Things to do with kids in Murfreesboro: Kids' Castle, the Patterson Park splash pad, the Discovery Center, library story times and rainy-day picks.
Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Details come from Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation’s park and program pages, the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring and the Rutherford County Library System.
Murfreesboro’s best free kid spots are its parks: Kids’ Castle at Old Fort Park, the new splash pad at Patterson Park and the trails and playgrounds of Barfield Crescent Park. For rainy days, the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring and the Patterson Park indoor water park cover all ages, and Linebaugh Library runs free story times.
Who to call
- Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation: 615-890-5333
- Patterson Park Community Center (indoor water park): 615-893-7439
- Wilderness Station (nature programs): 615-217-3017
- Bradley Academy Museum (Little Picassos): 615-653-1152
Playgrounds and parks
| Park | Address | Hours | For kids |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Fort Park | 1025 Old Fort Parkway | Sunrise to 9 p.m. | Kids’ Castle playground, skate park and pump track, open play space |
| Barfield Crescent Park | 697 Veterans Parkway | Sunrise to 9 p.m. | Two playgrounds, 7-plus miles of trails, the Wilderness Station nature center |
| Patterson Park | 521 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | Call 615-893-7439 | New playground and splash pad, finished October 2025 |
| Oaklands Park | 427 Roberts St. | Day use | Playground and a nature trail at Maney Spring |
| Richard Siegel Neighborhood Park | See city page | Sunrise to sunset | A large playground, sand volleyball and walking trails |
| Rogers Park | See city page | Day use | Playground, courts and a soccer field |
More on every park is in our parks and trails guide.
Splash pads and pools
- Patterson Park splash pad: the city built a new playground and splash pad between the community center and Bradley Elementary, completed in October 2025.
- Patterson Park indoor water park: a twisting slide, a kids’ play feature and lap lanes, year-round.
- Boro Beach, 2310 Memorial Blvd.: the outdoor pool at Sports*Com, open Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. See our summer camps and pools page.
Rainy-day picks
- Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 SE Broad St.: a hands-on museum for ages 0 to 12, with exhibits from the Farm to Table exhibit to MathRox, a room of life-size puzzles. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.; closed Mondays and major holidays. Admission is $15 for ages 1 and up. Groups must include a child 12 or under; adults are not admitted alone. Weekly programs include Campfire Storytime and Turtle Talk.
- Patterson Park indoor water park: see above.
- Linebaugh Public Library, 105 W. Vine St.: free story times. Itty Bitty Storytime is for babies from birth to 23 months (stories, scarf songs, fingerplays and lap bounces), and All-Ages Storytime is for ages 2 to 8, with stories, songs and puppet shows. Days change by season; check the library system’s story time calendar.
- Little Picassos, Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center, 415 S. Academy St.: a weekly hands-on art class for little ones on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m., with paint, pastels, chalk and sculpture. Children must come with an adult; space is limited to 24, so register early.
Nature and history
- Wilderness Station, 401 Volunteer Road in Barfield Crescent Park: Outdoor Murfreesboro’s nature center runs family programs year round, from night hikes and snake feedings to campfires and family campouts. Many cost $5; see the city’s Parks and Recreation calendar.
- Cannonsburgh Village, 312 S. Front St.: a pioneer village with a gristmill, schoolhouse, caboose and the World’s Largest Cedar Bucket. Self-guided tours are free.
- Stones River National Battlefield: free, with paved trails and cannons along the tour road; children can earn a badge in the park’s Junior Ranger program.
Big seasonal events
The city’s family events are on our seasonal pages: Halloween, holiday lights and Christmas, Easter and spring break.
What this means for you
- Free days out: Kids’ Castle, the Patterson Park splash pad, Cannonsburgh and the battlefield.
- Mondays: the Discovery Center is closed; pick a park or the library instead.
- Under 2: Itty Bitty Storytime at Linebaugh.
More guides: free things to do, summer camps and pools and things to do this month.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Murfreesboro when it rains?
The Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, a hands-on museum for ages 0 to 12 at 502 SE Broad St.; the indoor water park at Patterson Park Community Center; and story times at Linebaugh Public Library, 105 W. Vine St.
Where is Kids’ Castle in Murfreesboro?
At Old Fort Park, 1025 Old Fort Parkway. The 50-acre park is open from sunrise to 9 p.m. and also has a skate park and pump track.
How much is the Discovery Center in Murfreesboro?
$15 for ages 1 and up. It is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m., and closed Mondays. Adults are not admitted without a child.
Does Linebaugh Library have story time?
Yes. Linebaugh Public Library runs Itty Bitty Storytime for babies under 2 and All-Ages Storytime for ages 2 to 8, with stories, songs and puppet shows. Check the library system’s story time calendar for this month’s days.
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