Kids' activities in Mooresville: free library story times, two splash pads, 13 park playgrounds, Lazy 5 Ranch's drive-thru safari and rainy-day picks.
Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Program times come from the Mooresville Public Library calendar; parks from the Town of Mooresville’s parks list; everything else from each venue’s own website. Library programs change by season; check the calendar for the week you plan to go.
The Mooresville Public Library is the best free start for young children, with story and music times at its Main Library downtown and its West Branch on Brawley School Road. The town has two splash pads and playgrounds in a dozen parks, and Lazy 5 Ranch has a drive-thru safari and petting zoo.
Who to call
- Main Library: 304 S. Main St., 704-664-2927; Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- West Branch: 614 Brawley School Road, 704-799-4200
- Parks and Recreation programs: 704-663-7026; CivicRec catalog
Story times and library programs
From the library’s October 2026 calendar (all free; some need registration):
| Program | When | Where | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby & Me | Monday, Oct. 12, 9 a.m. | Main Library | Babies and caregivers |
| Time for Tots | Monday, Oct. 12, 10 a.m. | Main Library and West Branch | 18 to 36 months |
| Movers & Shakers | Monday, Oct. 12, 11 a.m. | Main Library and West Branch | Young children |
| Music & Movement | Thursday, Oct. 22, 10 a.m. | Main Library | Young children |
| Saturday Movers & Shakers | Saturday, Oct. 17, 11 a.m. | Main Library | Young children |
| LEGO Club | Thursday, Oct. 22, 4 p.m. | Main Library | Children |
| Let’s Discover | Saturday, Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to noon | Both branches | Children |
The library describes Time for Tots as simple stories, finger plays, songs, nursery rhymes and movement. It also runs 1000 Books Before Kindergarten for children up to age 6: register in person at the Youth Services desk and earn small prizes at milestones, and it puts together Book Bundles on a theme you request.
Playgrounds and splash pads
From the town’s parks list:
- Splash pads and playgrounds: Liberty Park, 217 E. Iredell Ave., downtown, and Hope Park, 170 Joe Knox Blvd. Pets are not allowed in water play areas.
- Big parks with playgrounds: Mazeppa Park, 645 Mazeppa Road; Cornelius Road Park, 247 Cornelius Road; Bellingham Park, 1600 Bellingham Drive, which also has a story-book trail on its 1-mile walking loop; and North Main Park, 1474 N. Main St.
- Neighborhood playgrounds: Magla, Edgemoor, Eastern Heights, Academy Street, Nesbit, Lee Street and Stevenson Street parks.
- Mooresville Skate Park, 748 W. Iredell Ave.: a street course and a pool-style bowl.
Town parks are open sunrise to sunset. More in our parks and trails guide.
Animals and farms
- Lazy 5 Ranch, 15100 Mooresville Road, 704-663-5100: a drive-thru safari in your own car on a 3.5-mile trail, plus a petting zoo, playground, picnic area and wagon rides. Open through the winter, weather permitting; cash or check only; no pets.
- Carrigan Farms, 1261 Oak Ridge Farm Highway: pumpkin picking in October, strawberries from mid-April and quarry swimming in summer, by reservation.
Rainy-day picks
- The library: both branches, with the programs above.
- Memory Lane Motorsports and Historical Automobile Museum, 769 River Highway: more than 100 vehicles, including a wall of vintage Soap Box Derby cars. Open Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Mooresville Arts, in the old train depot at West Center Avenue and North Main Street: free gallery, plus art classes for all ages.
- Lowe’s YMCA, 170 Joe Knox Ave., 704-716-4000: an indoor pool and drop-in child care hours.
Free family evenings
The town shows free movies in Liberty Park and holds the free downtown Candy Grab at Halloween; see our Halloween events and summer camps and pools guides.
What this means for you
- Check the library calendar each week for story and music times.
- Splash pads: Liberty Park downtown or Hope Park.
- Rainy Thursday or Friday? Memory Lane Museum.
More: free things to do and spring break.
Frequently asked questions
When is story time at the Mooresville library?
On Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, the library’s calendar lists Baby & Me at 9 a.m., Time for Tots (18 to 36 months) at 10 a.m. and Movers & Shakers at 11 a.m., the last two at both branches. Saturday Movers & Shakers is at 11 a.m. Oct. 17. Check the calendar for other weeks.
Where are the splash pads in Mooresville?
Liberty Park, 217 E. Iredell Ave., downtown, and Hope Park, 170 Joe Knox Blvd. Both have playgrounds.
What can kids do in Mooresville on a rainy day?
The Mooresville Public Library’s two branches run free children’s programs, Memory Lane Museum shows more than 100 vehicles on Thursdays and Fridays, and the Mooresville Arts gallery downtown is free.
Is Lazy 5 Ranch open in winter?
Lazy 5 Ranch, 15100 Mooresville Road, says it is open through the winter, weather permitting. Its posted hours are Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.; it takes cash only.
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