When you have children of different ages, it can be difficult to find activities that are fun for the whole family. Some child-focused attractions may be aimed towards younger children and may not have much to offer for children in their teens or tweens. Others may be more appropriate for teenagers and adults, but young children may feel like they are out of their depth.
We’ve compiled a list of family-friendly attractions in Maryland that have activities appropriate for all age groups, from young toddlers to older teenagers. They may not be one-size-fits-all, but they have enough unique offerings to satisfy any guest.
Amusement Parks
Amusement parks aren’t just about scary roller coasters and thrilling drop towers. There are still plenty of those, of course—Jolly Roger Amusement Park has the first cart coaster in the world—but they may not be everyone’s speed.
In addition to more standard outdoor amusement parks, trampoline parks have also gained popularity over the past few years. These add an exercise-based component to the fun, as kids can jump, climb and play games like dodgeball. They’re also indoors, so there’s no chance of a rainy day spoiling a long-awaited trip.
• Adventure Park USA, Monrovia
• Altitude Trampoline Park, Delmar
• Get Air Trampoline Park – Glen Burnie, Curtis Bay
• Jolly Roger Amusement Park, Ocean City
• K&K Adventure Park, Prince Frederick
• Six Flags America, Bowie
• Sky Zone Trampoline Park, 8 locations throughout Maryland
• Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park, 4 locations throughout Maryland
Arcades
Arcades used to be a common place for kids and teens to hang out, but many of them have closed their doors thanks to the emergence of home console gaming. Even so, some newer arcades have opened to fill the void, while others have continued to operate even as home gaming becomes more popular.
Dave & Buster’s has always been a popular party destination because of its ticket-based games, which offer players the opportunity to take home prizes. Round1 locations have started popping up in recent years, with the arcade chain offering less-common genres like rhythm games, fighting games and Japanese-only cabinets. If you’re looking for something to remind you of the games of your youth, though, try Spinners Pinball Arcade and its collection of retro pinball and party games.
• Dave & Buster’s, four locations throughout Maryland
• GamePlay, Glen Burnie
• Fourth Dimension Fun Center, Frederick
• K1 Speed, Jessup and Essex
• Main Event, Columbia
• Nightwing’s Gaming Loft, Forestville
• Players Fun Zone, Westminster
• Round1, Towson
• Spinners Pinball Arcade (temporarily closed, opening 2025), Frederick
• Stratosphere Social, Eldersburg
• Tilt Studio, Hagerstown
• Token, Edgewater
Bowling
Bowling has always been a popular family activity. It’s fun for all ages, and with the addition of tools like ramps and bumpers, it’s accessible for young children and people with disabilities as well.
Most bowling alleys primarily offer tenpin bowling, but there are still a scant few that specialize in duckpin bowling, like Patterson Pins. Duckpin bowling features larger pins and a smaller ball, making it more difficult for players to get a strike.
• Annapolis Bowl, Annapolis
• Bowlero Columbia, Columbia
• Crofton Bowling Centre, Crofton
• Patterson Pins, Baltimore
• Greenway Bowl, Odenton
• Pinstripes, North Bethesda
Mini Golf
Golfing has always been a popular activity, but it’s not especially accessible to children and can be an expensive affair. Mini golf offers a more bite-sized golfing experience while still presenting a challenge.
Themed mini golf courses are especially popular, spicing up the standard experience with special obstacles and décor. Play a prehistoric game with dinosaurs at Jurassic Golf and Arcade, or try the spooky, glow-in-the-dark black light courses of Monster Mini Golf and Scary Strokes.
• Bohrer Park, Gaithersburg
• Fun Haven Golf, La Plata
• Jurassic Golf and Arcade, Bel Air
• Laurel Golf Center, Laurel
• Monster Mini Golf, 3 locations throughout Maryland
• Mountain Run Mini Golf, Fallston
• Perry Hall Mini Golf/Snowballs, Nottingham
• Putter’s Paradise, Laurel
• Scary Strokes, Waldorf
• Watkins Antique Carousel, Kettering
Roller Skating
Roller Skating is another fun family activity that offers an opportunity for physical exercise. It’s easy to work up a sweat going around the roller rink, and indoor skating can be safer than skating outside on the street.
Many roller rinks host themed nights where they play special music and encourage skaters to dress up, such as ’80s nights.
• Coppermine Sportsman’s Hall Roller Skating Center, Upperco
• Laurel Roller Skating Center, Laurel
• Skateland North Point, Dundalk
• Skate Zone, Crofton
• Wheels Skating Center, Odenton
Water Parks
Not afraid to get wet? Water parks are a great way to beat the heat in the summer, with indoor water parks available when it’s too cold to go to a beach or outdoor pool.
Water parks might bring to mind long, twisting slides, but for younger children and those who just want to go with the flow for a bit, there are lazy rivers, wave pools and water playgrounds to enjoy.
• Great Wolf Lodge Water Park, Perryville
• North Arundel Aquatic Center, Glen Burnie
• Splashwater Falls, Bowie
• Splash Mountain Water Park, Ocean City
• Outdoors Frontier Town Water Park, Berlin
Heather M. Ross contributed to this article.
