We’re in a transition phase over here, moving from a one-nap household to a no-nap household, and we’re not used to it. The strangle hold that naps have held over our days for the last five and a half years means it’s probably going to take a while before we feel comfortable scheduling anything between 1pm and 3pm. Naps broke up our days into two “shifts” per day: a morning shift (pre-nap), and an afternoon/evening shift (obviously post-nap).

Every parent knows that scheduling activities for small children during the post-nap shift means trouble. There’s the unpredictability of when and how they wake up from nap; there’s the inevitable meltdown immediately before dinner; and right now, it’s approximately 1 billion degrees outside between 3pm and 5pm, to boot. So we tend to schedule our heavy activities for the mornings and then chill out at home in the afternoon.

Client parents are usually relieved when I want to schedule in-home family sessions for the morning, because that’s when we know our littles will be happiest and most flexible.

Little girl playing with a doll in her home during a family photo session.

Do you have a running list of places to take your kids in the morning to get them out of the house? Are there places in Richmond you’re aware of, but just haven’t gone yet because of the unknowns? Or maybe you just forgot they were options for kids.

I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite spots to take the kids to tire them out during that morning shift, with a quick rundown of what I like about them, the age ranges they’re great for, and the cost of admission, if there is one:

baby girl grabs her toes and stares at the camera as she lays on the floor in her bedroom.

Belle Isle

Belle Isle opens at sunrise, and is free. The earlier you arrive, the better your chances of finding parking in the too-small parking area near the base of the foot bridge. If that lot is full, you can park at the Tredegar parking lot half a block farther away, and pay $5.

Age range: Great for any age, really, especially if you have a carrier or stroller for the littlest ones. The activities you’ll be able to do will vary based on the kids’ ages, obviously. But the paths on the island are flat and great for walking, running (if that’s your thing), or biking. We haven’t tried this but you could bring your kids’ bikes if they’re on Striders or older. I wouldn’t try to bring a tricycle. The paths are flat but made of dirt and gravel. There are outlets to the river that lead out onto big flat rocks. Not a place to really relax with littles, but a fun place to explore if you’re up for a heightened-awareness experience when you can stick close to your small kid. Very shady in most places, especially in summer.

Cons: It always takes longer to get back to the car than you think it will, so don’t wait until 5 minutes before lunch to head back. It usually takes us about 30 minutes to cross the bridge and get back to the car. Bathroom facilities are also questionable, with a porta-potty permanently placed on the trail. I would feel uneasy bringing a brand-new potty trainer here without a change of clothes. But that’s me, and I feel that way in most places with a brand-new potty trainer.

Little boy standing on a wall at Belle Isle in Richmond, VA.

Park 365

Originally called ARC Park, and now called Park365 or SOAR365, the playground opens at dawn Tuesday - Sunday, and opens at 11am on Mondays. It’s free to enter, and there’s a moderately sized parking area where we’ve never had trouble finding a spot.

Age range: walkers and up will enjoy this park, there are a nice variety of areas for kids of all ages and abilities. The playground is fenced, so kids can “free range” to explore the area safely without you needing to be right beside them at all times.

Cons: There’s basically no shade here, except at the picnic area, which may or may not be blocked for a birthday party. Bring sunscreen, hats, water, and come early. Because there are such a wide variety of age ranges playing in all areas, watch out for your littles so they don’t get run over in the big-kid areas as they explore.

Toddler walking through a tunnel tube at PARK365 on a sunny morning.

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

While the inside of the VMFA opens at 10am, grounds are open during daylight hours. Cost: free for general admission. Cost for special exhibitions varies. Parking costs $6 per day in the designated garage, but I always find parking on the street.

Age range: The grounds are perfect for any age range; kids can run and explore and the area is wide open and relatively safe (there are stairs and a koi pond that require supervision). Inside requires a more subdued demeanor - no running, no touching, inside voices, etc. Your kids might be ready for that earlier than others.

The art is the real experience here. Older kids may appreciate the art more than younger, and your constant supervision is required for littles. But it’s a nice spot to quickly visit, and you can freely go from inside to outside and back without having to pay money, so it can be a fun morning excursion.

