Whether you are an outside adventure family or appreciate visiting indoor locations, Reno Tahoe is fantastic for every season as a destination. When it comes to things to do in Reno with kids, there are simply so many things you can do year-round. While we have our standard child activities in Reno like outdoor recreation and neighborhood food truck events, here is a quick list of things you can do with your family any time of the year with some seasonal experiences mixed in for fun.
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Fly High and other trampoline parks
This premier trampoline park will certainly suit novices to the most seasoned and technical jumpers. From foam pits to trampoline dodgeball, they have all you need for an enjoyable time while working up a sweat. If you are traveling with a group or have a special occasion to celebrate, you can even rent the entire space. Obtain your bounce on at Fly High Trampoline Park.
Fly High Trampoline Park
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The Reno/Sparks area is home to several trampoline parks and adventure play spaces. Some other ones to check out include Defy Sparks, Urban Air and many more.
The Great Reno Balloon Race
The Great Reno Balloon Race is a must-do signature Reno event that the whole family can appreciate. Held in early September, plan your visit to Reno Tahoe to capture nearly 100 hot air balloons in the early morning brisk Reno fall skies, producing images and memories to last a lifetime. You’ll be in awe at the mix of design and colors of all the balloons, as well as make sure to take part in the various other activities at San Rafael Park, from pajama parties, warm cocoa and even tethered balloon trips.
The Great Reno Balloon Race
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Kimmie Candy
What child doesn’t like candy? Kimmie Candy is a candy manufacturing facility right here in Reno! Take your family on a cost-free excursion and see just how all the delicious sweets are made. From confectionary to delicious chocolate, Kimmie Candy will manage any type of craving for sweets. Please call in advance to arrange a visit.
Gambling Resorts and Casinos
The term hotel and casino surprisingly can also be kid-friendly. Several of Reno’s casinos and resorts have arcades, circus games and other play areas for children. The Circus Circus has transformed their Carnival Midway so both grown-ups as well as kids can experience a pleasant carnival experience with live circus and carnival midway acts after playing Whac-a-Mole. Whether you’re checking out with your entire family household or you simply intend to be a kid once again, you’ll have a great experience at the Carnival Midway at the Circus Circus.
Inside the Grand Sierra Resort, you will certainly enjoy a movie theater, bowling alley, outdoor golf driving range where you can hit golf balls onto islands situated in a large body of water, and a large video game arcade, complete with virtual reality and laser tag. With 40,000 sq. ft. of attractions and games, Fun Quest might simply be the biggest video game arcade you and your children will ever experience. Within the hotel’s property, you will also discover a Go-Kart track, miniature golf as well as Ultimate Rush, which is a gigantic swing that will slingshot you 180 feet right into the air. Grand Sierra Resort’s Grand Adventure land is the perfect area to create some adrenaline-pumping memories.
The Terry Lee Well Discovery Museum
Located in the heart of midtown Reno, this is a kid activity in Reno you and your family won’t quickly fail to remember.
For a hands-on discovering experience in all things scientific research, innovation, engineering, invention and history, family members can visit the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum which is sure to draw out the internal child in all people. The museum’s permanent and included exhibitions, include Under the Stars, Inside Out: An Anatomy Experience and also Da Vinci’s Corner, are sure to influence interest, creativity and the pleasures of long-lasting learning for all visitors.
Washoe County Library Summer Reading Program
Track your kid’s studying and earn level prizes, raffle tickets and much more. This is an great way to inspire studying straight through the Summer. As a bonus, it is free of charge. Check out their full schedule of events on the Washoe County Library website.
Nevada Bugs & Butterflies
![Source: Nevada Bugs & Butterflies [object object] things to do in reno with kids](https://assets.windypinwheel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/nevada-bugs-and-butterflies.jpg.webp "[object object] things to do in reno with kids")
Do you have a bug enthusiast in your family? Another thing to do in Reno with kids is a visit at Nevada Bugs & Butterflies that is a great kid-friendly location in Lemon Valley, just north of Reno, to get some hands-on experiences with smaller living things all around us to get kids excited about science and the environment.
Venture to a Puzzle/Escape Room
Solving clues to escape your themed escape room is the premise behind The Puzzle Room – Reno in downtown Reno. This is a great thing to do in Reno with kids for a uniquely memorable experience bonding together to solve problems and getting out just in the nick of time.
