Raleigh–Cary area · Latest check Sat, Oct 24
Things to do with kids in Wake County, NC
74 upcoming family events and 47 places and programs in Wake County, NC. Every listing links to the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it — confirm the details there before you go. Dates are in Eastern Time.
All of the Raleigh area →This weekend in Raleigh →Upcoming family events
- Spooky and haunted
Through Oct 31
Creepy Critter Month at Lake Crabtree
Lake Crabtree County Park
FreeAll ages
- Community
Sun, Oct 25 · 11:00 AM
Día de los Muertos Festival with Revista Latina
City Plaza
Free
- Arts & crafts
Mon, Oct 26 · 4:30 PM
K-5th Adventures: Sugar Skulls for Día de los Muertos — Oberlin Regional Library
Oberlin Regional Library
Free
- Outdoors
Mon, Oct 26 · 10:00 AM
Nature Play Day at NCMA
North Carolina Museum of Art
FreeUp to 7
- Arts & crafts
Tue, Oct 27 · 4:30 PM
Halloween Hoopla! K-5th Adventures — Green Road Library
Green Road Community Library
Free
- Community
Tue, Oct 27 · 4:00 PM
Movies @ the Library: Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie — Zebulon
Zebulon Community Library
Free
- Trick-or-treat
Thu, Oct 29 · 4:30 PM
Lions Park Trunk-Or-Treat
Lions Park
Free
- Outdoors
Thu, Oct 29 · 5:30 PM
Nocturnal Animals at Crowder County Park
Crowder County Park
FreeAll ages
- Outdoors
Thu, Oct 29 · 10:00 AM
Walk Through the Seasons at Prairie Ridge
Prairie Ridge Ecostation
Ages 5+
- Sports & play
Fri, Oct 30 · 5:00 PM
Skate Night at the Dix Park Chapel
The Chapel at Dix Park
FreeAll ages
- Outdoors
Sat, Oct 31 · 8:00 AM
Bird Watching at Dix Park
Stone Houses Visitor Center, Dix Park
Free
- Arts & crafts
Sat, Oct 31 · 11:00 AM
Halloween at Hogwarts — NC Symphony Family Fun Concert
Meymandi Concert Hall, Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
Paid
- Trick-or-treat
Sat, Oct 31 · 3:00 PM
Trunk-or-Treat and Pumpkin Parlor at the Top Greene Center
John P. "Top" Greene African American Cultural Center
Free
- Pumpkins and patches
Sun, Nov 1 · 12:00 PM
Smashing Pumpkins: Composting Your Jack-O-Lanterns
Beech Bluff County Park
Free
- Arts & crafts
Mon, Nov 2 · 5:00 PM
K-5th Adventures: Celebrate the Light — West Regional Library
West Regional Library
Free
- Sports & play
Wed, Nov 4 · 6:00 PM
Teen Dungeons and Dragons Night — Leesville Community Library
Leesville Community Library
Free
- Arts & crafts
Wed, Nov 4 · 10:00 AM
What's in the Box? Preschool Art Mornings at NCMA
North Carolina Museum of Art
From $12Ages 3–5
- Outdoors
Thu, Nov 5 · 10:00 AM
Birdwatching for Beginners at Prairie Ridge
Prairie Ridge Ecostation
Ages 8+
- Arts & crafts
Thu, Nov 5 · 4:30 PM
K-5th Adventures: Diwali Sand Art — Southeast Regional Library, Garner
Southeast Regional Library
Free
- Community
Fri, Nov 6 · 5:00 PM
First Friday Market and Movie: Fantastic Mr. Fox
Moore Square
Free
- Outdoors
Fri, Nov 6 · 9:30 AM
Hike with a Naturalist at Historic Yates Mill
Historic Yates Mill County Park
FreeAll ages
- Community
Fri, Nov 6 · 7:30 PM
Movie Night: Minions at Downtown Cary Park
Downtown Cary Park
Free
- STEM & discovery
Fri, Nov 6 · 5:30 PM
Museum Movie Night: Jurassic Park
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Paid
- STEM & discovery
Fri, Nov 6 · 6:00 PM
Teen Science Café: Rhino Conservation
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
FreeAges 11–17
- STEM & discovery
Sat, Nov 7 · 10:00 AM
Astronomy & Astrophysics Research Day
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
All ages
- Outdoors
