GUIDE Memphis · Bluff City

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

Memphis is an easy city with little kids: a children’s museum built for them, a big zoo in Overton Park, a riverfront park and one of the biggest city parks in the country.

Around town15 spots · checked Oct 18

The Memphis 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 $$

Central BBQ

Downtown, 147 E. Butler Ave. (plus Midtown and more)

A Memphis barbecue favorite with pulled pork, ribs and sides, and counter service that’s easy with kids.

Menu prices

Kids’ meals $7.30 (with a side, a snack and a drink)
Pulled pork plate $15.10

Good for: A casual barbecue lunch with easy sides for picky eaters.

Skip if: you need a quiet room; it gets busy at mealtimes.

Downtown: daily 11am–9pmSite ↗ for Central BBQ

Report a problem

Huey’s

Midtown, 1927 Madison Ave. (plus other locations)

A Memphis burger chain known for its toothpick-covered ceilings, with a kids’ menu.

Menu prices

Kids’ meals $6.95 (with ice cream and a side)
Burgers ~$9–$11

Good for: Burgers and fries with toothpicks to spot on the ceiling.

Skip if: you want a fast in-and-out; it’s sit-down service.

Midtown kitchen: Sun–Thu 11am–midnight · Fri–Sat 11am–12:30amSite ↗ for Huey’s

Report a problem

Arcade Restaurant

South Main Arts District, 540 S. Main St.

Memphis’ oldest café: eggs, biscuits and gravy, sweet potato pancakes, pizzas and sandwiches.

Good for: An early breakfast downtown, every day from 7am.

Skip if: you want dinner; it closes at 3pm.

Daily 7am–3pmSite ↗ for Arcade Restaurant

Report a problem

Featured partnerThis spot is open.Run a place in Memphis 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 indoors4 spots2 free

$20per child (1+)

Children’s Museum of Memphis

Midtown, 2525 Central Ave.

Hands-on exhibits for little kids, with the H2Oh! splash park and Dino Dig in summer. Closed Mondays.

Tickets

Adults $20
Younger than 1 free

Ages 1–100 pay the same price

Good for: Tue–Sun 9am–5pm

Skip if: you come on a Monday, when it’s closed.

Tue–Sun 9am–5pmSite ↗ for Children’s Museum of Memphis

Report a problem

Free

Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid

Downtown, 1 Bass Pro Dr.

The giant downtown pyramid is a store with big fish tanks and an indoor swamp to wander. Walking in is free.

Good for: A free rainy-hour wander to see the fish and the swamp.

Skip if: you were hoping to skip the store; it is a store.

Site ↗ for Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid

Report a problem

Free

Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library

East Memphis, 3030 Poplar Ave.

The main library, with weekly baby, toddler, preschool and sensory storytimes.

Good for: Free storytimes most weekday mornings.

Skip if: you go on a weekend morning without checking the calendar.

Site ↗ for Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library

Report a problem

$16; siblings $14per child

We Rock the Spectrum Memphis

Cordova, 2362 N. Germantown Pkwy., Suite 101

A sensory-friendly gym built for kids of all abilities.

Good for: A calmer play session for a kid who gets overwhelmed in big play places.

Skip if: you don’t have socks for the grown-ups; they’re required (sold on site).

Open play schedule posted onlineSite ↗ for We Rock the Spectrum Memphis

Report a problem

Featured partnerThis spot is open.Run a place in Memphis 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.

5 spots4 free

East MemphisFree

Shelby Farms Park

One of the country’s largest urban parks, with the Woodland Discovery Playground, a lake and the bison herd.

Good for: A free playground and lots of room to run.

Skip if: you’re short on time; it’s big and takes a while to cross.

Park open daily, sunrise to sunset · Woodland Discovery Playground daily 9am until an hour before sunsetSite ↗ for Shelby Farms Park

Report a problem

Downtown riverfrontFree

Tom Lee Park

A rebuilt riverfront park on the Mississippi with play areas and big lawns.

Good for: Free riverfront play right downtown.

Skip if: it’s a hot, sunny afternoon; bring water.

Site ↗ for Tom Lee Park

Report a problem

5992 Quince Rd.$

Lichterman Nature Center

More than three miles of trails, a Backyard Wildlife Center with over 50 native species, a lake viewing area with an alligator snapping turtle, the Discovery Forest nature-play area and a Nature Nook with puzzles and books.

Good for: Nature play in the Discovery Forest, then the turtles.

Skip if: it’s Monday or Tuesday; it’s open Wednesday to Sunday.

Wed–Sun 10:30am–5pmSite ↗ for Lichterman Nature Center

Report a problem

Overton ParkFree

Rainbow Lake Playground (Overton Park)

An adventure playground with a Big Green Mound, a hollow-tree tunnel and slide, swings, a merry-go-round and shaded picnic tables for grown-ups. The park’s East Parkway Playground has classic swings and slides.

Tickets

Free

Good for: A shady playground morning.

Skip if: you want a fenced toddler area; check the layout first.

Site ↗ for Rainbow Lake Playground (Overton Park)

Report a problem

Mud IslandFree

Mud Island River Park

Walk a scale model of the Mississippi River from its mouth to the Gulf of Mexico, then take a photo with the 50-foot MEMPHIS sign and the skyline.

Good for: A stroller walk along the river model.

Skip if: it’s hot and sunny midday; plan for shade breaks.

