A Local Mom’s Guide to Things to Do in Nashville with Toddlers

Nashville has lots of family-friendly attractions, but it can still be difficult to find activities that toddlers will enjoy.

As a local mom, I’ve checked out tons of attractions for kids in Nashville, and I’ve put together a list of all the best places to bring toddlers. I’ll tell you about popular spots like the Nashville Zoo as well as lesser known places that are surprisingly perfect for toddlers.

And, don’t worry, there’s plenty to entertain the entire family at all of these places!

13 Best Things to Do in Nashville with Toddlers

Tennessee State Museum Children’s Gallery

Discover the different parts of Tennessee at this interactive space designed for children. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (615) 741-2692 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Tue-Sat, 1 – 5 pm Sun, Closed Mondays | Entrance: Free 

The Tennessee State Museum was already one of my favorite free attractions in Nashville, but I visit it even more often now that I have a toddler. The museum has an excellent Children’s Gallery with stations representing different parts of the state and its history. 

Children can play at the train table in the Chattanooga section, make music in the Memphis section, and even pretend to run a Farmers’ Market. There’s also a story time in the gallery twice a week. 

The Children’s Gallery is designed for ages 3-8, but I’ve seen even younger children playing there, too. It’s not a huge space, which means that there is just enough to hold a toddler’s attention without it being overwhelming. 

Nashville Public Library – Main Library

Watch a puppet show, listen to a story, climb a rock wall, and much more at the Downtown Nashville Public Library.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (615) 862-5800 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 6 pm Mon-Fri, 9 am – 5 pm Sat, 2 – 5 pm Sun | Entrance: Free 

⚠️ Closure Note: This attraction is temporarily closed.

Most libraries have activities for toddlers, but the Main Library in Downtown Nashville is especially nice. The children’s area on the second floor is huge! Besides kid’s books and media, there’s a play area designed to look like the Nashville skyline plus a small rock climbing wall.

Each week, the library hosts multiple story times for both babies and toddlers. It’s also worth checking the schedule for the puppet show by Wishing Chair Products. There’s also sometimes a craft time following the puppet show.

If you want to extend your visit, I suggest packing a snack or a lunch and eating it outside in the library courtyard. Don’t forget to validate your parking, and remember the parking garage is only free for the first 90 minutes.

Fannie Mae Dees Park

Discover for yourself why the “Dragon Park” is a local favorite!

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (615) 862-8400 | Hours: 5 am – 10 pm daily | Entrance: Free

The giant mosaic dragon in Fannie Mae Dees Park has made the “dragon park” a family favorite for years. The park has recently been renovated, and I think it’s even more fun for little ones now. In fact, the park made my list of the top parks in Nashville!

The playground has a section specifically for toddlers with two smaller pieces of play equipment, a slide, and a merry-go-round. The park is pretty busy on the weekends, so it’s nice that there’s an area for toddlers out of the way of the bigger kids.

Note that parking is extremely limited here, so you’ll have to find street parking unless you get lucky. I’ve yet to snag a parking spot in the park itself.

Shelby Bottoms Nature Play Area

An outdoor area where toddlers can play in the sand, explore nature, and use their imaginations.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 6 am – 9 pm daily | Entrance: Free

The Shelby Bottoms Nature Play Area is fun for all ages, but it’s especially nice for toddlers because you don’t have to worry about them falling off play equipment. The play area encourages children to use their imaginations and also get dirty while playing in the sand, turning on the fountain, and building with natural materials.

My daughter would spend all day playing in the sand here if she could. The Nature Center and the Shelby Bottoms Greenway are also next to the play area if you have more time to explore. Shelby Bottoms is located in East Nashville, one of my favorite neighborhoods in the city.

The nature play area is currently undergoing renovations during the 2024/2025 winter season. It is expected to open again in spring 2025.

Donelson Library Branch

One of Nashville’s newest library buildings with a great children’s area!

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (615) 862-5859 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 8 pm Mon-Thu, 10 am – 6 pm Fri, 10 am – 5 pm Sat, 2 – 5 pm Sun | Entrance: Free

Another library that is particularly nice for toddlers is the Donelson Library Branch. The Donelson Library reopened in a new building in 2024, and it has a lot of great features.

You can park in the parking garage directly below the building and take the elevator right up to the children’s floor. I like not having to worry about my car being too hot in the summer while I’m trying to buckle in multiple kids.

The children’s section has a great selection of books along with toys kids can play with. Toddlers can build with Legos, put together puzzles, color, play with puppets, and more. There’s also a computer work station with an enclosed play area attached where you can use the computer while your toddler plays. 

Opry Mills Mall

A huge mall that’s filled with interesting things for everyone in the family.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (615) 514-1000 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 8 pm Mon-Sat, 11 am – 7 pm Sun | Entrance: Free

The Opry Mills Mall is the largest outlet shopping center in Nashville, and there’s plenty there to entertain everyone. Toddlers can have fun riding the carousel near the food court. They’ll enjoy visiting the Lego store and Build-A-Bear, too.

I like to take my toddler to Bass Pro Shop to see the fish and to the Lionel Train Store to watch the model trains go around the tracks. There’s a play area for little ones in the mall, but it isn’t my favorite because some of the things kids can climb on are a little high. You might not be as concerned depending on your toddler’s age and size.

The Opry Mills Mall is good for when you need somewhere indoors for your toddler to walk around that isn’t completely geared towards kids. For even more shopping options, check out my entire guide to Nashville’s best malls.