Sat, Nov 7 · 8:30 AM
Birding with Vernon at Lake Crabtree
Lake Crabtree County Park
FreeAges 8+
- Arts & crafts
Sat, Nov 7 · 10:30 AM
Family-Friendly Tours at NCMA
North Carolina Museum of Art
FreeAges 5–11
- Arts & crafts
Sat, Nov 7 · 12:00 PM
Pop-Up Art with Nancy Baker Cahill
North Carolina Museum of Art
FreeAll ages
- Arts & crafts
Sat, Nov 7 · 10:00 AM
Pullen & Sertoma Fall Arts Fair
Fred Fletcher Park
FreeAll ages
- STEM & discovery
Sat, Nov 7 · 3:00 PM
STEAM Lab: Building Bridges — Northeast Regional Library
Northeast Regional Library
Free
- STEM & discovery
Sun, Nov 8 · 10:00 AM
Dueling Dinosaurs Sensory Friendly Mornings
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
All ages
- Arts & crafts
Sun, Nov 8 · 2:00 PM
Instrument Petting Zoo at Gipson Play Plaza
Gipson Play Plaza, Dix Park
FreeAll ages
- Community
Mon, Nov 9 · 4:30 PM
K-5th Adventures: Salute Our Veterans — Oberlin Regional Library
Oberlin Regional Library
Free
- Outdoors
Mon, Nov 9 · 10:30 AM
Nature Stories at NCMA
North Carolina Museum of Art
FreeUp to 7
- STEM & discovery
Thu, Nov 12 · 10:30 AM
STEAM Lab: Dimensions and Dodecahedrons — West Regional Library
West Regional Library
Free
- Outdoors
Fri, Nov 13 · 11:00 AM
Little Explorers: Webs and Their Weavers
House of Many Porches Market, Dix Park
FreeAges 2–6
- Arts & crafts
Fri, Nov 13 · 6:00 PM
The Nutcracker — Carolina Youth Ballet
Fletcher Opera Theater, Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
Paid
- Community
Sat, Nov 14 · 10:00 AM
Exhibit Opening: The Doctor Is In at Pope House Museum
Pope House Museum
Free
- Arts & crafts
Sat, Nov 14 · 9:30 AM
Foam Stamp Printing Workshop with Adam Cooley — Brentwood Park
Brentwood Park
From $5Ages 8+
- Community
Sat, Nov 14 · 11:00 AM
Hot Dogs with Heroes: Sensory-Friendly Fire Station Visit
Raleigh Fire Station 12
Free
- Sports & play
Sat, Nov 14 · 2:00 PM
Learn to Ride a Bike at Dix Park
Gipson Play Plaza, Dix Park
FreeAll ages
- Arts & crafts
Sat, Nov 14 · 10:00 AM
NCMA to Go Art Kits: Sponge, Stamp, Soar
North Carolina Museum of Art
FreeAll ages
- Community
Tue, Nov 17 · 4:30 PM
Fall Holidays Around the World: K-5th Adventures — East Regional Library, Knightdale
East Regional Library
Free
- Arts & crafts
Tue, Nov 17 · 4:30 PM
Pine Cone Turkeys: K-5th Adventures — Green Road Library
Green Road Community Library
Free
- Outdoors
Wed, Nov 18 · 10:30 AM
Art + Nature Story Time with Prairie Ridge Ecostation
North Carolina Museum of Art
Free
- STEM & discovery
Wed, Nov 18 · 3:00 PM
Math Makers at Gipson Play Plaza
Gipson Play Plaza, Dix Park
Free
- STEM & discovery
Wed, Nov 18 · 10:15 AM
Science Detectives Homeschool Classes: Coastal Critters, Tropical Biodiversity and Pond Life
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Ages 5+
- Arts & crafts
Thu, Nov 19 · 6:00 PM
Teens: Sunrise on the Reaping Craft Night — North Regional Library
North Regional Library
Free
- Tree lightings
Fri, Nov 20 · 5:30 PM
Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting and Holiday Market
Moore Square
- Sports & play
Sat, Nov 21 · 10:00 AM
Apex Turkey Trot 5K
Apex Community Park
From $12
- STEM & discovery
Sat, Nov 21 · 1:00 PM
Corn Grinding Tours at Historic Yates Mill
Historic Yates Mill County Park
FreeAll ages
- Community
Through Jan 10
North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival
Koka Booth Amphitheatre
Paid
- Parades
Sat, Nov 21 · 9:30 AM
Raleigh Christmas Parade
Downtown Raleigh parade route (Hillsborough St. to Fayetteville St.)
