🏙️ City

Things to Do with Kids in Palm Springs, CA

Explore 40 family-friendly activities in Palm Springs — filtered by age, scheduled around nap time, and ready to drop into your personalized itinerary.

Top Family Activities

40 of 40 selected
🎡

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Stroller-friendly paved paths throughout. Visit early morning in summer to beat extreme heat — animals are most active a...

🎡

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Temperature at the top is 30-40°F cooler — always bring layers for kids. Tram cars rotate 360 degrees which thrills olde...

📌

Knott's Soak City Palm Springs

Full DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Bring a waterproof bag for phones and valuables. Lockers are available to rent. The Gremmie Lagoon kiddie area is perfec...

🏛️

Palm Springs Air Museum

2–4 hoursAges 312+Stroller OK

Kids love climbing into cockpit simulators and seeing massive WWII aircraft up close. All hangars are air-conditioned — ...

🌳

Cahuilla Hills Park

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Free neighborhood park with a good playground and open grassy areas. Shade is limited so visit in the morning in summer....

🌳

Ruth Hardy Park

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

One of Palm Springs' best free parks with large playground, splash pad (seasonal), tennis courts, and picnic areas. Plen...

🏛️

Agua Caliente Cultural Museum

2–4 hoursAges 312+Stroller OK

Free admission for children under 12. Engaging exhibits about the Cahuilla people with interactive elements kids enjoy. ...

🏛️

Palm Springs Art Museum

2–4 hoursAges 412+Stroller OK

Free on Thursday evenings 4-8pm — great budget option. Kid-friendly rotating exhibits with colorful modern art. Air-cond...

📌

Indian Canyons (Palm Canyon)

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Go early morning to avoid heat. Palm Canyon trail is mostly flat and stroller-friendly for the first mile. Trading post ...

🥾

Tahquitz Canyon

2–4 hoursAges 312+

2-mile loop trail with a beautiful waterfall payoff — kids are motivated by the destination. Trail has some rocky sectio...

📌

Coachella Valley Preserve (Thousand Palms Oasis)

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Free admission and stunning native palm oasis along the San Andreas Fault. Easy flat trail is suitable for sturdy stroll...

📌

Joshua Tree National Park

Full DayAges 012+

About 45 minutes from Palm Springs. Skull Rock Nature Trail (1.7 miles) is kid-friendly and flat. Kids absolutely love s...

📌

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Free birding and nature preserve about 25 minutes from Palm Springs. Boardwalk trail through the canyon is flat and stro...

📌

Palm Canyon Drive Downtown Walk

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Wide, flat sidewalks make this very stroller-friendly. Mix of ice cream shops, boutiques, and casual restaurants. Thursd...

📌

VillageFest Street Fair

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Free weekly street fair on Palm Canyon Drive with crafts, food stalls, live music, and a carnival-like atmosphere kids l...

📌

Adventure City

Half DayAges 210+Stroller OK

Small theme park in Anaheim but worth noting for families — closer options exist. For Palm Springs area: Camelot Park in...

📌

Emerald Isle Mini Golf at Fantasy Springs Resort

1–2 hoursAges 312+Stroller OK

18-hole mini golf course at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino — the golf area is family-friendly. Kids ages 5+ enjoy it most...

🏛️

Coachella Valley History Museum

1–2 hoursAges 512+Stroller OK

Small and affordable local history museum in Indio. Date packing shed exhibit is unique. Good air-conditioned break from...

🏛️

Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert

2–4 hoursAges 010+Stroller OK

Hands-on children's museum perfectly suited for ages 1-10. Exhibits include water play, a pretend grocery store, constru...

📌

Sunnylands Center & Gardens

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Stunning free public gardens with desert plants — great for a leisurely stroll. Visitor center exhibits are interesting ...

🍕

Shields Date Garden

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

Classic Coachella Valley date farm shop. Kids love sampling date shakes — an iconic regional treat. Small and easy with ...

🍕

Oasis Date Gardens

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

Another beloved date farm with free tastings and famous date shakes. The garden tour lets older kids see how dates grow....

📌

Palm Springs Swim Center

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Public pool with lap lanes and open swim — great budget family option. Kids under 5 must be accompanied in water. Locker...

