RVA Tots

Richmond offers so many amazing experiences and adventures for kids, and these make awesome gifts and alternatives to toys. I’ve rounded up all your options including gift cards and punch cards to play spaces, kids classes, experiences, and Annual Membership options.

Gift Cards & Punch Cards to Kids Classes & Play Places

1. The Art Factory. A gift card here can be used for playing at the indoor play space, or by taking one of their many adorable kids art classes. Take a look at the Little Explorers Program – we loved it!
   
2. Happy Palette. This Glen Allen Art Studio offers art classes and sensory play for kids ages 1-11 years old. Find more information here.
   
3. The Bunny Hive. While the Bunny Hive offers a monthly membership, you can also buy passes for individual classes. Classes are for kids 2 weeks old all the way to Kindergarten and the adorable classes include Ballet, Sensory I, Learning Lab, Music, Kindergarten Prep, and more! Check out my review here.
   
4. Kids Empire. This indoor playground in Glen Allen offers a Punch Card for $159 for 10 admissions. This saves you almost $5 per entry. The punch card has no expiration date and the same card can be used between multiple kiddos.
   
5. Busy Bee Play City. Ashland’s newest indoor playground just opened and includes an adorable town to play in including Central Park with Little Coupe Cars to drive around, a car wash, Cafe, Market, Construction Zone, Barn, Vet, and more!
   
6. Sunshine Play. Created for kids up to 7 years old and located at Stony Point, this is a great place to watch your kiddos play while you can actually sit back and relax. There are tunnels, slides, pretend play, and more. There’s also a dedicated play space for kids 0-1 years old. Admission is $20 per child for 2 hours of play, but you can get a 10 pack play pass for $150, saving you $5 each time. Find my review here.
   
7. Toddling Around. Located in Chester, this indoor place space is for kids 0-4 years old. The cost is $9 for open play, and they also offer classes for $12 per class. Gift cards start at $10.
   
8. Romp n Roll. Romp n Roll has locations in both the West End and Midlothian. While you can purchase a membership, you can also use a gift card for drop in classes or their open gym.
   
9. Virginia State Parks. Beautiful kid-friendly hikes, swim beaches, fossil hunting, and more. Virginia State Parks offers so much for families and there are so many great parks very close to RVA. Purchase a Gift Certificate for an Annual Pass. The Naturally Yours Passport is $85 and includes parking and admission to all the state parks for 12 months.
   
10. Trampoline Parks. Richmond has many trampoline parks that are a great way for kids to get their energy. Take a look at Launch Trampoline Park, Sky Zone Short Pump, Sky Zone Glen Allen, and Surge Trampoline Park

Annual Memberships

1. Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens

• Cost for family of 4 per visit: $60
• Annual membership cost: $150 (family membership)
• Membership pays for itself in: 3 visits
• What’s included: 2 free guest passes, free access to Dominion Energy GardenFest (specific dates), discounts on summer camps, library borrowing priviledges
• What I love: The Children’s Garden is filled with so much to do for kids: a splash pad, sand pit, monkey bars, play houses, tree house, rope swings, and more
• Click here for my full review on Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

2. Metro Richmond Zoo

• Cost per person: $19.95 (ages 2-11), $25.59 (ages 12-59)
• Annual membership cost (gold): $65 (ages 2-11), $79 (ages 12-59)
• Membership pays for itself in: 3 visits
• What’s included: Unlimited zoo rides, discounts on Treetop Zoofari and Summer Camps
• What I love: The feeding experiences are SO fun. Make sure to save food for the warthogs and camels as well!
• Click here for tips on visiting the Metro Richmond Zoo

3. Children’s Museum of Richmond

• Cost for family of 4 per visit: $36
• Annual membership cost: $149 (family membership)
• Membership pays for itself in: 5 visits
• What’s included: early registration to Legendary Santa, special discounts
• What I love: The spray park, SplashMoR, is typically lest busy than public splash pads and a great way to end a museum visit in the summer. The smaller Chesterfield location is great for parents of multiples and often less busy
• Click here for more on the Chesterfield location of the Children’s Museum

4. Maymont

• Cost for family of 4 per visit: $28 (for access to Robins Nature Center)
• Annual membership cost: $80 (family membership)
• Membership pays for itself in: 3 visits
• What’s included: Free admission to many events, discounts and early registration to Garden Glow, 25% discounts on programs like Maymont Toddler Time and Summer Camps
• What I love: Maymont Toddler time is one of the best kids programs in the area! We have absolutely loved it over the years. Maymont’s Garden Glow is also the most underrated event in the area!
• Click here for more on Maymont’s Toddler Time

5. King’s Dominion/Soak City

• Cost per person: $49.99 (general), $44.99 (under 48″), 2 & under are free. Prices vary throughout the year
• Annual membership cost: $120 (gold pass)
• Membership pays for itself in: 3 visits (less if you have kids 3-5 years old!)
• What’s included: free parking, free access to Haunt and Winterfest, Gold and Prestige passes include 2 free preschool passes (meaning you can add kids 3-5 years old for free!)
• What I love: The best part of having this annual pass is that it gives you SO much flexibility with little ones. You can choose to stay for multiple hours, or leave after just an hour! There’s a ton of ride options even for little kids in Planet Snoopy and Soak City.
• Click here for my tips on visiting King’s Dominion

6. Science Museum of Virginia

• Cost for a family of 4 per visit: About $59.50 ($17.50 for 13-59 years old, $14.50 for 6-12 years old, $10 for 3-5 years old and FREE for 2 & under
• Annual membership cost: $165 (Supernova family membership)
• Membership pays for itself in: About 3 visits
• What’s included: 4 guest passes, 4 Dome Theater passes, member-only programming and event access, exclusive preview days, discounts on birthday parties and summer camps
• What I love: The Light Place is a blast for kiddos 5 & under with a really cool climbing structure. I also really love the outdoor space with trains and a giant submarine
• Click here for more on the Science Museum of Virginia

For more adventure ideas around RVA, follow me on Instagram at @RVATots!