Kids in Manassas: playgrounds in eight city parks, free toddler drop-in play, library story times, the free Manassas Museum and rainy-day picks.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Sources: the City of Manassas parks, community center and Manassas Museum pages, and the city’s City Connection calendar. Program days change by season; check before you go.

Manassas packs a lot for young families into a small city: playgrounds in eight city parks, a free toddler drop-in at the new community center, weekly library story times and a free city museum. For rainy days there is an indoor pool, open gym nights and bowling at the mall. City programs and park questions: Parks, Culture and Recreation, 703-368-1873.

What this means for you

  • Free and indoors: Toddler Drop-In (Mon., Tue., Thu., Fri. mornings) and the Manassas Museum.
  • Ocean-themed playground: Winterset Park, 8252 Winterset Drive.
  • Sign up: most city classes register on RecDesk.

Playgrounds

From the city’s parks list:

Park Address For kids
Winterset Park 8252 Winterset Drive Ocean-themed playground, basketball
Byrd Park 8528 Cavalry Lane Playground and fitness equipment, Bankshot court, trails
Oakenshaw Park 9556 Oakenshaw Drive Playgrounds, trails, basketball
Stonewall Park 8300 Stonewall Road Playgrounds, pavilions, summer pool
Kinsley Mill Park 10253 Hastings Drive Playground, trails, open green space
Cavalry Run Park 9201 Ashton Ave. Playground, basketball
Baldwin Park 9101 Prince William St. Garden path and playground behind the Manassas Museum
Walter Delisle Park 9027 West St. The city’s smallest park: playground and picnic area

Older kids head to Dean Park, 9501 Dean Park Lane, for fields, courts and trails, with the Manassas Skatepark next door at 9516 Dean Park Lane. Pavilions can be booked on RecDesk. Our parks and trails guide has every park.

Story times and library programs

The city’s calendar lists these regular programs at the Manassas City Library, 10104 Dumfries Road:

  • Toddler Story Time, Thursdays, 11 to 11:30 a.m.
  • Construction Club and Spanish Story Time, on set dates each month
  • Seasonal events such as the bilingual Sing-Along with Gabo and Mate during winter break

Check the month’s City Connection calendar for exact dates.

Community center programs

The City of Manassas Community Center, 8750 Sudley Road, opened in October 2025. Current programs for kids:

  • Toddler Drop-In: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with a parent. Free.
  • Higher Level Basketball, ages 8 to 13: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5 to 8 p.m.; no sign-up.
  • STEM Looks Like Me!: Saturday afternoons, 2 to 3:30 p.m., on dates listed in the city calendar.
  • Movie nights and seasonal events, such as Fright Night Movie Night on Oct. 30.
  • Lego Club, ages 5 to 13, has run on Tuesday evenings and some Saturdays.

Rainy-day picks

  • Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William St.: free; open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, and Mondays in June, July and August. Closed New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Its partner sites include the Manassas Volunteer Fire Company Museum and the Freedom Museum.
  • Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center: indoor pool year-round and swim lessons. freedom-center.com, 703-993-8444.
  • Open Gym at the Martin K. Alloy Boys and Girls Club, 9501 Dean Park Lane: Fridays 8:30 to 10 p.m. and Saturday afternoons.
  • Manassas Mall, 8300 Sudley Road: bowling and arcade games, according to the mall.
  • ARTfactory, 9419 Battle St.: kids’ theater classes such as Acting for Minis (ages 5 to 8) and Musical Theatre for Young Actors (ages 9 to 12), and family shows. See Historic Manassas Inc.’s calendar.
  • Hylton Performing Arts Center: family series shows, such as Barefoot Puppet Theatre and Mutts Gone Nuts this fall.

Outdoors and history

  • Manassas National Battlefield Park: free, with Junior Ranger activities; the Henry Hill Visitor Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Liberia House and Grounds, 8601 Portner Ave.: nature trails and a bee apiary; the city’s Bee Festival is held here in June.
  • Mayfield Fort, 8401 Quarry Road: paved paths to the top of a Civil War earthwork.

Seasonal

Related: free things to do, dog-friendly Manassas and schools.

Frequently asked questions

Is there free indoor play for toddlers in Manassas?

Yes. The City of Manassas Community Center, 8750 Sudley Road, runs Toddler Drop-In playtime from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. A parent must stay.

When is story time at the Manassas City Library?

The city lists Toddler Story Time on Thursdays from 11 to 11:30 a.m. at the Manassas City Library, 10104 Dumfries Road.

Does Manassas have a splash pad?

The city’s parks list does not include a splash pad. Stonewall Park Pool is open in summer, and the Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center has an indoor pool year-round.

Is the Manassas Museum free?

Yes. Admission is free. It is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, plus Mondays in summer.