Welcome to CharlottesvilleFamily!
I’m so glad you’re here and hope you find lots of useful parenting resources! We publish beautiful print magazines, add new content to our website daily and share even more great things on social media.
CharlottesvilleFamily is committed to Cville kids and to supporting parents along every step of their journey. Founded in 1998, we’re so proud of how families continue to count on us to help “Make Parenting Easier & Growing Up Fun!”
THE BEST OF CHARLOTTESVILLE FOR FAMILIES
CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine is by parents for parents. No other publication in Central Virginia serves local families and kids the way CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine does. Our attention is always on local topics important for Cville kids 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 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. We also publish VirginiaSummerCamp.com, the ultimate guide to camps statewide, and collaborate with RoanokeFamily, which is published under license from Zinnia Communications.
HEALTH
A Pediatrician’s 7-Step Guide to Introducing Solid Foods for Infants
Help your baby stay safe and have fun
What to Know About Measles in Virginia: August 2026 Update
Understanding the Measles Outbreak in Virginia
Infant Car Seat Safety: The Rising Danger of Counterfeit Car Seats
What parents need to know about the rise of counterfeit car seats
Autism & Communicating
Strategies to create a more inclusive community for all kids
Annual Kids’ Physicals: What You Need to Know
Everything you need to consider at a well-child checkup
Seguridad en las sillas de coche para bebés: El creciente peligro de las sillas de coche falsificadas
Traer a casa a un bebé recién nacido es uno de los momentos más importantes [...]
Working With a Doula in Charlottesville
Personalized care for pregnancy, birth & beyond
Diabetes I & II in Children
What to know about diabetes I and II in children
EDUCATION
A Charlottesville Parent’s Introduction to IEPs and 504 Plans
What parents need to know about disabilities and special education
Ultimate Guide to Charlottesville’s Best Private Schools: K-12 Options for Every Family
Discover over two dozen amazing private schools to help you find the perfect fit for [...]
When Trusted Adults Are a Danger: Tips for Communicating with Kids
How to build open communication at home
Crozet Book Fest Jr. – A New Chapter for Young Readers
Lit for Kids on October 25, 2025
Learn About Charlottesville City Schools
Everything parents need to know about CCS
Learn About Albemarle County Public Schools
What families need to know about public schools in Albemarle County
Goodbye Phones: Cell Phone-Free Education in Virginia
New "off and away" cell phone policies
Ultimate Guide to Kids Sports & Kids Classes in Charlottesville
Dozens of great choices for fun after-school!
FAMILY FUN
Best Children’s Birthday Party Places in Charlottesville
Find the Perfect Party Place
2026 Charlottesville Apple Picking and the Best Virginia Orchards
The Best Apple Picking & Harvest Festivals
The 2026 Botanical Art Festival in Charlottesville
Art + Nature Celebration
Family-Friendly Breweries Near Charlottesville
Find local breweries where both kids and adults can have fun
Charlottesville Ghost Tours and Haunted Houses
15 Spooky Halloween attractions in Central Virginia
Charlottesville Fall Festivals & Family Events in Central Virginia
Fall Fests for Family Fun!
The Ultimate Pumpkin Patch Guide
Fall Fests & Farm Fun
Your Guide to Charlottesville Berry Picking & Other Fruits
Celebrate spring and summer with fresh air, sunshine, and local berries
Home & Garden
The 2026 Botanical Art Festival in Charlottesville
Art + Nature Celebration
The Prettiest Flower Farms to Visit Near Charlottesville
Best pick-your-own flowers in Virginia
Your First Week in Charlottesville: Setting Up Utilities & Essential Services
Learn what steps to take to get settled in when you move to Charlottesville
Moving to Charlottesville: Your Ultimate Relocation Guide
A Family-Friendly Insiders Guide to Moving to Charlottesville
The Importance of Cooking With Kids
The benefits of bringing kids into the kitchen
Charlottesville Relocation Checklist for Families
Everything from Utilities to Making Friends
Your Guide to Snow Day Prep for Charlottesville Families
Be prepared for snowy days
Creating a Butterfly Garden with Kids
Creating a habitat that supports every stage of a butterfly’s life
Parenting
Charlottesville Prenatal Support Classes
Finding Your Baby Village
How A Charlottesville Writer & Mother Finds Balance
Get to know Elizabeth Becker, local writer and mom of 4
Find Your Parenting Style
Learn about parenting styles with local child psychologist, Dr. Cara Goodwin
The Science of Improving Sibling Relationships
How parents can help develop strong sibling relationships
Preparing for Birth & A Beautiful New Baby
A local mom shares her birth experiences
Days Out With Dad
Plan shared family experiences to celebrate time with Dad
A Dad’s Perspective on the Growth Paradox of Parenting
Growth, slow then quick, and what we can do as parents
Keeping Kids Entertained While Traveling
IDEAS & TIPS FOR KEEPING KIDS ENTERTAINED WHILE TRAVELING No matter whether you’re traveling for [...]
