GUIDE Lexington · Horse Capital of the World

Things to do with toddlers and little kids in Lexington: the parent guide.

Lexington is horse country with toddler-sized extras: a children’s garden made for ages 2 to 6, a hands-on children’s museum downtown, a park with a sprayground and pedal boats, and the Kentucky Horse Park.

Around town12 spots · checked Oct 16

The Lexington places we go back to, again and again.

Not this week’s events, just the reliable stuff. Where to eat with a toddler, where to burn off energy when it rains, where to splash, what’s worth the admission, and where to spend a night without going far.

Eat

Kid-friendly restaurants

Places where a dropped fork is no big deal and nobody minds a little noise.

3 spotsMost $$

Joe Bologna’s

Downtown, near UK

Pizza, breadsticks and pasta on West Maxwell Street. The children’s menu (under 12) has spaghetti, grilled cheese and tenders, each with a drink.

Menu prices

Kids’ meals $8–$9
12-inch round to Sicilian pizzas $14–$20

Good for: Pizza and breadsticks with $8–$9 kids’ meals that include a drink.

Skip if: you’re eating out on a Monday; it’s closed.

Sat 11am–10pm · closed MonSite ↗ for Joe Bologna’s

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Ramsey’s Diner

Masterson Station and Zandale

A Lexington diner with breakfast served all day and dinner plates like country-fried pork chops with three veggie sides.

Menu prices

Dinner plates $18.95–$21.95

Good for: All-day breakfast for kids.

Skip if: you want a cheap dinner; plates run $18.95–$21.95.

Sat 10am–10pm (both locations)Site ↗ for Ramsey’s Diner

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Crank & Boom Craft Ice Cream

Distillery District and Clays Mill

Small-batch ice cream in two spots, open until 11 on Saturday nights at the Distillery District shop.

Good for: A late treat; the Distillery District shop is open until 11 on Saturdays.

Skip if: it’s already past bedtime.

Fri–Sat 12–11pm (Distillery District) · 12–10pm (Clays Mill)Site ↗ for Crank & Boom Craft Ice Cream

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Featured partnerThis spot is open.Run a place in Lexington that belongs in this section? One featured spot here is set aside for a local partner, and it’s always labeled.About featured spots →

Play

Indoor play and rainy days

For rainy mornings, cold afternoons and anyone who needs to run in circles for an hour.

All indoors2 spots1 free

$10per child (2+)

Lexington Children’s Museum

Downtown, 440 W. Short St.

Lexington’s hands-on children’s museum (formerly Explorium), with play spaces for kids and their grown-ups.

Tickets

Adults $10

$8 for 65+, teachers and military; $3 per person with SNAP or WIC

Good for: An after-nap stop at one flat $10 price; $3 per person with SNAP or WIC.

Skip if: you want a Monday or Sunday-morning visit; it’s closed Mondays and opens at 1pm Sundays.

Tue–Sat 10am–5pm · Sun 1–5pm · closed MonSite ↗ for Lexington Children’s Museum

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Free

Central Library

Downtown, 140 E. Main St.

The downtown library, with a STEAM lab and free children’s programs on the calendar.

Good for: A free children’s program and the STEAM lab.

Skip if: you need outdoor play; Jacobson Park has a sprayground.

Sat 9:30am–5pm · Sun 1–5pmSite ↗ for Central Library

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Featured partnerThis spot is open.Run a place in Lexington that belongs in this section? One featured spot here is set aside for a local partner, and it’s always labeled.About featured spots →

Splash & ride

Parks and outdoor play

Pools, fountains, zoos and theme parks: the big all-day outings.

4 spots3 free

Alumni Drive, by UK$

Kentucky Children’s Garden at The Arboretum

A garden made for kids 2 to 6, with water play and trains. The rest of the Arboretum is free and open dawn to dusk. Closed on UK home-game Saturdays (Oct. 24 next).

Tickets

Per person $4
Under 2 free

The Arboretum grounds are free

Good for: Ages 2 to 6 with water play and trains; under 2 is free and wristbands are $4.

Skip if: it’s a UK home-game Saturday, when it’s closed, or after Oct 31.

Wed–Sat 10am–5pm through Oct 31 (buy wristbands by 4pm)Site ↗ for Kentucky Children’s Garden at The Arboretum

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South of town, along the Kentucky RiverFree

Raven Run Nature Sanctuary

A 734-acre sanctuary with 10 miles of trails through meadows, woods and streams. It fills up on weekends, so go early.

