Finding a way to get into (or close to!) the water is a great way for everyone to relax in the summer. For kids, a day of swimming or playing by the water can be an adventure like no other. If you’re looking for an opportunity to let your kids cool off and have fun this summer, read on! You’ll find our top five ways to get kids in enjoying the water in Front Royal. Discover swimming lessons, kayaking, fishing, and more, and plan some fun outings to make this summer memorable. 
 

1. Head to the Pool
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Swimming pools are a classic summer favorite for kids and their parents alike! With lifeguards on hand and controlled water conditions, swimming pools are among the safest places for kids of all ages to swim. Parents can enjoy relaxing in the sun or jump in and cool off themselves!
 
There are two fantastic outdoor pools to explore in the Front Royal area. Claude A. Stokes Community Pool is located right in town, and open every afternoon through the summer months. With a water slide, diving board, and zip line, as well as wading and fountain pools, there’s something here for kids of all ages to enjoy. Let the games of Marco Polo begin!

Another great option for a summery outdoor pool in a rural setting is the Northern Virginia 4-H Center. The pool opens to the public Thursdays-Sundays in June and July. 
 
Both pools offer swimming lessons, so if your little swimmers need some coaching they can find it in Front Royal, too!
 

2. Relax at the Splash Pad
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If you have small kids or limited time, you may not feel the need to go all in with a pool day to satisfy your family’s need for refreshing water fun. For these situations, Front Royal’s Splash Pad is a great fit. Head to the Dr. Seide Memorial Botanical Gardens to explore this fun, kid-friendly water attraction. You'll leave with a wet, happy, and refreshed crew.
 

3. Take a River Trip
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Bigger kids will love the adventure of taking on the Shenandoah River in a kayak or canoe. Bring some fun snacks, load up with water, and plan your outdoor adventure with one of Front Royal’s fun and helpful river outfitters. It’s a great way to get everyone outside and enjoying the fantastic natural beauty around Front Royal without undertaking a more strenuous activity like a hike. Bonus: with the outfitter doing all the planning, parents can relax too, without having to sweat the logistics!
 

4. Wade in the Shenandoah River 
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Getting outdoors together is a great way to enjoy family time in the summer, and kids will love it if you can plan your next outdoor time somewhere they can enjoy the water. In Front Royal, an evening on the banks of the Shenandoah River is easy to plan and fun for everyone. Head to one of Front Royal’s many river access points. Adults can enjoy the scenic beauty, while kids explore the banks of the river, and maybe even get their feet wet. Our top picks: Eastham Park and Shenandoah River State Park.
 
Don’t forget that a flowing river can be much more dangerous for children than a pool. Children should explore parts of the river where they can easily walk on the bottom, and should be closely supervised at all times. Sharp items can end up of a river bottom, so shoes are a must too!
 

5. Explore Happy Creek
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Much smaller than the Shenandoah River, but overflowing with fun for kids, Happy Creek flows right through Front Royal. Head to the Lions Park/Gertrude E. Miller Park complex for access to the creek that is perfect for a family adventure. Kids can enjoy exploring the water, and even try their hand at fishing. If the stocking truck’s been by lately, they may just get lucky. Happy Creek is also a great place to observe other water wildlife. Maybe you’ll come home with some tadpoles to raise. When they’re ready for a break from the river, there are playgrounds aplenty to choose from right there in the park!
 
From the pool to the river, with a lot in between, Front Royal has it all when it comes to finding a place for kids to enjoy getting wet in the summer! Get outdoors in Front Royal with your kids this summer, and enjoy cooling off, making memories, and experiencing water adventure in lots of different ways!

Summer can be a fun time for the whole family, with kids home from school and enjoying lots of extra free time. But too much freedom can quickly turn into boredom and frayed nerves. To keep summer fun and exciting, it can be helpful to plan some structured family activities. That’s where we come in. Read on and follow our blog to find fun posts full of ideas for keeping summer fun for kids in Front Royal! Today we’re kicking it off with a summer classic: planning a picnic in the park for your kids. Affordable, fun, and easy to plan, a picnic in the park with all the family together can become a treasured memory. Read on to discover four Front Royal ingredients you won’t want to leave out to create a memorable picnic. Maybe you can aim for a weekly or monthly picnic through the summer so everyone has something to look forward to. 
 

