Things to do with kids in Reston: Frying Pan Farm Park, Walker Nature Center, Lake Fairfax and the Water Mine, library story time, an indoor pool and rainy-day picks.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Facts come from the Fairfax County Park Authority, Reston Association, Reston Community Center, the Fairfax County Public Library and Reston Town Center.

Reston was planned around open space, and most of what kids love here is outdoors: a working farm just west of town, a nature center in the woods, a big county park with a water park and skatepark, and an ice rink in the middle of Reston Town Center each winter.

Who to call

  • Frying Pan Farm Park: 703-437-9101
  • Walker Nature Center: 703-476-9689
  • Reston Community Center: 703-476-4500
  • Reston Regional Library: 703-689-2700
  • Park Authority: 703-324-7329 (703-FAIRFAX)

Frying Pan Farm Park

Frying Pan Farm Park, at 2709 West Ox Road in Herndon, preserves farm life from the 1920s to the 1950s, and the Park Authority calls it one of the most popular parks in Fairfax County. The park and Kidwell Farm are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission and parking are free except at select special events.

  • The park’s carousel was permanently removed after damage in the January 2026 winter storm. A new one is planned; wagon ride tours run in the meantime.
  • Halloween on the Farm is Friday, Oct. 23, from 5 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 24, from 4:30 p.m., with trick-or-treating and farm animals. Holiday on the Farm is Saturday, Dec. 5, from 4:30 p.m. Tickets and times are on the park’s page.

Walker Nature Center

Reston Association’s Walker Nature Center, 11450 Glade Drive, sits in 72 acres of woods with one mile of loop trails, a pond, a fire ring, a Little Free Library and the Glade stream valley, where kids can look for wildlife. The trails, parking and restrooms are open dawn to dusk year-round.

Nature House hours: Monday and Wednesday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. Closed Tuesdays and Reston Association holidays.

The center runs programs for all ages and hosts children’s birthday parties; call 703-476-9689.

Lake Fairfax Park and the Water Mine

Lake Fairfax Park, 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, covers 476 acres with a playground, a skatepark, an inline skate park, trails, picnic areas and a campground, all open year-round. The 20-acre lake is open for fishing; anyone 16 or older needs a Virginia fishing license, and swimming is not allowed in the lake.

In summer, the Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole has the Rattlesnake Lazy River, the Tenderfoot Pond tot pool, slides and play features for young children. It is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. See our summer camps and pools page.

Story time and the library

Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, is open seven days a week, with hours that vary by day. The library calendar lists its children’s programs; this week it shows:

  • Family Yoga for preschoolers and school-age children, 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20 (details)
  • Toddler Storytime for babies and toddlers, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21 (details)

Swimming and skating

  • Indoor pool: Reston Community Center’s Terry L. Smith Aquatics Center, at Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, has a 25-yard pool with zero-depth entry and a play area and a warm-water exercise pool. Swim lessons start at 6 months old.
  • Outdoor pools: Reston Association runs 15 outdoor pools in summer for its members.
  • Ice skating: the Reston Town Center rink under the Pavilion opens Nov. 6, 2026, weather permitting, and runs through March 14, 2027.

Rainy-day picks

  • The library and its programs.
  • The indoor pool at Reston Community Center.
  • Cub Run Rec Center in Chantilly has an indoor leisure pool; see the Park Authority’s water parks page.
  • The free galleries at Reston Community Center and the Reston Museum at Lake Anne; see our free things to do guide.

Coming up

Frequently asked questions

What is there to do with kids in Reston?

Frying Pan Farm Park’s working farm, the trails and Nature House at Walker Nature Center, the playground and skatepark at Lake Fairfax Park, library story times, the indoor pool at Reston Community Center and, in winter, the ice rink at Reston Town Center.

Is Frying Pan Farm Park free?

Yes. The Park Authority says admission to Kidwell Farm and Frying Pan Farm Park and parking are free, except at select special events. The park is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where is story time in Reston?

At Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive (703-689-2700). The Fairfax County Public Library calendar lists its toddler story times and family programs.

When does the Reston Town Center ice rink open?

Nov. 6, 2026, weather permitting, and it runs through March 14, 2027, according to Reston Town Center.

Where can kids swim indoors in Reston?

Reston Community Center’s Terry L. Smith Aquatics Center at Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, has a 25-yard pool with zero-depth entry and a play area, plus a warm-water pool.