Open 7 days a week, 10AM – 7PM. Buy a day pass

Dinotopia logo: a blue T-rex standing on stone letters
EnglishEnglishEspañol
Buy a day pass

Madison

Things to Do With Kids in Nashville

Toddler to tween, sunny or gray — a local family's shortlist of the best things to do with kids around Nashville.

Start With an Indoor AdventureBuy Day Passes
  • Open daily 10AM – 7PM
  • Ages 1–10, with a dedicated toddler area for ages 1–4
  • Three levels, nine themed attractions
The Mammal Ball Pool full of play balls — Dinotopia indoor dinosaur playground, Madison TN.

The short list, from people who do this every day

There's no shortage of things to do with kids in Nashville — the trick is matching the activity to the age and the weather. We run a family park in Madison, so we spend a lot of time helping parents plan a good day out. Here's our honest shortlist of fun places to take kids near Nashville, grouped so you can pick fast.

Kid-friendly picks around Nashville

  • Indoor dinosaur playground

    Dinotopia in Madison: slides, ball pit, soft play and a toddler zone for ages 1-10. Great any weather, open 10-7 daily.

  • The Nashville Zoo

    A half-day of animals and a standout play area — best on a mild day.

  • A hands-on science center

    Exhibits and a planetarium for curious kids who like to push buttons.

  • Parks & greenways

    Playgrounds and easy trails when the weather's on your side.

  • Children's theatre & story times

    Lower-key outings for a calmer afternoon.

  • A birthday or group outing

    Celebrating? An indoor party venue takes the planning off your plate.

Best pick for high-energy days (and any weather)

If the kids need to move and you'd rather not gamble on the forecast, an indoor playground is the safe bet. Dinotopia is ten minutes from Rivergate off Gallatin Pike, open every day 10 to 7, and built for the whole range — a dedicated toddler area for the little ones and three levels of climbing, sliding and ball-pit chaos for the big kids. Passes start at $19.95, with weekday specials as low as $13.

Make it an easy yes

Buy passes online and walk right in, or plan a dinosaur birthday party for the next big day.

Plan Your VisitOpen daily 10AM – 7PM

Common questions

Popular kid-friendly options around Nashville include an indoor playground like Dinotopia in Madison (great for ages 1-10, any weather), the Nashville Zoo, a hands-on science center, city parks and greenways, children's theatre and library story times, and birthday or group outings at an indoor venue.

On hot or rainy days, indoor options work best: Dinotopia's indoor dinosaur playground in Madison is open 10 AM-7 PM daily, plus science and children's museums and the library.

An indoor playground with attractions by age group works for mixed ages. Dinotopia has a dedicated toddler area for ages 1-4 and larger structures for older kids, so siblings can each play at their level.

Keep exploring