Reno Aces Baseball
During the springtime as well as Summer, you can see the Reno Aces dip into Greater Nevada Field. And what better method to hang around with each other as a family than a baseball video game? As the minor league associates of the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Aces play upwards of 60 house games, as well as have all type of unique occasions and also promos. After every Friday night home video game, the park holds a firework show you don’t wish to miss. So get the children, some peanuts as well as Biscuit Jacks and also appreciate the video game and also the program!
Check out a Splash Pad like the one at Lazy 5 Regional Park & Water Park
Lazy 5 Regional Park & Water Park in Sparks near Spanish Springs on Pyramid Way. There’s additionally a huge library, park and grass area, in addition to the amazing “splash pad” experience part of the park. The price of admission is presently $3 each (children ages 2 and under and seniors ages 62+ are free and 5-visit & 10-visit punch passes are also available) as well as a gazebo/pavillion area to host birthday celebration parties as you can book a covered location for your celebration. If swimming pools aren’t your favorite thing to do in Reno with kids or if your youngsters do not appreciate the pool as much, this could be a terrific option for some great water play. Additionally, your kids can venture out to the playground if they are done having fun in the water to get their energy out.
Sierra Nevada Zoological Park
The largest zoo in Nevada, Sierra Nevada Zoological Park houses just over two hundred animals and over forty different types. A few of their more exotic animals consist of lemurs, zebras, camels, leopards, lions, tigers and monkeys! The zoo is run by a personnel of volunteers, and their goal is to promote empathy for and knowledge concerning animals and the atmosphere by bringing people and pets together.
Animal Ark
Animal Ark, located just a short 30-minute trip north in the Reno area, is a wildlife haven for non-releasable animals. Kids are educated on environmental concepts as well as wildlife through unique shows occasions and also instructional tours as well as can get in touch with nature and also wildlife in a rewarding and unique method. Make certain to look into Animal Ark’s events calendar and also see what fun events are turning up, consisting of Tiger Talks as well as the Cheetah Dash.
Boomtown Family Fun Center
Boomtown Family Fun Center, located near Verdi in west Reno, “an arcade featuring over 30,000 square feet bursting with exciting games for kids of all ages and a redemption center that offers a huge array of fun prizes.” This location hosts a carousel, Extreme 4D Motion Theater, covered wagon ferris wheel, and the Rodeo Rider, plus over 200 video games and redemption games, a birthday/special occasion party room and a snack bar.
This location makes for a great afternoon getaway among the many things to do in Reno with kids.
Boomtown Extreme 4D Motion Theater Promo
Virginia City
Simply minutes southeast of Reno, this historic little town is filled with kid-friendly activities that will leave the whole family members sensation like they’ve stepped back in time. With directed trips around Virginia City, train trips, galleries, unusual shops, restaurants and historic websites, it’s your play area to discover this mining town that put Nevada on the map. With wooden sidewalks, original saloons and a child shooting gallery this is a fantastic day-trip that won’t soon be forgotten. From the well-known Comstock Lode silver mine, The Way It Was Museum and Grandma’s Fudge Factory as well as Barrels O’ Candy shop – your family members will want to see and do it all.
Food Truck Fridays and mid-week food truck events
Feed the Camel is an enjoyable food truck event for the family members. Honoring its namesake, the occasion happens each “hump day” (Wednesday) from June through August at the McKinley Arts Center in midtown Reno. Not only is there a selection of Reno Tahoe’s best food vehicles, you can additionally browse arts and crafts sold by neighborhood artisans.
Situated at Idlewild Park off the Truckee River, every Friday from May to September greater than 20 regional food trucks set up for the event in the park. Bring a blanket and secure a comfy spot on the lawn with a lots of space for children to run around and play after eating some great food that Reno’s armada of food trucks has to offer. This event includes a pop-up rock climbing wall that entertains the kids as well as live songs from musicians in the area.
Scheels at Legends
Among many of the kids activities in Reno on this list, Scheels is an amazing experience that can’t be missed. Scheels has more than athletic equipment for sale, they also have things for your little ones to do that are really inexpensive. Take a ride or two on the Ferris Wheel, visit the taxidermied animal area upstairs, let your kids run wild in the play structure, watch the fresh and saltwater fish in the giant aquariums near the cash registers or play a game of bowling or go to the shooting gallery. There is so much to do at Scheels. I am sure you have been there already and this goes without saying, but this place is a great adventure for kids and adults alike.
A visitor’s experience on the Ferris Wheel at Scheels in Sparks at Legends
Wild Island
Wild Island in Sparks, Nevada near Legends has all sorts of attractions to keep any kid and the entire family, for that matter, engaged for a day of play. From a full-sized water park, to indoor go karts, bowling at Coconut Bowl, miniature golf, a tube climbing structure called High Ballocity and much more, this place is the one-stop destination if you are looking for everything that a family-fun location can offer.
