Spring break for Metro Nashville Public Schools runs from March 10-14. If you have kids at home this week and no big trip plans like me, here are some local activity ideas to make their spring break fun.
An owl at Radnor Lake’s aviary. (Margaret Kingsbury / City Cast Nashville)
🌷Enjoy the Spring Weather
- Metro Parks and Recreation has free family events every day, from family hikes to bird banding.
- Visit Radnor Lake’s aviary on Wednesday or Saturday to get up close with some of our local raptors.
- Rent a Wild Explorer Pack at Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary to go on a nature adventure.
- Cheekwood has two children’s areas, and it’s such a fun place to let kids roam.
- The Nashville Zoo has never failed me. Head to the farm area to say hi to their new Highland cow, Hamish. Spring on a backstage pass tour to make the day extra special.
🎨 Make Art
- Kids can spend hours in the MartinArt Quest room at the Frist Art Museum (trust me, I know!). Have lunch at Café Cheeserie, located inside.
- Sign up for a Little Art House class.
📚 Check Out the Library
The Nashville Public Library has numerous events at all branches every day. Some of my favorites this week include reading with a Metro Animal Care and Control pet on Tuesday, a “Dog Man” party on Wednesday, and watching the newest Wishing Chair Productions puppet show on Friday and Saturday.
🧑🎓 Keep on Learning
- The Tennessee State Museum is always free and has a great children’s play area. Head to the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park for outdoor play afterwards, and the Nashville Farmers’ Market for lunch.
- Learn more about Nashville by taking a Puppet City Tour, which is every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 10 a.m.
- Have a picnic in Centennial Park and follow it up with a visit inside the Parthenon to learn more about Greek mythology.
- Learn about science at the Adventure Science Center, or take a trip to Murfreesboro’s Discovery Center or the Middle Tennessee Museum of Natural History, where kids can see a T-Rex.
🍽️ Eat at a New Restaurant
- See how many of our favorite kid-friendly restaurants you can try.
- Find a new ice cream shop.
We love going to the Warner Park’s nature play area behind the nature center. (Margaret Kingsbury / City Cast Nashville)
🛝 Try a New Playground
Some of my favorite playgrounds include the community playground at Crockett Park, Granny White Park, Dragon Park, and Warner Park’s nature playground, although you can find me most often at my neighborhood’s playground, Red Caboose Park. You can also head to a free indoor play area.
🧒 Don’t Forget Community Centers
Your local community center likely has some kid-friendly activities scheduled, like family open gym, skating, and picnics. Check their social media pages for more up-to-date spring break activities.
