and operated Lafayette Bowling and B&B Bowling Lanes are a couple of places with plenty of pins waiting to be taken down.
Of course, there are more bowling lanes in Fayetteville, which you can learn more about here.
Read More: The MacPherson House in Fayetteville (and 5 Reasons Why We Love It!)
Cape Fear Botanical Garden
536 N Eastern Blvd, Fayetteville
Honestly, we think the Cape Fear Botanical Garden is the place that you should start when getting your children out in nature! With 80 acres of blooming flowers and plants, our little one loves running around and exploring the paths here.
In addition to a children’s garden and nature backpacks to expand the experience, Cape Fear Botanical Garden also hosts a number of family-friendly events throughout the year.
Read More: The Most Beautiful Botanical gardens in North Carolina
Cape Fear River Trail
Sherman Drive, Fayetteville
Whether you’re looking to bike, walk, or even scoot, the Cape Fear River Trail is an excellent place for that. This trail is a 10-foot wide paved path that extends for almost 5.3 miles.
Shrouded with trees, wildlife, and even a covered bridge, we think this will be one of your favorite things to do with kids in Fayetteville.
Pro-tip: Start at Clark Park (see below) and enjoy the Nature Center first!
Carter Blueberry Farm
4120 Clinton Rd, Fayetteville
Family-owned and operated for over 40 years, Carter Blueberry Farm is a 6-acre oasis for blueberry picking in North Carolina! The 3500 blueberry plants at this farm are ripe for the picking and the memories you make will last a lifetime.
Bring your own bucket and fill up for only $1.79 per pound. Now, that’s a steal of a deal!
Carvers Creek State Park
Long Valley Farm Access: 995 McCloskey Rd, Fayetteville
Sandhills Access: 2505 Long Valley Rd, Spring Lake
It’s no surprise that we love spending time outdoors, and Fayetteville and Spring Lake sure do have a gem of a state park in Carvers Creek!
From the parking lot of the Long Valley Farm Access, you’ll walk straight ahead and see the former historic retreat of the Rockefeller family. Two hiking trails snake through the former roads of the farm and pass a 100-acre millpond.
These trails are very family-friendly as they are a mix of sand and gravel and do not change in elevation. We wouldn’t recommend a stroller, but a hiking carrier or walking for little legs would be perfect!
At the Sandhills Access, stroll along the Longleaf Pine Trail and stop off at the pond, which is about a mile from the parking lot.
Note: closed-toe shoes are recommended and please do not veer off the trail.
Read More: 50+ Easy Day Trips from Fayetteville (Great Getaways!)
The Climbing Place
436 W Russell St, Fayetteville
If your kids have you climbing the walls, how about letting them loose somewhere else? The Climbing Place is the place to let your climbing kids have fun in Fayetteville. With 20,000 square feet of climbing, there are plenty of rope and rock options for all skill levels.
The Climbing Place is also perfect for birthday parties or groups. Join them for Friday night Family nights for deals on gear rentals and free pizza!
Dirtbag Ales
5435 Corporation Dr, Hope Mills
Yep, that’s right. We’re listing a Fayetteville brewery as a kid-friendly thing to do! Why? Because Dirtbag Ales is more than just a hoppy good time. And it’s not just their on-site restaurant, Napkins, with easy choices for families that puts this place on our list.
For us, it’s Dirtbag’s wide-open space and, wait for it….. PLAYGROUND. Yes, that’s right. A playground. It’s a total game-changer for parents who have always said it would be nice to have a cold beer while watching their kids play.
Of course, we also come for their Cold Brew Mocha Porter, one of our absolute favorite North Carolina beers. But the overall vibe keeps us coming back to Dirtbag every chance we get!
Read More: Eastern North Carolina (and 100+ Awesome Places to Visit)
Defy Fayetteville
361 Westwood Shopping Center, Fayetteville
At Defy, you can go bold and be fearless! This extreme air sports park is perfect for if you are looking for indoor things to do with kids in Fayetteville.
Try your aerial skills out on the silks, jump until you’re exhausted, or take your chance at the ninja obstacle course. And the foam pit is great for younger kids, too!
Fascinate-U
116 Green St, Fayetteville
With hands-on activities and fun life-like experiences, Fascinate-U is like a mini Fayetteville, providing education and exploration for all ages. At this awesome children’s museum, you and your little one can shop for groceries and slide down the fire pole–okay, maybe just the kiddo can do the latter.
Either way, don’t forget to join Fascinate-U for one of their special events!
Read More: The NC Museum of History in Raleigh (+7 Things We Love About It!)
Fayetteville Transportation and Local History Museum
325 Franklin Street, Fayetteville
The Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum downtown is also the site of the weekly farmers market. However, you’ll want to step inside this building, as there’s plenty of history to learn, all the way from pre-history to the early 20th century.
The museum sits inside the restored 1890 Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley Railroad Depot, with two floors of exhibits.
Tip: Ask about their Downtown Walking Tour!
Read More: The NC Transportation Museum in Spencer (and 3 Reasons to Go Now!)
Fayetteville Rose Garden
2201 Hull St, Fayetteville
While maybe not your typical idea of how to burn some energy, the Fayetteville Rose Garden is actually a wonderful quick stop for you and your kids. On the campus of Fayetteville Technical Community College, there are more than 1,000 rose bushes blooming from April until the first frost.
One fun thing to do here involves a magnifying glass and a pad of paper. With those tools, you can sketch some of these lovely beauties for a wonderful family-friendly memory.
Fun Fun Fun
4670 Cumberland Rd, Fayetteville
Over one hundred games including laser tag, miniature golf, and batting cages await at Fun Fun Fun! Just make sure you grab an all-access pass for an affordable afternoon of games, laughs, and some friendly competition!
