by Judy Zabriskie

Created on: February 21, 2009   Last Updated: April 26, 2012

Having been gone from this city for a little while and my child now a grown young man, I reflect back on the things we did and that which we missed while living there and both seem equally as vivid.  Rainy days are for staying home, reading the paper, watching TV or catching up with e mails, cuddling and enjoying a good book but NOT when you have children. Children need to be entertained or they will sit in front of the TV all day playing video games or just nagging at you until you can no longer stand it. That being said, Richmond does have a few good options when it comes to entertaining the little ones.  If they are truly wee ones or up until age about 6, the Children’s Museum of Richmond is an excellent option.  One can stay at this facility (there are now 2 – one in the city and one in Shortpump) for hours. There are touchy feely things for tactile play, a dress up section where children can act out their fantasies with or without other children, usually a play or other event given by the Center and just a good indoor playground for kids to run about and get the energy out of their systems.  For the older child there is the Science Museum of VA.  There are always ongoing experiments which are to be watched and amused or amazed by and more often than not participation by the child is encouraged.  There are ongoing exhibits and a planetarium which is free of charge with scheduled shows throughout the day. There is usually a play going on here as well.  Of course, there is the IMAX theater (pricey but worth it as it will extend the stay by a few hours.)  For those interested  in the arts there is the Fine Arts Museum of VA with free exhibits, a cafeteria, restaurant dining area and the ever popular gift shop. More often than not there are wonderful traveling exhibits – again costly but worth the price of admission. 

For the older set there is an indoor arcade/eatery in Shortpump (actually down the brick road from the Children’s Museum.)  Again, pricey but mom and dad get to have a few drinks and some food while the kids play video games and enjoy a day out of the house. 

For the more adventurous there is a Dick’s Sporting Goods store in Shortpump with a climbing wall where the kids can climb for a small fee while mom and dad enjoy the shopping experience.  For those girls who are shopaholics there is Nordstrom’s where dad can sit and listen to the piano player while mom shops with the girls. Then a quick or leisurely bite at the Nordstrom's café and a good time is had by all.

Another way to keep the little ones busy while doing some grocery shopping is to visit Tom Leonard’s Farm market.  They have singing cows and dancing monkeys, samples of goodies and a plethora of fresh veggies, fruits and meats to buy.  During the winter months there are decorations honoring the holidays and visits from ghouls and goblins as well as Santa himself.  All of this indoors and out of the elements, so it is like killing 2 birds with 1 tone – grocery shopping and keeping the kids entertained and the entertainment is free and the prices for goods can’t be beat. 

These are just a few of the options in Richmond and surrounding area but if you look hard and turn over stones, I am sure many more can be found both free and paid and will keep the whole family occupied and out of the house during the rainy season.

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