Daily 7am–5pm in winter · 7am–7pm the rest of the yearSite ↗ for Mud Island River Park

Report a problem

Featured partnerThis spot is open.Run a place in Memphis 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.

3 spots1 free

Memphis Zoo

Overton Park, 2000 Prentiss Pl.

A big zoo in Overton Park. Tennessee residents get in free on Tuesdays with an advance reservation.

Good for: Free Tuesdays for Tennessee residents (book ahead).

Skip if: you show up on a free Tuesday without a reservation.

Daily 9am–5pm this fall · last admission 4pmSite ↗ for Memphis Zoo

Report a problem

Dixon Gallery & Gardens

Free

4339 Park Ave.

An art museum with gardens to wander in every season. Admission is now free, for good.

Tickets

Free admission

Good for: A free garden stroll with a baby in the carrier.

Skip if: it’s Monday; it’s closed.

Tue–Fri 10am–5pm (third Thursdays to 8pm) · Sat 10am–5pm · Sun 1–5pm · closed MonSite ↗ for Dixon Gallery & Gardens

Report a problem

Pink Palace Museum & Mansion

3050 Central Ave.

Memphis and Mid-South history in a pink marble mansion, with a Piggly Wiggly store replica where you can “shop like the old days” and the Clyde Parke Miniature Circus, which runs at set times.

Good for: Catching the miniature circus at 11am on a weekday.

Skip if: it’s Monday; it’s open Tuesday to Sunday.

Tue–Sun 10:30am–5pm · miniature circus Wed–Fri 11am, Sat 11am and 2pm, Sun 2pmSite ↗ for Pink Palace Museum & Mansion

Report a problem

Featured partnerThis spot is open.Run a place in Memphis 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 18, 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 Memphis without paying for admission. For free days, free events and this week’s free outings, see every free thing to do in Memphis.

Downtown, 1 Bass Pro Dr.Bass Pro Shops at the PyramidThe giant downtown pyramid is a store with big fish tanks and an indoor swamp to wander.FreeIndoor

East Memphis, 3030 Poplar Ave.Benjamin L. Hooks Central LibraryThe main library, with weekly baby, toddler, preschool and sensory storytimes.FreeIndoor

East MemphisShelby Farms ParkOne of the country’s largest urban parks, with the Woodland Discovery Playground, a lake and the bison herd.Free

Downtown riverfrontTom Lee ParkA rebuilt riverfront park on the Mississippi with play areas and big lawns.Free

Overton ParkRainbow Lake Playground (Overton Park)An adventure playground with a Big Green Mound, a hollow-tree tunnel and slide, swings, a merry-go-round and shaded picnic tables for grown-ups.Free

Mud IslandMud Island River ParkWalk a scale model of the Mississippi River from its mouth to the Gulf of Mexico, then take a photo with the 50-foot MEMPHIS sign and the skyline.Free

4339 Park Ave.Dixon Gallery & GardensAn art museum with gardens to wander in every season.Free

Littlest explorers

Best for under 3s

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

Midtown, 2525 Central Ave.Children’s Museum of MemphisUnder 1 free, with plenty for toddlers.$20 eachYounger than 1 freeIndoor

East Memphis, 3030 Poplar Ave.Benjamin L. Hooks Central LibraryBaby and toddler storytimes most weeks.FreeIndoor

Every week

Library storytimes

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

Weekly at 9 locations; Monday–Friday, mostly mornings, plus an evening session

Memphis Public Libraries

Free baby, toddler, preschool and sensory storytimes at Central Library and branches across the city.

Schedule ↗

Babies and 1-year-olds

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

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

Tuesdays at 10:15am · Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library

Babies and Books (ages 0-18 months) · Memphis Public Libraries

Birth to 18 months. Come join us for storytime for caregivers and babies up to 18 months old.

Storytime calendar ↗

Mondays at 10:30am · Raleigh Library

Baby Story Time · Memphis Public Libraries

Storytime calendar ↗

Babies get in free

Children’s Museum of Memphis

Younger than 1 free

Admission page ↗

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 MemphisBreakfast with Santa, Santa photos and Santa trains, with 2026 prices

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

This week

What’s on this week in Memphis

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

See all 25 this week →

Good questions

Things to do with toddlers in Memphis: the FAQ

Is the Children’s Museum of Memphis good for toddlers?

Yes. It’s built for little kids, babies under 1 get in free, and it’s open Tuesday through Sunday.

When is the Memphis Zoo free?

Tennessee residents get free admission on Tuesdays, with an advance reservation (up to six tickets each).

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

The Children’s Museum, the Pyramid and Central Library are all indoors.

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

Children’s Museum of Memphis: Under 1 free, with plenty for toddlers. Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library: Baby and toddler storytimes most weeks. See best for under 3s.

Where are the free storytimes in Memphis?

Memphis Public Libraries: Weekly at 9 locations; Monday–Friday, mostly mornings, plus an evening session. 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 Memphis weekly list.

How do you choose the places in the Memphis guide?

Every one of the 15 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 6 of them have checked admission or menu prices. The guide was last checked Oct 18, 2026. How we choose and check.

How much is Children’s Museum of Memphis for a toddler, and who gets in free?

Younger than 1 free; kids 1+: $20; adults: $20 (ages 1–100 pay the same price). We checked this on its official site on Oct 18, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you go.

More Littles Weekly