30+ Fun Things to Do in Cary NC With Kids

Downtown Cary Park

327 S Academy St, Cary, NC 27511

Downtown Cary Park is one of the town’s best spots for events, play, or just hanging out. It opened a few years ago and is a truly epic park. For kids, you’ll find a beautiful nature-inspired playground, complete with 2 wooden cardinals you can climb into. (As you might have guessed from our logo, we’re big fans of the North Carolina state bird!)

Downtown Cary Park covers 7 acres in the heart of Downtown Cary and is located next to the public library. In addition to the playground area, the park has beautiful water features to admire (plus 2 spots for splash pad fun), as well as an amphitheater for concerts, a dog park, an indoor pavilion for classes and events, table top tennis courts, foosball, and more.

You can easily spend a day out here with kids, check out their events calendar which has things going on basically every single day! We’ve been fans of their Toddler Tuesdays, which are super popular free events. But registration fills up quickly so, check the calendar regularly.

The park is also magical at night! Many of the structures are illuminated, They look especially cool around Halloween and Christmastime!

Phillips Farms

6800 Good Hope Church Rd, Cary, NC 27519

Phillips Farms is definitely one of our favorite recommendations for family-friendly fun in Cary! This family-owned farm is where you’ll find fantastic events seasonally. They have regular markets with local vendors on weekends in late spring and summer, as well as special events throughout the year, including Watermelon Fest, Strawberry Fest, and more.

In the fall they have lots of open weekends where you can enjoy fall goodness – pumpkins, baked goods, seasonal faves from local food trucks and more. And the main attraction for the kids is their massive fun park, which has huge slides, games, jumping pillows, a cow train, toddler area, farm animals to visit, and way more.

Even Christmas time has some great events, and you can head here to pick out a fresh Christmas tree, enjoy hot cocoa, and sit around the fire pits.

Check their website to see what’s happening at the farm!

Kids Together Playground at Martha Dorrel Park

111 Thurston Dr, Cary, NC 27518

The Kids Together Playground at Martha Dorrel Park is one of our favorite playgrounds. Big, quite shady, and with options for multiple ages, it’s definitely a hit.

This playground is very inclusive, with several elements designed for those with disabilities or special needs. That aspect just makes the playground even more amazing in our eyes!

You can see our playground review for more in-depth information on this spot!

Over the Moon

653 Cary Towne Blvd, Cary, NC 27511

Over the Moon is a space-themed indoor playground that is very popular with local kids! The space is big and open, making it an ideal spot for kids to run around and have fun in the air-conditioned indoors while parents keep an eye on them with ease.

Over the Moon is designed for crawlers through ages 9 or 10. There is a separate area for babies and toddlers. Get more details on their website.

Events & Festivals

Cary offers a huge number of events that are family-friendly. Some of the most popular events each year include the Pimento Cheese Festival, Lazy Daze and Spring Daze Festivals, the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival, and an array of holiday events throughout the year.

Events take place all across Cary, but popular spots include Downtown Cary and Downtown Cary Park, Bond Park, Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Waverly Place, and Cary Arts Center.

Your best bet to keep track of all that is happening is to check out the Town of Cary’s website, including their list of major events here.

We also create and curate a Weekend Family Fun roundup every single week here on Raleigh Family Adventure. You can always check out our list to find all the best Cary events for kids, plus things happening all over the whole Triangle!

PS: Subscribe to our newsletter and you’ll get this Family Fun Roundup in your email inbox every Thursday. Totally free!

Bumble Brews

2464 SW Cary Pkwy, Cary, NC 27513

Bumble Brews is a super popular indoor play space for little ones! The prime age for playing here is toddler and preschool-aged, but this cute and cozy spot can be fun for kids up to age 6.

We’ve been here countless times, and my son has always had a great time. As a mom, I love this spot because they also offer truly delicious coffee (or even beer and wine, if you’re in the mood!)

In addition to well-priced Open Play, they also offer special events (usually on weekends) and birthday parties.

Read our full review post for a deeper dive on Bumble Brews in Cary.

Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve

2616 Kildaire Farm Rd, Cary, NC 27518

Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve is a peaceful, shaded spot that’s perfect for a family outing with kids. With some easy, stroller-friendly trails, fun boardwalks, and a unique forest filled with rare hemlock trees, it feels like a mountain escape right in town.

Kids especially love the whimsical Children’s Nature Trail with log tunnels, stepping stones, and toadstool seats. The on-site Stevens Nature Center offers hands-on exhibits and programs for little learners, making this a great mix of outdoor adventure and educational fun—all for free!

