Things to Do with Kids in Brentwood, TN: A Full Day Itinerary
CityPark Brentwood
Planning a full day of things to do with kids in Brentwood, TN? While Brentwood doesn’t have a traditional historic square or walkable Main Street, much of what locals consider “downtown” is centered along Franklin Road near I-65, where restaurants, shops, and family-friendly stops sit close together.
Most of the places in this itinerary are located within that central stretch, making it easy to move from breakfast to lunch to an indoor activity without long drives or complicated parking. A few parks and specialty destinations are just a short drive away, but still close enough to work into the day without feeling out of the way.
It may not resemble a classic downtown, but Brentwood’s layout works well for families who want convenience, flexibility, and fun. Here’s how to plan a full day in Brentwood with kids.
Another Broken Egg Cafe
Kid-Friendly Breakfast Restaurants in Brentwood, TN
A good family day in Brentwood starts with a relaxed, no-stress breakfast, and Another Broken Egg Cafe is a great place to begin. Known for its Southern-inspired dishes and hearty omelets, it works well for families who want a full sit-down meal before heading out.
For kids, the dedicated children’s menu is a draw. Chocolate chip pancakes, fluffy French toast, scrambled eggs, and waffles are all designed with younger diners in mind. Each meal comes with a choice of apple juice or milk, which makes ordering simple and keeps everyone happy at the table. It’s the kind of place where adults can enjoy a proper breakfast while kids still feel like the menu was made for them.
If you’re looking for alternatives nearby, The Puffy Muffin remains a longtime local favorite with classic breakfast plates and a well-stocked bakery case. First Watch offers juices, pancakes, breakfast tacos, and lighter options to accommodate different tastes. And for a quicker start, Maple Street Biscuit Company is known for its hearty biscuit sandwiches and Southern-style breakfast options that travel well if you’d rather eat on the go.
Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary
Outdoor Nature Experiences in Brentwood for Families and Kids
While it sits outside Brentwood’s main cluster of restaurants and shops, Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary offers a nature-focused experience that is worth the short drive. This 300-acre protected sanctuary is home to more than 2,000 species of native plants and wildlife, including forests, creeks, ponds, and open meadows.
Access is intentionally limited to protect the fragile habitats, and Day Passes are available online on the day of your visit. Once inside, families can hike marked trails, explore different ecosystems, and look for wildlife along the way. It’s quieter than a traditional park, more about observation and exploration than playground equipment. Kids can follow the trail map, search for animal tracks, or simply enjoy the feeling of being deep in the woods.
Owl’s Hill also offers public programs, school programs, and seasonal events throughout the year, along with opportunities to see their non-releasable owls and Wildlife Ambassadors. If your child is interested in animals, conservation, or outdoor learning, this is a meaningful and memorable way to start the day.
For a more traditional but still standout park option, Granny White Park is one of Brentwood’s most popular family parks. The 32-acre park features a large inclusive playground with two main jungle gyms designed for different age groups, plenty of swings, and access to restrooms. Walking and exercise trails wind through the property, and the Rotary Pavilion and athletic fields make it a lively place to spend the afternoon.
If you’d like additional outdoor options, Brentwood has several others worth considering:
- Crockett Park has a large playground, open meadows, paved walking paths, and the Eddy Arnold Amphitheater, which hosts free community events including the Summer Concert Series and the annual Fourth of July celebration.
- Marcella Vivrette Smith Park has wooded hiking trails and wide views.
- Deerwood Arboretum & Nature Center offers a peaceful walk through wooded trails and open green space.
- River Park has greenway access along the Little Harpeth River.
- Windy Hill Park features 52 acres of open green space, a playground, and a paved loop trail that works well for scooters and stroller walks.
Whether your family prefers structured play, wooded trails, or hands-on environmental learning, Brentwood offers spaces that make it easy to enjoy the great outdoors.
CityPark Brentwood
Kid-Friendly Lunch Spots in Brentwood, TN
If you’re looking for a spot where adults can sit and eat while kids still have room to move, CityPark Brentwood is the place to be.
Unlike traditional strip centers, CityPark is designed with a central green lawn surrounded by restaurants. Families can grab food and then head straight outside, where kids can run, toss a ball, or simply stretch their legs. The open space makes it feel less like a meal stop and more like another active play destination.
Dining options surround the lawn, offering a range of casual choices that work well with kids. Blaze Pizza keeps things simple with customizable pizzas. 55 South offers Southern-inspired dishes along with activity sheets to keep the kids entertained while they wait for their meal. I Love Juice Bar provides smoothies and lighter options, while Waldo’s Chicken and Beer serves rotisserie chicken and familiar sides that work well for families. For something different, Suki Sushi adds sushi and Japanese dishes to the mix.
