The Family Friendly Guide to Knoxville
From parks to boutiques, restaurants to daycares, Knoxville offers vibrant landscape of family-friendly activities, resources, and experiences for locals and visitors alike. To identify the best kid-friendly offerings in Knoxville, we partnered with Natalie Rickerson of Knoxville Moms. A longtime local and mother of four, Natalie is an expert on the topic. Her platform, Knoxville Moms, delivers hyperlocal content connecting mothers and providing local resources to deepen mothers’ connection with one another and their city.
Natalie graciously agreed to share her knowledge, providing insight into Knoxville’s best parks, daycares, boutiques, and activities, as well as her favorite spots for dining with little ones. Below you’ll find those expert recommendations, in addition to a few Editor Favorites (noted in bold). And whether you’re a longtime local looking for new activities for your littles or a visitor in search of kid-friendly spots, don’t forget to tell them Scout sent you!
PARKS
KNOXVILLE BOTANICAL GARDENS & ARBORETUM
EDITOR PICK | 2743 Wimpole Avenue, Knoxville, TN | @knoxgarden |The Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum (KBGA) is located on 47 acres of former Howell Nurseries, featuring walking trails, display gardens, unique & historic horticulture, and over two miles of distinctive stone walls and timeless buildings. KGBA has developed the program “Every Child Outdoors” Youth Gardens, which promotes and supports opportunities that encourage children to experience the outdoors. Children learn about the environment, growing fruits and vegetables in the garden and orchard through field trips, service projects, summer camp, their Story Thyme program.
LAKESHORE PARK
5390 Lyons View Pike, Knoxville, TN | We love Lakeshore Park for the Hank Rappé Playground, which features ramps and weather-proof flooring that make it accessible to children of all abilities. You’ll also find extensive, gorgeous greenways within the park’s 185 acres.
MCFEE PARK
917 McFee Rd, Farragut, TN | McFee has everything you could want in a park with bonus points for being tucked away from road traffic. The park features ample amenities, including a splash pad, an accessible playground for all ages, sport courts, pavillions for rent, soccer fields and more! McFee also has centrally located bathrooms, which is always a plus!
ANCHOR PARK
11730 Turkey Creek Road, Farragut, TN | A 15-acre family-friendly park, Anchor Park is located adjacent to the lakefront. Park facilities include: 3 picnic pavilions with grills, rectangular field, softball field, fishing pond, playground, paved walk trail, recreational basketball court, restroom/concession building, horseshoe pit, and 2 accessible fishing piers.
COVE PARK AT CONCORD
11808 S. Northshore Drive | Visitors to The Cove can max out on Fort Loudon Lake with paddling, fishing, and a swimming beach. During the warmer months, the River Sports Cove store is open for standup paddleboard, canoe, and kayak rentals. On land there is a playground, volleyball and shoreline walks! The Cove offers a series of paved loops that wind their way around the park, alongside the swimming beach and through a quiet woodsy section.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
IJAMS NATURE CENTER
EDITOR PICK | 2915 Island Home Ave | @ijamsnaturecenter | Ijams Nature Center is a nonprofit environmental education center featuring hiking trails, a zipline course, a natural playground, and more. Be sure to check out the new Nature Playscape that recently opened!
ZOO KNOXVILLE
3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive | @zooknoxville | Wild fun for the whole family! Spend a day with the animals or plan a special trip to enjoy Zoo Knoxville’s seasonal programming and activities, like Boo at the Zoo, Bedtime with the Beasts, and The Clayton Safari Splash.
DAYCARES & CHILDCARE
SEQUOYAH HILLS EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAM (SHEEP)
EDITOR PICK | 3700 Keowee Avenue, Knoxville, TN | Located at the Presbyterian Church, SHEEP provides a Christian environment for the development of physical, spiritual, emotional, cognitive, and social aspects of children. The program offers families a creative experiences where the whole child can develop a love of learning in an atmosphere of safety and security. SHEEP employs a variety of teaching methods to strengthen Christian values, a moral conscience, and a sense of community and responsibility.
ST. MARK’S EARLY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (SMEEP)
7001 S. Northshore Drive Knoxville, TN | The St. Mark Early Enrichment Program (SMEEP) is an important part of the ministry of St. Mark United Methodist Church. SMEEP is a preschool education program committed to the development of the whole child, and provides activities that encourage physical, social, emotional, cognitive and spiritual growth. The program is child-centered, and is based upon sound principles of child development and early childhood education.
