Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Virginia Beach, VA

Do you ever have those days when you absolutely must wear your children out so that you can get some work or cleaning done around the house?  I know I do.  When an afternoon kidlet nap is an absolute necessity, Mt. Trashmore is where I turn.

Mount Trashmore marked the first transformation of an abandoned landfill into a public park.  Since it opened in the 1970's it's been the most popular park in Virginia.  I mean, who can resist a name like that, plus it's full of fun family entertainment.  Mt. Trashmore has several small playgrounds, picnic areas, a great walking path, a skate park, and 2 man made lakes.  And then, of course, there's the hill itself, which is the perfect place to fly a kite on a breezy day.

Do you remember that VW commercial where the sitter forces two energetic children to run up and down a very large hill and returns them to their parents sleeping like angels?  Well no need to hire that special babysitter, Mt. Trashmore can work that magic too!  I like to start out on the path around the lake until we hit the large playground, Kid's Cove. Your kids will climb in and around the large, wooden play structures for hours.  If that isn't enough to do it, we take off up the hill to watch kites flying and take in the Virginia Beach scenery.  Once you get to the top, have a rolling race to the bottom with your kids and have them run up to the top and do it over and over until they're ready to drop!

Even if total exhaustion isn't your goal, there's plenty to do.  Go fishing, take a walk around the lake, and the spread a picnic out on the side of the hill and watch the kites fly.  If your kids are ready to pass out, let them take a little nap on a blanket while you read a book and people watch.