Recipes
Berry Ice Cream Cake Recipe
Easy festive dessert with variations
The Ultimate Christmas Cookie Recipe
CHRISTMAS COOKIE COMFORT FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY Let’s face it, the holidays can be stressful. [...]
Aunt Susie’s Sweet Potato Soufflé Recipe
A delicious side dish for every occasion
3 Spring Recipes Fresh From the Garden
Try cucumber salad, carrot pancakes, and tomato quiche
Grandma Helen’s Pecan Balls Recipe: Easy Baking with Kids
A tasty treat that's easy to bake with kids!
Easy Roast Turkey Recipe
Each year, our lovely staff shares personal, family recipes during the holiday season
Witches are a Brewing! Halloween Treat Recipe
A Bewitching Snack!
Christmas Sugar Cookie Recipe
Get festive in the kitchen with this Christmas Cookie Recipe for kids
Community
The Cville Buzz from CharlottesvilleFamily | September 2026
What parents need to know for September: school district arrests, tick season, a record drought, [...]
The Cville Buzz from CharlottesvilleFamily | August 2026
What parents need to know for August: school district arrests, tick season, a record drought, [...]
Moms Lit Society: The CharlottesvilleFamily Book Club
Everything you want to know about the our local book club
A Day in the Life of a Charlottesville Writer and Mother
Novelist Elizabeth Becker reveals what a writer's day actually looks like
Crozet Book Fest Jr. – A New Chapter for Young Readers
Lit for Kids on October 25, 2025
Back-to-School Vaccines in Charlottesville and Albemarle
Where to get back to school vaccines, even without insurance
The Cville Buzz from CharlottesvilleFamily | July 2026
What parents need to know: school district arrests, a record tick season, the worst drought [...]
Disney’s Newsies Comes to Charlottesville: Virginia Theatre Festival’s Biggest Production Yet
The Virginia Theatre Festival is bringing one of the most beloved musicals of all time [...]
Kids Rec
Top Family-Friendly Charlottesville Events in September 2026
What families, teens, and couples can do this month
Top Family-Friendly Charlottesville Events in August 2026
What to do around town in August
Virginia’s Best Corn Mazes 2026
The best local corn mazes for fall fun!
Charlottesville Summer Camps: The Ultimate Guide by Local Experts
Find all your favorite summer camps from horseback riding and sleepaway programs to arts & [...]
The Best Charlottesville Parks and Playgrounds for Families
Where local families go to run, climb, splash, and explore
Mommy & Me Classes in Charlottesville
Programs for babies, toddlers & caregivers
Ultimate Guide to Kids Sports & Kids Classes in Charlottesville
Dozens of great choices for fun after-school!
Snow Tubing in Virginia in 2026
Snow tubing spots an easy drive from Charlottesville
LIVE. LOVE. BUY LOCAL
CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine is proud to have the support of the best independently owned businesses throughout Central Virginia, from pediatricians and private schools to family restaurants and home builders. These are people who are making a special effort to support Cville kids and families. Live locally by supporting our local partners.
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 are many wonderful children ‘s museums within an hour’s drive of Charlottesville, from Cville’s 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 that top our CharlottesvilleFamily editors’ lists include the Science Museum of Richmond, the many Virginia Zoos, and an array of art museums sure to delight everyone in the family.
Top Family-Friendly Charlottesville Events in September 2026
What families, teens, and couples can do this month
Top Family-Friendly Charlottesville Events in August 2026
What to do around town in August
Virginia’s Best Corn Mazes 2026
The best local corn mazes for fall fun!
Charlottesville Summer Camps: The Ultimate Guide by Local Experts
Find all your favorite summer camps from horseback riding and sleepaway programs to arts & STEM!
The Best Charlottesville Parks and Playgrounds for Families
Where local families go to run, climb, splash, and explore
Mommy & Me Classes in Charlottesville
Programs for babies, toddlers & caregivers
Ultimate Guide to Kids Sports & Kids Classes in Charlottesville
Dozens of great choices for fun after-school!
Snow Tubing in Virginia in 2026
Snow tubing spots an easy drive from Charlottesville
Top Family-Friendly Charlottesville Events in August 2026
What to do around town in August
Virginia’s Best Corn Mazes 2026
The best local corn mazes for fall fun!
Charlottesville Summer Camps: The Ultimate Guide by Local Experts
Find all your favorite summer camps from horseback riding and sleepaway programs to arts & STEM!
The Best Charlottesville Parks and Playgrounds for Families
Where local families go to run, climb, splash, and explore
Mommy & Me Classes in Charlottesville
Programs for babies, toddlers & caregivers
Ultimate Guide to Kids Sports & Kids Classes in Charlottesville
Dozens of great choices for fun after-school!
Snow Tubing in Virginia in 2026
Snow tubing spots an easy drive from Charlottesville
Free Summer Camp Packing Lists & Free Printables
Six guides every camp parent needs
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. Cville is a wonderful place to raise children with incredible schools, arts, sports & more.
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