A Palm Springs family vacation is popular for good reason- there are so many fun things to do in Palm Springs with kids! This all-season destination is so much more than a haven for snowbirds.
Families flock to the Palm Springs area, also known as the Coachella Valley, to enjoy its sunny weather, plethora of outdoor activities, and fun local culture. Here are some of our favorite things to do in this desert hotspot.
Trekaroo Fact: Did you know that Palm Springs sits on the 4th largest aquifer on the planet? That’s how they keep all those golf courses so green!
Palm Springs is a very dog-friendly city and many hotels welcome pets. If you are new to traveling with your pet you will want to check out this article filled with info on how to vacation with your dog.
Fun Things to do in Palm Springs with Kids
Explore the Palm Oases of Indian Canyons in Palm Springs with Kids
Most people associate the desert with heat, and rightly so. It can certainly get hot during the sweltering summer months. Most of the year, however, the weather is quite pleasant and the desert is ripe for exploring.
Owned by the Agua Caliente Cahuilla tribe, Indian Canyons are lush, palm-filled canyons fed by a shallow aquifer. For a small fee, guests can gain access to these canyons which are great for hikes and picnics.
Andreas Canyon features a short, 1-mile loop trail that follows a stream back into a canyon shaded by fan palms. The 3.9-mile Murray Canyon Trail is the Seven Sacred Sisters waterfall, a perfect spot to enjoy a picnic.
Palm Canyon is one of the largest palm oases on the planet. A trail leads 15 miles back into the canyon; follow it for as long as you would like or just enjoy splashing in the streams and having a picnic lunch under the cooling palm trees at the base of the canyon.
Check out this guided tour of Indian Canyons with Red Jeep Tours. My family had a blast on it and learned so much.
You can further teach your kids about the Agua Caliente Cahuilla tribe at the new Agua Caliente Cultural Museum. Visits begin with a multimedia experience which gives a brief history of this tribe before you will visit galleries with Native American artifacts as well as natural history displays showcasing the wildlife that lives in the area.
A visit to this museum will only take an hour and can easily be combined with other activities downtown.
Have a Snow Day at Mt. San Jacinto
Where else can you trade sun-kissed palm trees for snow-blanketed white firs in just 10 minutes? Located just six miles from downtown Palm Springs, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway takes riders on a scenic, 2.5-mile journey up the steep mountainside of Mt. San Jacinto.
Temperatures are often 30-40 degrees cooler at the tram’s Mountain Station, elevation 8,516 feet, and the views of the entire Coachella Valley are spectacular. During the winter and early spring months, snowshoes and cross country skis can be rented from the Adventure Center. There is just something extra special about spending the morning sledding and the afternoon at a resort pool!
In the summer, escape the valley heat and discover a wildly different environment complete with 50 miles of hiking trails among ancient boulders and towering evergreens.
Need a place to stay? Here is Trekaroo’s guide to the top family-friendly hotels in the Palm Springs area.
3. Go on a Jeep Tour of the Desert
Take a red Jeep ride into the desert with an expert guide from Desert Adventures. Your guide will passionately introduce you to the wonders of the desert, including the jagged results of the Pacific and North American plates colliding while standing atop the legendary San Andreas fault.
Learn about how native cultures used the natural resources of the desert to survive. Zip through slot canyons where portions of the original Star Wars movie was filmed. Visit a palm oasis where water bubbles up to the surface (an actual palm spring!). The enthusiasm their knowledgeable guides have for the desert is contagious and the jeeps pick up from most hotels across the valley.
Book your adventure with Red Jeep Tours. As a Trip Advisor affiliate Trekaroo receives a small commission to help fund our small business and you get the lowest rates guaranteed.
Visit the Palm Springs Air Museum
It is always a goal of mine to educate my kids as much as possible while on vacation. I firmly believe that children learn so much more through experiences than through text books.
The Palm Springs Air Museum is a great place to educate your kids about World War II. They will have fun exploring a huge collection of World War II airplanes. They can also inside a plane, paint a real plane, and fly a plane on a flight simulator. If you have an aviation enthusiast in your family, definitely don’t miss this museum.
In all, this museum has a great collection of over 70 historic aircraft from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the early years of aviation.
Get Wild at the Living Desert
If your kids have a fascination with the animal world, The Living Desert is a must visit. This world class zoo and botanical gardens features exhibits dedicated to the plants and animals that call deserts around the globe their home.
