Things to Do in Reno With Kids

The terms “casino” and “kid-friendly” are not usually synonymous, but several of Reno’s casino resorts have arcades, carnival games, family-friendly dining and other things that appeal to the whole family. Circus Circus reinvented their Carnival Midway, so both kids and adults can experience a whimsical carnival feel. Spend some time playing Whac-a-Mole and Pixel Play or catch any of their amazing circus shows! Whether you’re visiting with your family or you just want to feel like a kid again, you’re guaranteed a great time at the Circus Circus Midway.

Inside the Grand Sierra Resort, you will find a movie theater, bowling alley, giant video arcade, virtual reality arena and laser tag. With 40,000 sq. ft. of games and attractions, Fun Quest may just be the biggest video arcade you and your kids will ever experience. Families can also test their skills on the bumper cars, bounce off the walls (literally) at Tumble Town and test their aim with a friendly game of laser tag. Grand Sierra Resort is the perfect place to create some adrenaline-pumping memories.

For a hands-on learning experience in all things science, technology, engineering, history and invention, families can stop by the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum which is sure to bring out the inner kid in all of us. The museum’s permanent and featured exhibitions, including Under the Stars, Inside Out: An Anatomy Experience and Da Vinci’s Corner, are sure to inspire curiosity, creativity and the joys of lifelong learning for all visitors.

Located in the heart of downtown Reno and regularly named “Best Place to Take the Family” and “Best Indoor Activity” in Northern Nevada, The Discovery is a unique and engaging activity in Reno you and your family won’t forget.

Andelin Family Farm in Sparks offers fun for all ages! This local farm offers seasonal festivities such as Baby Animal Days in the spring, Sunflower Festival in the summer, and spooky-themed attractions during the Fall Festival. Make it an annual tradition to visit with friends and family, and continue the farm fun by connecting with the animals through the petting farm, festival events and educational tours.

Animal Ark is a wildlife sanctuary for non-releasable animals located about 30 minutes north of Reno. Children can learn about ecological principles and wildlife through special programming events and educational tours and can connect with nature and wildlife in a unique and rewarding way. Be sure to check out Animal Ark’s event calendar and see what fun events are coming up, including Tiger Talks and the Cheetah Dash.

Raptor Adventures offers an exhilarating outdoor experience for families nestled in the stunning landscapes of Reno-Tahoe. Located inside of Animal Ark, your kids can spend the day learning about the various raptors that Raptor Adventures home. Open seasonally from spring into fall, you can book group and private experiences to feel the thrill and connect with these birds of prey!

Because what kid doesn’t like candy? Kimmie Candy is a candy production facility right here in Reno! Take your family on a free tour and see how all the goodies are made. From confectionary to chocolate, Kimmie Candy will handle any sweet tooth. Please call ahead to schedule an appointment.

Solving clues to escape your themed room is the premise behind The Puzzle Room in downtown Reno. Each room — Below Ground, Valley of Kings, The Asylum and Lost Cabin — is designed to transport you into another mysterious time and place. This is a great thing to do in Reno with kids if you want to help them flex their critical thinking skills while enjoying themselves.

This premier trampoline park will accommodate beginners to the most seasoned jumpers. From foam pits to trampoline dodgeball, they have all you need for a fun time while working up a sweat. You can even rent the entire space if you are traveling with a large group or have a special occasion to celebrate. Get your bounce on at Fly High Trampoline Park.

Experience the thrill of indoor go-kart racing at Need 2 Speed in Reno! With state-of-the-art electric karts, a blacklight mini golf course and immersive VR experiences, there's something for the whole family.

Whether you're racing solo, hosting a group event, or planning a kids' party, Need 2 Speed offers exciting packages and activities for all ages. Book your next adventure today at Need 2 Speed.

