Located in central Kentucky, Lexington is a family-friendly city that has plenty of activities for children. Known as the Horse Capital of the World, Lexington offers both equine and nonequine activities for families to enjoy. Lexington is a day's drive for two-thirds of the population of the United States, according to the Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau, meaning families from other locations can enjoy the city's kid-friendly activities.
Located in the heart of downtown, the Explorium of Lexington is a children's museum that has enough activities for a day's worth of entertainment. The museum offers several permanent exhibits, including Healthy Bodies, which teaches kids about nutrition; Photo Booth of the Future; Passport to the World and a flight simulator. The museum also offers art classes and summer camp for kids to enjoy. In addition, the Explorium holds special events throughout the year, such as a Super Hero Workshop, where kids can create their super hero costumes at the museum, and a Patriotic Pinwheels event, where children build red, white and blue pinwheels.
Explorium of Lexington
440 W. Short St.
Lexington, KY 40507
859-258-3253
explorium.com
Children can enjoy the outdoors at Jacobson Park on the south side of Lexington. This 216-acre public park offers a number of amenities for children to use. Kids can get their energy out at the creative playground, which includes tunnels, ramps and bridges to promote active play. Older children can shoot hoops on the basketball court or play volleyball on one of the park's four volleyball courts. Kids can visit Jacobson Park Marina, where they rent paddle boats and take to the water. Families who like to fish can throw a line in the park's lake. Or, rent one of the park's shelters, complete with picnic tables and electricity, for a family picnic.
Jacobson Park
4001 Athens-Boonesboro Road
Lexington, KY 40509
859-425-2255
lexingtonky.gov
Activities at the Kentucky Horse Park, home to the 2010 World Equestrian Games, teach children about horses. Kids over the age of 7 can enjoy a 35-minute horseback ride through the park. Younger children can ride ponies at the park's pony paddock. Horseback rides, as well as horse-drawn trolley rides, are available from March to October. Kids can brush up on their horse knowledge by watching the parade of breeds twice daily, where the park debuts the 24 breeds of horses living there. The Kentucky Horse Park also hosts birthday parties at its birthday pavilion for a rental fee.
Kentucky Horse Park
4089 Iron Works Parkway
Lexington, KY 40511
859-233-4303
kyhorsepark.com