This beautifully manicured zoo and botanical garden is dedicated to all things “desert”. Animals from North America and Africa dominate this zoo such as cheetahs, Mexican wolves, bighorn sheep, and leopards. Kids will love the opportunity to feed giraffes and go behind the scenes with rhinos.
In addition to all the desert-themed fun, The Living Desert is also home to an extensive model train display, train rides, and a carousel. A tram runs around this sprawling zoo and has many stops, ideal for hot summer days or people with mobility issues.
Explore more of the state! Here are the 10 best things to do in California with kids.
Take Little Ones to the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert
If you are looking to escape the desert heat, the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert is a cool place to spend a couple hours. Various hands-on exhibits are geared towards children under eight.
The museum recently underwent a massive update after being closed for four years and the new gallery has six different areas filled with 40 different exhibits which inspire kids to “Imagine,” “Express,” “Move,” “Experiment,” “Explore” and “Dream.”
Highlights include a pool noodle forest, sound scape dance experience involving lasers, giant scarf blower, water table, magnetic poetry wall, stop motion movies, and more. I especially love the area where kids can make pretend “garden tacos” like grasshopper, worm, or lady bug tacos.
Families with sensory sensitive children will be thrilled to learn that the facility is autism certified and 100% of the staff is trained in sensory awareness. The “Dream” section is particularly soothing for overstimulated senses.
They do offer summer camps and a membership pays for itself after three visits so if you are a local or planning on visiting the area more than once in a year, it is a great option to consider.
Take a Day Trip to Joshua Tree National Park
Named for those Dr. Seussian trees that speckle the high deserts of California, Joshua Tree National Park is an awesome day trip option for those vacationing in the Palm Springs Area. The park has long been a destination for rock climbers and offers plenty of opportunities for all abilities to scramble, clamber, and scale jumbo-sized boulders.
During the spring bloom, the desert becomes awash with natural color. The lemony scent of turpentine broom fills the air while tiny pink and yellow wildflowers sprinkle the sand. Cacti of all shapes and sizes are topped with showy flowers and even the Joshua Trees themselves burst into bloom.
Temperatures in the high desert of Joshua Tree are often significantly cooler than in the Coachella Valley so be sure to check weather reports. It is also important to note that there are no services within the park so be sure to pack a lunch and fill up your gas tank before heading out.
You can read more about the park in our full guide to visiting Joshua Tree National Park.
Hang Ten at Palm Springs Surf Club
Palm Springs Surf Club is the perfect destination for families with children, offering an exciting water park, a massive wave pool for real surfing waves, and various dining options. It’s an ideal spot to spend the day splashing in the water and soaking up the famous Palm Springs sunshine.
The state-of-the-art wave pool uses cutting-edge technology to create consistent, high-quality waves that can be adjusted for beginners and expert surfers alike. If your kids are eager to try surfing, make sure to book a session well in advance. But don’t worry if the surf slots are full—there’s still plenty to keep the whole family entertained!
When the wave pool isn’t being used for surfing, it transforms into a playground with paddleboards, kayaks, rafts, inner tubes, and even water towers to conquer. The pool is enormous, so life vests are required for anyone venturing into the deeper areas.
The water slides are a hit with kids of all ages, and when we visited mid-week, we hardly had to wait in line. Keep in mind that there are minimum height requirements (ranging from 42 to 48 inches) for the slides, so it’s good to check heights before you visit if you have younger children.
The lazy river offers a relaxing ride on an inner tube, with a surprisingly strong current that adds to the fun. For a change of pace, there’s also a smaller pool with a bar, where parents can enjoy a cocktail or mocktail while the kids continue to splash around.
For families looking for a comfortable base, luxury cabanas are available for rent, providing a shady spot to relax. You can use the many lounge chairs spread throughout the park for free. Lockers are available for storing valuables.
A visit to Palm Springs Surf Club isn’t complete without a meal at Amala. After a day of swimming and playing, everyone will be hungry, and Amala’s delicious offerings will hit the spot. We highly recommend their tacos, salmon, and short rib barbacoa.
Trekaroo tip: If you get hungry during the day you can pick up casual dining at Drifters which is located inside the water park.
Play Games and Then Watch a Movie
If you are looking for some indoor fun, head to The River in Rancho Mirage. This beautiful entertainment, shopping, and dining area has several restaurants including Yard House, Cheesecake Factory, Dave and Busters, and Babe BBQ, as well as a movie theater.