📌

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Full DayAges 012+

About 1.5 hours from Palm Springs. Wildflower blooms in February/March are magical and perfect for photos with kids. The...

📌

Moorten Botanical Garden

1–2 hoursAges 212+Stroller OK

Family-run cactus garden since 1938 — quirky and charming for kids. Over 3,000 desert plant varieties. Small size makes ...

📌

Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Beautiful modern library with a dedicated children's section and reading programs. Free admission. Observatory hosts pub...

📌

Palm Springs Bowl

1–2 hoursAges 212+Stroller OK

Retro bowling alley with bumper bowling for kids. Fully air-conditioned — ideal activity on extremely hot days. Shoe ren...

📌

Desert Ice Castle

2–4 hoursAges 212+

Real ice skating rink in the desert — a surprising and memorable experience for kids. Skate rental included in admission...

📌

El Paseo Shopping District

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Palm Desert's upscale outdoor shopping street with art galleries, fountains, and wide sidewalks. Good for a leisurely st...

🌳

Palm Desert Civic Center Park

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Free large park with an excellent playground, skate park, and open grassy areas. Splash pad open seasonally (May-Septemb...

📌

Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City (Pools & Amenities)

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Casino is adults-only but the resort pools and spa areas can be accessed — check current family policies before booking....

📌

Coachella Valley Wild Bird Center

under_1hAges 212+Stroller OK

Free admission wildlife rehabilitation center with educational displays about native birds. Kids can see injured birds b...

🌳

Sunny Dunes Park

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Free neighborhood park with a well-maintained playground, basketball courts, and picnic areas. Good for young kids to bu...

📌

Smoke Tree Stables Horseback Riding

2–4 hoursAges 612+

Trail rides through the Palm Springs desert and canyons. Minimum age for riding is typically 7-8 years old (varies by tr...

🍕

Palm Springs Downtown Farmers Market

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Free to browse with fresh local produce, artisan foods, and prepared food stalls. Kids enjoy sampling fresh dates, citru...

🌳

DeMuth Park

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Large public park with a good playground, skate park, volleyball courts, and community pool. Free admission to park. One...

🥾

Willow Hole Trail (Joshua Tree)

2–4 hoursAges 512+

4-mile round-trip sandy trail leading to a beautiful willow oasis. Best for older kids and confident young hikers (6+). ...

📌

Salton Sea State Recreation Area

2–4 hoursAges 312+Stroller OK

Unique and fascinating natural wonder about 45 minutes from Palm Springs. Great for older kids curious about natural his...

🍕

Native Foods Cafe

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

Popular plant-based fast-casual restaurant with a kid-friendly menu including bowls, burgers, and shakes. Air-conditione...

📌

Camelot Theatres

2–4 hoursAges 212+Stroller OK

Comfortable air-conditioned movie theater — perfect escape on extreme heat days. Check current showtimes online. Good se...

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Packing Tips for Palm Springs
  • Sunscreen & hats for outdoor activities
  • Comfortable walking shoes for the whole family
  • Stroller or baby carrier
  • Snacks & water bottles
  • Rain jacket or poncho (just in case)
  • Small first-aid kit with band-aids
  • Entertainment for transit (books, tablet, coloring)
  • Hiking gear & bug spray
Get a full personalized packing list when you plan your trip.
Sample Family Itinerary
Day 1 — Explore
🏛️
Palm Springs Air Museum
2–4 hours
🍕
Lunch Break
🎡
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Half Day
Day 2 — Adventure
📌
Knott's Soak City Palm Springs
Full Day
Build Your Custom Itinerary

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do with kids in Palm Springs?

Top family activities include The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Knott's Soak City Palm Springs, Palm Springs Air Museum, Cahuilla Hills Park. Toddler Trip curates age-appropriate activities and builds nap-aware itineraries for your family.

Is Palm Springs good for toddlers?

Yes! Many activities in Palm Springs are suitable for toddlers. Toddler Trip filters activities by your children's ages and schedules around nap time so everyone enjoys the trip.

How do I plan a family trip to Palm Springs?

Use Toddler Trip's free planner: enter your family profile, pick from AI-curated activities, and get a nap-aware day-by-day itinerary with a personalized packing list — all in about 5 minutes.

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