6 or 7 Fun Things to Do with Your Child Under 12 in DeKalb County, AL
6 or 7 Fun Things to Do with Your Child in DeKalb County, Alabama – Part 1
Written By Jessica McGinnis
As a Mom of six, and four of those being under the age of twelve, I am always on the lookout for ways to entertain my wild bunch. If your kids are like mine, then they’re opinionated, sometimes hard to please, always hungry, and tell me they’re bored at least three times an hour. All these characteristics can make it almost impossible to find something that will hold their attention for long. Don’t worry though, because I have compiled a kid-approved list of things to do, places to go, and things to eat for you and your child or your whole family to do on your next trip to DeKalb County, Alabama.
6 Fun Things to Do with Your Child Under 12
1 – Collinsville Trade Day
1102 South Valley Avenue Collinsville, AL 35961
One of my favorite ways to spend a Saturday with my child is a trip to Collinsville Trade Day. There’s always something about it that feels exciting through my kid’s eyes. The moment we pull in, my children are already pointing at colorful booths, animals, toys, or asking for a corn dog and lemonade. While I’m immediately drawn to the flower section, produce stands, and yes, the corn dogs too. *Also, note to reader, you can’t go to Trade Day without getting one of their famous corn dogs!
What I love most is that it doesn’t feel rushed. We can wander slowly through the isles, stop to look at old collectibles, grab some food, and let curiosity lead the day. For kids under 12, and I have four of them, it’s basically one big adventure. One minute they’re fascinated by handmade crafts and airbrushed t-shirts, the next they’re begging to look at puppies or old tractors. It’s also surprisingly affordable family fun. You don’t need expensive tickets or a packed schedule to make memories there. Sometimes the best part of the day is simply sharing fresh lemonade while people-watching and laughing about the strange things we find for sale.
As a parent, I appreciate that Trade Day gives kids a break from screens and lets them experience something real and local. They get to ask questions, meet vendors, and see all kinds of interesting things they’d never come across online. Every visit feels a little different, which keeps it exciting no matter how many times we go. By the time we leave, we’re usually carrying something completely unnecessary that my child just had to have, and honestly, those little souvenirs end up becoming part of the memory.
2 – Tigers for Tomorrow
708 County Road 345 Attalla, AL 35954
Taking my children to Tigers for Tomorrow turned out to be a family day we talked about long after we got home. From the moment we walked in and heard the lions roar in the distance, my kids were completely fascinated and entranced.
For my little kids, it felt like a real adventure. Seeing massive tigers, bears, wolves, and other rescued animals up close creates the kind of excitement you cannot get from watching videos or flipping through a book. Every few minutes one of my kids would stop and ask another question or want to describe in detail what they just saw. I refrain from sharing that I just saw the same thing, because I can see their little wheels turning in their head and it melts my “Mama” heart. It made the whole experience feel fun, educational, and precious at the same time.
Something I appreciated most as a parent was how relaxed the visit felt and how inexpensive it was for kids. Kids 8-11 were just $10 and kids 3 and under were free. The walking paths give families plenty of space to explore at their own pace, and there’s always something new to see around the next corner. It wasn’t rushed or overwhelming, which made it easy to spend several hours there without anyone getting bored. Which if you have small children, you know that is next to impossible.
Another favorite part was watching my child’s reaction to the animals. Witnessing that sense of wonder, especially when standing just a few feet away from a massive tiger, reminded me how important experiences like this are. It creates curiosity, encourages compassion and a love for animals, and creates memories that stick with kids for years. By the end of the day, we were tired, sunburned, and still talking about our favorite animals on the drive home.
3 – Screaming Eagle Zipline Canopy Tours
7104 Desoto Parkway NE Fort Payne, AL 35967
Taking my children to the Screaming Eagle Zipline at DeSoto State Park was an experience that started with nervous excitement and ended with smiles so big our faces hurt. At first, they weren’t sure about taking that step off the platform and soaring into the unknown or crossing over what felt like a death defying suspension bridge. However, once that first zip line was over, the fear disappeared and pure excitement was all that remained. By the second line, there was laughter, cheering, and immediate pleas to do it again.
Screaming Eagle tour is a great outing for kids, because it feels adventurous but not overwhelming. They even allow kids as young as six years old, as long as they weigh at least 40 pounds to take part in the excitement. The guides are encouraging and patient, which helped my child feel safe, secure, and confident to keep trying the entire time. For my bunch under 12, it was the perfect mix of thrill and fun.
