2025 NC State Fair: Tips for families with children

Read on for North Carolina State Fair tips for parents, especially those bringing young children.

It's an understatement that taking little kids to the NC State Fair can be stressful. However, the whirlwind of rides, animals and treats the N.C State Fair offers can deliver an exciting outing for kids and parents.

The 2025 NC State Fair runs Oct. 16 to Oct. 26. The family-friendly information below comes courtesy of the NC State Fair folks, personal experience and tips from readers over the years.

Food and ride finder | List: 86 new foods this year | NC State Fair daily schedule | Complete NC State Fair guide

NC State Fair tips for families

The fair opens at noon on Thursday, Oct. 16, and gates open at 9 a.m. for the remainder of the NC State Fair.

Get there early! Plan to arrive at 8:30 a.m. to be ready to beat the rush when the gates open. Bring your own stroller if possible, because there will be a lot of walking. Bags, including diaper bags, are allowed, along with outside food and drink, water bottles, medication and baby/toddler supplies. Clear bags will get you in faster.

If you have children under 5, head straight to Kiddieland, near Gates 1, 2 and 12 off Hillsborough Street and Blue Ridge Road, for kid-friendly rides and exhibits. It's not a long walk from there to see the animals at the Graham Building and the Agri Supply Expo Center, close to the waterfall at Dorton Arena.

Walk a little farther, past the Midway, for the kid-friendly Flower & Garden Show & Butterfly Barn and Children's Barnyard, both in front of the Village of Yesteryear.

Here's what else you need to know:

Can parents ride for free at NC State Fair?

Minimum height requirements for children’s rides are 36 inches tall. The Kiddieland Midway area consists of about 25 rides and four games suitable for young children. Most children's rides cost between 2 and 4 tickets. The games do not accept ride tickets. They are cash only.

Parents can ride on all slides and Merry-Go-Rounds for free when accompanying a paying child who is 40-inches tall or less. There are no minimum height requirements for these particular rides.

If you're one to map out your food and ride plans before you go, the NC State Fair has a food and ride finder.

Should I buy NC State Fair tickets in advance?

If you know you're going to go, it's best to buy those tickets as soon as you can to save both money and time - and before Oct. 16. Admission tickets are cheaper online, and, if you arrive with tickets, you won't have to wait on line at the fair to buy them. (Kids 5 and under get into the fair for free.)

If your kids plan to ride a lot of rides, you can purchase unlimited ride wristbands for $30 (until Oct. 16) or $40 at the fair. Tickets at regular price are $1 per ticket. Most of the kiddie rides take 3 tickets each. Other rides for older children and adults require 4 to 8 tickets each. Go to the NC State Fair's website to buy tickets online.

NC State Fair stroller and wagon vendors

Stroller and child’s wagon vendors set up at Gates 1, 7, 8, 9 and 10. Most strollers and wagons are first-come, first-serve. The vendor will take a deposit of collateral such as cash, a driver's license or car keys.

Nursing stations at the NC State Fair

Changing tables are available in most restrooms, and family restrooms are available in the Martin Building and Agri Supply Exposition Center. Mothers' rooms for nursing and pumping are located in the Scott and Martin buildings and the Agri Supply Exposition Center.

Can you bring a diaper bag to the NC State Fair?

Yes, you can bring a diaper bag, but bringing a clear bag will get you past security faster.

The NC State Fair is has a modified clear bag policy in place for 2025 and will operate two security checkpoints at each gate. Fairgoers who bring a clear bag (no size limit) will go through a much quicker inspection, while those with other bags will go through a bag search line.

Outside food and drink, water bottles, diaper bags with baby/toddler supplies and medications are allowed.

Parking, wheelchairs for guests with disabilities

Visitors with handicap permits should park in the paved parking lot at the corner of Blue Ridge Road and Trinity Road, near Gate 10. There are more than 100 parking spaces designated for use by visitors with disabilities in this lot, but a valid handicap permit is required. Visitors can access the fair through Gates 9 and 10.

