THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Bring the family to Bacon's Castle for croquet, sack races, Hoop n Stick, and special kids' tours at noon and 2 pm. This lively Worldwide Day of Play turns a historic property into a hands-on outdoor classroom for children and caregivers.
Bring the family to Bacon's Castle for croquet, sack races, Hoop n Stick, and special kids' tours at noon and 2 pm. This lively Worldwide Day of Play turns a historic property into a hands-on outdoor classroom for children and caregivers.
Book with Preservation Virginia
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Preservation Virginia · Surry, Virginia
On a bright Saturday at Bacon's Castle in Surry, Virginia, families spill across a broad lawn to play croquet, sack races, and other old-fashioned games. Worldwide Day of Play at Bacon's Castle brings museum programming outside: the site, located at 465 Bacons Castle Trail, Surry, VA 23883, USA, sets up hoop-and-stick, Graces, and a croquet course amid mature shade trees and the brick manor as a backdrop. Special kids' tours at noon and 2 pm invite children to explore the grounds with hands-on stories and simple history tied to the place.
This event is rooted in the Worldwide Day of Play mission to get kids and families up, out, and learning through play. For parents who want a low-stress outdoor outing, the format is straightforward: bring a picnic, pick up a scorecard at the welcome table, and drop into games at your own pace. The scene is family-focused—lawn games, open space for running, and guided, age-appropriate tours—so it's ideal for toddlers through elementary-age kids.
Key features here are the expansive front lawn, a series of traditional handheld games like Hoop n Stick and Graces, and the structured kids’ tours that highlight storytelling and simple interpretation. Natural elements include stands of mature oaks that create shaded pockets ideal for picnics and cooling off between races. While Bacon's Castle is primarily a cultural and historic site, the event turns the grounds into a playful landscape where movement and learning intersect.
Practical details: this is an easy, accessible outing with mostly flat terrain suitable for strollers and wagons. Expect informal, first-come play; some activities have limited spots on a first-come basis, and guided tours run at set times. Visitors seeking a deeper historic dive should check Bacon's Castle's regular tour schedule; this day emphasizes play over in-depth historic interpretation.
Why this event is a standout: it repurposes a preserved historic property as a place for active family learning, turning formal museum content into tactile, energetic experiences. The combination of centuries-old architecture and children's games creates a memorable contrast—old brick and new laughter—that works especially well for families looking to combine light cultural tourism with outdoor time. Bring sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and a sense of adventure; the day is built to be playful, democratic, and easy to drop into.
Plan for a half-day visit—arrive early to claim shady seating near the manor at 465 Bacons Castle Trail. On-site staff and volunteers will guide activities; check the event page to confirm times and any registration requirements ahead. Pack snacks and a blanket, and consider a lightweight folding chair for older adults. Restroom access and parking are on the grounds; bring bug spray for warm months and layered clothing for breezy afternoons. Bring refillable water bottles.
This event often accepts walk-up visitors, but check the booking link to confirm whether any activities require registration.
Activities are geared toward toddlers through elementary-age children, but families with older kids will find lawn games and tours enjoyable.
Yes—paths and the main lawn are generally flat and suitable for strollers and wagons.
Yes. Restroom access and parking are located on the grounds near the welcome area.
Bring sunscreen, water, a picnic blanket or chairs, bug spray in warm months, and layered clothing for breezy afternoons.
The event takes place at Bacon's Castle, 465 Bacons Castle Trail, Surry, VA 23883, USA. Check the event page for precise arrival times.
Preservation Virginia is a Richmond, Virginia-based organization that operates and interprets historic sites and educational programs across the state. The organization presents guided tours, hands-on workshops, documentary-style tours, and virtual programs that highlight Virginia’s colonial, revolutionary, and 19th-century history. Preservation Virginia’s portfolio of sites and programs includes Bacon’s Castle (built in 1665 and recognized as North America’s oldest brick home), the historic landing site at Cape Henry Lighthouse, Smith’s Fort with surviving earthworks and an 18th-century manor house, Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown—the remaining house of the famed orator—and the John Marshall House in Richmond. Programming spans in-person tours and remote learning: the John Marshall House offers a 45-minute tour; the Courtmaker Documentary Tour of the Marshall House provides an intimate look at family artifacts; the Beginners Genealogy Research Workshop at Bacon’s Castle is taught by genealogist Sarah Carson; and multiple virtual programs bring lighthouse history and Revolutionary War sea battles to students. Educational offerings also include the Augustus Hodges virtual program, focused on Willis Hodges—Cape Henry Lighthouse’s first African American keeper and abolitionist—and the Life of a Lighthouse Keeper kids program. Preservation Virginia’s events and tours emphasize primary sources, artifacts, architecture, and site-specific stories to connect visitors with Virginia’s past. All descriptions and program leaders are provided in third-person; visitors should consult Preservation Virginia’s official listings for booking and availability.
Book with Preservation Virginia