We’re not kiddin’ around when it comes to having fun in town. From major attractions like the zoo to hidden gems like movie nights at Cherokee Caverns, there’s something in Knoxville for children of all ages.
You’ll have no trouble entertaining the youngsters with this list of 18 kid-friendly activities around the 865 area code.
Keep an eye on Skatetown’s site for special events + themed nights.
Photo by @kayla_h_courtney
Sporty squirts
Ice Chalet | Embrace the winter holiday season (or take a break from the summer heat) with a spin on the rink. Kids will remember the first time they’re able to let go of the edge and start living their figure skating dreams.
Skatetown | Glide on down to this family-friendly roller rink for skating, snacks, and arcade games. Kids will remember having a psychedelic time during glow skate night.
We Rock The Spectrum | Family memberships available | This inclusive indoor play gym supports children of all abilities through sensory-based play with swings, crash mats, trampolines, indoor play structures, fine motor activities, and more. Kids will remember practicing their highest jumps into the crash pit.
Indoor adventurers
Smart Toys and Books | Let your littles browse a massive selection of toys, sign them up for a creative art class, or send them off to the indoor playground + imagination space. Kids will remember shouting “land ho” from the pirate ship playground.
Escape Game | Outwit a super villain or immerse yourself in an enchanted fairy tale as your team works together to solve puzzles and make their way out. Kids will remember being the one to open the final padlock.
Token Game Tavern | With a slushie + a pocket full of coins, kids can spend hours playing new and nostalgic arcade games. Just make sure to use up those coins before 11 p.m., when the venue closes to kids. Kids will remember getting the new high score on their favorite themed pinball machine.
Outdoor enthusiasts
Zoo Knoxville | Family memberships available | Watch 1,500+ animals roam and play in the zoo’s spacious habitats. Kids will remember running through the Safari Splash after meeting Joe the sloth.
Fort Kid | After spending some quiet time in the free Museum of Art, step outside and get the wiggles out on this popular urban playground featuring a fort tower, multiple slides, balance beams, and other fun challenges. Kids will remember taking a dizzying ride on the fully accessible merry-go-round.
Safety City | This park provides kids with a safe place to bike, ride, and scoot around a town sized just for them. Kids will remember feeling like an adult as they drive their convertible around the miniature Sunsphere.
At Muse, kids will get to experiment with microscopes, air currents, a rocket ship simulator, and more.
Photo by @whitneyprescott
Little learners
Muse Knoxville | Family memberships available | Explore the sound garden, maker space, illumination station, and 10+ other exhibits at this children’s science museum. Kids will remember getting up close and personal with the moon in the immersive planetarium.
Museum of East Tennessee History | Family memberships available | Little historians will get to time travel as they make their own stop motion movie, learn to weave a basket, or uncover mysteries about historic figures. Kids will remember sitting on a toadstool to watch a puppet show in the Story Forest.
Ijams Nature Center | Meet 40+ animal ambassadors in the outdoor raptor enclosure or the Visitor Center exhibit hall and learn about Tennessee’s local wildlife. Kids will remember seeing the massive wingspan of a turkey vulture up close.
Older kids will love honing their hand-eye coordination at Craft Axe Throwing.
Photo by @itsmercyhere
Thrill-seeking tots
Navitat | Climb, swing, and balance across 60+ adventure elements in this treetop adventure experience. Kids will remember ziplining through the lush trees.
Sir Goony’s Family Fun Center | From mini-golf to go-karts to paintball, there’s something for kids of all ages to enjoy here. Kids will remember their first hole-in-one on the colorful golf courses.
Craft Axe Throwing | Kids 10+ with a parent or guardian can feel like the hero of their own story as they test their aim with axes or ninja stars. Kids will remember hitting their first bullseye.
We can already hear our littles singing the “Chuggington” theme song.
Photo by @dakdillon_photography
“That was so cool”
Movies in the Cave | Grab some popcorn and cozy up for a fun film in Cherokee Caverns. Kids will remember hearing their favorite movie rumbling through the stalactites overhead.
The Three Rivers Rambler | Take a memorable 11-mile journey on a historic steam train. Kids will remember seeing the green Tennessee wilderness whooshing by from an open air car — or during the winter holiday season, meeting Santa.
Be prepared
Shop some of our favorite kid-friendly essentials to keep the whole family happy, hydrated, and ready to make memories.
- Owala Kids Insulated Stainless Steel Tumbler | This tumbler has a spill-resistant straw (yes, that’s a thing) and is top-rack dishwasher safe.
- Bentgo Kids 5-Compartment Lunch Box | Pack snacks for kids in a popular Bentgo box that’s BPA-free and dishwasher safe.
- Nintendo Switch | You just can’t beat a handheld gaming device for keepings kids quiet, happy, and entertained during car rides around town.
- Hap Tim Travel Backpack | Keep everything in a backpack that’s got good padding on the straps, plenty of compartments, a wide mouth opening, and a rain-resistant exterior.
- Kids sketch pad | Kids can sketch, take notes, and feel connected to your adventures with a sketchbook meant to inspire creativity.
- Disposable cameras | Kids will have a ton of fun + stay entertained by taking their own pictures of what they see during your adventures.
- KeepGoing Travel First Aid Kit for Kids | Be prepared for minor scrapes or bruises that could slow your day down — this kit contains 60 pieces of essential first aid supplies.
- Sunscreen stick | Have a portable sunscreen stick handy for outdoor adventures.