After a meal, kids don’t have to sit still or head straight back to the car. The central lawn gives them room to run, play, and reset before the next stop on your list. Adults can take a moment to relax while kids burn off energy, and then you’re ready to continue the day.
If you’re craving something different, several other family-friendly restaurants are just minutes away near the same Franklin Road corridor. MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes is always a hit for build-your-own burgers and milkshakes. For barbecue, Corky’s Ribs & BBQ and Judge Bean’s BBQ both offer hearty plates and sides. Families looking for lighter fare can head to E+ROSE Wellness Cafe for smoothies and fresh bowls. And Jefferson’s remains another great pick for burgers and wings.
Sky Zone Trampoline Park
Indoor Activities for Kids in Brentwood
After lunch, if the kids still have energy to burn, Brentwood has several dependable fun indoor options nearby.
For elementary and middle schoolers, Sky Zone Trampoline Park and Brentwood Skate Center are the go-to choices. Sky Zone offers wall-to-wall trampolines, foam pits, and active games that let kids jump, flip, and compete. Brentwood Skate Center provides a more classic experience with open skate sessions in a traditional rink setting. It has been a local fixture for years and remains a reliable option for kids who want something active but indoors.
For toddlers and preschoolers, The Monkey’s Treehouse Play Space & Eatery is often the better fit. The contained climbing structures and imaginative play areas are designed for younger children, giving them room to explore while parents stay close. At the on-site café, you can grab a drink or light bite without cutting playtime short.
If a quieter activity sounds better, the John P. Holt Brentwood Library offers more than just shelves of books. The children’s area is light-filled and imaginative, designed to feel like stepping into a storybook. Arched entrances made to look like stacked books, tree-themed reading nooks, and a dedicated Story Room create a space where kids can wander, explore, and settle in with a stack of favorites.
Chuy’s Brentwood
Family-Friendly Restaurants in Brentwood: Dinner & Dessert
If you’re looking for a dinner spot that feels like part of the entertainment, Chuy’s in Brentwood is a great choice. The food leans Tex-Mex with familiar favorites like cheese quesadillas, bean burritos, and even burgers and fries, but the atmosphere is what makes it memorable for kids.
Inside, the space is bright, colorful, and full of things to notice. Palm-tree décor, patterned tile floors, and eclectic artwork give it an upbeat feel. One of the most talked-about features is the back dining room, where vintage hubcaps cover the ceiling. Framed photos of customers’ dogs line parts of the restaurant, and Elvis-inspired touches appear throughout. It’s the kind of place where kids stay curious because there’s always something new to spot between bites.
Other Tex-Mex favorites include Uncle Julios, where kids can order a customized meal where they choose an entrée along with a dip and sides, and Cinco De Mayo, with a kids’ menu that branches out to include hamburgers and hot dogs.
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill has a dedicated kids menu featuring grilled chicken, ribs, mac & cheese, burgers, and chicken fingers, and Jonathan’s Grille offers a sports-bar-style restaurant with a family-friendly feel. Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen is another option, offering a full kids’ menu featuring junior burgers, tenders, and grilled cheese
If dessert is part of the plan, Brentwood has several places where you can end the day on a sweet note. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is a favorite for families, with rotating seasonal flavors alongside kid-friendly classics. Crumbl Cookies offers oversized cookies in changing weekly flavors that are fun to split, and Nothing Bundt Cakes serves individual bundtlets that feel like just the right portion after dinner.
Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory
Bonus Activity in Brentwood: Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory
If you want to turn a regular day into something memorable, Brentwood has an option that rewards a little advance scheduling: Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory. The observatory hosts public telescope nights and educational programs throughout the year, giving kids a chance to see planets, stars, and lunar features up close. Checking the calendar before your visit is essential, but when the timing lines up, it can easily become the highlight of the day.
Make the Most of Your Time in Brentwood, Tennessee
When making your plans to visit Brentwood, take a minute to see what else is happening. Throughout the year, the city hosts seasonal events, outdoor concerts, holiday celebrations, and family-friendly festivals that can easily elevate a regular day into something more.
To stay current on what’s happening during your visit, check the FranklinIs Events Calendar. It’s the simplest way to see upcoming activities, special programs, and annual traditions happening in Brentwood, Franklin, and the surrounding area.
Whether you’re spending the day at a park, exploring a nature sanctuary, bouncing at an indoor play space, or finishing with dinner and dessert along Franklin Road, Brentwood offers a full day of fun for the whole family.
