12 Fun Things to Do with Kids Activities in Santa Fe
The capital of New Mexico is Santa Fe, also referred to as The City Different.
You can bring your family here for a much-needed getaway from the frenetic pace of larger cities.
It is the perfect place to focus on spending quality time with your kids while engaging in a variety of fun activities.
Think about going to a museum with amazing displays, a city with cute streets, or a historical site.
A popular local ice cream flavor can be tried, visit a cultural destination, and many more fun activities are available.
Discover all that Santa Fe has to offer, and have fun doing it with the kids.
Check out the list below to start organizing the perfect vacation!
- Santa Fe Plaza
The Santa Fe Plaza, founded in 1821, is a National Historic Landmark.
It is located in the city’s central business center.
Why We Suggest This Family-Friendly Activity
Make your way to this historic plaza if you want to spend quality time with your kids while not breaking the bank by taking advantage of the city’s many free, family-friendly activities.
You can take a break on a bench here, enjoy some fresh air while pushing your child’s pram, and take in a variety of street performers.
It also has a ton of neighborhood eateries and boutique shops that you can explore with your family.
Suitable Ages
Everyone is cordially invited to visit the Santa Fe Plaza, including children and adults.
- St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral Basilica
The mother church of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe is the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, often known as the Saint Francis Cathedral.
Why We Suggest This Family-Friendly Activity
Are you looking for interesting and memorable things to do in Santa Fe with kids?
Then, think about visiting the numerous historic cathedrals, including this stunning cathedral.
It is the ideal location for taking lots of family photos, going to a big celebration, or learning about its fascinating history that dates back to the late 19th century.
Suitable Ages
This basilica is open to visitors of all ages, but older kids may likely enjoy its magnificence more.
- Meow Wolf Santa Fe
Meow Wolf Santa Fe is a unique museum with immersive and interactive art displays that opened its doors in 2016.
Why We Suggest This Family-Friendly Activity
One of the most well-liked kid’s attractions is Meow Wolf Santa Fe, where you may transport your loved ones to a variety of magnificent and vibrant universes.
You and your kids can explore more than 70 themed rooms with a wide range of immersive experiences, such as multimedia and narrated parts.
You can expect to see, among other things, a black-and-white room, fake villages, and a beautiful forest.
Suitable Ages
If you are traveling with a baby, toddler, child, or teenager, this renowned museum is ideal.
- International Folk Art Museum
The Museum of International Folk Art, which opened in 1953, has the largest collection of folk art in the world.
You may view at least 130,000 objects, many of which are amazing.
Why We Suggest This Family-Friendly Activity
Drive on over to this well-regarded museum while looking for places to take kids in Santa Fe for an exciting tour experience.
Numerous exquisite items from all around the world are on show there, including costumes, fabrics, religious objects, beading, paintings, and much more.
Your children will especially like the galleries that showcase a variety of dolls and toys from diverse countries.
Suitable Ages
Visitors of all ages are welcome at the Museum of International Folk Art.
- New Mexico’s State Capitol
The seat of the state’s government is located in the New Mexico State Capitol, sometimes known as the Roundhouse.
Why We Suggest This Family-Friendly Activity
If you’re stumped for unique and exciting things to do with kids, take into account this well-known tourist destination.
It is built in an unusual spherical shape and has amazing art installations all over the building.
It also has a beautiful garden with beautiful plants, such as Russian olive trees and sequoias.
Suitable Ages
Although this attraction is accessible to all, teens may find it more enjoyable than toddlers and smaller children.
- The Rancho de las Golondrinas
The Ranch of the Swallows is the English name for El Rancho de las Golondrinas.
It is a living history museum with a plot of land larger than 3 acres.
Why We Suggest This Family-Friendly Activity
By scheduling a tour of this museum right away, you may go back in time to the New Mexico frontier.
It is a great choice for inexpensive family entertainment that is both entertaining and instructive.
Through interactive games and exhibitions, you and your children may discover what life was like in the early 18th century.
It has friendly tour guides dressed in clothes from the time, which makes the tour more immersive and family-friendly.
Before leaving, stop by the gift shop to pick up toys, dolls, clothes, and games for your kids as mementos.
