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Welcome to CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine!

I’m so glad you’re here and hope you find lots of useful parenting resources! We’re adding new content daily, especially on social media and in the calendar. CharlottesvilleFamily is  committed to supporting parents along every step of their parenting journey. I and my prior partner Robin Bethke founded this award-winning publication in 1998 and we couldn’t be prouder to see how families continue to count on us to help “Make Parenting Easier & Growing Up Fun!”

About Us
Go-To Guide 2024
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HOLIDAY FAMILY FUN

The holiday season is here, and there’s something for every family to enjoy. From Thanksgiving turkey trots to Christmas lights, come explore the best holiday festivals, craft workshops and Santa events throughout Charlottesville and Central Virginia. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or just a kid at heart, get ready to embark on a holiday adventure like no other.

Home
5 Tips for Keeping Your Poinsettias Blooming Beautifully Year After Year

Practical Care and Child Safety Tips for Your Poinsettias

yummy
Christmas Sugar Cookie Recipe

Get festive in the kitchen with this Christmas Cookie Recipe for kids

Gifts
The Ultimate 2024 Kids Gift Guide

Your go-to source for thoughtful, fun, and learning-oriented gifts

GIVE BACK
Family-Friendly Volunteer Ideas

Great ideas on how to give back including hands-on projects for kids

Out & About
All Aboard! A Family Guide to the 47th Annual Model Railroad Show at the Science Museum of Virginia

The 47th Annual Model Railway Show is the Perfect Reason to Visit the Science Museum

GETAWAYS
Top D.C. Holiday Attractions for a Magical Family Getaway

Plan a DC Getaway at Winter Break with Our Expert Tips

Celebrate
Top Christmas Events in Charlottesville

Holiday events in Charlottesville from shopping to light displays and performances

Holiday magic
Experience the Magic: Boar’s Head Resort Winter Wander Trail of Lights 2024

Your Family Guide to the Boar’s Head Holiday Lights Experience

LIGHTS!
Virginia’s Best Holiday Light Displays

Enjoy magical holiday light displays in Charlottesville and beyond!

SEE SANTA
Where to See Santa in Charlottesville 2024

Ho! Ho! Ho! Here is where to find the jolly old elf around town!

YUMMY
Kid-Friendly Pumpkin-Shaped Cheese Ball Recipe for Thanksgiving

A decorative and delicious recipe you can make with the kids

Explore
Your Guide to Charlottesville’s Grand Illumination 2024

Helpful advice for making the most of the Tree Lighting on the Mall

THE BEST OF CHARLOTTESVILLE FOR FAMILIES

CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine is by parents for parents. No other publication in Central Virginia serves local families the way CharlottesvilleFamily does. Our attention is always on local topics and helping to “Make parenting easier & growing up fun“!. Through all the ages and stages from pregnancy and babyhood to the school years and raising teenagers we are there for you 24-7. Our editorial staff and freelance writers and photographers know the area inside and out because we all are raising children in Virginia. And we care about all members of our community.

HEALTH
Help Tweens and Teens Manage Stress and Anxiety

Expert Advice and Easy Steps for Parents from VCU Professors

CharlottesvilleFamily Doing Good Grant: LilyPads Housing

We provide free, short-term housing in volunteer host homes for families at UVA Children's Hospital.

Preparing for Birth & A Beautiful New Baby

A local mom shares her birth experiences

Teething Tips, Do’s & Don’ts

Simple teething suggestions to keep you and your baby happy

Your Happiness Toolkit: Tips for Parents and Self-Serenity

Expert Tips to Build A Happiness Toolkit for Moms

How To Boost Baby’s Brain Power

Your baby’s brain grows faster from birth to five years old than any other time [...]

Sweet Baby Sounds

NEWBORN CRIES & FLEETING MOMENTS IN TIME A stranger’s passing comment kept pulling me back [...]

Expert Tips on Proper Hydration

For your body to be able to work at peak efficiency, you must keep it [...]

EDUCATION
The Ultimate 2024 Kids Gift Guide

Your go-to source for thoughtful, fun, and learning-oriented gifts

CharlottesvilleFamily Doing Good Grant: Wildrock

Wildrock promotes nature play for health and happiness through field trips, camps, outreach and playscape [...]

40 Years of North Branch School

North Branch School celebrates childhood and learning

How To Choose The Right School

Parent-tested tips from an expert on finding the best school for your child.

Mommy & Me Classes in Charlottesville

Classes for babies & tots, plus tips for exercising with baby.

