25 Fun Things to Do in Palm Springs with Kids
Palm Springs is a popular tourist destination because of its proximity to the mountains.
It is located in the Sonoran Desert and is only a couple of hours from L.A.
It’s an excellent destination for a weekend getaway with the kids.
This list should help you make the most of your family vacation in Palm Springs by highlighting the many kid-friendly activities the city has to offer, such as golfing and museum hopping.
- Joshua Tree National Park
Reasons Why You Must Leave
Rough rocks and bristly Joshua trees characterize this vast area of protected land in southern California.
Location of the Mojave and Colorado deserts’ juncture.
So, What Should You Do?
Get out and enjoy the park today; perfect for climbing and hiking.
You can go birdwatching and wildflower spotting along the way.
Take in the landscape and see if you can spot any local flora.
Also, tonight will be all about stargazing and learning about the area’s history.
There are toys and coloring books available for children.
The event is family-friendly and welcomes attendees of all ages.
- The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Reasons Why You Must Leave
As a result, you can get an excellent overview of the desert from this spot.
It’s the largest revolving tram car globally and can ascend 2.5 miles in about 10 minutes.
That is something you must do.
So, What Should You Do?
Once you’ve climbed more than 8,000 feet, head to Peaks Restaurant for some well-deserved pampering.
Get out on Mount San Jacinto, where the temperature drops significantly, and go hiking.
So be ready for that, especially if your trip is in the winter.
This content is intended for readers over the age of 3.
- The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Reasons Why You Must Leave
This is a must-see attraction if you’re visiting Palm Springs with kids.
One can look closely at bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and desert tortoises.
So, What Should You Do?
Amazingly, this area is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life. A new species has evolved from the hybridization of desert-dwelling animals from North America and Africa.
A self-guided tour of the facility is available, during which you can stop to feed the giraffes if you so choose.
Children younger than three enter at no cost.
Kids older than three would benefit most from it.
- Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert
Reasons Why You Must Leave
It’s perfect for a day out with the kids.
Approximately 80 different events and activities are available daily.
This combines the arts, crafts, and sciences fantastically.
So, What Should You Do?
Hopefully, the kids will find the activities interesting and learn something new.
Events like “Play to Learn” workshops, “STEM Nights” after 5 p.m., “Creative Saturdays,” and so on are available.
You can bring along whoever you want from the family.
- Indian Canyons
The Agua Caliente Indian Reservation is one of Palm Springs’ most popular tourist destinations because it serves as the ancestral home of the Cahuilla Indians who founded the city.
Washingtonia filifera palm trees, the most numerous species of palm tree, are abundant there.
What to Do About sixty miles of trails allow visitors to explore the area and spend quality time with friends and family.
While taking in the sights of waterfalls, mountain springs, and more on your picnic along the way, you’ll be in the mood for a good time.
The event is family-friendly and welcomes attendees of all ages.
- Palm Springs Air Museum
Currently, it is home to the largest assemblage of WWII planes ever assembled, with many of them in flying condition. According to CNN, it is among the best aviation museums in the world, along with 13 others.
So, What Should You Do?
Kids can climb inside the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and look around.
It’s a perfect indoor hangout where you can enjoy such diversions as flight simulators and classic automobiles.
To satisfy your hunger, there is a café conveniently located on campus.
Everyone is welcome, regardless of age.
Those under the age of five require constant adult supervision.
- Cabazon Dinosaur Museum
Reasons Why You Must Leave
Formerly known as Claude Bell’s Dinosaurs, this attraction is worth visiting if you’re rushing around town.
Dinny and Mr. Rex are two enormous dinosaur statues of steel and concrete.
So, What Should You Do?
It’s a pleasant surprise in the middle of nowhere, with lifelike dinosaur replicas and an unbeatable gift shop.
There are fossils and excavation sites along the dinosaur trail. Mr. Rex even has a door you can enter through!
Ages 3-12 are admitted free of charge.
Admission is waived for those under two and those 55 and older.
