The best things to do in Lake Tahoe with kids: discover child friendly activities and family friendly spots in Lake Tahoe for a magical family vacation in California’s stunning nature.
If you are looking for a great family getaways in Northern California or a kid-friendly destination in Nevada, look no further than stunning Lake Tahoe.
Located on the border between California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe is a fantastic place for families who want to immerse themselves in nature, yet enjoy great facilities and have easy access to kids activities and entertainment.
Lake Tahoe is great for kids as there are tons of fun recreational activities the entire family can enjoy.
However, it also great for parents as its stunning backdrops are great for taking photos and relax with your favorite drink with a view once the kids are in bed for the evening.
From ice skating during the winter months to scenic driving in search of castles and monkeying around over canopies in summer, here are some of the best things to do in Lake Tahoe with kids.
Lake Tahoe was first recommended to us by California friends who love to come here to recharge and reconnect. This article is based on their insider knowledge of this wonderful area.
Please note: this post contains affiliate links. Should you make a purchase though them, we might make a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Planning a family vacation in the US with kids? Then you may also like our shortlist of the best family vacation destinations in the USA (we come from Europe and we chose destinations that are worth the long flight – you can trust they are truly great!).
Table of Contents
The best things to do in Lake Tahoe with kids at a glance
Lake Tahoe is a place of stunning natural beauties and the best things to do on the lake are all those that can get you up close and personal with its water and forested shores such as:
- Hiking,
- Playing on the beach,
- Having picnics,
- Splashing about
- Kayaking and paddle boarding
- Taking scenic drives
However, Lake Tahoe also has fun kids attractions such as mini golf courses, kids museums, ice skating, summer cinemas and lovely family resorts for structured fun.
Let’s look at some of the best things to do in Lake Tahoe with children more in detail.
Favorite Things to Do in Lake Tahoe With Kids
Load up with info and maps at the Taylor Creek Visitors Center
A great place to start your family getaway on Lake Tahoe is the Taylor Creek visitors center.
Here you find lots of info and maps of the area and you can get onto local nature and family trails perfect to get acquainted with the area.
The Rainbow Trail , Lake of the Sky Trail, Forest Tree Trail, Smokey’s Trail, all depart from the visitors center.
Some are stroller friendly and Smokeys Trail also offers a reward to children who can remember the rules of same campfire safety, the theme of the trail
You can find info and opening hours here
Drive the Lake Tahoe Scenic Loop
Even though most visitors to Lake Tahoe choose to stay on either the northern or southern side of the lake, one of the coolest ways to explore the lake is by driving the Lake Tahoe Scenic Loop.
The loop is a 72-mile drive that will give you the chance to slow tour the lake and fully get to know the area.
Along the drive, you’ll get the chance to stroll through some of the towns that dot the lake an check out some of Lake Tahoe’s most beautiful viewpoints.
You will have plenty of opportunities to stop and give the kids a break, always a must when on a road tip with children!
Some of the best family friendly spots along the Lake Tahoe Loop are the kid-friendly beaches of Sand Harbor, Meek’s Bay, or King’s Beach – are all wonderful options!
If you have older kids or children who are good hikers, you can make the most of the many hikes available throughout the drive, perfect for stretching legs tall and short.
Tahoe Treetop Adventure Parks (for kids age 6 and up)
If your kids are anything like ours, they are likely to love Tahoe Treetop Adventure Parks, one of the coolest things to do in Lake Tahoe with kids who love adventure.
Sitting on top of canopies, this recreational park offers a variety of rope courses across the trees with also ziplining, suspension bridges, and more!
Do note that Tahoe Treetop has a minimum age requirement of 6 so it is suitable for slightly older kids (and parents who are not afraid of heights!)
Relax and hike in D.L. Bliss State Park
If you are looking for a stunning, family friendly beach on Lake Tahoe, then you need to go to D.L. Bliss State Park.
Located on the Western shores of Lake Tahoe, the park is immediately to the north of the famous Emerald Beach State Park and it is one of the best beaches for kids on Lake Tahoe for access and beauty.
The park is lovely and well equipped for families.
Here, you have family friendly trails, a lighthouse, beach, camping facilities and of course the stunning views of azure waters that make Lake Tahoe the wonder that is!
Hike and explore Emerald Bay State Park
Lake Tahoe is stunning and one of the best places to visit on Lake Tahoe with kids for beautiful beaches and views is Emerald Bay State Park, on South Lake Tahoe.
Visit California opens its description of this park with a quote from Mark Twain about Lake Tahoe being ‘the fairest picture the whole earth affords’ and, indeed, it is hard to overstate how beautiful this area is.