Good for: Free trails, with a short paved Freedom Trail at the lot.

Skip if: you’re arriving late on a weekend; the gate closes when the lot fills.

Site ↗ for Raven Run Nature Sanctuary

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East Lexington, 4001 Athens-Boonesboro Rd.Free

Jacobson Park

A big lakeside park with pedal boats and kayaks, a fishing dock, a dog park and a sprayground.

Good for: A free sprayground and watching boats on the lake.

Skip if: it’s too cold for the sprayground.

Site ↗ for Jacobson Park

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Northwest LexingtonFree

McConnell Springs Park

A 26-acre natural area around the sinking springs where Lexington got its name in 1775.

Good for: A short, free loop around the springs.

Skip if: you want a playground.

Site ↗ for McConnell Springs Park

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Featured partnerThis spot is open.Run a place in Lexington that belongs in this section? One featured spot here is set aside for a local partner, and it’s always labeled.About featured spots →

Explore

Museums, zoos and big outings

Museums, animals and farm days that hold a little one’s attention.

1 spot

Kentucky Horse Park

North of town, off I-75

Meet retired champions at the Hall of Champions, ride the horse-drawn trolley and see breeds from around the world. Admission includes the next day free.

Tickets (last season)

Kids 5–17 $14
Adults 18+ $28
Ages 4 and under free

Main season Mar 18–Nov 8, 2026

Good for: The horse-drawn trolley; 4 and under are free and admission covers the next day.

Skip if: it’s a Tuesday, when it’s closed, or after Nov 8.

Main season through Nov 8: daily 9am–5pm · closed TueSite ↗ for Kentucky Horse Park

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Featured partnerThis spot is open.Run a place in Lexington that belongs in this section? One featured spot here is set aside for a local partner, and it’s always labeled.About featured spots →

Stay

Staycations and overnight trips

A night away without a long drive. New bed, same bedtime.

1 close to home1 a drive away

Downtown, Main Street$$$

21c Museum Hotel Lexington

A downtown hotel that doubles as a contemporary art museum, free to wander.

Good for: A downtown stay with free art to wander.

Skip if: you’re uneasy about contemporary art around a curious toddler.

Site ↗ for 21c Museum Hotel Lexington

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≈45 minutes · Harrodsburg$$$

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill

A restored Shaker village with a farm, trails and river, plus The Inn for an overnight stay.

Good for: A farm, trails and an inn about 45 minutes away.

Skip if: it’s Monday, when daily admission is closed.

Daily admission Tue–Sun 10am–5pmSite ↗ for Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill

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Featured partnerThis spot is open.Run a place in Lexington that belongs in this section? One featured spot here is set aside for a local partner, and it’s always labeled.About featured spots →

These don’t change week to week. Last checked Oct 16, 2026. Hours and prices change, so check the place’s own site before you go. Know a spot we missed? Tell us at hello@littlesweekly.com.

No ticket needed

Free things to do

Where a family can go in Lexington without paying for admission. For free days, free events and this week’s free outings, see every free thing to do in Lexington.

Downtown, 140 E. Main St.Central LibraryThe downtown library, with a STEAM lab and free children’s programs on the calendar.FreeIndoor

South of town, along the Kentucky RiverRaven Run Nature SanctuaryA 734-acre sanctuary with 10 miles of trails through meadows, woods and streams.Free

East Lexington, 4001 Athens-Boonesboro Rd.Jacobson ParkA big lakeside park with pedal boats and kayaks, a fishing dock, a dog park and a sprayground.Free

Northwest LexingtonMcConnell Springs ParkA 26-acre natural area around the sinking springs where Lexington got its name in 1775.Free

Littlest explorers

Best for under 3s

Free or cheap for babies and toddlers, and easy with a stroller.

Downtown, 440 W. Short St.Lexington Children’s MuseumPlay spaces built for little kids and their grown-ups.$10 eachIndoor

Alumni Drive, by UKKentucky Children’s Garden at The ArboretumDesigned for ages 2 to 6, and under-2s are free.Kids $4Under 2 free

Downtown, 140 E. Main St.Central LibraryFree children’s programs.FreeIndoor

Every week

Library storytimes

Recurring and free. Times change by branch, so check the calendar.

Weekly at 6 locations; Monday–Friday, mostly mornings, plus some evening sessions

Lexington Public Library

Free storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers at Central Library and branches around town.