Learn About Charlottesville City Schools

An Interview with Charlottesville City Schools Superintendent, Dr. Gurley, Jr.

How To Boost Baby’s Brain Power

Your baby’s brain grows faster from birth to five years old than any other time [...]

Learn About Albemarle County Schools

An Interview with Albemarle Country School District Superintendent, Dr. Haas

FAMILY FUN
CharlottesvilleFamily Doing Good Grant: Bennett’s Village

Get to Know Bennett's Village, an Inclusive Playground

Your Guide to Charlottesville’s Grand Illumination 2024

Helpful advice for making the most of the Tree Lighting on the Mall

All Aboard! A Family Guide to the 47th Annual Model Railroad Show at the Science Museum of Virginia

The 47th Annual Model Railway Show is the Perfect Reason to Visit the Science Museum

Top D.C. Holiday Attractions for a Magical Family Getaway

Plan a DC Getaway at Winter Break with Our Expert Tips

Experience the Magic: Boar’s Head Resort Winter Wander Trail of Lights 2024

Your Family Guide to the Boar’s Head Holiday Lights Experience

Thanksgiving Traditions in Charlottesville: Festivities for the Whole Family

Community traditions - from turkey trots to the blessing of the hounds!

Where to See Santa in Charlottesville 2024

Ho! Ho! Ho! Here is where to find the jolly old elf around town!

Dog-Friendly and Kid-Friendly Hikes Near Charlottesville

  Town & country living at its best! CharlottesvilleFamily Life & Home is an award-winning magazine dedicated [...]

FOOD & HOME
5 Tips for Keeping Your Poinsettias Blooming Beautifully Year After Year

Practical Care and Child Safety Tips for Your Poinsettias

Kid-Friendly Pumpkin-Shaped Cheese Ball Recipe for Thanksgiving

A decorative and delicious recipe you can make with the kids

Thanksgiving Table 101: How to Set the Perfect Thanksgiving Table

A step-by-step guide on how to set the perfect Thanksgiving table and style your table [...]

CharlottesvilleFamily Doing Good Grant: Yellow Door Foundation

The Yellow Door Foundation provides free long-term lodging for the families of  immunocompromised pediatric patients [...]

Top Family-Friendly Restaurants in Charlottesville

Readers voted and our Editors researched to find you the best family-friendly restaurants!

Sbrocco’s Donuts & Espresso: A Sweet New Addition to Charlottesville

Try Charlottesville's hottest new eatery, Sbrocco's Donuts!

Christmas Sugar Cookie Recipe

Get festive in the kitchen with this Christmas Cookie Recipe for kids

5 Ways to Elevate Your Fall Porch Decor

Give your front porch fall vibes with decor & a DIY wreath

THINGS TO DO

LEARNING FUN

ESPECIALLY FOR BABIES

ARTS & CRAFTS

ON STAGE & SCREEN

Family Favorites Banner V1

Virginia Museums and Attractions

Virginia is for museum lovers and there are so many to choose from. If your family enjoys historical sites you might want to visit a Civil War site like Appomattox or a historical home of one of our founding Fathers – there are four presidential homes to tour in Virginia. Museums are fun for kids of all ages. There ae many wonderful children;s museums are within an hours drive of Charlottesville from our very own Virginia Discovery Museum on the historic Downtown Mall to the Children’s Museum of Richmond, Explore More! In Harrisonburg and the creative Amazement Square in Lynchburg. Other tried and true family attractions include the Science Museum of Richmond, the many Virginia Zoos and an array of art museums sure to delight everyone in the family.

CharlottesvilleFamily Doing Good Grant: Bennett’s Village

Get to Know Bennett's Village, an Inclusive Playground

Your Guide to Charlottesville’s Grand Illumination 2024

Helpful advice for making the most of the Tree Lighting on the Mall

All Aboard! A Family Guide to the 47th Annual Model Railroad Show at the Science Museum of Virginia

The 47th Annual Model Railway Show is the Perfect Reason to Visit the Science Museum

Top D.C. Holiday Attractions for a Magical Family Getaway

Plan a DC Getaway at Winter Break with Our Expert Tips

Experience the Magic: Boar’s Head Resort Winter Wander Trail of Lights 2024

Your Family Guide to the Boar’s Head Holiday Lights Experience

Thanksgiving Traditions in Charlottesville: Festivities for the Whole Family

Community traditions - from turkey trots to the blessing of the hounds!

Where to See Santa in Charlottesville 2024

Ho! Ho! Ho! Here is where to find the jolly old elf around town!

