Top Picks
Garden Story Walk at JC Raulston Arboretum
This is the perfect way to get some fresh air without hearing "I'm bored" every five minutes. You can stroll the gorgeous paths at your own pace while the kids follow the pages of a children's book posted along the trail. It is completely free, self-guided, and runs during regular garden hours starting Saturday, June 6 at 4415 Beryl Road in Raleigh. Go early in the morning to beat the heat and secure an easy parking spot. Best for: Toddlers, preschoolers, and early readers.C10s Tailgate Party at Phillips Farms of Cary
Phillips Farms is hosting a massive, free community day on Saturday, June 6 from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM. While the main family fun park is closed for the season, they are filling the market and parking area with a free petting zoo, free bounce houses, live music, food trucks, and a touch-a-truck setup. It is entirely free to enter, though you will want to bring card or cash for the food trucks. Best for: Toddlers and elementary-aged kids who love big trucks and animals.Raleigh Little Theatre presents Dinosaur
If you need an indoor escape with a wild toddler, this is your best bet. Located at the Gaddy-Goodwin Teaching Theatre on Saturday, June 6 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, this free "Theatre for the Very Young" performance is designed specifically for the tiniest audience members. It is an interactive, relaxed show about what happens when dinosaurs invade everyday routines like preschool and dinner. Best for: Babies, toddlers, and preschoolers ages 0 to 5.Staying Alive at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Head downtown to the air-conditioned museum to check out this special live animal exhibition. Running from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday, June 6, this free exhibit features 17 live survival experts from the animal kingdom, including a two-toed sloth, armored armadillos, and unique toads. It is a fantastic, educational way to spend a hot Saturday afternoon without spending a dime. Best for: Curious elementary schoolers and middle schoolers.Pollinator Festival at Lake Crabtree County Park
Celebrate the bugs that keep our local plants alive at this free, hands-on festival in Morrisville on Saturday, June 6 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The park staff will have games, crafts, and local environmental experts set up to teach kids about bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Registration is appreciated online but not required to attend. Best for: The whole family, especially nature-loving kids.Also Worth Knowing
* 💐June in Bloom at the Carrboro Farmers' Market — Carrboro Town Commons · Sat, Jun 6, 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM · Free · Enjoy live music, a floral scavenger hunt, art activities, and local flower vendors. * Taste the Rainbow at HSFM — Event Location · Sat, Jun 6, 8:00 AM · Free · Kids can try fresh summer fruits and veggies at the POP Club tent to earn a $2 produce token. * Knightdale's Independence Day Festival: Fourth on First Avenue — Knightdale Station Park · Sat, Jun 6, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM · Free · Get an early start on summer celebrations with a bike parade, inflatables, live music, and lawn games. * Adapted Open Play Sports — Raleigh Community Center · Sat, Jun 6, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM · Free · Drop in for inclusive, open play sports designed for all ages using a free Open Play Pass. * Youth Fishing Clinic — Hank Anderson Park Pond · Sat, Jun 6, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM · Free · A local morning clinic in Carrboro to help kids learn the basics of fishing. * 10:00 AM Zumba — W.E. Hunt Recreation Center · Sat, Jun 6, 10:00 AM · Free · A high-energy, Latin-inspired dance workout to get your weekend moving. * Nasher Museum of Art in June: Gallery Tours and Family Day Celebration, and more… — Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University · Sat, Jun 6, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM · Free · Explore the galleries at this world-class museum with free admission for everyone. * 11:00 AM HIIT: High Intensity Interval Training — W.E. Hunt Recreation Center · Sat, Jun 6, 11:00 AM · Free · A fast-paced, high-intensity interval workout using bodyweight and functional equipment.
See you out there! — Nina