Summer in Nashville is full of sunshine, music, and endless ways to make memories with your little ones. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, Middle Tennessee is packed with family-friendly activities to keep your kids entertained, learning, and laughing all season long. Here’s a list of top things to do this summer with kids near Nashville:
1. Splash and Play at Local Water Parks
- Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort (Hermitage): With water slides, a lazy river, and a giant wave pool, this lakeside park is a summer favorite. They also have a sandy beach and lake activities like kayaking.
- SoundWaves at Gaylord Opryland: A luxury indoor/outdoor water experience with slides, splash zones, and pools designed for all ages.
- Wilson County Splash Pad (Mt. Juliet): A free and fun spot for toddlers and young kids to cool off without the crowds.
2. Explore Nature at Local Parks and Trails
- Warner Parks Nature Center: Offers interactive exhibits and guided nature hikes that are great for kids who love animals and the outdoors.
- Bowie Nature Park (Fairview): With wooded trails, playgrounds, and a nature center, it’s a peaceful escape from the city.
- Long Hunter State Park: Features family-friendly hiking trails and the scenic Couchville Lake Loop, perfect for a stroller walk or beginner biking.
3. Discover Something New at Museums
- Adventure Science Center: Packed with hands-on exhibits, a planetarium, and STEM fun for kids of all ages.
- The Discovery Center (Murfreesboro): A hidden gem with science experiments, sensory-friendly play spaces, and an outdoor nature area.
- Country Music Hall of Fame’s “Taylor Swift Education Center”: Offers fun, kid-focused activities like songwriting workshops and instrument exploration.
4. Enjoy Free or Low-Cost Events
- Nashville Public Library’s Puppet Shows: The downtown library hosts weekly puppet shows that are creative, free, and air-conditioned!
- Movies in the Park (Elmington Park): Bring a blanket, snacks, and catch a family-friendly movie under the stars.
- Sevier Park Fest & Other Local Festivals: Many neighborhood festivals offer kids’ zones, crafts, and live music.
5. Visit Animal Friends
- Nashville Zoo at Grassmere: Always a hit! Don’t miss the Kangaroo Kickabout or the Soaring Eagle zip line.
- Lucky Ladd Farms (Eagleville): Offers a petting zoo, splash pad, playgrounds, and a sunflower field later in the summer.
- Gentry’s Farm (Franklin): While it’s mostly open in the fall, check for summer events and farmstand days.
6. Beat the Heat Indoors
- Urban Air Adventure Park or DEFY Nashville: Indoor trampoline parks with obstacle courses and climbing walls.
- The Monkey’s Treehouse (Brentwood): A clean and imaginative indoor play space ideal for toddlers and preschoolers.
- Painting or Pottery Studios like Cheekwood Estate & Gardens also offer drop-in art days for kids.
Bonus: Day Trip Ideas
- Mammoth Cave National Park (KY): Just under 2 hours away, this natural wonder offers cool underground tours — a unique way to escape the heat!
- The Tennessee Aquarium (Chattanooga): A great one-tank trip with both freshwater and saltwater animals.
Whether your child is an adventurer, an artist, or an animal lover, there’s something near Nashville to make this summer magical. So grab your calendar and start planning — adventure awaits just around the corner!
ChatGPT. (2025, May 20). Summer in Nashville with Kids. Retrieved from https://chatgpt.com/.