Kids' activities in Norfolk: free library story times and Babygarten, the WOW Children's Garden, zoo programs, splash pads and rainy-day picks indoors.
Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Facts come from Norfolk Public Library’s calendar, the Virginia Zoo, Norfolk Botanical Garden, the Chrysler Museum of Art and Norfolk Parks and Recreation’s pools and splash pads page. Library times are from the week of Oct. 19 and repeat most weeks; check the calendar for changes.
Norfolk’s best free things for young children are at its library branches, which run baby, toddler and family story times most weekday mornings. For a day out, the WOW Children’s Garden at Norfolk Botanical Garden and the Virginia Zoo both run programs for small children, and the city’s splash pads open in summer.
Who to call
- City recreation centers and camps: Norfolk Parks and Recreation, 757-823-4291
- Virginia Zoo: 757-441-2374
- Norfolk Botanical Garden: 757-441-5830, ext. 0
- Library programs: norfolk.libcal.com
Library story times
All free. A sample week, Oct. 19 to 24, 2026, from the library calendar:
| Program | Ages | Where and when |
|---|---|---|
| Family Storytime | Families | Slover Library, 235 E. Plume St., 11 a.m. Monday |
| Babygarten | 0 to 2 | Park Place 11 a.m. Monday; Little Creek and Van Wyck 10:30 a.m. Tuesday; Blyden and Jordan-Newby 11 a.m. Tuesday; Lafayette 10:30 a.m. Wednesday; Janaf, Larchmont and Pretlow 10:30 a.m. Thursday; Slover 10:30 a.m. Friday |
| Toddler Time | 2 to 3 | Larchmont 10:30 a.m. Tuesday; Pretlow and Slover 10:30 a.m. Wednesday; Pretlow “Sunset” session 4:30 p.m. Tuesday |
| 1-2-3 Play With Me | 1 to 3 | Pretlow 10:30 a.m. Tuesday; Lafayette 10:30 a.m. Friday |
| French Storytime (L’heure du conte) | Families | Slover, 4 p.m. Wednesday and 10:30 a.m. Saturday |
| Tales to Tails (read to a dog) | 5 to 9 | Lafayette, 4:30 p.m. Friday |
| Lego Club | 5 to 13 | Janaf 4 p.m. Monday; Tucker 4 p.m. Wednesday |
1-2-3 Play With Me is an interactive playgroup with activity centers and an art station for children 1 to 3 and their caregivers, the library says. Families can also sign up for 1000 Books Before Kindergarten and get a goodie bag (register).
The zoo and the garden
- Virginia Zoo, 3500 Granby St., open 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Programs for young children, from the zoo’s calendar: Zoo Tales story time with an animal encounter, 11 a.m. Thursdays, free with admission; Wild Tykes for ages 3 to 5 on Saturday mornings; Wild Babies for ages 0 to 4; Wild Wheels stroller walks; and Little Zoo animal encounters. Children under 2 are free; Norfolk residents get $2 off with ID (hours and prices).
- Norfolk Botanical Garden, 6700 Azalea Garden Road: the WOW Children’s Garden is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily (visit).
Splash pads and playgrounds
- Shoop Park Splash Pad, 2400 Shoop Ave., 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, June to August.
- Norview Community Center Splash Pad, 6380 Sewells Point Road, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- TowneBank Fountain Park in Town Point Park, downtown: an interactive fountain beside Waterside (Downtown Norfolk Council).
City parks and community centers with playgrounds are listed on the city’s facilities page; see also our parks and trails guide.
Rainy-day picks
- Chrysler Museum of Art, One Memorial Place: always free, with free parking; closed Mondays. A free glassmaking demo runs at noon Tuesday through Sunday (visit).
- Nauticus, 1 Waterside Drive: indoor exhibits and the Battleship Wisconsin; Nauticus also runs a Toddler Time program (nauticus.org).
- Slover Library, 235 E. Plume St., downtown: story times, French story time and teen programs on the library calendar.
- City recreation centers run free family events and after-school programs; see the Good Times course guide.
What this means for you
- Library programs are free; check each event page for age limits and any sign-up.
- For summer, see summer camps and pools; for school breaks, see spring break.
Related guides: free things to do in Norfolk, schools and Halloween events.
Frequently asked questions
When is story time at Norfolk Public Library?
Branches hold free programs most weekday mornings: Babygarten for babies, Toddler Time for 2- and 3-year-olds and family story times. In the week of Oct. 19, 2026, Slover Library held Family Storytime at 11 a.m. Monday and Toddler Time at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. The library’s LibCal calendar lists every session.
What can kids do in Norfolk on a rainy day?
The Chrysler Museum of Art is free, Nauticus has indoor exhibits beside the Battleship Wisconsin, and Norfolk Public Library branches run Lego clubs and story times.
Where are splash pads in Norfolk?
Shoop Park, 2400 Shoop Ave., and Norview Community Center, 6380 Sewells Point Road, are open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in season, and TowneBank Fountain Park in Town Point Park has an interactive fountain downtown.
Does the Virginia Zoo have programs for toddlers?
Yes. Zoo Tales story time is at 11 a.m. Thursdays, free with admission, and the zoo runs Wild Tykes for ages 3 to 5, Wild Babies for ages 0 to 4 and Little Zoo animal encounters.
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