Things to Do In Greensboro with Kids

As moms, we spend a lot of time moving between activities. We go from school, to dance, to swim class, to piano lessons. There are a few more stops and errands sprinkled in. As a full-time chauffeur service myself, I’ve found the tricky part is that there’s often chunks of downtime where it doesn’t really make sense to go home. If you have some time to kill before the next activity here’s a guide to free or low-cost things to do in Greensboro with kids. These are separated depending on how much time you have to spend!

Things to Do in Greensboro with Kids if you have 1 hour:

Greensboro Libraries

Swing by a library! All libraries are great, but some are more kid-friendly than others! The Hemphill Branch (2301 W. Vandalia Road, Greensboro, NC 27407) has a Reading Garden. It is open to everyone for reading, playing, or any combination of the two. The McGirt-Horton Branch (2501 Phillips Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27405) has a large covered area. It is accessible from inside the library, which is great for rainy days when you still want some outdoor time. Central Library (219 N. Church Street, Greensboro, NC 27402) has a large children’s section with lots of room to explore. An added bonus is being right next to LeBauer Park! You can see a list of library story times here.

Greensboro Parks

Speaking of parks, they can also be a fun, free way to spend some time, weather permitting! LeBauer Park (220 North Davie Street, Greensboro, NC 27401) is a favorite of ours because of the enormous aerial sculpture stretching over the lawn area. This kinetic piece of art moves in the breeze. It is as fun to sit and watch as it is to play under. Country Park (3905 Nathanael Green Dr, Greensboro, NC 27455) is another great option. Besides playgrounds, they have little piers where you can walk out and see the fish and whatever ducks and/or geese happen to be around. Country Park also boasts a carousel at $2/ride ($1/ride with a Greensboro Science Center membership). Last but not least, Barber Park is an option that might be good for older kids. They have an 18 hole disc golf course! 

Greensboro Gardens

Greensboro is also home to some gorgeous gardens and green spaces. This is a great option to get some energy out after being cooped up in the car, driving between activities! The kids will love running around and exploring the Bog Garden at Benjamin Park. The Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden (Both at 1101 Hobbs Road, Greensboro, NC 27408), as well as the Greensboro Arboretum (401 Ashland Dr, Greensboro, NC 27403) and Gateway Gardens (2800 East Gate City Boulevard, Greensboro, NC 27401). All of these gardens offer free admission. You can view a full list of area parks and playgrounds in our directory.

Things to Do in Greensboro with Kids if you have 2 hours:

Greensboro Art Studios

• The Open Studio for ArtQuest at Greenhill (200 North Davie Street, Greensboro, NC 27401) is not free, but at $8/person it’s a relatively low-cost way to pass a creative couple of hours. My daughter especially loves the “clay molding” station!
• If you find yourself in need of entertainment on a Tuesday, The Mad Splatter (2917-A Battleground Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27408) does a weekday special of $2 Tuesdays, when the studio fee is reduced to $2/person/hour.

Greensboro Bowling

• As of October 2024, Triad Lanes (21 Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407) has a coupon for 2 hours of bowling and shoe rentals for 4 people for $35 (https://triadlanes.com/Pricing-Specials/Coupons), as well as other coupons for game tokens and snacks that can be printed and presented at the payment counter.

Greensboro Museums and Learning Centers

For a bit of culture and hands-on learning, Greensboro has a few family-friendly museums and science centers that offer both fun and education!

• The Greensboro Science Center (4301 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro, NC 27455) is a top pick with interactive exhibits, an aquarium, and even a zoo area. While admission is typically around $16.50 per child, a membership can offer discounted entry to many of these spots.
• Another great stop is the Miriam P. Brenner Children’s Museum (220 N. Church Street, Greensboro, NC 27401) where kids can explore hands-on exhibits in a kid-sized city.
• For those who enjoy history, the Greensboro History Museum (130 Summit Ave, Greensboro, NC 27401) offers free admission and showcases exhibits on local history, artifacts, and even rotating displays that bring history to life for little ones.

Things to Do in Greensboro with Kids if you have 3 hours:

You could quite easily stretch most of the activities listed so far into a 3 hour side excursion, but if you’re worried about your children’s (or your own) endurance, here are a couple of activities that might be more engaging for that entire 3 hour timeline:

• Red Cinemas (1305 Battleground Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27408) offers an $8 matinee on weekdays.
• Safari Nation (3900-H West Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27407) has general admission ticketing at $15/child, with discounts for additional siblings (adults are free).
• Finally, Spare Time (5502 Hornaday Road, Greensboro, NC 27409) has a weekday bundle deal entitling you to 1 hour of bowling, 1 game of laser tag, and $5 for the Game Zone at a cost of $16.99/person.

However you choose to spend your in-between time, I hope you enjoy it and it keeps the kids active, engaged, and entertained between other structured activities! Comment below your favorite things to do in Greensboro.

Want to see more blogs like this and get notifications on local events and happenings? Subscribe to TMoM’s free weekly newsletters here.