Free story times at the Midlothian Library most weekday mornings, the new River City Sportsplex playground and splash pad, and rainy-day picks.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Program times come from the Chesterfield County Public Library calendar and park details from Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation, both linked below. Library programs change each season, so check the calendar the week you go.

Midlothian’s best free thing for small children is the library. The Midlothian Library on Millworks Crossing runs a story time almost every weekday morning, sorted by age. For running around, the county’s new park at River City Sportsplex has play areas built for three age groups and a splash pad, and the older parks along Robious and Courthouse roads still do the job.

Good to know

Story times at the Midlothian Library

From the library’s fall 2026 calendar. All are free; check each listing for registration.

Day Time Program Ages
Monday and Tuesday 10 a.m. Baby Story Time Babies
Wednesday and Thursday 10 a.m. Toddler Story Time Toddlers
Wednesday 11 a.m. Pop-in Playtime: Early Literacy Skills Toddlers and preschoolers
Friday 10 a.m. Pre-K Story Time Preschoolers

The library also runs Music and Movement, Reading Buddies, PUP READers (children reading to a registered therapy dog; register two weeks ahead), a Magic Tree House book club and a Saturday Family Story Time; see the calendar and filter by Midlothian. Next door, the Urban Farmhouse Market and Cafe, 13872 Coalfield Commons Place, has a children’s menu.

Nearby branches with their own story times include the Bon Air Library, with Pajama Story Time at 6:30 p.m. for ages 2 to 5, and the Clover Hill Library.

Playgrounds and splash pads

Park Address For kids
The Park at River City Sportsplex 13030 Genito Road Play areas by age, splash pad in season, family restrooms
Huguenot Park 10901 Robious Road A Playground for Katie and Friends, fitness trail
Robious Landing Park 3800 James River Road Playgrounds, picnic shelters, James River landing
Rockwood Park 3401 Courthouse Road Rockwood Nature Center, nature trails, orienteering
Mid-Lothian Mines Park 13301 N. Woolridge Road Pond boardwalk and mine ruins, 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The Park at River City Sportsplex opened in June 2026. The county built separate play areas for ages 2 to 5, 6 to 11 and 12 and up, plus an intergenerational space, mostly on poured rubber surfacing, a heron-themed destination playground, a game space for tweens and teens, an accessible climbing structure and a 2,000-square-foot splash pad that runs 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in season. Admission is free; picnic shelters are first come, first served. See our summer page for splash pad season.

Rainy-day picks

  • Children’s Museum of Richmond, Chesterfield, 6629 Lake Harbour Drive, Midlothian: hands-on exhibits including a Wegmans grocery store, a music exhibit and a harvest exhibit. Hours and tickets are on its site.
  • The Midlothian Library: free programs and a Saturday family story time.
  • Uptown Alley, 6101 Brad McNeer Parkway: bowling and billiards; it also holds family events, such as a Halloween party for young children on Oct. 24.
  • A movie: AMC Dine-In Midlothian 10 or Regal Westchester Commons.

Farther afield

  • Metro Richmond Zoo, 8300 Beaver Bridge Road, Moseley: open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sundays, with animal feedings, a train, a skylift and a ropes course.
  • Pocahontas State Park, 10301 State Park Road, Chesterfield: lakes, trails and a summer aquatic center; Virginia State Parks charges a daily parking fee.
  • Henricus Historical Park, 251 Henricus Park Road, Chester: the county’s 17th century living history site, with seasonal family events such as Historic Tricks, Treats and Tales in October.

County programs and camps

Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation lists children’s programs, holiday parties and school-break camps on its registration site. This fall’s include the free Stonebridge Winter Wonderland with pictures with Santa on Dec. 11; see our holiday lights page.

Frequently asked questions

When is story time at the Midlothian Library?

On the library’s fall 2026 calendar: Baby Story Time at 10 a.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, Toddler Story Time at 10 a.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, and Pre-K Story Time at 10 a.m. Fridays. Pop-in Playtime is at 11 a.m. Wednesdays.

What is the best playground in Midlothian?

The newest is at The Park at River City Sportsplex, 13030 Genito Road, opened in June 2026 with separate play areas for ages 2 to 5, 6 to 11 and 12 and up, a splash pad and family restrooms. It is free.

What can kids do in Midlothian on a rainy day?

The Children’s Museum of Richmond has a Chesterfield location at 6629 Lake Harbour Drive, Midlothian; the Midlothian Library runs free programs; and Uptown Alley on Brad McNeer Parkway has bowling.

Is there a nature center near Midlothian?

Yes. Rockwood Nature Center is in Rockwood Park, 3401 Courthouse Road, the county’s oldest park, which also has nature trails and an orienteering course.