THE GODDARD SCHOOL OF FARRAGUT
125 Loudoun Rd, Farragut, TN | @goddard_school | The Goddard School of Farragut offers preschool and daycare for littles. With a mindset that each day is an opportunity for fun learning experiences, the caring, attentive teachers provide your kiddos with countless opportunities to grow academically, socially, emotionally, and physically in a safe and loving environment.
THE GODDARD SCHOOL OF KNOXVILLE (HARDIN VALLEY)
10720 Virginia Pine Way, Knoxville, TN | @goddard_school | The Goddard School’s comprehensive play-based curriculum, developed with early childhood education experts, provides the best childhood preparation for social and academic success.
PRIMROSE SCHOOLS OF FARRAGUT
120 Coach Rd, Knoxville, TN | @primroseschools | The Primrose Schools provide year-round full and part-time education in the Knoxville Metro Area for infants and children starting at six weeks of age. Conveniently located on the corner of Kingston Pike and Old Stage Road, Primrose School of Farragut is minutes from McFee Park. Unlike other daycares, they provide your child with robust early education and childcare experience.
MORNING STAR LEARNING CENTER
10614 Flickenger Ln, Knoxville, TN | Morning Star has long been established as one of Knoxville’s leaders in the education of young children. Their kindergarten program is uniquely built around a child-led approach to learning inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy. Students learn how to problem solve, collaborate with peers, and work independently through their individualized curriculum.
RESTAURANTS & BREWERIES
ABRIDGED BEER
100 Lockett Road, Knoxville, TN | @abridgedbeer | The Bearden brewpub is a family-friendly spot to enjoy local brews and good food. A veritable neighborhood hangout, Abridged Beer serves up traditional pub fare with a southern point of view. Bring the kids, bring the dogs, and by all means, bring friends!
BLACKBERRY BREWERY
EDITOR PICK | 106 Everett Ave, Maryville, TN | @blackberryfarmbrewery | With games and fast, app-based ordering, Blackberry Brewery is a family-friendly go-to. Adults will enjoy their Old World inspired, culinary-focused beers, too.
CORNER 16
1640 Bob Kirby Rd, Knoxville, TN | @cornersixteen | Corner16 is a casual style restaurant serving up lunch, brunch, and dinner! We love the outdoor space where kids can stretch their legs and play outdoor games.
CRUZE FARM PIZZA BARN
2723 Asbury Rd Suite 101, Knoxville, TN | @cruzefarm | The local favorite delights with their Pizza Barn location, which serves up fan-favorite ice cream and pizza. Enjoy daily flavors in the community where the Cruze Farm Dairy story started.
SCRAMBLED JAKES
7426 Northshore Drive, Knoxville, TN | @scrambledjakes | Executive Chef Aaron leads the Scrambled Jake’s culinary team, serving signature breakfast and brunch dishes in a relaxed, casual dining atmosphere. The restaurant’s menu features a variety of egg and omelet plates, “Benny’s” (Eggs Benedict options), and Jake’s Scramblers that use farm fresh, cage-free eggs from Sevierville, TN.
SOCCER TACO
@soccertaconorthshore_ | @soccertacobeardenhill_ | @soccertacomarketsquare_ | The heart of Soccer Taco formed in 2005 around three concepts: authentic Mexican food, the importance of family and friends, and soccer. We love this for the good food and easy fun atmosphere.
THE PLAID APRON
EDITOR PICK | 1210 Kenesaw Ave, Knoxville, TN | @theplaidapron | A modern, minimalist cafe serving American breakfasts, lunches & Saturday brunch, with a local focus, this is a family-favorite. Pro Tip: Order the mac & cheese and burgers!
INDOOR ACTIVITIES
EAST TENNESSEE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
EDITOR PICK | 601 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN | @easttnhistory | The East Tennessee Historical Society (ETHS) specializes in finding creative ways to introduce all ages to the fascinating world of history. ETHS provides a variety of student and education programs, including guided activities, class trips, and special events and exhibitions.
