Round up the kids and head out to enjoy a few of the best family-friendly activities in Durham
By Avery Householder | Photography by John Michael Simpson
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
Grab a Map
There’s more than 55 acres to explore, so review a map of the gardens before you visit! It can be difficult to see all of it in one go; planning your route ahead of time ensures you see the areas you and your children are most excited about first. If you’re unsure where to start, head to the front desk in the Doris Duke Center lobby between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. for suggestions, or ask volunteer ambassadors at the Gothic Gate between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Wander Off
Begin your excursion at the Charlotte Brody Discovery Garden, home to chickens, various fruits and vegetables, and even carnivorous plants. You can also visit the Discovery Garden’s Story Circle, which integrates literature, art and diverse perspectives into the garden’s educational offerings for children. Here, you can grab a book from the Black Lit Library or create and play with art supplies using natural materials.
Kavanah Anderson, the gardens’ director of learning and community engagement, encourages guests to keep an eye out for plant labels. Parents can download a scavenger hunt from the gardens’ self-guided resources page to search for plants like the whale’s tongue agave or the devil’s walking stick. The garden is full of sights, sounds, smells and feelings, so observe the space around you – and write or draw about your experience! “You can be an artist and a scientist,” Kavanah says. “You can mail us a drawing or a letter to share something you enjoyed about your visit in the mailbox under the grape arbor next to the chicken coop.”
Stop for a Sweet Treat
Warm summer days in the gardens call for an icy treat to cool you and your kiddos down! Stop in at the Terrace Café for a LocoPop, named one of the best frozen treats in Durham; if the cafe isn’t open during your visit, the LocoPops storefront is less than a mile away! Explore more kid-friendly activities and dining options – like Best of Durham honoree Elmo’s Diner – along Ninth Street, and the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, one of our readers’ favorite museums and art galleries, only two blocks from the gardens.
Durham County Main Library
Find a Quiet Spot
Grab a book and cozy up in what Stephanie Bonestell, the library’s public relations officer, describes as “the living room of Durham County.”
“We are very welcoming and inviting,” she says. “It’s such an exciting place.” Browse the stacks for a new favorite series, and find a comfy corner or study room to read with your child. Study rooms are available for all ages and are separated by age groups and floor, so your teens can hang out in the first-floor study rooms while you and your younger children spend time on the second floor. There is also a calming room for children or adults who are overstimulated and need a break from the busyness of the library, as well as a lactation room.
Learn & Play
The library is a great place for reading and studying, but it also offers many activities that cater to a family outing. Parents with younger children can experience the Multi Sensory Environment on the fourth floor of the building, where kids can manipulate aspects of the world around them, including light, sound, smell and touch. The children’s area on the first floor is also full of fun experiences, including the LiteZilla interactive light wall, a magnet tile wall, touch and read phonics books, word match puzzles and other sensory games. Older kids can head to the Teen Services area of the library, which features a cozy video gaming room as well as a recording studio on the first floor.
Join a Program
The main library campus hosts several year-round programs for families, including regular storytimes for children. Reading programs focus on reading comprehension and phonics, which is particularly helpful for children just starting to read. There is also a STEAM – science, technology, engineering, arts and math – program that regularly collaborates with the children’s unit for fun experiments and projects. The library also hosts a summer reading program and summer learning event starting June 15, featuring projects and events for children, teens and their parents, like family storytimes and an ice cream crawl.
Museum of Life and Science
Come Prepared
Put on your comfiest walking shoes, and get ready to explore the museum’s extensive exhibits! Get to the museum in the afternoon to avoid busy crowds, and be sure to bring a refillable water bottle, sunscreen and even a change of clothes, as some exhibits include water, sand and mud. Pack a light lunch to enjoy at one of the designated outdoor eating areas, or purchase food at the Sprout Café, which serves meals made with local, seasonal ingredients. Keep an eye on the museum’s website for Durham Community Days, when Durham County residents get free access to the museum with proof of residence.
Stay Indoors
The museum boasts a variety of year-round exhibits, some of which are entirely indoors so the family can keep exploring even on frigid days or during inclement weather. Visit the museum’s Insectarium, Butterfly House or Carolina Wildlife exhibit to learn about insects and animals both from around the world and native to North Carolina. There is also a mix of hands-on activities for young and older children alike, including the TinkerLab, where children can create and play with unique contraptions while learning about physics, electricity and engineering. The Investigate Health exhibit allows children to study the factors that impact health and wellness.
Get Outside
Catch a glimpse of wild animals – check out the black bear, lemur and tortoise, and red wolf exhibits for a look at these unique animals (and try to spot the adorable new red wolf pups!), and investigate the urban wetland from the boardwalk overlook or at the water’s edge. You can also explore the 2-acre playscape, search for fossils on the Dinosaur Trail or investigate the relationship among rocks, sand and water at the EarthMoves exhibit. When you need a break, take a 10-minute train ride through the museum grounds on the Ellerbe Creek Railway and keep an eye out for creative art installations along the way!
Durham Bulls
Know Before You Go
“We pride ourselves on being family-friendly and affordable entertainment for all guests coming to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park,” says Bulls General Manager Tyler Parsons. He encourages guests to check out the Ballpark Guide on the Bull’s website before coming to the park, as it covers frequently asked questions and provides information on managing tickets, concessions, parking and seating maps. The Bulls also provide sensory accommodations for those who need it, including sensory bags with fidget toys, noise-canceling headphones and designated quiet areas in the First Aid room and behind Lowes Foods Guest Services, so it’s an ideal outing for children of all ages and needs.
Catch a Game
The Bulls have an array of weekly events and promotions for families to check out throughout the summer. Notable games include Father’s Day ( June 16), Marvel’s Defenders of the Diamond Night ( June 28) and the biggest game of the year, Independence Day, featuring an elaborate fireworks show ( July 4).
Roam Around Downtown
If you aren’t hungry at the park – which offers many local food and drink options like El Jefecito tacos, Pie Pushers pizza and Two Roosters Ice Cream, a Best of Durham honoree for its frozen treats – downtown Durham has plenty of choices! Visit the American Tobacco Campus across the street from the park, where you’ll find an array of places to dine, shop and explore. Or walk a bit farther to discover more Bulls history at the Historic Durham Athletic Park, the old ballpark where the Bulls played from 1926 to 1994. The facility, where many scenes from the movie,“Bull Durham,”were filmed, is still used recreationally.
