Weekend Adventures Within 1–2 Hours of Moore County: Hidden Gems, Play Spots & Family Fun
Looking to explore beyond Moore County with your little ones? This guide highlights family-friendly destinations just a short drive away—with indoor play spaces perfect for young kids, delicious restaurants that welcome families, and fun activities for a memorable day trip or weekend outing. Whether it’s climbing structures, creative play studios, or cozy eateries with kid-approved menus, you’ll find plenty of places to entertain the whole family without spending hours on the road.
Our Favorite Indoor Stops:
Local to Moore County: The Connection Corner, KidCentric Studio, & Blue Bird Play Cafe, Weymouth’s Discovery Room
Our Favorite Outdoor (or Mostly Outdoor) Adventures:
Perfect for when you need a little change of scenery — but not a full-blown vacation.
Discovery Place Kids (Rockingham)
Discovery Place Kids is an interactive children’s museum less than an hour from Pinehurst that turns learning into hands-on fun. Designed with younger kids in mind, it features kid-sized role-play spaces, engaging science exhibits, and themed play areas that spark creativity and curiosity—making it an easy, fun-filled day trip for families.
Marbles (Raleigh)
Think of your traditional Children’s Museum but two giant levels deep. Marbles offers playful exhibits where kids can explore, make discoveries, build new skills, connect with others and have FUN. You can even explore Toddlers Hollow where children under 3 are invited to discover the magic of the woods and crawl around with woodland critters!
Head down to Transfer Co. Food Hall right after for a variety of food options for the entire family or walk half a block over to Brewery Bhavana for craft beers, and dim sum in the most creative space.
Museum of Life and Science (Raleigh)
The Museum of Life and Science is a hands-on wonderland for families with young children. With interactive science exhibits, a butterfly house, and a playful outdoor science park (that goes on and on), little ones can explore, experiment, and discover in a fully outdoor, kid-friendly environment.
Stroller-accessible paths, shaded areas, and engaging activities make it easy for parents to enjoy the day too. Whether you’re curious about dinosaurs, space, or nature, the museum offers a fun, educational adventure just a short drive from home!
Greensboro Science Center (Greensboro)
The Greensboro Science Center is a perfect day trip for families with young kids. This all-in-one spot combines an aquarium, hands-on science museum, and zoo, with interactive exhibits, penguins, sharks, and playful animals like lemurs and meerkats. Kid-focused areas and engaging activities make exploring easy and fun for little ones and parents alike. Don’t miss the giant Kiwanisaurus Treehouse Adventure!!
North Carolina Zoo (Asheboro)
The North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro is an easy, fun day trip for families with young children. As one of the largest natural habitat zoos in the world, it features wide, stroller-friendly paths and spacious exhibits where little ones can see elephants, giraffes, lions, and polar bears up close.
Pack a swim diaper — at the entrance of the North America Entrance is a small stream and playground for kids to explore! Make a day of it and head to The Table before or after for comforting farm to table bites.
Others to consider if you’re looking for a free getaway out of town:
Gipson Play Plaza at Dix Park (Raleigh)
Located within Dix Park — one of the largest urban parks in North Carolina — Gipson Play Plaza is part of a stunning 308-acre green space filled with rolling hills, old-growth oaks, wide-open meadows, and historic charm. Just minutes from Downtown Raleigh.
Free and open seven days a week, families can explore sunflower fields, fly kites in open fields, hunt for the larger-than-life trolls, and enjoy special events throughout the year. There’s even a take-and-go market offering sandwiches, snacks, coffee, beer, and wine — plus porch rocking chairs and a shaded patio overlooking the garden. You never have to leave!
NC Museum of Art (Raleigh)
The North Carolina Museum of Art offers a creative, family-friendly outing for kids and parents alike. With colorful galleries, outdoor sculpture trails, and hands-on art activities, little ones can explore and experiment while discovering the world of art. Head here on a beautiful spring day, stroll through the sculpture gardens, and relax in the shaded spots with a small picnic alongside other families.
Sassafras Playground (Raleigh)
Sassafras All Children’s Playground in Raleigh is a go‑to outdoor play spot for families looking for big fun on a sunny day. With slides, swings, climbing structures, bridges, and even a zip line, it’s designed to keep kids of all ages moving, exploring, and imagining. The inclusive layout means children with different abilities can play together, and nearby picnic areas make it easy to relax while little ones burn off energy — perfect for a laid‑back family outing.
Very Local Favorites for Indoor Fun
The Connection Corner
Nestled in the heart of Southern Pines, The Connection Corner offers kids and families a creative, community-oriented space where play and learning come together. Beyond traditional play, it hosts engaging classes and workshops like sensory play, art projects, music and mindfulness sessions, and age-specific Connection Clubs designed to foster social skills, creativity, and confidence. With options for toddlers through older kids, this welcoming spot focuses on hands-on experiences that blend imagination, movement, and meaningful connection.
KidCentric Creative Studio
Located in downtown Southern Pines, KidCentric Creative Studio is a vibrant, kid-focused space where creativity takes center stage. This drop-in craft and play studio encourages children to explore art in a hands-on, imaginative environment—with options like themed weekly crafts, a “craft buffet” to choose your own project, and sensory play that lets kids get messy and expressive. It’s a welcoming spot for families to connect, spark creativity, and even celebrate birthdays, making it a go-to destination for inspiring artistic play and fun for children of all ages.
Blue Bird Play Cafe
Blue Bird Play Cafe is an exciting new indoor play space coming soon to Aberdeen. Designed for babies through early elementary ages, it will feature imaginative play areas, soft-play zones, and sensory activities—all paired with a cozy café where caregivers can enjoy coffee while kids explore. With plans for open play, events, and flexible sessions, Blue Bird aims to become a welcoming hub for local families. Keep your eyes peeled for details coming soon!
From hands-on science museums to sprawling outdoor playgrounds, interactive zoos, inspiring art trails, and delicious family-friendly eateries, the Raleigh and surrounding areas have no shortage of adventures for families with young children. Whether you’re looking to spark curiosity, get some fresh air, or enjoy a relaxed meal together, there’s something close to Moore County to make every weekend a mini adventure. Grab the kids, hit the road, and explore — big fun is just an hour away!
Follow us over at @mocomom on Instagram for more!
Life with Toddlers in MoCo:
Keeping up with all the story times around Moore County can be a challenge—there are so many great options to choose from! This roundup includes weekly storytimes in Pinehurst, Aberdeen, Carthage, Pinebluff, and Vass, with something for everyone from infants and babies to toddlers, preschoolers, and pre-K kiddos.