When I am looking for somewhere to take my younger kids that has air conditioning, I choose High Ballocity, for an economical all-day pass. My younger kids can play in that play structure for hours at a time; coming out to either get a drink of water or to go to the restroom. This place is a hit with my family.
Coconut Bowl at Wild Island
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Fleischmann Planetarium & Science Center
Spend a little time checking out the free exhibits outside of the planetarium theater and/or spend $5/child on admission to an interactive movie/show at the Fleischmann Planetarium & Science Center. Exhibits are free to experience and open 7 days/week.
Annual Nevada Department of Wildlife Free Fishing Day
Did you know that there is a Free Fishing Day here in Nevada every June for kids? We may have missed it this year, but annually The Nevada Department of Wildlife’s holds a “Free Fishing Day” on the second Saturday in June. During free fishing day, you can fish in any public water within the state with no need to buy a fishing license or trout stamp. All catch limits and applicable laws do follow, so please make sure you know them before heading out to where the map turns blue. Here is a list of regulations on eRegulations.com.
Skiing and Snowboarding
With nearly 20 ski resorts near Reno, Nevada, you’re sure to find a great location to plan for a winter trip among all of the other things to do in Reno with kids. From Mt. Rose to Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows, a couple of my favorites as a local, you can get your board tuned up at Bobo’s Ski Board Patio and head up for the day to make some turns in both powder and groomed trails. You’re sure to have a great time with your kids and make memories that last for years to come.
Indoor/Outdoor Ice Skating (Year-Round)
Located in south Reno near the South Valleys Public Library, Washoe Little League Fields, and the South Valleys Regional Sports Complex is the Reno Ice Community Ice Arena, an indoor ice skating rink. From ice skating lessons, to early bird ice skating, as early as 5:00AM on weekdays, to the occasional hockey game, this nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization is here to serve the recreational ice skating needs of the Reno/Sparks and Truckee Meadows community year-round.
Not only can you ice skate indoors year-round, but in the late Fall/early Winter through into the Spring, you can find two other ice skating rinks, outdoors, at the Grand Sierra Resort and “The Rink at the Row” near Circus Circus in downtown Reno.
Things to do in Lake Tahoe
Nothing beats a day at the beach. Of course, the nearest ocean is roughly 230 miles west of us in Reno, making a day trip rather more of an epic journey. But don’t despair beach buns; Northern Nevada offers many beach day-aways, starting with the world-renown Lake Tahoe. Here is a break down list of things to do in Lake Tahoe from an insider’s perspective.
Lake Tahoe Select Images
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Go Karts
Reno has many options when it comes to riding go karts. From Need 2 Speed in south Reno near Target to Wild Island’s Jungle Kart blacklight indoor go kart racing, to outdoor go kart racing at the Grand Sierra Resort, feel the rush and wind in your hair as your make some turns and bump your family members to get to the finish line.
Miniature Golf
Reno, Nevada options for miniature golf are many. The Grand Sierra Resort, Wild Island, which has both indoor blacklight mini-golf and outdoor mini-golf, and Magic Carpet Golf are all great locations to soak in some put-put action and perfect your short game skills.
Wilbur D. May Museum at Rancho San Rafael Park
One of the oldest museums in the Reno/Sparks area, the Wilbur D. May museum can make for a great morning or afternoon indoor experience.
“The May Museum houses the private collection of Wilbur D. May. During a lifetime of world travel and adventure, Wilbur May accumulated thousands of rare and exotic artifacts, which he brought back to his Reno home. Since 1985, his unique ethnographic collection has been on display for the public to enjoy… The Museum also hosts traveling exhibitions, special programs, and events year-round.” Source: Washoe County Parks and Recreation website. So, check out their website regularly to see what traveling exhibitions are in town at the moment.
Local Parks
Reno and Sparks have a lot of great parks. We even reviewed a couple on our site. This means fun that is entirely free for your kids and they always want to go back as often as you want to take them. My kids never get bored of going to the park. Find a complete record of Parks for each city on the City of Reno website, and City of Sparks website. My favorites are Damonte Ranch Park in South Reno, just a stone’s throw from where I live and Pah Rah Park in Sparks.
We hope this list got you thinking about things to do in Reno with kids. Looking for more ideas this summer of things to do with your kids, check out our article on 5 air conditioned ideas of fun things to do with kids or our article on 12 places to keep cool in Northern Nevada and the Sierras: Reno/Sparks, Lake Tahoe and beyond.
