Kids Activities in South Lake Tahoe

Visiting South Lake Tahoe bringing kids that get bored quickly? The good news is that South Lake Tahoe is a great destination for families with kids, as there are plenty of activities and attractions to keep everyone entertained. Here are some of the top kid-friendly activities in South Lake Tahoe:

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Skiing

For the outdoor enthusiasts in your family, South Lake Tahoe is a dream come true. During the winter months, there’s nothing quite like hitting the slopes at one of the area’s many ski resorts. Whether your children are beginners or seasoned pros, there’s a slope that’s perfect for them. You can even book lessons for your little ones to help them get started.

Sierra-At-Tahoe

Sierra-at-Tahoe is another great ski resort for families with kids. The resort has a dedicated learning area called the Easy Street Learning Center, which features gentle slopes and terrain parks designed specifically for beginners. Sierra-at-Tahoe also offers a variety of ski and snowboard lesson packages for kids, as well as group and private lessons.

Here’s the thing about South Lake Tahoe….skiing and snowboarding aren’t the only winter activities kids can experience. They can also go ice-skating, and sledding.

Sledding and Tubing

Sledding and tubing are fun winter activities for kids, and there are several places in South Lake Tahoe where you can enjoy these activities. Hansen's Resort offers a snow play area with sledding and tubing hills, and Adventure Mountain has a snow play area with tubing and sledding as well. There are also several public sledding hills, including at Bijou Community Park and Camp Richardson.

And if you're visiting during the summer months, there are plenty of water-based activities to enjoy, such as kayaking, paddle boarding, and swimming in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tahoe or one of the smaller lakes like Fallen Leaf Lake or Lake Baron.

Tahoe Wildlife Care Center

If your kids are animal lovers, they'll love visiting the Tahoe Wildlife Care Center. This rehabilitation center takes in injured and orphaned wildlife and nurses them back to health before releasing them back into the wild.

Visitors can take a guided tour of the facility and learn about the different animals that call the center home.

Address: 1551 Al Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Ice Skating

Another great option for kids is the South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena. This indoor ice rink is the perfect place to cool off during the hot summer months, or to enjoy a fun family activity during the winter. They offer public skating sessions as well as hockey and figure skating lessons.

Don't worry if your little one hasn't skated before, South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena has buckets to help steady those who are new to skating.

Address: 1176 Rufus Allen Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Catch a Movie

For families who love to be creative, Heavenly Village Cinemas is a must-visit destination. This movie theater not only shows the latest films but also hosts art exhibitions, live music events, and theater performances.

It's a great old-school place to spend a cozy evening with the family after a long day of outdoor activities.

Have a Snowball Fight at Camp Richardson

Camp Richardson is a popular recreation area located on the south shore of Lake Tahoe. In the winter, the area is transformed into a winter wonderland, with plenty of snow for playing and throwing snowballs. There are several open areas where you can have a snowball fight, including the beach area and the fields around the campground.

Just be sure to bundle up and wear waterproof boots, as the snow can get deep and slushy.

Tahoe Amusement Parks

Magic Carpet Golf & Arcade is a popular spot for families with kids, featuring two 18-hole mini golf courses and an arcade. Magic Carpet Golf is a well-kept entertainment option with its vintage games and pinball machines in its arcade. This is primarily a summer operation when it is open daily. They are also open in the spring and fall on weekends and holidays but we recommend calling ahead for current hours.

Another family favorite is the Heavenly Village area, which offers movies, activities, and snack options for all ages. There's also an ice skating rink, zip line, ropes course, and climbing wall located in the Heavenly Village.

Taylor Creek Visitor Center

Taylor Creek Visitor Center offers interactive learning opportunities for kids through exhibits, nature viewing, trails, and programs focused on the local ecology. It's an enriching outdoor activity that will educate and engage kids. Here are some things to do at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center!

Educational exhibits - The center has informative displays about the local forest environment, wildlife, and lake ecology. Kids can learn about the animals and plants native to the Lake Tahoe region through these hands-on exhibits.

Rainbow Trail bridge - This unique bridge crosses over Taylor Creek and has underwater viewing windows where kids can see Kokanee Salmon swimming upstream during their fall spawning season. It's an amazing opportunity to observe these fish up close in their natural habitat.

Hiking trails - There are a few short, family-friendly hiking trails around the visitor center that are perfect for kids. The Rainbow Trail loop is an easy 1-mile trail with interpretive signs about the forest. Getting out on the trails is a fun activity for kids.

Junior Ranger programs - The visitor center offers special Junior Ranger activity booklets and programs for kids to earn their Junior Ranger badges through completing educational activities. It makes learning about nature and the local environment interactive and engaging.

Junior Ranger programs - The visitor center offers special Junior Ranger activity booklets and programs for kids to earn their Junior Ranger badges through completing educational activities. It makes learning about nature and the local environment interactive and engaging.

Knowledgeable staff - The rangers and staff are extremely knowledgeable and can answer kids' questions about the salmon, wildlife, trees, and area. Making it an enriching educational experience.

South Lake Tahoe is a fantastic family destination with plenty of activities to keep kids of all ages entertained. From skiing and snowboarding to wildlife tours and indoor ice skating, there's something for everyone. So pack your bags, bring the kids, and get ready to make some unforgettable memories in this picturesque mountain town.