Youth Events
What’s a Festival without fun things for kids?
Come explore the Youth Tent, where creativity knows no bounds! Whether you're a kid or just young at heart, you'll love the chance to create fun and unique projects using all kinds of found objects and craft materials. Get your hands dirty, unleash your imagination, and make something special to take home.
This family-friendly festival has hands-on activities for budding artists of all ages!
Kid’s Tent on the Barter Green plus Youth Centric & Family Events
July 24 to August 2, 10am - 2pm
Keep Scrolling’ for detailed info:
Stream Discovery, July 24: 10am-noon
Fresh Water Snorkeling, Sunday, July 26: 12-2pm OR 3-5pm (rain date, Sunday, August 2)
Wolf Pup Scavenger Hunt, July 24 to August 2
Threads of Time, July 25 & 26: 10am-5pm
Youth Art Tent, July 27 to August 1: 10am-2pm
Back to School Bash, August 2: 4-8pm
(Be sure to check out the Outdoor Adventures page for more kid & family friendly events!)
Kid Craft Schedule ~ All Ages Welcome!
Sat. & Sun, July 25 & 26: Meet us at the 18th Century Colonial Market & Fair, SWVA Higher Ed (Pick up Wolf Pup Hunt Cards at the Info tent or Abingdon Visitors Center)
Monday 7/27: Pinwheels, Hot Air Balloon Collage, No Sew Plush, Weaving Mural, Rock Painting
Tuesday 7/28: Family Crest Flag, Sun Catcher Butterfly, Rain Stick, Weaving Mural, Rock Painting
Wednesday 7/29: Mini Yarn Weaving, Zipper Pull, No Sew Pouch, Weaving Mural, Rock Painting
Thursday 7/30: Yarn Stars, Timeline Necklace, Felt Flower, Weaving Mural, Rock Painting
Friday 7/31: Pinwheels, Hot Air Balloon Collage, No Sew Plush Weaving Mural, Rock Painting
Saturday, 8/1: Hot Air Balloon Collage, Rain Stick, Water Gun Painting, Weaving Mural, Rock Painting
Sunday, 8/2: Back to School Bash at The Meadows
Stream Discovery: Friday, July 24
10am - 12 noon, FREE!
(Rain date the following Friday, July 31)
White’s Mill, 12314 White’s Mill Road, Abingdon, VA
Wade in a creek and find insects to see how healthy a stream is. Upper Tennessee River Roundtable volunteers will show how to catch and identify macroinvertebrates, the tiny creatures that live on rocky bottom stream beds. The types of bugs found are indicators of stream health. This event is suitable for children, parents, and teachers.
The workshop will be at White’s Mill near Abingdon.
Registration required by Thursday, July 23.
Call 276-628-1600.
Back to School Bash Meets National Night Out featuring Tuatha Dea!
When: Sunday, August 2: 4-8pm (gates 3pm)
Where: The Meadows
Tickets: FREE
Celebrate the end of the 2026 Virginia Highlands Festival with a fun-filled, kid-focused Back to School Bash Finale! This daytime event is all about the kids & family with hands-on activities, interactive experiences, and plenty of space to play.
Enjoy live music and an interactive drum circle with Tuatha Dea at 4:30pm, plus exciting demos from local heroes—including the Abingdon Police Department & their K-9 unit, Abingdon Fire Department vehicle extrication, WCVA Life Saving Crew, WCVA Sheriff’s Office, and Virginia State Police. Kids can explore, learn, and meet first responders along the way!
With food trucks, tons of kid-friendly activities, and a primary focus on community and back-to-school readiness, it’s the perfect grand finale and a great way to kick off the school year.
Presented in partnership with the Abingdon Police Department and National Night Out, First Bank & Trust with Pack the Bus, and EO.
The Meadows Sports Complex, 78 Cook St., Abingdon, VA
Toy Wolf Pup Hunt 2026: July 24 — August 2
Join our local pack and hunt for toy wolf pups hidden throughout Historic Abingdon AND the Festival during this summer’s festivities! Inspired by the town’s colorful painted wolf statues created by local artists, this fun youth scavenger hunt encourages kids and families to explore both the festival and local businesses throughout town. There may be more than ten toy wolf pups hiding, but you only need ten business signatures on your scavenger hunt card to win your very own toy wolf pup prize.
Pick up scavenger hunt cards at the Youth Arts & Crafts Tent on the Martha Lawn, the Festival Info Tent, or the Abingdon Visitor’s Center.
Abingdon Outdoor Adventure Activity Book
Become a VHF Outdoor Adventurer by downloading a copy of the Outdoor Adventurer Activity Book. Complete the activities as you venture through Abingdon. Learn about Abingdon’s parks—for butterflies and munchkins. Find out about wyes, muster grounds, and two kinds of Virginia Creepers.
Bring your completed booklet to the Abingdon Visitors Center to receive your official
Abingdon Outdoor Adventurer button!
Chop It Like It’s Hot
Master Class Series
Tuesday, Sept. 16, 5:00-6:30pm
Free to participate (Registration required)
Join Joel Jerkins, winning mentor of the 2025 Chop It Like It’s Hot competition, for a demonstration masterclass where you’ll learn how to break down a whole chicken like a pro. From choosing the best cuts for your favorite recipes to making rich, flavorful stock, this is real-deal kitchen knowledge you can actually use. Learn skills. Cook smarter. Impress your friends (and maybe your family too). Master class is free but registration is required. Spots are limited, so grab yours now! Limited to 15.
Attention all young chefs! Get ready to show off your culinary skills and bring the heat in the kitchen at the "Chop it Like It's Hot" Youth Cooking Competition! Whether you're a seasoned home pro or just love experimenting with new flavors, this is your chance to shine! Open to middle schoolers through recent high school grads.
Teams (selected randomly on the night) will compete, with the help of a culinary expert mentor for a chance to win a day spent shadowing a local chef. Additional rules and application coming soon.
Stay tuned for your opportunity to snag your spot in this fun and thrilling competition where talented young cooks bring their A-game to the kitchen! You’ll witness creativity, passion, and some seriously impressive culinary skills as emerging young chefs battle it out for the top spot.
