Goalie Charlotte helps parents find things to do with their kids, from upcoming events and farmers markets to parks and playgrounds, easy walks, public sports facilities, water-play spots, and local libraries. Use it to plan an afternoon nearby or find a new place to explore together.
Upcoming events
- July 16th9:00 AM–4:00 PMJunior Achievement Summer Camp: JA Camp CEOJunior Achievement of Central Carolinas · Ages 9–14
- July 16th10:00 AM–11:30 AMMDNP: Stream ExplorationMcDowell Nature Center Classroom · Ages 5–12
- July 16th12:00 PM–12:30 PMArtBreak at Mint Museum UptownMint Museum Uptown · Ages 6–12
Farmers markets
- Saturday8 AM–noonMatthews Community Farmers’ MarketDowntown Matthews · Farmers market
- Saturday8 AM–12:30 PMUptown Farmers MarketUptown · Farmers market
- Wednesday–Sunday8 AM–5 PMCharlotte Regional Farmers MarketYorkmont · Farmers market
Parks and playgrounds
- Lake, play, courtsFreedom ParkMyers Park · Lake-centered park with playgrounds, tennis, pickleball, fields, and paths
- Forest trails, play, dogsReedy Creek Park and Nature PreserveNewell · Forested preserve trails with playground, fishing, dog park, and nature facilities
- Spray, disc golf, playNevin Community ParkDerita · Seasonal sprayground and playground beside disc golf and athletic fields
Play sports
- SkateboardingGrayson SkateParkReopened · posted daily fees · Full pads, waiver required
- PickleballFreedom Park Pickleball CourtsSix lighted public courts · Conflicting fee label · confirm
Play in water
- Splash padCordelia Park SpraygroundNoDa-area county sprayground · County-operated · cost and staffing not stated
- Splash padFirst Ward Park SpraygroundUptown county sprayground · County-operated · cost and staffing not stated
- Splash padVeterans Park SpraygroundPlaza Midwood county sprayground · County-operated · cost and staffing not stated
Local libraries
- separate child and teen libraries, two theatres, and a teen media studioImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin CenterUptown
- a private Teen Loft and Calming Room beside children’s learning and outdoor spaceSouth County RegionalSouth Charlotte
- expanded children’s and teen areas with multilingual family collections and study spaceSouthPark RegionalSouthPark