Food, entertainment and an arcade all under one roof? Yes! South 40 offers it all. Let’s start with the food: a full menu ranging from steak dinner, seafood, pasta and more. Now the fun part: The arcade has over 50 games, including classics like skee ball and claw games, new games like Mario Kart and VR experiences. “The Backyard” is an indoor area that replicates outdoor fun with bowling, cornhole and axe throwing. Here, there is also a stage for live music, comedy and more.

During the spring and summer, you can watch the Reno Aces play at Greater Nevada Field. And what better way to spend time together as a family than a baseball game? As the minor league affiliates of the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Aces play upwards of 60 home games and have all kinds of special events and promotions. Kids have a chance to burn off their energy in the play area located behind the outfield. After every Friday night home game, the park holds a firework show you don’t want to miss. Grab the kids, some Cracker Jacks and enjoy the event!

Just 30 minutes southeast of Reno, this historic little town is filled with kid-friendly activities that will leave the whole family feeling like they’ve stepped back in time. With guided tours around Virginia City, train rides, museums, quirky shops, restaurants and iconic landmarks, it’s your playground to discover this mining town that put Nevada on the map. From the famous Comstock Lode silver mine, The Way It Was Museum and Barrels O’ Candy shop, your family will want to see it all.

Feed the Camel is a fun food truck event for the family. Honoring its namesake, the event occurs each hump day (Wednesday) from June through August at the McKinley Arts Center in downtown Reno. Not only is there a selection of Reno Tahoe’s best food trucks, but you can also peruse arts and crafts sold by local artisans.

When Food Truck Friday comes to Reno, you know it’s summertime. Located at Idlewild Park just off the Truckee River, every Friday from May to September, more than 20 local food trucks and vendors pull up to host a party in the park. If you bring a blanket, you can get comfortable on the grass with plenty of room for kids to run around and play after having some signature Reno street food. Look out for the kid-favorite, pop-up rock climbing wall as well as live music from local performers!

The Great Reno Balloon Race is a must-see Reno event that will have every one of your family members in complete amazement. Held in early September, more than 100 hot balloons take to the skies in a spectacular show. You’ll be in awe at the blend of colors and designs of all the balloons — plus, they make great backdrops for family photos. Be sure to take part in the other activities at San Rafael Park, such as pajama parties, hot cocoa and even tethered balloon rides.

If your kids love to climb or are always looking to try something new, indoor rock climbing is a great way to burn off some energy. This is a great option for families looking for unique kid activities in Reno. There are two gyms that locals love: BaseCamp and Mesa Rim.

Ever scaled the side of a hotel? Well, now’s your chance! BaseCamp offers an outdoor belay wall for adventurous families. Kids who are just beginning are sure to have a blast inside, where they’ll test their skills on the bouldering walls. No experience? No problem. They’ve got rental gear and staff to help climbers of all levels.

Mesa Rim is a massive indoor climbing facility, where kids and parents alike will challenge themselves on walls of varying sizes. Although this is a gym where many experienced climbers hang out, newbies can still enjoy themselves here. They offer belay climbing routes and plenty of bouldering walls. There’s also a space upstairs to take it easy, play some chess and spread out while you wait for the rest of your group to finish up.

If you’re searching for things to do in Reno with kids that guarantee hours of entertainment, Wild Island should be your go-to. Coconut Bowl has activities that’ll keep your kids busy for hours. See who can win in a round of bowling, challenge each other to a go-kart race through a blacklight jungle, take on the multi-level play structure or battle it out in the XD Adventure Theater, where interactive games bring the action to life. Want more action? There are two types of mini golf offered at this Reno hotspot: an indoor, blacklight course and an outdoor option.

Check out Coconut Bowl’s hours of operations and even plan what adventure you want to embark on ahead of time!

In the summer, you won’t want to miss the Waterpark. With over 10 slides, three pools and a variety of delicious food to choose from, this is heaven for families with kids of any age.

Browse our Family Activities page for more ideas and see what hotels and restaurants will cater to you and your family. Or read over our full list of things to do in Reno.