Schedule ↗

Weekly at the Jessamine County Public Library; Monday–Wednesday

Jessamine County Public Library

Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include Mother Goose Storytime (Mondays 10:30am) and Family Storytime (Tuesdays 10:30am).

Schedule ↗

Weekly at 2 locations; Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, mostly mornings

Scott County Public Library

Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include Baby Story Time (up to 24 months) (Mondays 9:30am, Scott County Public Library) and Toddler (24-36mos) Storytime (Mondays 10:30am, Scott County Public Library), with more at Off Site.

Schedule ↗

Babies and 1-year-olds

With a baby or a 1-year-old in Lexington

Baby storytimes, places where babies get in free, and where to change and feed. For rainy days, see indoor play places; for zero-cost ideas, see free things to do.

Baby and lap-sit storytimes

Wednesdays at 11am · Beaumont Branch

Baby Storytime · Lexington Public Library

Birth to 18 months. Enjoy songs, bounces, stories, and social time for babies and their caregivers.

Storytime calendar ↗

Tuesdays at 11am · Central Library

Baby Storytime · Lexington Public Library

Birth to 18 months. Enjoy songs, bounces, stories, and social time for babies and their caregivers.

Storytime calendar ↗

Mondays at 11am · Eastside Branch

Baby Storytime · Lexington Public Library

Birth to 18 months. Enjoy songs, bounces, stories, and social time for babies and their caregivers.

Storytime calendar ↗

Tuesdays at 10:30am · Jessamine County Public Library

Family Storytime · Jessamine County Public Library

Birth to 5 years. This storytime is for families with children 0–5 years old.

Storytime calendar ↗

Mondays and Tuesdays at 9:30am · Scott County Public Library

Baby Story Time (up to 24 months) · Scott County Public Library

Babies and toddlers. Baby Storytime is Fun for babies and toddlers up to 24 mos.

Storytime calendar ↗

Babies get in free

Kentucky Children’s Garden at The Arboretum

Under 2 free

Admission page ↗

Changing tables and nursing rooms

Central Library

Every restroom has a changing table, and there are family restrooms on the first and second floors.

Official site ↗

By season

Seasonal spots

Santa visits and Christmas lights only run part of the year, so they have their own pages with this season’s dates and prices.

Santa in LexingtonBreakfast with Santa, Santa photos and Santa trains, with 2026 prices

Christmas lights in LexingtonDrive-thru and walk-through displays, start times and 2026 prices

This week

What’s on this week in Lexington

The guide is the evergreen list. Here’s what’s happening in Lexington right now.

See all 26 this week →

Good questions

Things to do with toddlers in Lexington: the FAQ

Is the Kentucky Horse Park good for toddlers?

Yes. Kids 4 and under are free, the horse-drawn trolley is a hit and your ticket covers the next day too.

What’s free for little kids in Lexington?

The Arboretum grounds, Jacobson Park, Raven Run, McConnell Springs and library storytimes are all free.

What can we do in Lexington with a toddler when it rains?

The Lexington Children’s Museum and Central Library are both downtown and indoors.

What’s good for babies and kids under 3 in Lexington?

Lexington Children’s Museum: Play spaces built for little kids and their grown-ups. Kentucky Children’s Garden at The Arboretum: Designed for ages 2 to 6, and under-2s are free. Central Library is also easy with a baby or toddler. Free for the littlest: Kentucky Horse Park (Ages 4 and under free). See best for under 3s.

Where are the free storytimes in Lexington?

Lexington Public Library: Weekly at 6 locations; Monday–Friday, mostly mornings, plus some evening sessions. Jessamine County Public Library: Weekly at the Jessamine County Public Library; Monday–Wednesday. Scott County Public Library: Weekly at 2 locations; Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, mostly mornings. Library storytimes don’t need a ticket, but times change by branch, so check the calendar first. See library storytimes, and this week’s dated sessions are on the Lexington weekly list.

How do you choose the places in the Lexington guide?

Every one of the 12 places is somewhere we’d take a baby, toddler or preschooler, with a note on who it suits and when to skip it. Prices, hours and menus come from each place’s own site, and 5 of them have checked admission or menu prices. The guide was last checked Oct 18, 2026. How we choose and check.

How much is the Lexington Children’s Museum for a toddler?

Kids 2+: $10; adults: $10 ($8 for 65+, teachers and military; $3 per person with SNAP or WIC). We checked this on its official site on Oct 17, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you go.

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