Secret Ingredient Number 1: Picking the Perfect Park
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Front Royal’s park system is full of great facilities with something to interest big kids, little kids, nature lovers, young athletes in training, and everything in between. If you have a group with lots of different interests, Gertrude E. Miller Community Park is our top pick for keeping everybody happy. The large complex includes a stretch of Happy Creek for fishing, basketball and tennis courts, extensive playgrounds, and more. The adjoining Lion’s Park even includes specially designed accessible play area for children with special needs. Our other favorites include Eastham Park and Rockland Park. For a bigger adventure where you’ll have to pay a park entrance fee, try Shenandoah River State Park or Shenandoah National Park. 
 

Secret Ingredient Number 2: Packing Fantastic Food without Stress
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The food you bring is a key ingredient to your picnic, and it’s fun to pack something special so everyone can enjoy the treat. If you’re making your own at home, check here to find some fun ideas kids will enjoy. Choosing a simple recipe that kids can help assemble can add to the fun for everyone. To give your meal a special touch, why not stop for some fun, local food, at Manor Line Market, or grab a treat from Down Home Comfort Bakery to enjoy after your food. For a special treat and a totally stress free picnic, head to Blue Wing Frog, where they’ll take care of providing delicious, picnic-appropriate food and packing it all up for you. 
 

Secret Ingredient Number 3: The Activities
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While free play time at the playground is a hit with most younger age groups, planning some organized activities for your picnic can be a fun way to make sure everyone has a good time and burns some energy. 
 
Older kids will enjoy competing in disc golf at Sherando Park or Rockland Park. Tennis is another great option for a smaller group of older kids. Find courts available at Chimney Field Park and Gertrude E. Miller Community Park). If you get a group together and end up with more kids than court space, why not get everyone involved with a fun tournament? An organized softball or baseball game can be another great way for a larger group of friends to make some memories together.
 

For a less competitive atmosphere, a nature scavenger hunt can be fun and educational! Or try out geocaching for an adventure where everyone can be on the same team.  
 

Secret Ingredient Number 4: The Ice Cream on the Way Home
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With a hot, tired, and happy crew ready to go home, stopping for an ice cream on the way can be the perfect ending to a fun outing. Front Royal has loads of friendly ice cream joints, and the ice cream is delicious all over town! For a downtown treat on Main Street, stop by C & C Frozen Treats. Try out Spelunkers for their legendary frozen custard, or stop at The Apple House for delicious soft serve and more, right before getting on I-66. 

​Use Front Royal’s secret ingredients to plan fun summer picnics that will stave off boredom and keep kids outdoors and having a great time. Make it a day with friends, or a chance for just your family to spend time together. Either way, you’re in for a treat and a family tradition that will make this summer one to remember!
 

With the COVID-19 crisis, many kids have suddenly found themselves doing school from home for the first time. If your family is in this situation, enrolling the kids in some programming outside the home is a great way to help them make this tough adjustment. You’ll find several great youth programs in Front Royal, ranging from fine arts to swing dancing!
 
Whether you’re looking for ways to help your children navigate COVID-19, or simply hoping to help them develop new skills and interests, Front Royal has something for you. Your children can develop new skills and make some new friends at the same time! Here’s our list of all the things kids can do in Front Royal!
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1. Bust a move in Front Royal!
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Have some dancers tapping their toes at home? Jig n Jive is a dance studio in Front Royal that offers dance classes in a variety of styles, including Irish, swing, and flamenco. With program offerings for ages 2-99, there’s something for every member of the family here!
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2. Get Artsy in Front Royal!
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For kids seeking a chance to develop artistic talent, there are two great options in Front Royal. The Studio on Main Street offers weekly art classes for ages 5-12. All abilities welcome! Budding sculptors should check out the regular Kids Clay Camps at Explore Art and Clay.

3. Get Fit in Front Royal!
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Getting up and moving around is especially important for growing young bodies. If school has been unexpectedly cancelled, you’ll want to make sure that your kids still get a chance to run around and use their energy (for your own sanity as well as theirs!).
 