Emerald Bay State Park is one of the best natural destinations to visit in Lake Tahoe and a wonderful place to check out with kids in order to fully take in the lake’s beauty.
The park has one of the most beautiful beaches across the lake and has picture perfect Fannell Island, the only island on the lake,two things that make this coastal stretch unique.
Here you also find Vikingshol Castle, a Scandinavian-style mansion you can reach via a hike suitable for older kids.
The castle opens to visitors during the warm season.
In terms of family friendly fun on the beach in Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay State Park offers other wonderful recreational activities, including boating, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and more.
This is a perfect area if you are visiting Lake Tahoe with teens especially.
Need to know! Several parts of this area are only accessible with some hiking and on uneven terrain so we recommend bringing your little ones in a carrier or wait until you have kids who like hiking.
Find official info about Emerald Bay State Park here
Take a Lake Tahoe cruise
There are many ways to enjoy the crystal clear waters of Lake Tahoe: putting your feet in, fully braving its cold waters for a swim, taking photos of by taking a cruise!
The quintessential cruising experience on Lake Tahoe is on the Ms Dixie II, a 500 passenger vessel departing from Zephyr Cove Resort & Marina on South Lake Tahoe and offering day and dinner cruises.
The Ms Dixie II is a paddle wheeler and a fantastic way to experience Lake Tahoe with children of any age.
You can find info and prices here
Ice Skating at Heavenly Village
If you’re visiting Lake Tahoe with kids during the colder months, then ice skating is one of the coolest family activities to try out!
There are plenty of options available, but the outdoor rink at Heavenly Village provides the prettiest mountain views complete with music and lights.
Watch a family Movie at the Beach
If you’re looking for an evening activity for the kids, head to Tahoe City’s Common’s Beach in order to enjoy a cinema experience like never before.
Movies here are family-friendly, and there’s a playground right next to the beach as well.
We recommend getting to the beach early to snag seats for the family. Make sure you bring a few blankets along as it does get chilly during the evenings, even in summer.
Find schedule and movies (including age rating) here
Check Out the KidZone Museum in Truckee
One of the best things to do in Lake Tahoe with kids age 7 and under is spending a morning at the KidZone Museum in Truckee.
The museum offers both indoor and outdoor interactive exhibits, many of which are hand-zone activities designed for youngsters to learn while having a ton of fun!
The museum has lovely, interactive exhibits and kid friendly activities for fun and hands on learning and, in summer, offer kids’ summer camps also suited for older kids.
You can find info and prices here
Kings Beach Recreational Area
Located along the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, Kings Beach Recreational Area boasts a large sandy beach and tons of fun family-friendly amenities which visitors can enjoy under the shade of Jeffery pines.
Aside from the beautiful beach at the park, you’ll also find tons of activities for the kids to enjoy the lake’s waters, including paddle boarding, jet skiing, kayaking, and more.
You will also find plenty of picnic tables, a playground as well as other facilities, making it one of the best things to do in Lake Tahoe with kids.
Raft the Truckee River
Have three hours to spare and wouldn’t mind spending them on the water surrounded by striking views?
Rafting the Truckee River from Tahoe City is a super gentle self-guided raft trip that will have you and the kids floating through scenic meadows, mountain views, and a few small rapids that get a bit exciting!
Thanks to the river’s tranquil waters, this activity is friendly for kids of any age.
Visit the Tahoe Science Center in Incline Village
Lake Tahoe has stunning nature and it is therefore the perfect place to talk to children about conservation.
You can do that just tapping into the beauty of the places or go the extra mile with a visit to the Tahoe Science Center.
The Tahoe Science Center provides the perfect excuse to do just that.
Through interactive exhibits, a research vessel, and hands-on activities, the kids will get the chance to learn about the lake’s ecosystem as well as what they can do in order to keep it blue and thriving!
Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster in Heavenly
If you have kids who love speed, then you should look into treating them to a ride on the The Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster.
This coaster is gravity powered and a very fun way to experience the lake even for small kids (very young ones can ride with an adult).
You can find info and prices here
Have a family Mini Golf tournament in Heavenly
Our kids love mini golf so we were delighted to discover you can play mini golf on Lake Tahoe, in Heavenly village
While the area also have great golf course, the mini golf at heavenly village is perfect for everyone with its easy yet fun 18 hole course.
The best places to stay in Lake Tahoe with kids – Lake Tahoe family friendly accommodation
As you can see, there are many fantastic things to do in Lake Tahoe with kids.
To enjoy this area at best, we recommend you check out the following family friendly hotels on Lake Tahoe:
I hope this quick introduction to the best things to do in Lake Tahoe with kids inspired you to plan a trip. Safe travels!