TWINKLE, TWINKLE, LITTLE STAR
Lipscomb University Theater, Nashville
Friday, June 14 – Sunday, June 16
Nashville Children's Theatre presents this immersive, interactive Snuggery show for little kids.
FISHIN' ON THE FARM (REGISTER)
The Park at Harlinsdale Farm, Franklin
Friday, June 14
Poles and bait are supplied for this catch-and-release angling outing.
FUN HOME
Murfreesboro Little Theatre, Murfreesboro
Friday, June 14 – Sunday, June 16
Based on Alison Bechdel's graphic memoir, this musical follows her discovery of her own sexuality, her relationship with her gay father and her attempts to unlock the mysteries surrounding his life.
AMERICAN ARTISAN FESTIVAL
Centennial Park, Nashville
Friday, June 14 – Sunday, June 16
This highly curated art fair features contemporary American crafts and fine art from more than 150 artists from around the country. Plus, live music, children's art booths, Kidsville lawn games, food and more.
RED CABOOSE CONCERT SERIES
Red Caboose Park, Nashville
Friday, June 14
Bring blankets, lawn chairs and picnics, and enjoy live music by the Gamble Valley Troubadours.
SMYRNA STROKES:KIDS DAY (REGISTER)
Outdoor Adventure Center, Smyrna
Friday, June 14
Paint a watermelon during this outdoor class.
OWL PROWL (REGISTER)
Beaman Park Nature Center, Ashland City
Friday, June 14
Enjoy an evening hike throughout the park in search of owls.
5K & FAMILY GAMES
Fontanel, Nashville
Saturday, June 15
A 5K wooded trail race begins the day. Then, enjoy competitive family games, hot-air balloon rides, inflatables and more. Proceeds benefit the Family Foundation Fund.
MEET ME AT THE ZOO: HEROES AND HEROINES
Nashville Zoo, Nashville
Saturday, June 15
Kids can dress as their favorite hero or heroine and interact with a variety of costumed characters who will be hosting activities throughout the park.
FAMILY FUN DAY
The Hermitage, Nashville
Saturday, June 15
Enjoy old-fashioned lawn games and sports, make a kite to fly on the field, receive a balloon animal and more.
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
Bradley Academy Museum, Murfreesboro
Saturday, June 15
Games, kids' activities, food, art and music celebrating the abolition of slavery in the U.S.
LEARN TO JUGGLE (REGISTER)
Outdoor Adventure Center, Smyrna
Saturday, June 15
Learn how to juggle, from beginning basics to advanced techniques.
15TH ANNUAL JEFFERSON STREET JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, Nashville
Saturday, June 15
Local and national acts perform jazz, blues R&B and soul music. A free Children's Pavilion (12 – 3 p.m.) features inflatables, puppet shows, art and music workshops, and more.
BRENTFEST BIRTHDAY BASH
Crockett Park, Brentwood
Saturday, June 15
Celebrate Brentwood's 50th anniversary. Enjoy live music by Guilty Pleasures, Rock and Roll Pianos, and Tim Akyers and The Smoking Section, plus foods trucks a kids' zone and beer garden.
CIRQUE MUSICA: HEROES AND VILLAINS WITH THE NASHVILLE SYMPHONY
Ascend Amphitheater, Nashville
Saturday, June 15
This visual and musical spectacle features music from films including The Avengers, Superman, Star Wars and more, along with classical number's including Holst's The Planets.
SUMMER CRAFTS ON THE CONCRETE
Plaza Art, Nashville
Saturday, June 15
Enjoy an afternoon of interactive arts and crafts projects led by staff from Little Art House. Hattie Jane's Creamery will be on site selling scoops of ice cream, too.
MUSIC OF THE GRATEFUL DEAD FOR KIDS
City Winery, Nashville
Sunday, June 16
The Rock and Roll Playhouse presents a family concert featuring the music of Grateful Dead.
FATHER'S DAY CAMPFIRE (REGISTER)
Sharp Springs Park, Smyrna
Sunday, June 16
Gather 'round the campfire for games, music and s'mores.
MORE FAMILY FUN IDEAS THIS WEEKEND
SAMPLE THE WORLD'S LARGEST MOON PIE
Bell Buckle
One of the South's quirkiest — and most fun — events makes for a fun day trip away from Nashville. The annual RC Cola & Moon Pie Festival is a full day of free family fun featuring live music, a parade, games and sampling the world's biggest Moon Pie — it's GINORMOUS!
EXPLORE CLASSIC CARS
Cheekwood, Nashville
Cheekwood has a special happening on Sunday with it's Father's Day Classic Car Show. Dad can grab a beer or cocktail and have fun taking a gander at an array of vintage cars from local collections representing styles from the early to mid-20th century. There will be food trucks on site, bar stations, family activities and more. While you're there, have fun exploring the wildly cool Storybook Houses exhibit.
HANDS-ON KID FUN AT THE HALL
Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Nashville
Thanks to the museum's Community Counts initiative, all kids ages 18 and younger in Davidson and immediate surrounding counties get free admission — and up to two adults receive 25-percent off the regular $25.95 gate. Family programming at The Hall is bountiful, and this weekend is no exception. On Friday, there is a Musical Instrument Petting Zoo where children of all ages can bang drums, strum autoharps, pick banjos and explore event more instruments. On Friday and Saturday, kids of all ages can make their way to the Creative Zone drop-in program. Taking inspiration from country music's first African-American star, DeFord Bailey, kids can create and decorate harmonicas using household materials. On Saturday, ages 4 and older can Invent an Instrument using recycled household materials and their imagination.
DRIVE-IN DOUBLE FEATURES
Stardust Drive-In, Watertown
There's nothing quite like the nostalgic drive-in experience, and Stardust always delivers double-headers on both of its screens. That's right, the price of admission ($8.50 adults, $6.60 ages 6 – 11, free 5 & younger) gets you TWO first-run flicks. This weekend, Screen 1 will show Men in Black International followed by Brightburn. Screen 2 will show The Secret Life of Pets 2 followed by A Dog's Journey. The box office at the gate opens at 6:30 p.m. First feature starts at 8:20 p.m., the second starts at 10:45 p.m. If you go, plan to arrive early because the carline gets really long.
SUMMER MOVIE MADNESS
Various locations
Check out our roundup of free and cheap family flicks taking place all summer long, with some locations offerings screenings on weekends.
MAKE A MUSICAL ROAD TRIP
Manchester
The Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival is this weekend out on the big farm in Manchester. Big names playing include Phish, Childish Gambino, Post Malone, Kacey Musgraves, The Lumineers, Brandi Carlisle and many more. There are lots of arts and craft activities, yoga sessions and Kidsville activities for children of all ages.
TAKE DAD TO SEE MORE COOL CARS
Lane Motor Museum, Nashville
Dads get free admission to Lane Motor Museum this Sunday, June 16 for Father's Day (admission for everyone else is $12 adults, $3 ages 6 – 17, free ages 5 & younger). Have fun exploring this unique European automobile collection that includes floating and flying vehicles in addition to motorcycles. There are hundreds of vehicles in the collection, and on Father's Day, there are several vault tours and demonstrations on the schedule.
