Welcome to CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine!
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 and social media daily and we’re in the App Store, too.
CharlottesvilleFamily is committed to supporting parents along every step of their parenting 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 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
Falling Asleep While Feeding Baby: New UVA Study
A new study from UVA Health has revealed that many new mothers unintentionally fall asleep [...]
100 Studies on Screen Time
Expert research on screen time translated into easy-to-understand points for busy parents
Virginia Measles 2025: Protecting Families
Understanding the Measles Outbreak in Virginia
Pregnancy Care Providers Explained: OB-GYNs, Midwives, Doulas & More!
From midwives to lactation consultants to prenatal chiropractors, learn them all!
Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths on the Rise: What Parents Need to Know
VCU research shows a troubling increase in SUID
Mommy & Me Exercise At Home
Ways to add in exercise to the time you're already spending with your baby or [...]
Breakthrough UVA Research on Postpartum Depression
Breakthrough UVA Research Paves Way for Early Detection and Prevention
How to Choose the Perfect Camp for Your Anxious Child
Helping a child with anxiety have a fun-filled summer
EDUCATION
Is Your Child Ready for Preschool?
How parents can assess preschool readiness with expert advice
Daycare in Charlottesville & Albemarle County
Finding daycare can be challenging but we are here for you with guidance
Virginia Homeschool Groups and How-To Resources
Everything You Need to Know About Homeschooling in Virginia
Middle School Teaches Valuable Life Lessons
Parent-to-parent tips for navigating the tween years
Charlottesville City School News: December 2024
December news from Charlottesville City Schools
UVA’s Active Playful Learning Initiative
The University of Virginia (UVA) is embarking on an innovative journey to transform elementary math [...]
Ultimate Guide to Kids Sports & Kids Classes in Charlottesville
Dozens of great choices for fun after-school!
How to Teach Kids About Money
This guide with expert advice from the UVA Credit Union offers a step-by-step approach to [...]
FAMILY FUN
Your Ultimate Guide to Easter Events in Charlottesville 2025
From exciting Easter egg hunts to photos with the Easter Bunny!
Kid-Friendly Hikes Near Charlottesville
8 Kid-Friendly Hikes around Charlottesville
Virginia Reptile Museum
A wildly memorable day trip from Charlottesville
Celebrate Earth Day 2025: Family-Friendly Activities & Local Events in Charlottesville
Earth Day celebrations and projects to do at home
Snuggle Up with Baby Goats on a Visit to Caromont Farm
Cuddle baby goats and enjoy the beauty of real farm life with your kids.
Virginia LEGO Experiences for Kids
Finding LEGO family activities in Virginia is a breeze with this ultimate guide to LEGO [...]
7 Days – 7 Daytrips for A Charlottesville Spring Break
Plan A Week of Amazing Spring Break Daytrips
11 Free Things to Do with Kids in Charlottesville
Free and low-cost fun for families in and around Charlottesville.
Home & Garden
Raising Chickens with Kids – A Family Project
Chirpy Companions: Why Kids Love Chicks
New City Arts: A Creative Hub for Charlottesville Artists
Visit New City Arts Initiative
March Gardening in Zone 7b: Tips for Central Virginia Families
The daffodils are heralding Spring! It is time to garden!
Winter Sowing in Zone 7B: A Beginner’s Guide for Central Virginia Families
Winter sowing is an easy, budget-friendly way to get a head start on your spring [...]
Don’t Toss It! How to Recycle Your Christmas Tree 2025
The 2025 guide to recycling Christmas trees in the county and the city.
5 Tips for Keeping Your Poinsettias Blooming Beautifully Year After Year
Practical Care and Child Safety Tips for Your Poinsettias
O Christmas Tree! Your Ultimate Live Christmas Tree Care Guide
Care tips from local Christmas tree farm experts
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 [...]