No matter my kids’ age, they are always happy to play games and win prizes and Dave and Busters, and they now have some tasty healthy options on their menu which made me happy. Before or after your arcade time, you can catch a movie and enjoy the air conditioning and comfort of stadium seating at Century Theaters.
Escape Room Palm Springs
If you have older kids who love games and solving clues, you will definitely want to head to Escape Room Palm Springs. It is the largest Escape Room in Southern California and they have seven different escape games that you can play.
My family had a blast playing the Bank Heist game. We had to solve clues to break into the banks’ vault and find as much loot as we could along the way. I loved working together as a family and cheering for each other when clues were solved.
Visiting with older kids? Check out our guide to visiting Palm Springs with teens.
La Quinta X Park
BMX and skateboarding are huge sports in Southern California, so it is no surprise to discover that the Palm Springs area is home to a 31,000-square-foot park that has a concrete pump track course, three skateboard bowls, shaded seating, and a pro shop.
Best of all, day passes to La Quinta X Park are just $5 per person, so be sure to pack those boards, scooters, and bikes (and safety gear) in your luggage if your kids love the thrills of a new course or bowl. Don’t worry, there is plenty of shaded seating for parents who want to relax and watch.
Ice Skate at the Home of Coachella Valley Firebirds
Another great way to cool off and have lots of fun midday, head to the Berger Foundation Iceplex which is located in the same complex as Acrisure Arena where the professional hockey team, Coachella Valley Firebirds, plays.
Public skating sessions are offered daily and you can pre-register online to check in right away and get on the ice. High schoolers can skate for free with Student ID on Saturday evenings and skate rental is only $5.
If you would like to go to a Firebirds game, the season runs October through April and the schedule is online.
Chill by the Pool
No trip to Palm Springs is complete without some pool time! Luckily there are several resorts across the Coachella Valley with great pool complexes.
Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa offers a families-only pool and a Dive-in movie for evening entertainment. Additionally, the Hyatt property has several added water amenities including a slide, water basketball, and a giant water sphere called the Desert Pipe.
The Desert Pipe is a unique way to experience a cool down – water is placed in the round clear ball and you jump on in – the sphere rotates at various speeds and you start running like a hamster!
Another great on-property pool is located at the Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa, check out the sandy beach entrance or the cooling waterfall for some kid friendly fun!
Splashtopia!, a massive water-park located within the Omni Rancho Las Palmas hotel is another great option. Families love the water slides, lazy river, a beach area for tots, a splash pad, and a huge pool featuring summer Dive-In movies. This is definitely the place you want to be hanging out during those hot desert days.
See which Palm Springs area hotels made our list of the best hotel pools in the USA.
Enjoy a Round of Golf
For many people Palm Springs is most well known for its wonderful golf courses! Families can choose from world class PGA courses and well renowned municipal courses.
Tahquitz Creek Golf Course is a fabulous option for families with young golfers – early tee times are great for cooler rounds but what is valued most here are their great spots for shade!
Indian Wells Golf Resort is one of the most well kept golf resorts year round. With two courses – the Players and the Celebrity course – tee times are usually available and both courses play great! These are also the best courses for keeping cool at any temperature. The resort offers a full-time Snack Carts complete with iced towels ensuring you will rarely be wanting for anything!
Shadow Hills has an 18-hole championship course and a 9-hole, par-3 course. The par-3 course is especially good for teens that are newer to the sport since the holes are shorter and less intimidating.
If your kids are more of the “mini golf” type, head to Boomers in Cathedral City. They have mini golf, go karts, bumper boats, and batting cages to keep everyone entertained.
Enjoy the Weekly Open Air Festivities at VillageFest
There are plenty of great shops and restaurants in downtown Palm Springs, but the best time to visit this part of town is during VillageFest which is every Thursday evening. South Palm Canyon Drive is shut down to vehicles and the street is lined with vendors selling art, Jewelry, food, produce, and so much more.
Live entertainment can be found throughout VillageFest, put on by musicians and street performers throughout the evening. And there are plenty of sweet treats to keep the kiddos happy.
Good to know: VillageFest takes place 6 – 10pm for most of the year but runs 7 – 10pm during the summer months (June through September) due to the heat.
Visiting during the holiday? Check out our guide to Palm Springs at Christmas which is updated annually.
A special thanks to Visit Greater Palm Springs which hosted my family on my most recent visit to the area so that I could update this article. All opinions are my own.
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