If you’re looking for a kids’ fitness program in the Front Royal area, Battlegrounds Fitness is a great place to start. This CrossFit gym provides kids with a fun introduction to fitness that will keep them coming back for more. They have a super winter camp this is packed with exciting fun and fitness, perfect for children ages 5 - 12 to enjoy their winter break and to stay active and fit! Get your kids moving their climbing wall, obstacle course, fit and fun activities, and more! It will fill up fast, so don't miss out - sign up today!
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4. Become a Team Player in Front Royal!
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If your child is wants to play a team sport, they should have a chance to get involved in Front Royal. You’ll find a variety of youth sports leagues going on in town. Check this page to see the range of sports available and get started. COVID policies vary by sport, so you’ll need to contact the organizers of each sport for fully updated information.

Your kids can flourish in Front Royal! With a wide variety of exciting youth programming options, you should be able to find something to match their interests. Don’t wait to check out these fantastic local opportunities. Many offer one-off sessions, so you can make sure the program is a good fit before committing. There’s really nothing to lose by giving it a try!

Front Royal may be small, but it certainly isn’t boring! If you’re looking for a “just for fun” outing, there are plenty of to choose from! We’ve rounded up our eleven great ideas for entertainment in Front Royal. If a family fun day is in your future, you don’t want to scroll past this post. Front Royal has classic favorites like bowling and roller skating and new trends like axe throwing and rock climbing, as well as a totally unique Dinosaur Land! You’ll find there’s something for everyone!

​1. Get Your Wheels On
For roller skating fun, look no further than Mac’s Roller Rink. It’s a classic indoor roller skating rink, offering open skate times, events, and private parties.

2. Scale a Rock Wall
Battlegrounds Fitness is a great new addition to Front Royal’s entertainment and fitness sector. The CrossFit gym includes a rock wall, which is accessible to members and to guests with day passes. You’ll build your muscles, balance, and coordination while having so much fun you’ll forget that you’re exercising! Battlegrounds Fitness is also a great option for a birthday party that will leave your kids (or you!) fitter and stronger.
 

3. Go to the Movies
You can watch a movie at Royal Cinemas on Front Royal’s historic main street. The theater shows all the latest releases. Popcorn and candy available!
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4. Explore an Arcade
Across the street from Royal Cinemas, you’ll find another classic attraction. Fireball Arcade is a retro arcade with pinball and all your favorite video games. For a two-in-one outing, plan some arcade time before or after your movie showing.
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5. Go Beyond the Caverns at Skyline Caverns
Most visitors come to Skyline Caverns to take a tour of the fascinating caves. But don’t forget, there are other attractions here too! Visit the mirror maze for a fun family challenge. Or bring kids for a ride on the miniature train. You can make the caverns a part of your visit, or save them for another day.

6. Challenge Your Kids to Bowling
Fun family competition. . . and hopefully some spares and strikes . . . are in your future at the Royal Family Bowling Center! This classic bowling venue has everything you’d expect. Including the pizza!

7. Throw an Axe
For another kind of target practice, check out Shenandoah Valley Axe Throwing Co. Haven’t you always had a secret urge to hurl an axe against a wooden target? This activity is recommended for ages 12 and up, although younger children are allowed at parents’ discretion.
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8. Paint (or crochet!) a Masterpiece
Visit The Studio in downtown Front Royal for art instruction and workshops. Check out their schedule of events here. You’ll find crochet and sewing options as well as painting.
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9. Get Into All Things Pottery
If you’re more of a sculptor than a painter, check out Front Royal’s Explore Art and Clay. You’ll find options to paint your own pottery, enjoy a clay workshop, or use a potter’s wheel.
 

 10. Let the River Take You on an Adventure
If your family is itching to get outside, the Shenandoah River will provide fun, exercise, and scenic beauty. Front Royal Outdoors and Skyline Canoe Company are two local outfitters that offer various river trips. For more Front Royal river trip options go here.
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11. Travel to the Age of Dinosaurs
Dinosaur Land is a roadside attraction that has been delighting visitors to the Front Royal area for sixty years! The open-air attraction boasts over forty life size dinosaur models in a park-like setting. Bring your imagination, and enjoy a walk into prehistory! You’ll find tons of great photo opportunities, and maybe even learn something new about dinosaurs.
 

If you’re planning a special occasion celebration, a vacation, or just a day of fun in the Front Royal area, there are plenty of entertainment options that the whole family will love! Use this list to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the fun that the Front Royal area has to offer!