Parenting
Parenting Playbook
Understanding the many different parenting styles and the research behind them
100 Studies on Screen Time
Expert research on screen time translated into easy-to-understand points for busy parents
Dressing Lessons for Preschoolers
Tips & tricks to make getting dressed easier for little ones
Helping Kids Feel Safe When Scary Things Happen: A Parent’s Guide
Helping kids to process scary news
The Hidden Work: Understanding the Invisible Labor of Motherhood
Invisible labor refers to the mental, emotional, and often unseen physical tasks involved in managing [...]
Be the Change: Building a Better World for Our Children
Simple things you can do to build community and fight injustice
A Dad’s Perspective on the Growth Paradox of Parenting
Growth, slow then quick, and what we can do as parents
Middle School Teaches Valuable Life Lessons
Parent-to-parent tips for navigating the tween years
Recipes
Farmers Markets & Farmstands in Central Virginia
Eat Fresh! Eat Local!
How to Make Mouthwatering Stuffed Peppers
A delicious stuffed peppers recipe easy enough for weeknights.
Kid-Friendly Pumpkin-Shaped Cheese Ball Recipe for Thanksgiving
A decorative and delicious recipe you can make with the kids
Christmas Sugar Cookie Recipe
Get festive in the kitchen with this Christmas Cookie Recipe for kids
Enjoy Pippin Pizza At Home With This Recipe
Make a delicious homemade pizza with this recipe from Pippin Hill Winery's Chef Victoria Cosner
Easy Lemon Chicken Orzo
An easy & healthy meal that the kids will love.
Healthy Breakfast on the Go: Veggie, Bacon & Egg Muffin Cups
An easy & healthy meal that the kids will love.
Strawberry Shortcake with Wild Blueberry Sauce Recipe
Pick Your Own Local Strawberries For a fun outing idea for the family, visit one [...]
Community
Raising Happy, Connected Kids in the Digital Age
Learn tips on how to manage tech for your family from experts
Write for CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine
CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine Writer's Guidelines
Be the Change: Building a Better World for Our Children
Simple things you can do to build community and fight injustice
Community of Local Parents: Welcome to Bloom Collective
Our team of parent explorers sharing the best of events and attractions
Virginia Homeschool Groups and How-To Resources
Everything You Need to Know About Homeschooling in Virginia
Discover the Wintergreen Ski Patrol for Youth
Helping Out On The Slopes
Pet Love at the SPCA
Find our how to help the SPCA pets - volunteer, hold a birthday & more!
Charlottesville City School News: December 2024
December news from Charlottesville City Schools
Kids Rec
Charlottesville’s Favorite Indoor Play Spaces for Families
Active indoor fun from bounce houses to climbing walls!
Make A Speckled Easter Egg Craft with Kids
A Beautiful Springtime Craft
The Guide to Sleepaway Summer Camps for Virginia Kids
Sleepaway Summer Camp Fun!
Charlottesville Spring Break Camps
Spring break camps are where fun & learning happen!
Best Preschool Summer Camps in Charlottesville
Summer fun and learning for the youngest campers
Best Sports Camps in Charlottesville for Active Kids
Charlottesville’s sports summer camps offer something for every young athlete
Best Summer Camps in Charlottesville for Teens: Academics, Arts, Sports & More
Help your tween or teen find a great summer adventure and make new friends
Best Summer Camps in Charlottesville for Elementary School Kids
Find a camp to explore a new interest or perfect a favorite passion
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 families and children. Live locally by supporting our local partners.
CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine Proudly Supports Our Community
At CharlottesvilleFamily, we are honored to support a variety of local events and organizations that enrich the lives of children and families in our community—from educational programs to family festivals and beyond.
Calming the Chaos Parenting Talk, JMRL
Raising Happy Connected Kids in the Digital Age, Tom Tom Panel
Hope Fest & 5K
“Budget, Does It” Financial Literacy by Mahogany & Friends
LilyPads Housing – 2024 CF Doing Good Grant Winner!