Suitable Ages
The ideal visitors to El Rancho de las Golondrinas are families with school-aged children.
- Loretto Chapel
The Loretto Chapel, built in 1878, is well-known for its spiral staircase, which has a helix design and is the topic of folklore in the area.
Why We Suggest This Family-Friendly Activity
Going on a sightseeing adventure is one of the nicest things you can do as a family in Santa Fe.
The historic Loretto Chapel, a former Roman Catholic Church that is now a museum and a well-liked wedding location, is a must-see.
Make a quick stop at this outstanding chapel and gain some insight into its history as you and your loved ones explore the city.
Take lots of pictures with your kids in front of this popular tourist destination, then stop by the gift shop to purchase souvenirs to remember your trip.
Suitable Ages
Children of all ages are welcome in the Loretto Chapel, but those who are 8 and older might enjoy it more.
- Santa Fe ski
A top-notch ski resort, Ski Santa Fe offers instruction, equipment rentals, and other services.
With a base height of more than 10,000 feet, it is well known for its amenities for families.
Why We Suggest This Family-Friendly Activity
Enjoy one of the greatest things to do in Santa Fe with kids by going on a snowy adventure at this ski resort while having a great time with your family.
Playing with your kids in the snow is a great way to make memories that will last a lifetime.
You can go skiing, snowboarding, or take scenic lift trips with your older kids.
You can reserve private classes here if you and your loved ones are brand new to winter sports.
Suitable Ages
Children must be between the ages of 6 and 11 to take ski lessons, and only children between the ages of 8 and 11 can take snowboarding lessons.
- Children’s Museum of Santa Fe
The Santa Fe Children’s Museum offers engaging displays on the humanities, sciences, and arts.
Additionally, it offers play spaces to keep your kids completely occupied.
Why We Suggest This Family-Friendly Activity
Taking toddlers to this museum for some much-needed quality time together is one of the nicest things to do in Santa Fe.
Here, you and your friends can engage in a variety of enjoyable activities, like building Lego creations, creating art projects, and conducting experiments.
It also has a kid-friendly rock climbing wall, a garden where they can learn how to take care of plants, and a planetarium where you can see the wonders of the cosmos.
Suitable Ages
For people of all ages, the Santa Fe Children’s Museum joyfully opens its doors.
However, the majority of the exhibits are geared toward babies and toddlers.
- Oasis Ice Cream Shop
One of Santa Fe’s best handmade ice cream shops is The Oasis Ice Cream Shop.
Why We Suggest This Family-Friendly Activity
While taking a break from touring the city and all of its great attractions, enjoy a cool and scrumptious treat at this ice cream shop.
It offers a variety of flavors, like chocolate or fruits, as well as other delectable Mexican specialties, like churros, tacos, and nachos.
Suitable Ages
A fun family destination, The Oasis Ice Cream Shop provides cool treats for you and your children of all ages.
- Downtown La Lecheria
A popular ice cream parlor with a lunch menu and 12 delectable varieties are called La Lecheria Downtown.
Why Do We Recommend This Fun Family Activity?
After spending time with your family doing different things with kids in Santa Fe, New Mexico, you can refuel and rest your feet by getting a delicious ice cream cone from this local shop.
At least twelve distinct varieties are available, plus there are also other delicious options like freshly baked goodies, sandwiches, savory soups, and healthy salads.
Suitable Ages
La Lecheria Downtown is happy to have you and your baby, toddler, kid, or teen.
- Santa Fe Botanical Garden
The Santa Fe Botanical Garden is a botanical center where the whole family can enjoy guided tours and educational programs.
Why We Suggest This Family-Friendly Activity
The Santa Fe Botanical Garden is a sight to behold and the best place to go while looking for family-friendly activities in Santa Fe.
This weekend, spend time with your kids doing a variety of fun things outside in the beauty of nature.
The Garden Sprouts program, where you can listen to a narrative and garden, is one of the things you may check out together.
Another is the Tuesday Family Mornings, which offers interactive games, creative opportunities, and educational opportunities.
Suitable Ages
This botanical center’s activities come with a list of minimum age restrictions.
For instance, the Garden Sprouts are only for your family and children ages 3 to 5.