When handicap parking spaces at Gate 10 are filled, drivers with valid handicap permits will be directed to overflow handicap parking at Carter-Finley Stadium.

Wheelchair and electric scooter vendors are set up near gates 1, 7, 8, 9 and 10 on a first-come, first-serve basis. In addition to the rental fee for the wheelchairs and electric scooters the vendor will hold collateral such as license or car keys to insure timely return of the rental equipment.

To accomodate older kids and adults with disabilities, universal changing tables are available in the Scott Building and Agri Supply Exposition Center.

Tram service at the NC State Fair

Visitors who do not require wheelchairs can take advantage of tram services ($6 for seniors ages 65+; $7 for ages 7-64. Kids 5 years old and younger are free with an accompanying adult).

An inner perimeter tram operates inside the gates of the fairgrounds for a fee. This tram stops at Gate 1, Gate 10, Dorton Arena and Gate 8. Ticket booths for purchasing tram tickets are located at each of these stops inside the fairgrounds. Tram tickets cannot be purchased in advance.

NC State Fair sensory day

The NC State Fair will host a sensory day on Sunday, Oct. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for adults and children. During this time, visitors can expect:

• Rides and games will open at 9 a.m. and will operate with no lights or music playing.
• Vendors will operate with no lights or music at their booths.
• Music stages will only play acoustic sets with light amplification.
• The public address system will only be used for lost visitor announcements.

Additionally:

• A “Bandwidth Chill Out Zone” will be available to guests in the Graham Building with tables/chairs, low lighting and soft music playing for those who need to take a break from the busy atmosphere outside (9 a.m. - 5 p.m.).
• Guests can compete in specially designed inclusive and/or adaptive “on the spot” competitions (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.).
• Noise cancelling headphones will be available to check out in the “Bandwidth Chill Out Zone” for those who need them (9a.m. - 5 p.m.).

When is the best time to go to the fair to beat the crowds?

Mornings are a good time to see the fair if you want to avoid crowds. The first Thursday (Oct. 16) along with Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (Oct. 20 to Oct. 22) traditionally have lower attendance at the N.C. State Fair.

2025 NC State Fair top picks for families

Here are some great options for young families visiting the NC State Fair. All are free unless specified otherwise.

Meet farm animals - See cattle, sheep, goats, swine and learn more about the various breeds of farm animals raised in North Carolina. Visitors also can milk a cow with the help of volunteers from the N.C. State University Animal Science Club. The State Fair Ark is located in the Agri Supply Exposition Center and will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 9:45 p.m., except on Thursday, Oct. 16, when the exhibit will open at 12 p.m.

Field of Dreams - This exhibit includes a coloring contest, mini John Deere tractor rides, rabbits, a turkey and a bonus photo area where families can take a snapshot from their day on the “farm.” Located at Gate 1 near Dorton Arena. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., except on Thursday, Oct. 16, when the exhibit will open at 12 p.m.

Mobile Dairy Classroom - Stop by the Southland Dairy Farmers' Mobile Dairy Classroom between the Graham Building and Agri Supply Exposition Center to learn how milk is made and distributed. Schedule: Thursday, Oct. 16, at 3:30, 5 and 6 p.m. and Friday, Oct. 17-Sunday, Oct. 26 at 10 a.m., 12, 3, 5 and 6 p.m.

The Flower and Garden Show, located near the Village of Yesteryear and Heritage Circle. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 9:45 p.m., except Oct. 16, when the exhibit will open at 12 p.m.

Antique Farm Machinery Exhibit - Located near the Village of Yesteryear, this displays a collection of vintage farm tools ranging from traditional spinning wheels to aged hand reapers.

The milk booth inside the Kerr Scott Building has been an NC State Fair staple for decades. For a cold, refreshing break from fried foods, kids can get chocolate or plain milk.