Best Attractions for Kids in Fayetteville

Fayetteville delivers exciting kid-friendly attractions from interactive museums and trampoline parks to animal encounters and adventure courses—entertaining children of all ages.

Top Kid Attractions

Fascinate-U Children's Museum

The must-visit for families

Why kids love it:

• Hands-on everything (touching encouraged!)
• Pretend play in mini-city
• Real grocery store checkout
• Fire truck to climb on
• News studio for broadcasting
• Post office for mail sorting
• Army fort for playing soldier

Educational without feeling like learning

Ages: Toddlers through age 12 Toddler area: Separate room for 4 and under Science focus: Programs and experiments

Price: $8-10 per person Free admission: 4th Friday evenings downtown

Urban Air Adventure Park

High-energy trampoline park

What kids get:

• Wall-to-wall trampolines
• Foam pit to jump into
• Dodgeball courts
• Climbing walls
• Warrior course obstacles
• Separate toddler area (3-5 years)

Perfect for:

• Burning energy
• Active kids
• Birthday parties
• Rainy day excitement

Ages: 3 and up Price: $15-25 per hour Required: Grip socks (purchase or bring)

Monkey Joe's

Inflatable paradise for young kids

Exclusively for ages 12 and under

Attractions:

• Gigantic bounce houses
• Inflatable slides (some 3 stories tall)
• Obstacle courses
• Climbing structures
• Toddler area (separate, safer)
• Arcade games

Why parents like it:

• No older kids/teens (safer)
• Air-conditioned
• Clean facility
• Can watch from seating area

Price: $12-15 per child (adults free)

Omni Family Amusement Center

Classic family entertainment center

Features:

• 125+ arcade games
• Ticket redemption for prizes
• Indoor mini-golf
• Movie theater
• Bumper cars (select times)
• Laser tag

Ages: All ages Best for: Older kids (7+), gamers

Putt-Putt Fun Center

Location: Hope Mills (15 minutes from Fayetteville)

Summer fun destination:

• Mini golf courses
• Go-karts (height requirements)
• Laser tag
• Bumper boats
• Water adventure (summer only)
• Batting cages

Ages: Varies by activity (some have height minimums) Price: Pay per activity or day passes

Animal Encounters

Sweet Valley Ranch

Kids meet farm animals

Animals you'll interact with:

• Llamas (gentle and friendly)
• Mini horses (perfect size for kids)
• Goats (love to be fed)
• Chickens and ducks
• Other barnyard friends

Tour includes:

• Feeding animals
• Petting and photos
• Learning about farm life
• Hands-on experience

Best for: Ages 2-10 Call ahead: Book tours in advance

Outdoor Adventures

ZipQuest Waterfall & Treetop Adventure

For adventurous kids and families

Zip line courses:

• Multiple difficulty levels
• Scenic forest views
• Waterfall zip line (signature)
• Professional guides
• Safety equipment provided

Age/size requirements:

• Minimum weight: 70 lbs
• Best for ages 10+
• Family adventure experience

Price: $70-100 per person Duration: 2-3 hours Reservations: Required

Arnette Park

Free outdoor adventure

Kid activities:

• Bike trails (all skill levels)
• Playgrounds for different ages
• Open fields for running
• Basketball courts
• Walking trails for family hikes

Bring: Bikes, balls, picnic supplies

Water Fun

Public Pools

Cumberland County pools offer:

• Lap swimming
• Recreational swimming
• Diving boards
• Kiddie pools
• Swimming lessons

Locations: Check Parks & Recreation website Price: $3-5 per person Season: Summer months

Splash Pads (FREE)

10 locations across Fayetteville:

• No admission fee
• Seasonal (Memorial Day - Labor Day)
• Various spray features
• Soft surface flooring
• Shaded seating for parents

Popular splash pads:

• Lake Rim Park
• Christina S. Smith Park
• Massey Hill Recreation Center
• Arnette Park

No swimsuit required (quick-dry clothes okay)

Educational Attractions

Airborne & Special Operations Museum

FREE admission

Why kids enjoy it:

• Interactive exhibits (push buttons, watch videos)
• Flight simulators
• Real aircraft and equipment
• Soldier stories
• Hands-on history

Best for: Ages 6 and up Educational value: Learn about military history

Cape Fear Botanical Garden

80 acres of natural beauty

Kid-friendly features:

• Butterfly house (kids love)
• Scavenger hunts (ask at entrance)
• Wide paths for running
• Educational programs
• Seasonal events