Fred Bond Metro Park

801 High House Rd, Cary, NC 27513

Fred G. Bond Metro Park is one of Cary’s best spots for a kid-friendly day outdoors. The Lazy Daze Playground is a favorite, with climbing towers, tunnel slides, swings, a sandbox, and even a merry-go-round-style spinner—all tucked under shady trees. There’s plenty of space for kids to run around, plus picnic shelters and open fields perfect for a snack break or a game of tag.

Families can also rent pedal boats, kayaks, or canoes to explore the big lake, and the easy trails around the park are great for a walk, scooter ride, or bike cruise. With tons of room to play and explore, Bond Park is a go-to for active, outdoor family fun.

On select Fridays throughout the summer, Bond Park hosts Bands, Bites, and Boats, a fun free live-music event on the water.

Fenton

Fenton Main St, Cary, NC 27511

A shopping center may not strike you immediately as a kid-friendly spot, but Fenton has a lot going for it, making it a great option for the whole family!

For kids, the main fun spot will be the wide open green with lots of space to run and play. This green is directly in front of kiddos’ other fave spot: the movie theatre! Paragon Theaters has a great special: $5 movies all day on Tuesdays. And during the summer, there is also a Kids Movie Series available, where you can watch popular children’s films for even less.

This green is the site of many events held at Fenton, such as regular markets, or sessions of their Fenton Kids series.

In the winter, the green transforms into a gorgeous ice skating rink, and it is definitely one of the top holiday activities in the area.

Waverly Place

302 Colonades Way, Cary, NC 27518

Waverly Place, similarly to Fenton, also plays host to a number of family-friendly events. In the summer, they offer a Wednesday night live music series that is a super fun time. Plus, right next to their green, there is a fully-fenced playground. That is one element that is so fantastic for parents. There’s even a separate section for toddlers.

Just a hop, skip, and jump away from these playgrounds are a few restaurants families will enjoy dining at. Gonza Tacos & Tequila is the closest, and they have outdoor patio seating. So if you have older kids, you could even let them play as you enjoy your drinks and meal!

Waverly Place is also home to a Two Roosters, one of the best ice cream shops in the Triangle!

Other kid-friendly activities here include Color Me Mine, Shake Shack, and a movie theatre.

Notasium

1000 Ryan Rd, Cary, NC 27511

Cary is lucky to be the site of so many great indoor playgrounds. Notasium is another. This is a music-themed playspace. Open play is available here and kids can interact with fun music elements, slide down a giant “guitar slide”, sing karaoke, or jump in the bounce houses.

In addition, Notasium offers a wide variety of music classes for children. Enrolled students get discounts here on open play and birthday parties. Definitely worth checking out!

Ed Yerha Playground

1216 Jenks Carpenter Rd, Cary, NC 27519

Ed Yerha Park has a nice playground best suited for toddlers and little kids. There is a sand box/sand pit, smaller play structures, and a fair amount of shade here. Parking is also very close.

Check out our whole list of toddler-friendly playgrounds if you’d like more options like this!

Koka Booth Ampitheatre

8003 Regency Pkwy, Cary, NC 27518

Koka Booth is a major event destination in the Triangle. There are countless concerts, festivals, and other events scheduled here throughout the year.

As far as kid-friendly fun, a number of the events incorporate Kids Zones or kids activities, such as Oktoberfest. Many of the concerts are also family-friendly, like those put on by the North Carolina Symphony.

Personally, the top event I know of at Koka Booth is the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival, which arrives from approximately November through January each year. This spectacle of light, culture, and fun is incredible to attend, and there are always so many interactive elements for kids to enjoy.

Jack Smith Splash Pad & Park

9725 Penny Rd, Raleigh, NC 27606

Jack Smith Park is right on the border of Cary and Raleigh. There is a nice playground here, but most of all, this is our family’s favorite splash pad in the Triangle. In the summer months, this is a fun, spacious place to keep cool under the various water features.

There is also some surrounding shade and seating, which is a must for parents!

Cheers N Paint

2773 NC-55, Cary, NC 27519

Cheers N Paint is an art studio offering sip and paint events, art classes, birthday parties, camps, and more. For kids, their Little Splatter class series is a fun weekly offering for ages 6 and up. Currently, Little Splatter’s is held weekly on Wednesdays from 5-6pm and Saturdays 10-11 am.

Komana Brewing Kids Karaoke

1020 Ryan Rd, Cary, NC 27511

Does your child love to sing? Once a month, Komana Brewing has a special Kids Karaoke night. Only the kiddos get to perform at this event, and there’s often extras happening like face painting, princess characters, and more.