Free
- Arts & crafts
Sun, Nov 22 · 2:00 PM
Art in the Park: The Colors of Fall at Crowder County Park
Crowder County Park
FreeAll ages
- Outdoors
Sun, Nov 22 · 2:00 PM
Shelter Building at Beech Bluff County Park
Beech Bluff County Park
FreeAges 6+
- Cooking
Tue, Nov 24 · 4:30 PM
3rd-5th Adventures: Whipped Cream Workshop — Northeast Regional Library
Northeast Regional Library
Free
- Nutcracker and shows
Wed, Nov 25 · 4:00 PM
Cirque Holiday Pops — NC Symphony
Meymandi Concert Hall, Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
Paid
- Sports & play
Thu, Nov 26 · 8:45 AM
Trophy Trot 5K and Kids' Race
Dorothea Dix Park (race start)
Paid
- Community
Through Dec 17
Pullen Park Holiday Express
Pullen Park
From $21
- Community
Wed, Dec 2
Christmas at Historic Oak View: 1850–1950
Historic Oak View County Park
Free
- Tree lightings
Fri, Dec 4 · 4:30 PM
Apex Tree Lighting Ceremony
Apex Town Hall Campus
- Tree lightings
Fri, Dec 4 · 5:00 PM
Lighting of Wake Forest
Centennial Plaza
- Parades
Sat, Dec 5 · 5:00 PM
Apex Rotary Christmas Parade
Downtown Apex, Salem Street
- Tree lightings
Sat, Dec 5 · 5:00 PM
Light the Springs — Holly Springs Tree and Menorah Lighting
Holly Springs Cultural Center
All ages
- Arts & crafts
Sat, Dec 5 · 12:00 PM
Teens Sketch in the Galleries
North Carolina Museum of Art
Free
- Nutcracker and shows
Sat, Dec 5 · 11:00 AM
The Nutcracker — Cary Ballet Company
Fletcher Opera Theater, Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
Paid
- Markets and festivals
Sun, Dec 6 · 3:00 PM
Apex Chanukah Festival
Apex Senior Center
- Hanukkah
Wed, Dec 9 · 10:30 AM
Artful Story Time: Happy Hanukkah!
North Carolina Museum of Art
Free
- Nutcracker and shows
Thu, Dec 10 · 7:00 PM
The Nutcracker — Carolina Ballet
Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
Paid
- Nutcracker and shows
Fri, Dec 11 · 7:30 PM
Holiday Pops and Ugly Sweater Night — NC Symphony
Meymandi Concert Hall, Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
Paid
- Outdoors
Sat, Dec 12 · 10:00 AM
Beech Bluff Explorers: Raccoon Roundup
Beech Bluff County Park
FreeAges 3–5
- Arts & crafts
Sun, Dec 13 · 12:00 PM
Pop-Up Art: Giant Snowflakes at NCMA
North Carolina Museum of Art
FreeAll ages
- Outdoors
Through Dec 30
Winter Warriors Mini Camp at Beech Bluff
Beech Bluff County Park
From $108Ages 8–12
- Arts & crafts
Sat, Jan 2 · 1:00 PM
Epic Adventures from Narnia & More — NC Symphony Young People's Concert
Meymandi Concert Hall, Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
Paid
Places and ongoing programs
- Arts & crafts
Recurring / by appointment
ABC Craft and Learn — North Regional Library
North Regional Library
FreeAges 3–5
- Outdoors
Visit on your schedule
Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park at the NC Museum of Art
North Carolina Museum of Art — Museum Park
FreeAll ages
- Outdoors
Visit on your schedule
Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park
Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park
All ages
- Sports & play
Visit on your schedule
Apex Nature Park & Seymour Athletic Fields
Apex Nature Park & Seymour Athletic Fields
All ages
- Outdoors
Visit on your schedule
Bass Lake Park
Bass Lake Park
All ages
- Outdoors
Visit on your schedule
Beech Bluff County Park
Beech Bluff County Park
All ages
- Outdoors
Visit on your schedule
Blue Jay Point County Park and Blue Jay Education Center
Blue Jay Point County Park
All ages
- Sports & play
Visit on your schedule
Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center
Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center
From $4All ages
- Sports & play
Recurring / by appointment
City of Raleigh Swim Lessons (American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim)
City of Raleigh year-round pools (Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center, Millbrook Exchange, Optimist, Pullen)
From $45
- Arts & crafts
Recurring / by appointment
Dance Play (Ages 3–5) at Arts Together
Arts Together
From $749Ages 3–5
- Outdoors
Visit on your schedule
Durant Nature Preserve
Durant Nature Preserve
All ages
- Outdoors
Visit on your schedule
E. Carroll Joyner Park
