family friendly places to visit in alabama

10 Things to Do in Alabama With Kids

P lanning a family trip in Alabama and looking for things to do with the kids? It can feel like a mammoth task especially when everyone in the family wants different things. But don’t worry! Between taking them to feed animals at Alabama Safari Park, going to the Children’s Museum of The Shoals for some hands-on fun, visiting the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, and so much more, this list will leave you spoiled for choice!

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Things to Do in Alabama With Kids

All the places on this list have different months and hours of operation. Don’t forget to visit their websites and check for all the relevant information before getting your kids excited. With options from all over, I’m sure residents and visitors alike will have no trouble finding the perfect thing to do with your kids in Alabama!

U.S. Space & Rocket Center (Huntsville)

Pack up the family and take a trip to space at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center . The Earth’s largest space museum is the state’s top paid tourist attraction. With kids especially, this is one of the best things to do in Alabama.

It has more than 1,500 items in the rocket and space hardware collection, simulators to experience being an astronaut, planetariums, an Apollo VR experience, and underwater treks and diving experiences. There really is no shortage of fascinating things for children to explore! You can choose to spend a couple of hours or a whole weekend there.

The Space & Rocket Center offers a host of ways to enjoy the space experience. One of them, the Family Astronaut Training experience, is great for families with kids 7 and older. A whole weekend of space exploration including everything the center has to offer, plus lunch!

• US Space & Rocket Center
• Tip: Overnight lodging is not provided but there are conveniently located options nearby.
• Location: 1 Tranquility Base, Huntsville, Alabama 35805
• Hotel: Huntsville Marriott at the Space and Rocket Center
• Airbnb: The Porch House

Alabama Safari Park (Hope Hull)

Drive through Alabama Safari Park with your kids to meet and feed all the eager animals there. Roaming free on the 350-acre property are zebras, ostriches, llamas, gazelles, watusi cattle, Scottish Highlander coos, and so many more animals just waiting for yummy treats! 

First, buy a couple buckets of animal feed. Then, all you have to do as you pass by the animals is roll down your window and let them munch away. With a car full of delightful squeals and giggles, it’ll be an experience to remember forever!

• Alabama Safari Park
• Tip: Bring hand sanitizer and baby wipes to clean your hands afterwards.
• Location: 1664 Venable Road, Hope Hull, Alabama 36043

Orr Park (Montevallo)

Orr Park , dubbed one of the most unique parks of the South, is a great place to spend an afternoon with the kids. Have a picnic, let the kids play on the playground, fly a kite or go on an art expedition at Tinglewood.

Tinglewood is the area of the park that contains over 30 cedar tree carvings by artist Tim Tingle. From funny faces to strange looking animals sprouting out of the barks of trees, your kids will have hours of fun exploring them at every turn. With tons of photo opportunities, get some cute clicks of their imaginations running wild. This park is fun for everyone!

• Tip: It's great anytime of year but especially in October for Halloween!
• Location: Park Drive, Montevallo, Alabama 35115

Children's Museum of the Shoals (Florence)

Spark your kids’ imaginations by taking them to spend a day at the Children’s Museum of the Shoals . CMS encourages the learning and creativity of children through exploration. The interactive, hands-on exhibits include historical, musical, technological, and pretend-play attractions for kids of diverse ages.

Children get to learn about science at the Science Center, examine pets at the Pet Vet, uncover fossils at the Dino Dig, and belt out tunes at the Shoals Sound stage. There are also two venues called “The Piggy Market” and “Wee Explore” that are exclusively for toddlers. Nobody gets left out at Children’s Museum of the Shoals!

• Children's Museum of the Shoals
• Tip: There are options for birthday parties, field trips, and family memberships.
• Location: 2810 Darby Drive, Florence, Alabama 35630

The Park at OWA (Foley)

Photo Courtesy of Visit OWA

If your family is the type that enjoys thrills, take a trip to The Park at OWA for a day full of fun and frolic! The park has over 20 rides ranging from big drops and huge roller-coasters to toddler-friendly spins. There are also fun midway games and a splash pad for the whole family to indulge in.

While there, some other attractions to check out are the Legends in Concert orchestra and Brandon Styles Magic show. After all the fun at The Park, head to the beach for a peaceful walk under the stars before returning to your comfy stay. Sounds like a perfect family outing, right?