KNOXVILLE MUSEUM OF ART
EDITOR PICK | 1050 Worlds Fair Park Dr, Knoxville, TN | @knoxart | The Knoxville Museum of Art is a place of energy and excitement that provides an ideal environment for your students to connect to the culture of the region. Over a century of artworks and exciting special exhibits will inspire creativity in students and encourage understanding in a variety of disciplines. Learn more…
MUSE KNOXVILLE
516 N Beaman St, Knoxville, TN | @museknox | Muse Knoxville is a children’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Math (STEAM) museum located in Chilhowee Park. Their programs in the museum, in schools across East Tennessee, and throughout Knoxville bring STEM, the arts, health & wellness, and emergent literacy to life in the minds of children. Muse offers camps, parties and rentals, and a dedicated area for babies & toddlers.
MCCLUNG MUSEUM OF NATURE HISTORY AND CULTURE
1327 Cir Park Dr, Knoxville, TN | @mcclungmuseum | The museum participates in implementing the university’s central mission: to cultivate and enrich the human mind and spirit through teaching, scholarship, artistic creation, public service, and professional practice. McClung always has fun exhibits for the whole family plus admission and parking are free!
SMART TOYS AND BOOKS
9700 Kingston Pike #12, Knoxville, TN | @smarttoysandbooks | With over 2000 square feet of fun featuring climbing structures, slides, obstacle course, interactive music panels, a treehouse and toddler safe area, Smart Toys and Books is much more than a toy shop. Enjoy hours of fun, parties, and more!
BOUTIQUES
BACK PORCH MERCANTILE
5440 Homberg Dr, Knoxville, TN | @shopbpm | The Back Porch Mercantile is a specialty shop featuring luxury gifts and finds for baby, home, and accessories. It’s the perfect place to pop into before a baby shower or little’s birthday to pick up a gift!
LITTLE HAPPY
EDITOR PICK & VOLUME 6 MEMBER |9700 Kingston Pike #18, Knoxville, TN | @shoplittlehappy | Little Happy offers a lovely collection of, well, little happies. In-store or online, you’ll find darling toys, accessories, and clothing for littles from all over the world, whether you’re gifting someone a “little happy” or shopping for your children.
THE HAPPY ENVELOPE
EDITOR PICK & VOLUME 6 MEMBER | 5605 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN | @thehappyenvelope | The Happy Envelope is a delightful store full of happies, including a darling corner (affectionately known as The Kinder Shop) dedicated to littles. The Kinder Shop features a variety of curated goods from local vendors, around the States, and Europe for babies and kids. Think everything from a a tooth fairy correspondence kit to books and toys.
TWIG CHILDREN’S BOUTIQUE
5036 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN | @twigchildrensboutique | A multi-brand contemporary outfitter of babies, tots, and tweens, Twig Children’s Boutique is a favorite destination for stylish children’s clothing. Located in the heart of Bearden, Twig provides stylish fashion for newborns to tweens and has all the “must haves.”
THE VILLAGE EXCHANGE
6513 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN | @thevillageexchange | The Village Exchange is a one-stop shop for everyone in the family – especially littles. It’s a go-to for gifts and Tennessee-themed goods and clothing. Shoppers will find everything from their favorite childrenswear brands to luxe loungewear and more.
FAVORITE LOCAL ACCOUNTS
KNOXVILLE MOMS
@knoxvillemoms | Helmed by Natalie Rickerson, Knoxville Moms is a parenting resource for families in Knoxville and East Tennessee. The Knoxville Moms team provides hyperlocal content to connect local moms via personal experiences, local guides, events, and useful information as well as promoting local businesses.
HELPING MAMAS KNOXVILLE
@helpingmamasknoxville | Every week, Helping Mamas Knoxville shares the needs of mothers in our community to connect helpful mamas to mamas needing help. Helping Mams also the baby supply bank for East Tennessee, collecting essentials (diapers, pack n’ plays, new bottles, clothes, period supplies, etc.) for distribution to case workers at partner locations.
ERIN AND KELLI
@erinandkelli | Erin and Kelli of The Southern Table are local mamas bringing flair to motherhood. The account is a vast source of fun and inspiration, offering everything from recipes, decor inspiration, lifestyle tricks, and more!
Did we miss your favorite kid-friendly activity, business, or local resource? Let us know via email so we can Scout them for Volume 7!