Nashville Zoo

See the animals, meet the kangaroos, ride on the carousel, and play on the playground at the Nashville Zoo.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (615) 833-1534 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 6 pm daily | Entrance: $21 – 28 adults, $12 – 24 ages 2-12, Free under 2 

Curious toddlers will love seeing the animals at the Nashville Zoo. You can get up close to certain animals including the kangaroos and visit a petting zoo area with goats and alpacas. 

The playground at the zoo is very cool, but the toddler section is still being renovated. Toddlers may also enjoy some of the zoo’s attractions that require an additional fee like the Wilderness Express Train ($2), the Wild Animal Carousel ($2), and Lorikeet Landing ($2).

The zoo is easy to navigate with a stroller. There are strollers available to rent at the zoo if you’re traveling without one.

Warner Park Nature Play Area

Watch your toddler (safely) run wild in nature at this unique play area.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (615) 862-8555 | Website | Hours: Dawn – 11 pm daily | Entrance: Free 

The Warner Nature Play Area is similar to the Shelby Bottoms Nature Play Area, but it’s located on the west side of the city. Toddlers can play in the mud and sand plus there are even more fun materials like bamboo that kids can use. It’s really enjoyable to watch how creative your kids can be here.

Besides natural materials, the play area also has a cabin and a slide. If you have the time, you can pack a lunch and eat it at the picnic tables or head inside the Warner Park Nature Center to learn more about the plants and animals in the area.

Adventure Science Center

This hands-on science museum isn’t only for the big kids!

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (615) 862-5160 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 3 pm Mon, Thu, Fri, 9 am – 5 pm Sat-Sun, Closed Tue & Wed | Entrance: $22 adults, $18 ages 2-12, Free under 2

The Adventure Science Center is an interactive learning space with something for everyone including younger kids. The center has an area designed just for toddlers with activities like a light table and building blocks. Each week, there is an Early Explorers Story Time for ages 5 and under featuring a book and a fun activity.

Some toddlers may also enjoy other parts of the museum. The BodyQuest exhibit in particular is fascinating for little ones. It has an ambulance kids can explore and a water table that shows how blood runs through the body.

Just be aware that you might want to avoid the Adventure Tower if your toddler is hard to keep up with. While they won’t get lost, it can be nerve-wracking to see your child disappear into the tunnels and slides without knowing exactly where they’ll come out.

Tennessee Agricultural Museum

Learn about the history of agriculture in Tennessee and play with some cool farm-related children’s toys, too.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (615) 837-5197 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 4 pm Mon-Fri, Closed Sat & Sun | Entrance: Free

The Tennessee Agricultural Museum is one of my favorite underrated free things to do in the city. The museum tells the history of farming in Tennessee, but it gets a spot on this list because there’s an area with farm-related books and toys right near the entrance.

The museum has been pretty empty every time that I’ve visited, so it’s perfect for toddlers who find more crowded places overstimulating. It’s a nice way to get out of the house if you live in Nashville or to fit in some play time if you’re visiting.

The Discovery Center

This interactive children’s museum is worth the drive to Murfreesboro for a morning of educational fun.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (615) 890-2300 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Mon-Sat, 12-5 pm Sun | Entrance: $12 adults & children, Free under 2 

The Discovery Center is a children’s museum located outside of Nashville in Murfreesboro. While it is about a 40 minute drive from Downtown Nashville, it’s worth the drive. The center has an area just for toddlers called Tiny Town that lets kids play pretend while also learning.

On some Mondays and Tuesdays, the center hosts a program called SPARKS designed specifically for ages 1-6. This is a hands-on STEAM learning experience led by staff.

If you’re visiting on a weekday, I’d suggest calling ahead to find out if there are any field trips scheduled because the center isn’t super large.

📚 Related Reading: Day Trips from Nashville

Kidsville at the Parthenon

Listen to a story and enjoy fun, regularly scheduled activities at Nashville’s replica of the Parthenon.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 10:30 am – 11:45 am Select Saturdays | Entrance: Free for families with kids 12 and under

The Centennial Park Conservancy puts on over 100 free events for kids in the park and around Nashville each year, including their regular Kidsville at the Parthenon event. This event, which occurs most Saturdays, allows kids 12 and under and their families to enter the Parthenon for free to listen to a story and try out the different related activities.

My daughter was too young to sit through the story the first time we attended, but there are some activities like blocks that even young toddlers can enjoy. I love that Kidsville at the Parthenon introduces kids to all kinds of concepts from science to art and music throughout the year.

Lane Motor Museum

The whole family can enjoy this vintage car museum since it has a designated play area for younger children.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (615) 742-7445 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Thu-Mon, Closed Tue-Wed | Entrance: $10 adults, Discounts for children and seniors, Free ages 5 & under

The Lane Motor Museum might seem like an unusual place to bring children, especially since they aren’t allowed to touch the unique collection of cars on display. However, the museum is actually a popular spot for families thanks to the children’s area. Here kids can climb in cars, color, and play with toy cars on a giant rug that looks like city streets. 

Plus, since an adult ticket only costs $10 and entrance is free for kids 5 and under, the Lane Motor Museum is one of the more reasonably priced attractions in Nashville.

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Thanks for reading my guide on things to do in Nashville with toddlers! Make sure to check out my suggestions for where to stay in Nashville next.