13+ Family Things to Do Around Murfreesboro This Week
Murfreesboro is having one of those weeks where the hard part is choosing. The Wilderness Station has three different programs, the Discovery Center is running something nearly every day, Cannonsburgh has toddlers on the farm, and there is a back-to-school water festival to close out the long weekend. Here is the run-down from Thursday through next Wednesday.
1. Toddler Adventures: Farm Day at Cannonsburgh — Thursday morning
Cannonsburgh Village turns its historic farm setting over to the youngest visitors on Thursday morning. Programs pitched specifically at toddlers are rare and they fill up, so this is one to plan around rather than stumble into. Thursday details.
2. Night Sounds Hike at the Wilderness Station — Thursday evening
An evening walk at Barfield Crescent Park with the specific goal of listening — frogs, insects, owls, the whole late-summer chorus that most people drive past without noticing. Bring a flashlight and check with the Wilderness Station on registration before you go. Thursday evening details.
3. Campfire Story Time at the Discovery Center — Thursday afternoon
Stories around a campfire setting at Murfree Spring, included with admission. Good for the age range that has outgrown board books but is not ready to sit through anything long. Thursday details.
4. Solar Printing at the Wilderness Station — Friday afternoon
Kids arrange leaves and found objects on treated paper and let the sun do the rest. It is part craft, part science lesson, and children get to take the finished print home. Check with the Wilderness Station on cost and registration. Friday details.
5. Cave Exploring at the Wilderness Station — Saturday morning
An early Saturday start for an honest-to-goodness cave outing at Barfield. This one has real logistics — footwear, minimum ages and registration — so call ahead rather than turning up. Saturday details.
6. Water Fest: Back to School Splash — Saturday and Sunday
An outdoor splash festival across Saturday and Sunday to send the summer off properly. Bring towels and a change of clothes; nobody stays dry. Saturday · Sunday.
7. SPARK! Scales and Tails: Meet the Reptiles — Monday morning, $4
The Discovery Center's SPARK! series is aimed at preschoolers, and this one puts them face to face with reptiles. Four dollars, an hour or so, and a guaranteed conversation on the drive home. Monday details.
8. Turtle Talk at the Discovery Center — Friday and Monday
A short, close-up session with the Discovery Center's turtles, included with admission. Low commitment and reliably a hit with the under-sevens. Friday · Monday.
9. Homeschool PE at Patterson Park — Thursday afternoon
Structured gym time for homeschool families at Patterson Park Community Center, free of charge. Worth knowing about even if you only need it occasionally. Thursday details.
10. Creature Connection: Vex123 Snake Run — Thursday afternoon
The Discovery Center pairs its animals with its coding robots, which is a more interesting combination than it sounds — kids program a path and watch a real creature's behaviour alongside it. Thursday details.
11. Tiny TEC: Counting — Tuesday, free
A picture book and a hands-on STEAM craft built specifically for two-to-four-year-olds, free at the Technology Engagement Center through the county library system. It runs half an hour, which is exactly right for that age. Tuesday details.
12. Takeover Tuesdays at the Discovery Center — Tuesday afternoon
The Tuesday-afternoon slot where the museum floor gets handed over to a rotating activity. A good default if you want somewhere to go without checking a schedule first. Tuesday details.
13. Exhibit: 250 Years of American Independence at Cannonsburgh — free, ongoing
A free standing exhibit at Cannonsburgh Village running through the week, and it pairs naturally with a walk around the village grounds. Exhibit details.
Times and costs can change, and several of these need registration — check with the organizer before you head out.
