Mount Trashmore Park

Mount Trashmore Park at Edwin Drive is arguably Virginia Beach's best free family outing — a 165-acre park that somehow makes a converted landfill feel like a genuine natural destination. The 'mountain' is the elevated core of what was a municipal landfill from the 1970s, now grassed over and one of the most-loved pieces of public land in the city.

The kite-flying hill is where you start. The elevated summit catches consistent wind, the open grass gives you room to let the kite climb, and the view across the park and toward the city skyline is genuinely pleasant. Buy a kite before you go — $15-20 at Target or Walmart for something that will actually fly — and plan 30-45 minutes on the hill before moving to the next phase.

Kids Cove playground (the dedicated listing is at the same address) is one of the largest playgrounds in the Virginia Beach area, with a nautical theme and multi-level structures appropriate for different ages. This alone can occupy younger kids for an hour.

The lake loop trail is 2 miles of paved, flat, stroller-friendly path around the park's central lake. It's actually beautiful — the lake, the mature trees on the loop, and the mountain reflected in the water give it more visual character than most urban park trails deliver. For families with bikes or scooters, the path system extends throughout the park.

A skatepark is also within the park boundaries for older kids and teens who skateboard or scooter. It's a well-established park skatepark — bring equipment if your kids are into it.

Total cost: $0. Total picnic cost: whatever you pack. This is one of the legitimately great free family half-days in the Hampton Roads area, and it's not close.