Gallberry Farm (September to November)
5991 Braxton Rd, Hope Mills
If you’re looking for the perfect place to pick pumpkins and enjoy fall in Fayetteville, then Gallberry Corn Maze is exactly what you’re looking for! Open mid-September through early November, this place has a massive six acres of corn mazes, hayride, tube slides, and even pig racing!
Note: Tickets and concessions are cash only.
Gillis Hill Farm
2701 Gillis Hill Rd, Fayetteville
We already love real working farms but you say there’s ice cream, too? That’s what you get at Gillis Hill Farm, a family operation since the 1700s.
The kind folks running this place welcome you to explore their land! With farm animals, a beautiful pond and gist mill, and sweet treats, it’s always a fun time for the kids!
Gillis Hill Road Produce
2899 Gillis Hill Road, Fayetteville
Not to be confused with the above, Gillis Hill Road Produce is a nearby spot that’s perfect for strawberry picking, pumpkins, and local produce. Stock up on fresh herbs and plants while teaching your kids the importance of supporting local farms.
J. Bayard Clark Park and Nature Center
631 Sherman Dr, Fayetteville
We mentioned the Cape Fear River Trail earlier but thought you should know more about J. Bayard Clark Park, Fayetteville’s second-largest park. Complete with a waterfall, unpaved trails for exploring, and a nature center with live animals, Clark Park is a terrific place for a picnic and some outdoor time!
Clark Park also holds some pretty fantastic family-friendly events. Everyone can enjoy a nature storytime, some fort building with water fights, youth archery, and even an owl hike with a marshmallow roast!
JP’s Jump Masters
7005 Nexus Ct, Fayetteville
10,000 square feet of jumping fun! JP’s Jump Masters is a military- and family-run facility with trampolines, foam pits, and a gourmet coffee shop. And if you need to take a break from the hopping, they also have an arcade to battle it out and help you catch your breath!
Just Claying Around
201 S McPherson Church Rd
Are you looking for some creative things to do with kids in Fayetteville? Just Claying Around is the perfect rainy day or indoor activity for families.
This paint-your-own-pottery studio allows children and adults to flex create something unique and special to them. All you have to do is pick out the pottery you want to make, paint it, and watch it come to life!
Omni Family Amusement
3719 Sycamore Dairy Rd, Fayetteville
More than 125 games and rides for a day of family fun are waiting at Omni Family Amusement Center! Complete with a movie theatre, mini-golf, and plenty of fun prizes, this is an awesome family-friendly activity in Fayetteville.
Honestly, there’s nothing better than a day of fun and games for a weekend well spent!
Paracelete XP Indoor Skydiving
190 Paraclete Dr, Raeford
Do you want to experience the thrill of skydiving without having to jump out of a plane? While Paraclete XP Indoor Skydiving is technically in Raeford, this the perfect place near Fayetteville to serve that rush of adrenaline.
There are no planes, no parachutes, and it’s even appropriate for children as young as three years old. Now, get your suit on, hop in the vertical chamber, and lean into the rushing wind!
Parks, Splash Pads, and Pools
And we couldn’t discuss fun things to do with kids without mentioning Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks & Recreation. They manage 10 splash pads, 46 parks, and four pools, offering endless family-friendly (and FREE) fun in Fayetteville.
Putt Putt Fun Center
3311 Footbridge Lane, Hope Mills
At Putt-Putt Fun Center, you can play mini golf, but there are many more options available, including laser tag, go-karts, bumper cars, and even a water adventure section!
This awesome park in Hope Mills is a great way to spend a day of fun with the family. And if all that wasn’t enough, you can also take a swing in their batting cages!
Surge Trampoline Park
3333 N Main St, Hope Mills
Surge Trampoline Park in Hope Mills is perfect for children of all ages, a place where the bouncing fun happens! You can also have your moment in the spotlight on the American Ninja Warrior course, duck from flying dodgeballs, or just jump it out on the trampolines.
Oh, and there is even a toddler-friendly area for little bouncers!
US Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum
100 Bragg Blvd, Fayetteville
Dedicated to the history of airborne and special operations from the 1940s to the current day, the Airborne & Special Operations Museum is a fantastic family-friendly activity in Fayetteville.
Interactive exhibits and memorabilia at this free museum make a great connection between us and our military. While the museum is free and self-guided, many children enjoy riding the Motion Simulator Experience (purchased ticket required).
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Yakalacky Outfitters
With Yackalacky Outfitters, you can paddleboard, canoe, or kayak your way through Cumberland County! This company shuttles their boats all around Fayetteville, making perfect family-friendly days out on the water for the masses.
They’re locally run and operated, and you can expect world-class friendly service from Lake Rim Park to Hope Mills Lake!
ZipQuest Waterfall & Treetop Adventure
533 Carvers Falls Road, Fayetteville
Zipquest is a zipline that passes over a waterfall, which is reason alone to try! You’ll speed through the trees on one of their two expeditions and see Cumberland County in a whole new way.
Their highly trained and qualified staff will make sure you are safe and enjoy an incredible time. Children as young as eight years old can tackle the ziplines with an accompanied adult. So get out there and swing and zip like monkeys for a memorable experience!
Ready for these Fun Things to Do with Kids in Fayetteville?
Hopefully, you’ve found at least one fun thing to do with your kids the next time you are out in Fayetteville or elsewhere in Cumberland County. What’s the first activity we shared that you’d like to do with your kids?
For those who know about these awesome places to go, we’re excited to hear about your favorites. And if you’ve done something that we didn’t mention and had a blast, we’d love to know more about it.
