21 Things to Do in Sterling VA: Family Fun Options

If you’re looking for some of the best things to do in Sterling VA, you’re in the right place! Here we’re sharing 21 of our favorite things to do.

No matter if you prefer a little excitement, something new to try or just want to relax, you’ll find something fun for everyone in your group right here.

Sterling is home to several parks, which offers hiking trails, fishing ponds, and a nature center. There are also several golf courses and sports facilities in the area.

Plus lots of family activities, museums and some more activities we bet you’ve never tried!

#1 Summit Ropes

Summit Ropes is the first thing my kids think of when I say we are going to Sterling. That’s how much they love it!

A picture gallery showcasing different people trying on indoor activities at Summit Ropes
Source: Summit Ropes

And for good reason! This is like one enormous climbing and adventure course. Kids still have lots of choices here as they work their way through the course, so they can do what looks fun for them.

The owners are active mountain climbers and actually designed this course to be like their real-life experiences climbing Mt. Zion in Zion National Park.

It’s just a few minutes away from Dulles airport which makes it an ideal place to stop over before flying out.

A Girl Doing Rope Climbing in ZavaZone Sterling
Source: ZavaZone Sterling

#2 Zava Zone

Zava Zone is one of our favorite indoor playgrounds in Northern Virginia. It’s a great place for hosting kids’ birthday parties too.

They offer a trampoline park, a ninja warrior course for all kids above the age of 5.

#3 Loudoun Ice Center

 22149 Davis Dr #155, Sterling, VA 20164 | Website

The Loudoun Ice Center in Sterling, VA is a great place to beat the hot summer heat!

It’s a state-of-the-art ice skating and hockey facility, offering something for everyone – from leisure skating to ice hockey and figure skating.

Picture of a family enjoying ice skating
Source: Loudon Ice Center

The Ice Center offers public skating sessions (which is what we attend), birthday parties, skating lessons and camps, and more.

The Ice Center also has a snack bar, complete with treats that are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

#4 Sky Zone

21070 Southbank St, Sterling, VA 20165 | Website

youth couple jumping on a trampoline
Source: Sky Zone

When we had spent the weekend doing lots of fun things in Maryland last year, we had taken the kids to Sky Zone in Gaithersburg and they had a blast.

So needless to say, we were really excited to find their Sterling location.

DEAL ALERT –
Get up to 18% off on Basic Party Package for Up to 10 People at Sky Zone Fredericksburg

This is an awesome trampoline park providing a place for family fun and exercise, no matter the weather outside.

#5 Volcano Island Waterpark

Volcano Island Waterpark is one of our favorite outdoor activities in Sterling. It’s like a tropical paradise located close to home!

In the summer we love visiting the water park and my kids often insist on playing mini golf while we’re there too.

kids having fun at a waterpark
Source: Volcano Island Waterpark

My kids love the open slides (they probably spend most of their time there) and the water cannons. My littlest one, however, loves the splash pad.

#6 Autobahn Indoor Speedway

45448 E Severn Way #150, Sterling, VA 20166 | Website

We had been to the Autobahn Indoor Speedway Manassas location so when we saw they had another location in Sterling, we of course had to go.

Indoor Go Karting
Source: Autobahn Indoor Speedway

The staff here is very helpful and friendly and were on track in keeping things safe and fun for all racing. Definitely recommend checking this place out!

#7 Axes and Os

It’s a nice and fun place if you’re looking for a different and offbeat experience. We, as a family had a great time here throwing the axes around. This was our first experience ever.

Source: Axes and Os Sterling, Va

They also serve good drinks and snacks and the instructor really helped us throw our best!! 

Note: guest must be 14+ to enter Axes and Os and everyone under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian with them.

#8 Hike the Paved Trails at Algonkian Regional Park

These trails are the perfect place to get into nature and walk along the Potomac River. There are a lot of activities to enjoy at the sterling park:

  • Canoeing
  • Hanging out at a picnic site
  • Going on nature walks
  • Renting cabins
  • And more

#9 Claude Moore Park & Rec Center

When it’s colder outside (or even sometimes when it’s too hot in the summer), we like to go to the pool at the Claude Moore Rec Center.

This is a great way to enjoy the pool without having to worry about what the temperature is like outside.

Indoor waterpark
Source: Virginia Tourism Corporation

Claude Moore Park also has a nice softball field which my daughter and her friends like to play on.

#10 Sportrock Climbing Center

45935 Maries Rd. Sterling, VA 20166 | Website

Sportrock Climbing Center in Sterling makes for a fun and challenging day! They are set-up for both beginner and advanced climbers, so you can find options for everyone in your group.

They actually have the tallest walls in Sterling and Alexandria and is definitely one of the best places to go for rock climbing in the area.

Source: Sportrock Climbing Center in Sterling, Va

We attended an open climb and learned some introductory information and basic skills on climbing which was really helpful.

From bouldering to top-roping, you’ll find plenty of routes to choose from.

The experienced climbing staff are always on hand to provide tips and advice, and make sure your experience is both safe and enjoyable.

#11 Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum

21668 Heritage Farm Ln, Sterling, VA 20164 | Website

The Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum in Sterling, VA is a great place for visitors to explore the history and culture of the area.

This museum offers visitors a chance to step back in time and experience what it was like to live in Loudoun County during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Visitors to the museum can explore the grounds and the numerous exhibits that are available.