Cons: needing to be quieter and more subdued inside the museum, and having to be “on” as a parent to make sure nothing gets touched.

Multiple exposure of a boy standing in front of a wall at the VMFA in Richmond VA. — *Outside is fair game, though.*

Children’s Museum of Richmond

The Children’s Museum opens at 9:30am, and it’s closed Mondays. Cost: $9 for parents and children; infants 12 months and under are free.

Age range: There’s a reason why infants are free here - you’re not going to get much benefit for them yet. The Richmond location has a big indoor tree house that my kids LOVE, they’ll have the most fun if they can go up and down stairs by themselves (there are railings). There’s also a carousel that does rides at the top of every hour. There are a wide variety of things to do for kids ages 2 and up; the golden age range is probably 3-6 though. The Chesterfield location on Hull Street has a big indoor playground that older kids can climb, as well as a water table with spewing fountains (bring extra clothes).

Parking is free in the parking deck between CMOR and the Science Museum at the Richmond location. The Chesterfield location is in a strip mall with lots of parking.

Cons: you really need to time your visit to the Richmond location if your kids like the carousel - CMOR is strict about the top of the hour rides and your kids might just whine for 45 minutes if you get there after they finish for the hour. Or maybe that’s just me. The other con for me personally is how crowded it can get, especially on rainy days. There is quite a variety of parenting styles on display on crowded days, which makes for interesting people watching, but can get annoying when a parent is desperate for their too-young child to have fun and takes up a whole activity center trying to teach them how to play grocery store, while the other kids stand and watch. (Personal parental note: your kid will learn how to play a game by watching other kids play it, if you step back and let them.)

Toddler riding the carousel at the Children's Museum of Richmond.

Metro Richmond Zoo

The zoo opens at 9:30am, and is closed Sundays. Cost: $23.95 for parents, $17.95 for kids; kids under 2 are free. The Metro Richmond magazine that comes in the mail usually has coupons.

Because this is entirely outside, the earlier you come, the cooler it is. It is not typically less crowded earlier, though. Expect to wait a bit to get into the park if you get there right at 9:30 (lots of other parents had the same idea). Stroller friendly, the zoo has exhibits for every age range. You can feed the giraffes (costs extra, you can pay for that when you get tickets and then hold the cup of giraffe food as you walk through the park) - my kids did not enjoy that at 2 years old, but liked it at 3 years old. We haven’t been back in about 18 months but I bet they would love it now at 3 and 5 years old. The Metro Zoo is well done, has fantastic exhibits for a smaller zoo, and your ability to get close to so many wild animals is really amazing.

Cons: It’s an expensive morning if you’re only there for an hour or two. If you want to stretch your time, you can bring lunch and eat in the designated picnic area. Also, beware car naps - the zoo is far from everywhere except Magnolia Green and your kid may very well fall asleep in the car on the way home, basically assuring that they will not nap when you get home.

Little girl turns from the pygmy hippo exhibit at the Metro Richmond Zoo.

Science Museum of Virginia

The science museum opens at 9:30am. Cost: $17 for ages 13-59. $14 for seniors and kids 6-12. $10 for kids 3-5. Kids 2 and under are free.

Parking is in the same free parking deck as CMOR (above).

Age range: The tiered pricing tells you what you need to know - the older your kids are, the more they’ll get out of it. There are interactive exhibits located throughout the museum, and some are more catered toward littles than others. The exhibits rotate pretty frequently so if you don’t see anything that interests your kids today, you might see something in a month or so.

Cons: Because this is indoors, it gets very crowded on bad weather days. If crowds aren’t your thing, I’d come on a sunny day with beautiful weather. Be prepared to not visit the entire museum if your kids get fixated on one area (the elevator, for example. Not that I’d know anything about that).

Little boy interacts with the Light exhibit at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond.

I hope this gives you a good list of places to visit, and the inspiration and confidence to go and do, when you need to get out of the house. I’d love to know if you love these classic spots as much as we do - tag me on IG @allisonpatelphotography if you go!

6 RVA Activities You Can Do Before Naptime