Top 9 kids-friendly things to do in Virginia Beach

1. Virginia Beach self-guided scavenger hunt

Explore Virginia Beach's boardwalk on a self-guided scavenger hunt, featuring local legends and iconic spots over a flexible walking adventure.

2. Owl Creek Landing forest adventure experience at Virginia Beach

Half-day access to Owl Creek Landing, featuring a spiral observation tower, a steel slide, and a treetop trail for all ages and abilities.

3. Holly Jolly holiday scavenger hunt in Virginia Beach

App-based scavenger hunt in Virginia Beach — find holiday-themed items, complete fun challenges, and compete on the leaderboard with friends or family.

4. Kayak tour to see dolphins in Virginia Beach

Two hours on the water — guided kayak tour featuring dolphin sightings and local wildlife, must know how to swim.

5. Private stand up paddle board lesson and photo session at Rudee Inlet

Two-hour paddle lesson and photo session in the backwaters of Rudee Inlet, focusing on capturing memorable moments with local wildlife.

“Having lived in Virginia Beach for three decades, I knew that our family reunion this summer had to include Rudee Inlet Stand Up Paddle. Randy made our experience unforgettable with his guidance during our stand-up paddle boarding session. Our group of five adults and two kids, aged 7 and 11, had varying levels of experience, with only one adult having paddled before, and that was fifteen years ago. The booking process for our 90-minute session was straightforward, and Randy communicated effectively via text to confirm details. He greeted us at the parking lot near Big Sam’s and quickly warmed up to my niece and nephew, giving them each a RIS’UP T-shirt. After a brief tutorial, we were ready to paddle. My nephew, being only seven, partnered with Randy for safety. I was impressed by Randy's ability to teach my niece and the adults how to navigate their boards. We opted for the flatwater session and paddled through Rudee Inlet channel to Lake Wesley, close to Croatan Beach. Randy organized a short yoga session, then suggested we explore the ocean to see if we could find any dolphins. We were lucky enough to spot one swimming nearby. He also brought us to a reef filled with pelicans for my niece and nephew to search for hermit crabs. On our way back, we returned to Lake Wesley, where Randy captured pictures and video of us jumping off our boards. During our time on the water, he took over 200 photos and videos, which he airdropped to us after our adventure. The snapshots from that beautiful August morning will remain cherished memories for my family. Time flew by while we were having fun, and Randy generously extended our session to nearly two hours at no extra charge. I wholeheartedly recommend Rudee Inlet Stand Up Paddle to both locals and visitors.”— sharonkK4642QJ

6. Banana boat ride in Back Bay, Virginia Beach

A 25-minute banana boat ride on calm Back Bay waters — safe, family-friendly fun for up to six riders at a time.

“We had an incredible experience, and the staff were incredibly welcoming. Makenzie was fantastic in helping us choose the perfect adventure for our family, and John provided an exhilarating ride. Also, Theo was a charming mascot. Overall, it was absolutely worth it; I would highly recommend this experience.”— V327TQkylem

7. Round trip limousine transportation in Virginia Beach

Private round trip limousine transfer — pickup and drop-off for dining, excursions and popular local attractions.

“Harmony was excellent—very friendly and willing to help.”— dorinneg69

8. Candle making workshop at Sugared Mango in Virginia Beach

Two hours of hands-on candle making—choose from 40 scents and create a signature candle and matching room spray.

9. Ziplining and climbing adventure at The Adventure Park, Virginia Beach

Two to three hours of self-guided climbing and ziplining across 17 treetop trails in Virginia Beach's Adventure Park.

“This is the ideal activity for a beautiful day in Virginia Beach. If you loved climbing trees as a child or always wanted to try, this is a must-do, and you can enjoy it multiple times. There are plenty of slopes to tackle, much like a ski resort, making it perfect for families with members of varying ages.”— jaylP7367WP