• The Park at OWA
• Tip: If you don't plan on riding any rides, ask for a complimentary "non-rider" ticket at the front gate.
• Location: 1501 South OWA Boulevard, Foley, Alabama 36535
• Hotel: TownePlace Suites by Marriott Foley at OWA
• Airbnb: Resort-Like Space

Visiting Noccalula Falls in Alabama

Desoto caverns family fun park (childersburg).

Take the kids to DeSoto Caverns Family Fun Park for a day filled with learning and exciting activities. The beautiful show cave teaches visitors all about its history while offering features like a laser light, sound and water show, campgrounds, and pavilions near waterfalls.

The park also offers 25 outside attractions including a maze, a butterfly house, water golf, paddle boating, and gem panning. This family destination in Alabama has enough to keep both you and the kids occupied all day long!

• DeSoto Caverns
• Tip: Outside food is not allowed but there is a cafe onsite.
• Location: 5181 Desoto Caverns Parkway, Childersburg, Alabama 35044

Waterville USA (Gulf Shores)

Need a way to cool off? Head to Gulf Shores for a fun-filled day of playing in the water at Waterville USA . The 20-acre waterpark has attractions for all ages to ensure that the visit goes swimmingly for every member of the family!

Whether your kids want to float down the park’s ⅓-mile lazy river or shoot down a tunnel and make a big splash, Waterville has everything to keep them satisfied. There’s even a water playground with water cannons, slides, and net crawls for younger kids who aren’t keen on the “thrills” just yet.

• Waterville USA
• Tip: Waterville USA is open March to September only.
• Location: 906 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores, Alabama 36542

Hellen Keller Birthplace “Ivy Green” (Tuscumbia)

Photo Credit: Wayne James | Shutterstock.com

Take your kids on a trip through history and visit Ivy Green , the birthplace and home of Helen Keller. The house itself is a simple southern home from the 1820s. Even so, with all the well-preserved details and mementos on display, visitors can feel just how rich the history is within its walls.

The famous well-pump where Anne Sullivan taught Helen the word “water”, the kitchen located outside of the house, and Helen Keller’s bedroom are some of the portions of the home filled to the brim with stories from the past. Stories that the well informed guides are only too happy to share if your kid has questions!

This inspiring tour in Alabama for little history buffs and adults alike is simply a must. What better way to instill empathy and a sense of determination in a child than storytelling?

• Ivy Green-Helen Keller Birthplace
• Tip: Plan your visit during the Helen Keller Festival
• Location: 300 North Commons Street West, Tuscumbia, Alabama 35674
• Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

Visiting the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is one of those things in Alabama that all parents need to do with their kids at least once. The interactive aspect of the museum, despite the seriousness of its subject matter, makes it one of the most meaningful learning centers.

The museum teaches children more about the Civil Rights Movement in a single visit than any textbook could. They get to see separate water fountains, Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birmingham jail cell, and a life-size statue of Rosa Parks mid protest.

The museum succeeds at making important stories come to life and tangible for kids. Children above the age of ten will find the lessons and experiences most helpful and engrossing. At this age, they are also able to be more respectful of other visitors and their feelings which is so important. There is a playground right next to the museum for the littler ones to play in if the need arises.

• Tip: There is a bag policy and with the exception of medical bags and diaper bags containing essentials, large bags are not permitted.
• Location: 520 16th Street North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203

Altitude Trampoline Park (Huntsville)

Go old school and visit Altitude Trampoline Park with your kids to blow off some steam! Sometimes, all little tykes need is a place to jump it out. It’s just one of those things children really enjoy.

As the largest trampoline park in Alabama, it has everything trampoline related. Foam pits, a rock climbing wall, a zip line, extreme dodgeball, performance trampolines, and so much more! They also have loads of picnic tables arranged for larger groups making it a great place for birthday parties too.

• Altitude Trampoline Park
• Tip: There are a variety off passes to purchase as well as Friday family nights.
• Location: 6275 University Drive Northwest, Huntsville, Alabama 35806

Although not exhaustive, this list should get you started. Planning a family outing can be daunting but is so much fun when finally pulled off! I hope these things to do in Alabama with kids has helped you choose an activity that will excite the whole family. Gather them all up and get going!

What is your favorite thing to do with your kids in Alabama? Do you think I missed anything on this list? I would love to know about them!

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