Dog-Friendly and Kid-Friendly Hikes Near Charlottesville

  Town & country living at its best! CharlottesvilleFamily Life & Home is an award-winning magazine dedicated to Making Parenting Easier & Growing [...]

Your Guide to Charlottesville’s Grand Illumination 2024

Helpful advice for making the most of the Tree Lighting on the Mall

All Aboard! A Family Guide to the 47th Annual Model Railroad Show at the Science Museum of Virginia

The 47th Annual Model Railway Show is the Perfect Reason to Visit the Science Museum

Top D.C. Holiday Attractions for a Magical Family Getaway

Plan a DC Getaway at Winter Break with Our Expert Tips

Experience the Magic: Boar’s Head Resort Winter Wander Trail of Lights 2024

Your Family Guide to the Boar’s Head Holiday Lights Experience

Thanksgiving Traditions in Charlottesville: Festivities for the Whole Family

Community traditions - from turkey trots to the blessing of the hounds!

Where to See Santa in Charlottesville 2024

Ho! Ho! Ho! Here is where to find the jolly old elf around town!

Dog-Friendly and Kid-Friendly Hikes Near Charlottesville

  Town & country living at its best! CharlottesvilleFamily Life & Home is an award-winning magazine dedicated to Making Parenting Easier & Growing [...]

Giddy Up for Montpelier Hunt Races!

Parent Tested Tips on Taking Kids to the Montpelier Steeplechase

Schools and learning in charlottesville

Schools and Education in Charlottesville Virginia are exceptionally good. We know all children learn in their own unique ways, and we are thankful to have so many incredible schools and resources in the Charlottesville and Albemarle County area to help each student reach his or her full potential. From toddlers to teenagers, there is a place for everyone to foster a love of learning. The greater Charlottesville area has high-rated public schools and many wonderful private schools too. From daycare to preschool, elementary and middle school to high school and college prep there are a wide array of school choices for Charlottesville and Albemarle families. Daycare and preschool education options include church schools, co-ops, Montessori schools, Waldorf educations and more.

Learning goes beyond the classroom for Charlottesville families. Students often take music lessons, learn sports, study art, learn computer programming, do science and math competitions, learn a foreign language and brush up on skills with specialized tutors and much more.  Read on to find local education resources, learning at home ideas, tips for fostering your kid’s learning, book recommendations, tutors and more. Plus, view a list of just some of the excellent schools options in the Charlottesville, Virginia area.

The Ultimate 2024 Kids Gift Guide

Your go-to source for thoughtful, fun, and learning-oriented gifts

CharlottesvilleFamily Doing Good Grant: Wildrock

Wildrock promotes nature play for health and happiness through field trips, camps, outreach and playscape visits to their 28 acre [...]

40 Years of North Branch School

North Branch School celebrates childhood and learning

How To Choose The Right School

Parent-tested tips from an expert on finding the best school for your child.

Mommy & Me Classes in Charlottesville

Classes for babies & tots, plus tips for exercising with baby.

Learn About Charlottesville City Schools

An Interview with Charlottesville City Schools Superintendent, Dr. Gurley, Jr.

How To Boost Baby’s Brain Power

Your baby’s brain grows faster from birth to five years old than any other time in their life. Each day [...]

Learn About Albemarle County Schools

An Interview with Albemarle Country School District Superintendent, Dr. Haas

CharlottesvilleFamily Doing Good Grant: Wildrock

Wildrock promotes nature play for health and happiness through field trips, camps, outreach and playscape visits to their 28 acre [...]

40 Years of North Branch School

North Branch School celebrates childhood and learning

How To Choose The Right School

Parent-tested tips from an expert on finding the best school for your child.

Mommy & Me Classes in Charlottesville

Classes for babies & tots, plus tips for exercising with baby.

Learn About Charlottesville City Schools

An Interview with Charlottesville City Schools Superintendent, Dr. Gurley, Jr.

How To Boost Baby’s Brain Power

Your baby’s brain grows faster from birth to five years old than any other time in their life. Each day [...]

Learn About Albemarle County Schools

An Interview with Albemarle Country School District Superintendent, Dr. Haas

The Ultimate Private School Guide

Discover over two dozen amazing private schools to help you find the perfect fit for your child.

RESOURCES TO HELP YOU

Welcome to Charlottesville-Albemarle County, Virginia!

Nestled in the foothills of the legendary Blue Ridge Mountains, our community is known for year-round natural beauty and our small city sophistication. It is a wonderful place to raise children with incredible schools, arts, sports & more.

Read the newcomers guide

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