Botanical Garden of the Piedmont SpringFest
Kid-Vention, Virginia Discovery Museum
CharlottesvilleFamily is excited to introduce our brand-new mobile app, designed to make it easier than ever for parents to access our trusted local guides, expert parenting advice, and community event listings—all in one convenient place. Whether you’re searching for the best family-friendly activities, looking up school resources, or planning your next weekend adventure, our app puts everything you need at your fingertips. Stay connected with exclusive content, real-time updates, and special offers from local businesses. Download the CharlottesvilleFamily app today and make parenting in Central Virginia even easier!
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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 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 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.
Charlottesville’s Favorite Indoor Play Spaces for Families
Active indoor fun from bounce houses to climbing walls!
Make A Speckled Easter Egg Craft with Kids
A Beautiful Springtime Craft
The Guide to Sleepaway Summer Camps for Virginia Kids
Sleepaway Summer Camp Fun!
Charlottesville Spring Break Camps
Spring break camps are where fun & learning happen!
Best Preschool Summer Camps in Charlottesville
Summer fun and learning for the youngest campers
Best Sports Camps in Charlottesville for Active Kids
Charlottesville’s sports summer camps offer something for every young athlete
Best Summer Camps in Charlottesville for Teens: Academics, Arts, Sports & More
Help your tween or teen find a great summer adventure and make new friends
Best Summer Camps in Charlottesville for Elementary School Kids
Find a camp to explore a new interest or perfect a favorite passion
Make A Speckled Easter Egg Craft with Kids
A Beautiful Springtime Craft
The Guide to Sleepaway Summer Camps for Virginia Kids
Sleepaway Summer Camp Fun!
Charlottesville Spring Break Camps
Spring break camps are where fun & learning happen!
Best Preschool Summer Camps in Charlottesville
Summer fun and learning for the youngest campers
Best Sports Camps in Charlottesville for Active Kids
Charlottesville’s sports summer camps offer something for every young athlete
Best Summer Camps in Charlottesville for Teens: Academics, Arts, Sports & More
Help your tween or teen find a great summer adventure and make new friends
Best Summer Camps in Charlottesville for Elementary School Kids
Find a camp to explore a new interest or perfect a favorite passion
Charlottesville Arts Camps: Inspiring Creativity in Kids This Summer
Find the best local arts camps for summer fun and learning
CharlottesvilleFamily Guide to Learning
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.
Is Your Child Ready for Preschool?
How parents can assess preschool readiness with expert advice
Daycare in Charlottesville & Albemarle County
Finding daycare can be challenging but we are here for you with guidance
Virginia Homeschool Groups and How-To Resources
Everything You Need to Know About Homeschooling in Virginia
Middle School Teaches Valuable Life Lessons
Parent-to-parent tips for navigating the tween years
Charlottesville City School News: December 2024
December news from Charlottesville City Schools
UVA’s Active Playful Learning Initiative
The University of Virginia (UVA) is embarking on an innovative journey to transform elementary math education through Active Playful Learning [...]
Ultimate Guide to Kids Sports & Kids Classes in Charlottesville
Dozens of great choices for fun after-school!
How to Teach Kids About Money
This guide with expert advice from the UVA Credit Union offers a step-by-step approach to teaching kids about money, helping [...]
Daycare in Charlottesville & Albemarle County
Finding daycare can be challenging but we are here for you with guidance
Virginia Homeschool Groups and How-To Resources
Everything You Need to Know About Homeschooling in Virginia
Middle School Teaches Valuable Life Lessons
Parent-to-parent tips for navigating the tween years
Charlottesville City School News: December 2024
December news from Charlottesville City Schools
UVA’s Active Playful Learning Initiative
The University of Virginia (UVA) is embarking on an innovative journey to transform elementary math education through Active Playful Learning [...]
Ultimate Guide to Kids Sports & Kids Classes in Charlottesville
Dozens of great choices for fun after-school!
How to Teach Kids About Money
This guide with expert advice from the UVA Credit Union offers a step-by-step approach to teaching kids about money, helping [...]
How to Teach Kids About Kwanzaa
A Family Guide to Kwanzaa, A Celebration of African Family, Community and Culture
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 guideFollow Us on Instagram