It would help if you visited the Palm Desert Aquatic Center for the following eight reasons:
- Palm Desert Aquatic Center
It’s a great place to go swimming in Palm Springs.
So, What Should You Do?
Whether you want to learn to swim, go swimming, or relax in a cabana is a great option.
There are three pools, some water slides, a diving board, and many other fun things to do.
The public swimming pool operates on a timetable. Get into your swimwear and join us!
You can bring along whoever you want from the family.
- Elmer’s Restaurant
It first opened in the 1960s and has remained successful thanks to its commitment to using only the freshest ingredients in its comforting, homemade meals.
It’s been around for decades, and for a good reason: everything from the pancakes to the prime rib sandwiches to the prime rib is delicious.
So, What Should You Do?
It’s a family-run business, so everything on the menu, including the crowd-pleasers, is made from scratch and features seasonal ingredients.
The buttermilk pancakes and steaks are legendary.
The minimum age requirement is fourteen.
- Sherman’s Deli
Reasons Why You Must Leave
This is another favorite local hangout that is independently owned and operated.
That means you get to indulge in some truly delicious heirloom cuisine.
Legend has it that famous people like Frank Sinatra, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and Rita Hayworth frequented this spot back in the day.
So, What Should You Do?
A magnificent sandwich board awaits your inspection, and we know it will impress you.
There’s a wide selection of authentic, delicious food, from salads to burgers to briskets.
Choose from various baked goods if you’re ready for something sweet.
You can bring along whoever you want from the family.
- Wet ‘n’ Wild Palm Springs
Reasons Why You Must Leave
There are 14 different slides, making this a fun and exciting activity for kids of all ages while visiting Palm Springs.
You only need to worry about renting a cabana between March and October.
The 600-foot-long lazy river is a great place to relax and float away the day.
You could also visit Flow Rider to try virtual surfing or rafting on a funnel.
You can bring along whoever you want from the family.
- Fisherman’s Market & Grill
Reasons Why You Must Leave
Taking your children here will leave them in a state of awe.
This restaurant is suitable for families of all sizes, from teenagers to infants.
So, What Should You Do?
All the indoor and outdoor seating areas are decorated with marine life to set the mood.
Dishes like pasta, lamb, and beef are all delicious.
However, you should not miss their new seafood offerings.
You can bring along whoever you want from the family.
- Smoke Tree BBQ & Grill
Reasons Why You Must Leave
It was a great barbeque with good drinks, enjoyable music, and attentive staff.
Visit Smoke Tree BBQ & Grill today if that’s what you’re in the mood for.
Fine, southern-inspired home cooking is what they specialize in here.
So, What Should You Do?
Meats are seasoned and rubbed down thoroughly before being trimmed by hand.
Smoking them with a combination of oak and fruit hardwoods follows.
Meals here are guaranteed to be memorable.
You can bring along whoever you want from the family.
- VillageFest
This is the place to be on Thursdays from 6 p.m. until nearly midnight.
There is a lot of street art, great food, and fun activities.
So, What Should You Do?
You can ride around in carriages pulled by horses.
If you take a walk, you can enjoy some treats and music.
Moreover, during VillageFest, admission to the Palm Springs Art Museum is waived.
You can bring along whoever you want from the family.
- Tyler’s Burgers
Reasons Why You Must Leave
Established in 1996, they have the experience of efficiently serving tasty burgers.
The object of their game is straightforward: make a burger that tastes like the original.
So, What Should You Do?
Try one of the burgers with some homemade potato salad and coleslaw.
In addition, their hot dogs and sandwiches are to die for, so get one of those if you’re feeling extra hungry.
In addition to malts, they serve soups and salads.
All ages are welcome to attend.
- Shields Date Garden
Unlike other superfruits, dates can’t be replaced.
You can’t visit a desert without trying some of the local fares.
- Sunnylands Center & Gardens
So, What Should You Do?
Enjoy a delicious date shake while learning about the cultivation of dates. Accompany it with some homemade bread spread with date butter.
There is an eatery right here on the premises.
For the kids, there’s an assortment of classic playthings from yesteryear.
All ages are welcome to attend.