Heritage Farm Museum
Source: Heritage Farm Museum

There are exhibits on the history of the local Native Americans, the early farming practices, the agricultural way of life, and even the history of the civil war in the area.

DEAL ALERT –
Get up to 40% off tickets to the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum

The museum also hosts many special events throughout the year, such as:

  • Living history demonstrations
  • Civil War reenactments
  • Special lectures
  • And more

These events give visitors an opportunity to get a true sense of the history of the area.

#12 Hike the Washington & Old Dominion Trail

If you’re looking for a fun way to explore nature and get some fresh air, the Washington & Old Dominion Trail in Sterling is the place for you.

Stretching across nearly 45 miles of trails, you’ll be able to take in a lot of highlights such as historical landmarks, wildflowers, and wildlife.

The trail is great for all skill levels, offering hikes for a gentle walk for beginners or an exhilarating mountain bike ride for the adventurous.

There are plenty of breathtaking views to take in, and you don’t want to miss out.

So grab your hiking boots, a bike, or whatever you prefer and embark on a day-long journey exploring the Washington & Old Dominion Trail!

#13 Mini Golf at Dulles Golf Center & Sports Park

Dulles Golf Center and Sports Park is a really family-fun place to go! My kids like playing miniature golf here.

We visited here for a birthday party and it was absolutely amazing. There are many fun features here like:

  • Beach volleyball court
  • Driving range
  • And more

The lighthouse theme of the mini golf is quite fun, as the models are even painted like the ones they represent.

I highly recommend it!

#14 Attend the Kids Club

Dulles Town Center | Website

Dulles Town Center hosts a Kids Club on the third Thursday of the month from 10-11am.

The club is best suited for younger kids ages 2 to 7 years old.

The events are fun and engaging and typically have music, science or magic for the kids to enjoy.

Best of all, the club is free and there is no need to register. You can check their calendar for the upcoming performer or topic.

#15 Ultrazone Loudoun

23520 Overland Dr, Sterling, VA 20166 | Website

Ultrazone is our favorite place in the area for laser tag and arcade games. The staff are friendly and accommodating.

Girl with Laser Tag
Source: Ultrazone

My kids absolutely loved this place and we’re planning to go here again very soon.

#16 Go Bowling

46940 Woodson Dr, Sterling, VA 20164 | Website

Bowl America is what you come to expect from your typical bowling alley.

DEAL ALERT –
Up to 71% Off at Bowl America / AMF Bowling

They have nice lanes, food and drinks and of course arcade games for the kids to play when they are done bowling.

#17 Try Traditional Blacksmithing

44827 Old Ox Road, Sterling, VA 20166 | Website

At Lawless Forge Sterling, you can try traditional blacksmithing techniques in one of their 3-hour opener courses.

My husband and I visited this place for our date night and had an awesome time!

Blacksmithing Classes in Sterling, VA
Source: Lawless Forge

We took the public knife-making class and it was definitely a memorable experience for us.

DEAL ALERT –
Up to 22% Lawless in Sterling

Our instructor was great and I’m already planning to bring my kids here very soon. This is going to be an excellent experience gift for them!

#18 Try Irish Dancing

23521 Overland Drive, Sterling, VA 20166 | Website

The Buckingham at Loudoun Valley offers traditional Irish dancing classes.

Note: right now, you can get 55% off classes (plus an additional 25% off for a limited time)

In classes you will learn the different steps and techniques needed for the dance, as well as learning the patterns. Definitely a great experience!

#19 Ultimate Archery

22370 Davis Dr Suite 150, Sterling, VA 20164 | Website

This is a place where kids and adults have a blast together! I mean this is basically archery meets dodgeball. It’s so fun!

They will give you a short introduction to archery and have you practice a few rounds of shooting to test what you’ve learned. Then you play!

Bring water! You’ll warm up more than you think here and will be happy you have some. This is one of the hidden gems in Sterling for sure!

#20 Visit the Space Museum

While the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum is technically located in Chantilly, it’s only a short drive (10 minutes) from Sterling and is a place we all like to visit! B

eing near Sterling, this is so easy to get to and it’s where we take our out-of-town guests.

Exhibit at Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Source: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

We’ve attended a couple of their educational programs which were fun and of course, educational for the kids (without them realizing it!).

#21 Test Your Strength at a Ninja Warrior Course

21531 Blackwood Ct #110, Sterling, VA 20166 | Website

NoVa Ninja is an amazing place for parents and kids where there are a ton of various activities to enjoy especially if you’re into sports and exercise.

The staff is great with kids and you can also host your kid’s birthday party here.  

#22 Go Sky Diving (Indoors)

20315 Commonwealth Center Dr, Ashburn, VA 20147 | Website

iFly Sterling is one of those places where you can have a once-in-a-lifetime experience, We had a great time for our first indoor skydiving experience celebrating our daughter’s 10th birthday.

kid experiencing indoor skydiving
Source: iFly

There are height and weight restrictions for everyone above the age of 3 can visit.

Now Go Have Some Fun

As you can see there are so many fun things to do in Sterling for the entire family.

Get out and try something new to create memories, enjoy the outdoors and be surprised at just how much fun there is to be had in Sterling!

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OK Editorial Team

Our Kids has been bringing you more family fun, experiences & adventure since 1999.