Kids sports and classes around Charlotte

Hours, prices and seasonal dates change often — always check the official website before you go. Info last reviewed November 2026.

• U.S. National Whitewater Center

  Paid

  Charlotte, NC

  SeasonalHikingSports

  Huge outdoor adventure park on the Catawba River. Warm months: whitewater rafting, ziplines, climbing, ropes courses, Wildwoods family play area and 50+ miles of trails. Winter at Whitewater (mid-Nov to mid-Feb): the Southeast's largest outdoor ice rink (24,000 sq ft), a free illuminated Winter Trail, Highland cows, a Christmas tree lot and night zips.

  Free entry; parking $13/vehicle. All Access Day Pass $79; Wildwoods pass $18; ice skating $25 incl. rentals

  Good to know: The Winter Trail and trails are free with parking.

  Year-roundVisit official site for U.S. National Whitewater Center (opens in a new tab)

• Carolina Harbor Waterpark (at Carowinds)

  Paid

  Charlotte / Fort Mill, NC/SC

  WaterSeasonalSports

  Carowinds' outdoor waterpark: thrill slides, a 400,000-gallon wave pool, Boogie Racers and big kids' splash areas. Seasonal (opens late May).

  Included with Carowinds tickets (tickets from about $40)

  Visit official site for Carolina Harbor Waterpark (at Carowinds) (opens in a new tab)

• Ray's Splash Planet

  Paid

  Charlotte, NC

  WaterRainy daySports

  Mecklenburg County's indoor water park uptown: 3-story Blue Comet slide, lazy river, Saturation Station kids' play structure, beach entry and lap lanes. Open Fri evenings and weekends.

  Low-cost county admission

  Year-roundVisit official site for Ray's Splash Planet (opens in a new tab)

• iFLY Indoor Skydiving Charlotte

  Paid

  Concord, NC

  Rainy dayBirthdaysSports

  Indoor skydiving wind tunnel near Concord Mills; kids as young as 3 can fly with an instructor.

  Year-roundVisit official site for iFLY Indoor Skydiving Charlotte (opens in a new tab)

• Sports Connection

  Paid

  Charlotte, NC

  Rainy dayBirthdaysSports

  Big family entertainment center in Ballantyne: bowling, laser tag, ropes course, rock climbing, bumper cars and arcade.

  Year-roundVisit official site for Sports Connection (opens in a new tab)

• Adventure Air Sports Rock Hill

  Paid

  Rock Hill, SC

  Rainy dayBirthdaysSports

  Trampoline park with the area's largest ninja course, foam pits, flying trapeze and dunk zone.

  Year-roundVisit official site for Adventure Air Sports Rock Hill (opens in a new tab)

• Carolina Ninja Academy

  Paid

  Huntersville, NC

  Rainy dayBirthdaysSports

  Indoor ninja/parkour gym with open-play passes and kids' classes.

  Year-roundVisit official site for Carolina Ninja Academy (opens in a new tab)

• Stars & Strikes Concord

  Paid

  Concord, NC

  Rainy dayBirthdaysSports

  Bowling, laser tag, arcade and bumper cars.

  Year-roundVisit official site for Stars & Strikes Concord (opens in a new tab)

• Extreme Ice Center

  Paid

  Indian Trail, NC

  Rainy daySeasonalBirthdaysSports

  Indoor ice rink with public skating sessions year-round.

  Year-roundVisit official site for Extreme Ice Center (opens in a new tab)

• Pineville Ice House

  Paid

  Pineville, NC

  Rainy daySeasonalBirthdaysSports

  Indoor ice rink with public skate sessions and learn-to-skate classes.

  Year-roundVisit official site for Pineville Ice House (opens in a new tab)

• SouthTown Wake Park

  Paid

  Rock Hill, SC

  WaterSeasonalSports

  Cable wakeboarding and inflatable aqua park on man-made lakes — good summer splurge for older kids.

  Visit official site for SouthTown Wake Park (opens in a new tab)

• YMCA of Greater Charlotte

  Paid

  Charlotte, NC

  SportsRainy day

  The YMCA of Greater Charlotte offers children's swim lessons, from parent-child Swim Starters through Swim Basics and Swim Strokes, plus day camps and gymnastics at some branches.

  Membership or program fees — see the official site.

  Good to know: Check the official camp page for camp ages and dates.

  Year-roundVisit official site for YMCA of Greater Charlotte (opens in a new tab)

• Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation Camps and Classes

  Paid

  Charlotte, NC

  Sports

  Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation offers camps, swimming, sports and other classes at parks and rec centers countywide, including Ray's Splash Planet.

  Program fees vary — see the official activities page.

  Good to know: Register and check current ages, dates and fees on the official activities page.

  Year-roundVisit official site for Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation Camps and Classes (opens in a new tab)