Angel Island Fun Park

924 NE Maynard Rd, Cary, NC 27513

Angel Island is an indoor playground that is designed for kids 9 and under. This soft play spot has ball pits, slides, trampolines, and other obstacle course elements.

They have recently renovated and redecorated, so this photo may not be accurate for their current look and play structures.

Dave & Busters

1111 Walnut St, Cary, NC 27511

We have not personally visited Dave & Buster’s, but they seem to be an arcade-based indoor fun center that caters to both adults and kids. They do offer kids birthday party packages, as well as some occasional family-oriented discounts, so this might be a good spot to visit during the day.

With the focus on arcade games and food and beverage, I’d suggest this is a good option for older kids, tweens, and teens.

Buffaloe Lanes

151 High House Rd, Cary, NC 27511

Bowling is a classic family fun activity. Buffaloe Lanes in Cary is the place to go, with a broad span of open hours. On Friday and Saturday nights, you can join in Starlite Bowling for a glowing experience.

Buffaloe Lanes has an on-site cafe with a big menu, including breakfast sandwiches, kids meals, and pizza, so you can definitely make a day or night of it!

In the summer, be sure to check their Facebook page, as they offer a Summer Kids Club option with discounted bowling.

Game On Escape Rooms

107 Edinburgh S Dr 206 STE 203, Cary, NC 27511

Have you tried an Escape Room as a family? They are such a blast!

We haven’t done one with kids, as ours are still too young for this activity, but if you’ve got kids who are older, tweens, or teens, this is an awesome thing to do together!

Cary’s Game On Escapes has a range of themed escape rooms available, and these change frequently. The various rooms offer different levels of difficulty, so you can pick one that will be beginner-friendly or more of a challenge. Game On typically recommends ages 8 and older for participation in the rooms, but any youth 14 & under must be accompanied by an adult.

At the time of this writing, Game On is ofering a family-friendly escape room that caters to ages 5 and up!

Meeple’s Brew

821 Bass Pro Ln, Cary, NC 2751
9545 Chapel Hill Rd, Morrisville, NC 27560

Meeple’s Brew is a board game cafe with locations in both Cary and nearby Morrisville. Between their two locations, they share that they have 850+ board games on offer. That’s incredible!

While sipping on one of their tasty drinks or enjoying a fresh waffle, you can play games. They have lots of options, including bringing your own game if you wish. The most popular option for visitors is the Library Day Pass, which provides all day access to as many board games as you want from their game library at $2.50 per person. Children under 12 play for free when accompanied by an adult with a Day Pass.

Library Story Times

Libraries across Cary & the Triangle

Library story times are one of our absolute top recommendations on things to do with young kids in the Triangle. Not only are they completely free, but story times happen almost every day at Wake County Public Libraries.

In Cary itself, there are two libraries, Cary Regional Library at 315 Kildaire Farm Rd, Cary, NC 27511 (located right next to Downtown Cary Park) and West Regional Library at 4000 Louis Stephens Dr, Cary, NC 27519. West Regional is currently closed for renovation and anticipates reopening in Fall 2025.

But there are 23 library locations across Wake County, including nearby Apex and Morrisville, so you’re bound to find something that fits yourt schedule. Check their Library Events Calendar for the latest Story Times and other public events!

Art Buzz Kids at Wine & Design

483 James Jackson Ave, Cary, NC 27513

Perfect for little artists, the Art Buzz Kids classes at Wine Design fuel creativity and imagination, build confidence, and are simply tons of fun! For parents, you will love that cleanup’s covered. Led by vetted pros, kiddos craft fun paintings, join themed camps or birthday parties, and take home their masterpieces.

Gamers Geekery & Tavern

107 Edinburgh Dr. S, Suite 213, Cary, NC 27511

If you’re looking for things to do with teens in Cary, Gamers Geekery and Tavern might be a perfect fit. This is a board game cafe (Cary’s first!), and while it certainly can be a spot for game-loving adults (they serve beer and wine), it’s also welcoming to kids.

They have hundreds of board games available to play, plus a full calendar of events for things like Dungeons & Dragons and Pokemon. Yummy food is also available for purchase.

Please note: Gamers Geekery & Tavern charges a $10 fee per family/table for all day play at the board game cafe. Also check descriptions for events, as some may have age limits.

Apex Racing Lab

107 Edinburgh S Dr Suite 106E, Cary, NC 27511

After playing some board games, you can pop over to Apex Racing Lab, which is in the same shopping center as Gamers Geekery. (Game On Escape Rooms is here too!)