Best for: Nature-loving kids, toddlers who need space

Price: $8-12 adults, kid discounts

Creative Activities

Just Claying Around

Paint-your-own pottery studio

How it works:

1. Choose ceramic piece ($10-40)
2. Paint with provided supplies
3. Studio glazes and fires
4. Pick up in 1 week

Perfect for:

• Artistic kids
• Rainy days
• Birthday activities
• Creating gifts for grandparents

Ages: 3+ (with parent help for young kids)

Bowling

Kid-friendly bowling:

• Bumper bowling (no gutter balls!)
• Lightweight balls
• Fun cosmic bowling (black lights, music)
• Arcade games

Venues:

• Lafayette Bowling
• B&B Bowling Lanes

Ages: All ages (even toddlers can bowl with bumpers)

Age-Specific Recommendations

Toddlers (1-4 years)

Best attractions:

1. Fascinate-U toddler room
2. Monkey Joe's toddler area
3. Splash pads
4. Sweet Valley Ranch
5. Park playgrounds

Attention span: 1-2 hours per activity

Preschool/Early Elementary (5-7 years)

Best attractions:

1. Fascinate-U main museum
2. Monkey Joe's
3. Urban Air (with parents)
4. Omni arcade
5. Mini golf
6. Airborne Museum

Energy level: Plan 2-3 hours, bring snacks

Elementary Age (8-11 years)

Best attractions:

1. Urban Air
2. Omni Amusement Center
3. Putt-Putt Fun Center
4. ZipQuest (if weight requirement met)
5. Laser tag
6. Go-karts

Independence: Can enjoy with friends, less parent supervision

Tweens/Teens (12+)

Best attractions:

1. ZipQuest
2. Laser tag
3. Go-karts
4. Arcade competitions
5. Bowling (cosmic bowl)
6. Adventure courses

Social: Great for friend groups

Birthday Party Venues

Top party locations:

Monkey Joe's:

• Ages 1-12
• All-inclusive packages
• Private party room
• Pizza and drinks included
• $200-350 for 12-15 kids

Urban Air:

• Ages 5+
• Jump time included
• Party host provided
• Food packages available
• $250-450 for 12-15 kids

Fascinate-U:

• Ages 2-10
• Museum admission included
• Party room rental
• Bring your own food/cake
• $150-250

Omni:

• All ages
• Game cards included
• Party room
• Pizza packages
• $200-350

Rainy Day Attractions

Best indoor options:

1. Fascinate-U (always indoors)
2. Monkey Joe's
3. Urban Air
4. Omni Amusement Center
5. Bowling
6. Just Claying Around

Money-Saving Tips

Stretch your entertainment budget:

• Groupon deals (check before visiting)
• Military discounts (10-15% off)
• Weekday specials (cheaper than weekends)
• Annual passes (if visiting often)
• Free splash pads instead of paid pools
• Pack snacks and lunch
• Visit free museums
• 4th Friday events downtown (free)

Safety First

Keep kids safe:

• Establish meeting point
• Identify staff/security
• Use wristbands with phone number
• Supervise water activities
• Check height/weight requirements
• Bring first aid basics
• Stay hydrated

What to Bring

Essential items:

• Water bottles (avoid expensive vending)
• Snacks (granola bars, fruit)
• Sunscreen (outdoor activities)
• Hand sanitizer
• Change of clothes (water activities)
• Socks (trampoline parks require)
• Camera for photos

Timing Your Visit

Best times for fewer crowds:

• Weekday mornings
• Right when attractions open
• Avoid school holidays
• September-October (after summer, before holidays)

Peak times:

• Weekends 12-4 PM
• School breaks
• Rainy days (indoor venues)

Military Family Perks

Discounts available at:

• Fascinate-U
• Urban Air
• Omni
• Bowling alleys
• ZipQuest

Always ask - some discounts not advertised

Annual Memberships

Worth it for frequent visits:

• Fascinate-U annual pass: $100-150 family
• Urban Air membership: Monthly or annual
• Parks & Recreation pool passes: Seasonal

Break-even: Usually 5-6 visits

Resources

Before you go:

• Check attraction websites for hours
• Read height/weight requirements
• Book reservations when needed
• Download Groupon app
• Check weather (outdoor activities)
• Join Facebook groups for deals

Contact info:

• Parks & Recreation: 910-433-1547
• Fascinate-U: Check online for hours
• Urban Air: Book jump time online

Fayetteville's kid attractions keep children engaged, active, and entertained—from educational museums to high-energy adventure parks, all designed with military families in mind.