Williamsburg is more than a colonial history lesson. The area around it — Hampton Roads, Richmond, Norfolk — gives families with older kids a surprisingly wide range of actual adventures. Here's what to take your 7-12-year-old to, and why it works.
Experiences That Earn Bragging Rights
VR64 Arcade / New World VR (4.8 stars) is the best tech experience in the Williamsburg area — full VR headsets, immersive game worlds, not the arcade-on-a-stick version that still passes for VR at lesser places. Budget $60–100 for a family ($15–25/person for VR sessions). Hours are limited (Mon, Fri, Sat, Sun only), so check before you go. Book VR station slots in advance.
Lorikeet Glen (4.9 stars) inside Busch Gardens is the best single experience in the park for big kids who want something genuinely memorable. Walking into an open-air aviary where lorikeet parrots land on your arms, shoulders, and head — not behind glass, actually on you — is different from anything at a standard zoo. Included with Busch Gardens admission ($200–300+ for a family of four). Buy nectar cups at the entrance for the full feeding experience.
Land of the Dragons and Wolf Haven are both inside Busch Gardens. The wolf viewing is genuinely compelling for kids who care about predators — mature wolves in a naturalistic setting that most zoos don't replicate. Also included with park admission.
Go-Karts Plus gives older kids the experience of actually driving something fast. Go-karts run $12–15/ride. Mini golf and bumper boats also on-site. Budget $80–150 for a full family visit depending on how many times your kids make you buy another lap. Arrive early before lines form.
Play A Round Family Fun Center is similar — go-karts, mini golf, laser tag, arcade. Multi-attraction pricing runs $80–120 for a family depending on what you access. Check the website for combo packages that save compared to à la carte.
Science and Hands-On Discovery
Explore More Discovery Museum (4.8 stars, 700+ reviews) is small but punches above its weight. Multiple parents in reviews specifically mention exhibits that kept older kids engaged when they expected to be bored. $35–50 for a family (~$8–12/person). Budget 1.5–2.5 hours. Critical note: closed Saturday, Sunday, and Monday — only open Tuesday through Friday.
Science Museum of Virginia (4.7 stars) in Richmond is worth the trip — $70–100 for a family with IMAX, three floors of hands-on exhibits. Closed Mondays. Combo museum + IMAX tickets save money over separate purchases.
Virginia Air & Space Science Center (4.5 stars) in Hampton runs $50–70. Actual artifacts, real spacecraft. Kids who care about space or aviation will spend more time here than you expect.
Danville Science Center (4.6 stars) is $35–50 for a family — a smaller science museum, but good for the price and well-reviewed.
Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum (4.7 stars) in Old Town Winchester runs $35–50. Sunday hours shortened (12–4 PM).
Outdoor Adventures That Feel Real
Freedom Park (4.8 stars) is free. Forested trails, deer tracks, genuine woods where kids can actually feel like they're exploring rather than being taken somewhere. Budget 1–3 hours. Pack a picnic.
Norfolk Botanical Garden (4.8 stars, 9,000 reviews — that review count is remarkable) is $60–80 for a family. Adults $17, kids $11, under 3 free. Tram and boat tours are extra. Budget 2–3 hours. The tram tour is worth it for kids who'd rather ride than walk.
New Quarter Park (4.7 stars) — trails are free. Kayak/canoe rentals run $10–15/hour if you bring your own boat. This is the kind of outdoor experience that gives kids a different relationship with Williamsburg than the tourist version.
York River State Park (4.7 stars) — $7–10 per vehicle for state park access. Trails, water access, genuine outdoor time. An annual Virginia State Parks pass covers the whole trip.
Jellystone Park Williamsburg is $50–80 for a day visit if you're not staying overnight. Camping and cabin stays from $80–200/night. Worth it for families who want the camp experience without setting up a tent.
Physical Adventures
Funplex Trampoline Park (4.7 stars) runs $60–100 for a family — 1.5–2.5 hours of jump time. Book online in advance to lock slots; weekends fill up.
Sky Zone Trampoline Park (4.2 stars) — $60–100 for timed sessions (~$15–22/person/hour). Book online; weekend slots sell out. Bring prior Sky Zone grip socks or budget $3–4/pair on-site.
Surge Adventure Park — $80–120 including arcade and ride passes. Closed Mondays.
Slick City Action Park — an indoor slide park, $80–140 for timed sessions. Check website for current opening status.
The Williamsburg Colonial Area
Virginia Musical Museum (4.8 stars) is a niche win — $30–45 for a family. Kids who are musical (or just curious about how music is made) actually engage with this collection. Closed Sundays.
Ripley's Believe It or Not! Williamsburg (4.2 stars) — buy tickets online ($20–25 adult, $15–18 child, under 3 free) and save 20–30% over gate price. The odditorium format works for kids who want weird facts and visual spectacle. Budget about 90 minutes. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Kidsburg (4.8 stars) — free. A massive community-built wooden playground at Veterans Park. This is the kind of playground that parents remember from their own childhoods, scaled way up. 1.5–3 hours of free play.
Great Wolf Lodge Option
Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg (4.3 stars) is a complete destination — water park, MagiQuest, dining, the whole package. Room + water park runs $600–1,200 for a 2-night stay. Day passes for water park only are available at $50–75/person. If you're committed to a fun-first trip without cramming in tourism, Great Wolf is worth the price.