Sunset at Sunnylands, Gardens, and Center
Reasons Why You Must Leave
You can walk approximately 1.25 miles through stunningly beautiful gardens.
More than seventy different kinds of drought-resistant plants can be found here.
So, What Should You Do?
There are a number of celebrations spread out throughout the year.
Numerous events are available for people of all ages.
A guided tour is an option, but you could also explore independently.
You don’t have to make a reservation or buy a ticket.
All ages are welcome to attend.
- Tahquitz Canyon
Reasons Why You Must Leave
Tahquitz Canyon is an excellent option for families visiting Palm Springs.
True, especially if you enjoy getting out and about in the great outdoors.
So, What Should You Do?
The Cahuilla Indians have lived in the canyon for a very long time.
Thus, native artifacts will provide you with a window into their past.
The Tahquitz Falls, at 60 feet in height, is a welcome respite along the two-mile trail loop.
All ages are welcome to attend.
- Smoke Tree Stables
Reasons Why You Must Leave
Get ready to party like it’s the South.
This boarding house is a regular stop along the way.
You can discover numerous canyons and beautiful palm oases on a trail ride.
So, What Should You Do?
One of the horses will be your guide at Smoke Tree Stables.
You have the option of going on a one-hour ride by yourself or as part of a group.
Being adaptable means, you can add to the deal as well.
If you’re traveling, you shouldn’t miss this stop.
Target Audience: Older Children and Teens (5+).
- Desert Adventures
This is the real deal if you’ve always wanted to drive a Jeep around the desert.
Pick your route through the San Andreas Fault, the Painted Canyons, or the Indian Canyons with the help of Desert Adventures and your trusty fedora.
So, What Should You Do?
You can choose family-friendly packages that include meals at a ranch for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Desert Adventures also maintains a private 800-acre preserve.
All ages are welcome to attend.
- Palm Springs Windmill Tours
This travel agency specializes in ecotourism; it is dedicated to educating its clients about the history and cutting-edge technology of wind, solar, and natural gas power plants while providing enjoyable vacations.
So, What Should You Do?
A bus tour of the area lasts around two hours and provides a detailed look at the background of these windmills.
You can compare the speed of older and newer machines by looking around.
All ages are welcome to attend.
- Desert Rocks
There are a ton of kid-friendly activities here.
It has many different things for toddlers to do, so they’ll be kept busy.
Kids of all ages have an innate desire to climb.
So, What Should You Do?
You can take climbing classes at this indoor facility geared toward young people.
The course’s emphasis on mobility will aid in developing technique and core strength.
However, this is not a physical exercise session. All of this is accomplished by way of lighthearted competition.
Up to the age of 18.
- Get Air Trampoline Park
Practically no child can maintain their composure during an endless session on the trampoline.
You know that if you don’t let them do it here, it will end up on your bed.
Here at getting Air, we have trampolines lining the walls.
So, What Should You Do?
Let them run wild in the foam pits and dunk lanes!
Take them to a ninja training facility if that doesn’t cut it.
Children who are shorter than 46 inches will have their section.
Up to the age of 18.
- Robin Hood Archery
Reasons Why You Must Leave
All ages are welcome to attend.
The staff is extremely helpful and willing to go above and beyond, and the center is particularly good at educating students with disabilities.
Students with visual, auditory, or kinesthetic impairments can participate in one or more of our classes.
So, What Should You Do?
Archery is a fantastic sport for developing manual and visual motor skills.
Participate in either a one-on-one session or a group lesson.
All ages are welcome to attend.
- Desert Ice Castle (Permanently Closed)
Reasons Why You Must Leave
In the middle of the desert, you’ll find an ice skating rink.
There you go.
In the first place, it’s a spectacular sight.
Consequently, you should leave.
In addition, ice skating and pick-up hockey are great ways to cool off on hot summer days.
So, What Should You Do?
Broomball, a sport similar to hockey played with broomsticks, can be played here if you bring a large enough group.
Take a Learn to Skate class if you want to hone your skating skills.
All ages are welcome to attend.