E. Carroll Joyner Park
All ages
- Community
Recurring / by appointment
Family and Baby Storytimes — Cary Regional Library
Cary Regional Library
FreeAges 0+
- Community
Recurring / by appointment
Family Storytime — North Regional Library
North Regional Library
Free
- Community
Recurring / by appointment
Family Storytime — Oberlin Regional Library
Oberlin Regional Library
Free
- Sports & play
Visit on your schedule
Frankie's Fun Park Raleigh
Frankie's Fun Park Raleigh
From $8All ages
- Sports & play
Visit on your schedule
Gipson Play Plaza at Dix Park
Gipson Play Plaza, Dorothea Dix Park
FreeAll ages
- Arts & crafts
Recurring / by appointment
Hip Hop Kids (Ages 8–10) at Arts Together
Arts Together
From $820Ages 8–10
- Community
Visit on your schedule
Historic Oak View County Park
Historic Oak View County Park
All ages
- Community
Visit on your schedule
Historic Yates Mill County Park
Historic Yates Mill County Park
All ages
- STEM & discovery
Visit on your schedule
Investigate Lab and Naturalist Center at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences — Nature Research Center
FreeAll ages
- Outdoors
Visit on your schedule
JC Raulston Arboretum
JC Raulston Arboretum
FreeAll ages
- Sports & play
Visit on your schedule
Knightdale Station Park
Knightdale Station Park
All ages
- Outdoors
Visit on your schedule
Lake Crabtree County Park
Lake Crabtree County Park
All ages
- Outdoors
Visit on your schedule
Lake Johnson Park
Lake Johnson Park — Waterfront Center
All ages
- Outdoors
Visit on your schedule
Lake Wheeler Park
Lake Wheeler Park
All ages
- Learn to skate
Recurring / by appointment
Learn to Skate at Polar Ice Raleigh
Polar Ice Raleigh
From $176Ages 3+
- Learn to skate
Recurring / by appointment
Learn to Skate at Polar Ice Wake Forest
Polar Ice Wake Forest
From $198Ages 3+
- Community
Visit on your schedule
Mordecai Historic Park
Mordecai Historic Park — Visitor Center
With admissionAll ages
- STEM & discovery
Visit on your schedule
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
FreeAll ages
- Community
Visit on your schedule
North Carolina State Capitol
North Carolina State Capitol
FreeAll ages
- Sports & play
Visit on your schedule
Polar Ice Cary
Polar Ice Cary
All ages
- Sports & play
Visit on your schedule
Polar Ice Garner
Polar Ice Garner
From $10All ages
- Public skating
Visit on your schedule
Polar Ice Raleigh Public Ice Skating
Polar Ice Raleigh
From $5All ages
- Sports & play
Visit on your schedule
Polar Ice Wake Forest
Polar Ice Wake Forest
All ages
- Community
Recurring / by appointment
Preschool Storytime — Zebulon Community Library
Zebulon Community Library
Free
- Sports & play
Visit on your schedule
Pullen Park
Pullen Park
With admissionAll ages
- Outdoors
Visit on your schedule
Robertson Millpond Preserve
Robertson Millpond Preserve
All ages
- Sports & play
Visit on your schedule
The Nest Playground at Downtown Cary Park
Downtown Cary Park
All ages
- Community
Recurring / by appointment
Toddler Storytime — East Regional Library, Knightdale
East Regional Library
Free
- Community
Recurring / by appointment
Toddler Storytime — Northeast Regional Library
Northeast Regional Library
Free
- Community
Recurring / by appointment
Toddler Storytime — Southeast Regional Library, Garner
Southeast Regional Library
Free
- Community
Recurring / by appointment
Toddler, Family and Baby Storytimes — Eva Perry Regional Library, Apex
Eva Perry Regional Library
Free
- Sports & play
Visit on your schedule
United Skates of America Raleigh
United Skates of America Raleigh
All ages
- STEM & discovery
Visit on your schedule
Walnut Creek Wetland Park
Walnut Creek Wetland Park — Norman and Betty Camp Education Center
All ages
- Outdoors
Visit on your schedule
William B. Umstead State Park
William B. Umstead State Park — Crabtree Creek Entrance and Visitor Center
FreeAll ages
- Arts & crafts
Recurring / by appointment
Youth Theatre Classes at Raleigh Little Theatre
Raleigh Little Theatre
From $100
A county page lists the county’s own addresses (by ZIP code, from the Census Bureau’s ZIP-to-county file); pages appear in our sitemap once a county has 10 or more current listings.