Kids' activities in Montgomery: the zoo, the riverfront splash pad, a Boundless Playground, free hands-on museum galleries and rainy-day picks indoors.

Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Facts come from each place’s own website or the City of Montgomery’s parks directory, linked below. City parks close at sundown; call ahead on holidays.

Montgomery’s best bets for children are the Montgomery Zoo, the riverfront splash pad, the Boundless Playground at Vaughn Road Park and two free hands-on galleries downtown and in Blount Cultural Park. When it rains, head indoors to the museums.

Who to call

  • City Parks and Recreation: 334-625-2300
  • Montgomery Zoo: 334-625-4900
  • Museum of Alabama: 334-242-4435
  • City 311: 334-625-4636

Animals and outdoors

Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum, 2301 Coliseum Parkway. The zoo is run by the city; hours and tickets are on its city page. This season it holds the HOWL-o-WEEN BASH from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 31 and the Christmas Lights Festival nightly Dec. 1-27.

Splash pad and Riverfront Park. The city’s splash pad is at 355 Coosa St., beside Riverfront Park’s lawn and the Riverwalk. The Montgomery Lions Club Children’s Sensory Trail, part of the Riverfront Greenway Trail, was designed for sight-impaired children with touch, sound and nature stations for all abilities.

Playgrounds

Park Address Why go
Vaughn Road Park 3620 Vaughn Road Boundless Playground, half-mile trail, vita course, tennis
Edward Thompson Park 1655 Ray Thorington Road Playground for children with sight impairments, ball fields
Buddy Watson Park 1801 Taylor Road Playground, walking trail, batting cages
Dannelly Park 3415 Carter Hill Drive Playground, basketball, ball fields
Cloverdale Road Park 3124 Cloverdale Road Playground and trail in a natural area
Gateway Park 3800 Davenport Drive Playgrounds, walking trails, lake

Sources: the city’s parks directory and the tourism office’s listings for Vaughn Road Park and Gateway Park. More parks are on our parks and trails page.

Rainy-day picks

  • Children’s Gallery, Museum of Alabama, 624 Washington Ave. Free. A limestone cave, an ecology wall, play spaces about how Alabamians lived and learned, and an interactive spacecraft. Open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday.
  • ArtWorks, Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, One Museum Drive. Free entry and parking; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
  • Rosa Parks Museum Children’s Wing, 220 Montgomery St. Its Cleveland Avenue Time Machine takes children back through history. Open weekdays and Saturday morning; closed Sunday. Ticketed.
  • Capri Theatre, 1045 E. Fairview Ave., the city’s independent cinema, sells child tickets for ages 12 and under. December brings The Muppet Christmas Carol.

Seasonal

  • Montgomery Biscuits baseball at DABOS Park, 200 Coosa St., returns in April.
  • Montgomery Whitewater, 1100 Maxwell Blvd., ended its 2026 season after Labor Day and is paused for winter maintenance.
  • Summer camps, pools and spring break ideas are on our summer and spring break pages.

More: free things to do, Halloween events and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a splash pad in Montgomery?

Yes. The city lists a splash pad at 355 Coosa St. on the riverfront, by Riverfront Park and the Riverwalk Amphitheater. Call Parks and Recreation at 334-625-2300.

Where is the Boundless Playground in Montgomery?

Vaughn Road Park, 3620 Vaughn Road, is a 21-acre park with a Boundless Playground, a half-mile walking trail, tennis courts and picnic shelters. It closes at sundown.

What can kids do on a rainy day in Montgomery?

Free options include the Children’s Gallery at the Museum of Alabama, 624 Washington Ave., and the ArtWorks gallery at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. The Rosa Parks Museum’s Children’s Wing is at 220 Montgomery St.

Where is the Montgomery Zoo?

The Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum are at 2301 Coliseum Parkway. Call 334-625-4900. This year it holds a daytime Halloween party on Oct. 31 and its Christmas Lights Festival Dec. 1-27.