Apex Racing Lab is the first of its kind in this area, a sim racing experience. They have more than 20 racing stations with highly realistic racing experiences! This is another activity I’d recommend for tweens, teens, or older kids.

Andia’s Ice Cream

1008 Ryan Rd, Cary, NC 27511
10120 Green Level Church Road #208, Cary, NC 27519

Andia’s offers some of the best ice cream in the Triangle! There are even two locations in Cary, so you’ll be able to pair this spot with one of the other adventures on this list.

Some recommended pairings:

• Andia’s on Green Level after visiting Carpenter Fire Station Neighborhood Park – 7119 Carpenter Fire Station Rd, Cary, NC 27519
• Andia’s on Ryan Rd. after Notasium or Over the Moon Play Space (same shopping center!)
• Andia’s on Ryan Rd. before or after Kids Karaoke at Komana Brewing (also same shopping center!)
• Andia’s Ryan Rd. paired with a visit to R.S. Dunham Park (super close by 519 Walnut St, Cary, NC 27511)
  

This family-owned, woman-led business is absolutely worth checking out. I’ve loved everything I’ve tried at Andia’s!

MacDonald Woods Park

1601 Seabrook Ave, Cary, NC 27511

MacDonald Woods Park is one of the playgrounds in Cary I most recommend. It’s shady, has a peaceful and secluded aspect, and has structures for both big and little kids.

Another favorite, Kids Together Playground, is also able to be accessed via the Hinshaw Greenway, a paved trail that leads you across the US‑1/64 pedestrian bridge.

WakeMed Soccer Park

101 Soccer Park Dr, Cary, NC 27511

Home of the North Carolina FC and NC Courage, WakeMed Soccer Park is a fantastic place to take in a soccer game. Not only do these two teams play here, other events take place here as well, including The Soccer Tournament.

Families can enjoy wide green areas, convenient concessions, easy parking, and accessible seating—plus, some games include kid-friendly extras like inflatables or pre-game fun.

KinderVillage Music Studio

Lochmere Pavilion, 2425 Kildaire Farm Rd #405, Cary, NC 27518

Looking for regular music classes for your kiddo? One place we’ve tried and loved is KinderVillage Music Studio. My then 2-year-old had a great time in the class, which was engaging, fun, and educational. The staff and teachers are really nice and there are options for babies through adults. (KinderMusik classes go to age 7, but summer camps and lessons for paino, guitar, and voice, are for 6 to adult!)

More Cary Playgrounds

Playgrounds are an obvious great choice when it comes to kid-friendly fun (especially FREE kid-friendly fun!) There are many great playgrounds in Cary and throughout the Triangle, so I thought I’d end this article with a brief overview of a few of them, plus their standout elements.

R.S. “Dad” Dunham Park

519 Walnut St, Cary, NC 27511

Recently renovated. Big slides. Swings. Large sand box. Pump track for bikes.

See a video of this playground here.

Sears Farm Road Park

5077 Sears Farm Rd, Cary, NC 27519

Nice shady park with swings.

North Cary Park

1100 Norwell Blvd, Cary, NC 27513

A pretty park with ample shade. Cool slides. Sand pit. A tandem swing! See a video of this park (plus a coffee shop rec) here.

Harold D. Ritter Park

301 W Lochmere Dr, Cary, NC 27518

Shady, nice squishy ground, swings, toddler-friendly structures. See our video!

Carpenter Park

4420 Louis Stephens Dr, Cary, NC 27519

Carpenter Park has a smaller playground with sides for older kids and toddlers. There are a few swings here, a sand area, and a covered pavilion.

Cary Movie Theatres

Going to the movies is always a good choice! You can catch films at a variety of theatres across Cary, and be sure to check out our list of Summer Kids Movies to see where you can find cheap and free movies all summer long!

Regal Crossroads & IMAX – Cary: 501 Caitboo Avenue, Cary, NC 27518

CMX CinéBistro – Waverly Place: [Upscale dine-in cinema] – 525 New Waverly Pl Suite 203, Cary, NC 27518

Paragon Theaters Fenton (Axis15 Extreme dine‑in): located in Fenton at approximately 201 Fenton Gateway Drive, Cary, NC (part of Fenton complex)

The Cary Theater (art‑house / indie): 122 E Chatham Street, Cary, NC 27511

Hooky Entertainment – Cary: 1140 Parkside Main Street, Cary, North Carolina 27519 Combined bowling, arcade & movie experiences in Cary. Newly opened!