The setting inside DeSoto State Park makes the whole experience even better. Flying through the trees while the mountain scenery consumes you, feels completely different from a typical weekend activity. It gets kids outside, away from screens, and doing something they’ll actually remember and that challenges them. As a parent, I loved seeing my children build confidence with every platform. There’s nothing like watching them try something new, realize they can do it, and suddenly feel fearless. Those little moments are something I will never forget as their Mom. By the end of the tour, we were tired, joyous, and already talking about coming back.
4 – Swimming Pools and Splash Pads
During the summer, some of our favorite family memories are made by the pool. When you have small children, sometimes the best days are the simplest ones. Sunscreen, towels, snacks, and a few hours of water and sunshine are all you need to make a summer day an enjoyable one for a kid. It’s also a wonderful option for the tired Mom who doesn’t feel like walking around and organizing an activity. What I love most is how easy these outings are. Kids don’t need expensive entertainment when they can run through fountains, splash with friends, or spend an afternoon practicing cannonballs in the pool. The excitement starts the moment we pull into the parking lot, and honestly, it’s hard not to enjoy watching that kind of joy.
Splash pads are especially great for younger children because they can play safely while still feeling adventurous. There’s no pressure, no schedules, and no need to plan every second of the day, and all of the splash pads in DeKalb County, AL – one in Fort Payne, Fyffe, and Geraldine – are free of charge! Say less, right?
The local pools are just as entertaining. Whether it’s swimming races, jumping off the side a hundred times, or eating melting popsicles afterward, those little moments become the memories kids hold onto. With five different pools to visit in DeKalb County, you can easily find one within a short distance of where you’re staying.
5 – Shake and Take with Mentone Excursions
One of the most unique family outings we’ve experienced was the “Shake and Take” adventure with Mentone Excursions. I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect at first, but it ended up being one of those simple experiences my child couldn’t stop talking about afterward. For young kids, there’s something magical about getting their hands dirty and discovering treasures for themselves. Every colorful stone, artifact, or arrowhead feels like a major discovery. My child treated each find like a buried treasure.
I love it because it feels both educational and exciting without seeming like a lesson. Kids become naturally curious about rocks, minerals, and nature while still just enjoying the thrill of the hunt. It keeps them engaged the entire time because there’s always the possibility of finding something new in the next scoop.
I also loved how relaxed and family-friendly the whole experience felt. There wasn’t pressure to rush through anything, and the guides made it easy for younger children to participate and feel successful. It’s the kind of outing where parents can actually enjoy watching their kids explore instead of constantly trying to keep them entertained. Day’s end brought a bag of little treasures and a child who already wanted to come back again.
6 – Lookout Mountain Creamery
2612 Gault Ave North Fort Payne, AL 35967
Lookout Mountain Creamery is popular because it combines small-town charm with a fun, family-friendly atmosphere, and homemade style ice cream, and that makes people want to come back. The ice cream’s taste and texture is unique and different from any around this area, and if you or your little one are not in the mood for ice cream, that’s okay. They also offer a wide variety of other treats, such as cupcakes, key lime pie bars, chocolate covered strawberries, and cake pops, just to name a few. Taking my kids to Lookout Mountain Creamery has become one of our favorite little family traditions. We love it so much it has become a weekly Friday ritual. It’s a place that instantly feels fun the moment you arrive. Kids love being able to pick their own flavors, sample something new, and sit on the coolest tables enjoying their treat. What’s so cool about their tables you might ask? Well you could sit at a table made from a baby grand piano, one centered around a pinball machine, and even one made using an old tractor. Trust me you’ll have to keep your kids from running from one table to the next to try them all.
For younger children, little outings like this feel huge. An ice cream trip becomes something they look forward to all day. As a parent, I’ve learned that joy for a kid can be as simple as ice cream, and that helps me to remember to find joy in the little things myself also. Definitely add this place to your list. You won’t be disappointed.
So whether you’re visiting for the first time or have lived here your entire life, there are plenty of options to choose from to entertain your littles. From Trade Day to Tigers, and swimming to ziplining, you can’t go wrong in DeKalb County, AL. *Stay tuned for our Part 2 with 6 or 7 Fun Things to Do with Your Teenager!
