Little Explorers: Top 8 Activities for Kids in Steamboat Springs, CO
Beyond fantastic skiing and other winter activities, Steamboat Springs, in the upper valley of the Yampa River in Colorado, is brimming with outdoor and indoor playgrounds that are great for families, especially those traveling with kids.
From national parks offering amazing kid-friendly hikes to entertainment venues where little ones can go bowling, play on water slides, and have fun with bumper cars on ice, there’s no shortage of things to keep children active and entertained during your trip to Steamboat. The best of it all is that every season brings something unique for everyone to have fun together.
In this blog, we have curated some of the best activities for kids in Steamboat Springs so that the next time you plan a trip to Colorado, you’ll already be covered when it comes to your children’s playtime.
Let's have some fun in the Rockies with the little explorers!
1. Roll some strikes with the little ones at Snowbowl
The Snowbowl has been a much-loved entertainment venue in Steamboat Springs, drawing locals and visitors alike since 1977, especially those traveling with kids.
Snowbowl’s 12 bowling lanes are sure to provide the little ones with a lot of activity, keeping them entertained and happy. Complementing the fun is their great menu serving delicious burgers and, for adults, the full-service bar offers refreshing drinks.
If you also have your furry companion in tow, the Snowbowl is extremely dog-friendly now. They have the Dog Bowl, a large outdoor turfed area for humans and animals to enjoy, and they even have a dog menu.
2. Enjoy Bumper Cars On Ice and endless icy adventures at Howelsen Ice Arena
All year round, Howelsen Ice Arena is one of the best places in town for kid-friendly activities and to immerse yourself in a winter wonderland atmosphere. The Olympic-size arena is great for you and your kids to cool off in the summer months and enjoy activities like ice skating and ice hockey throughout the year.
This is the only ice facility in Colorado to offer Bumper Cars On Ice, a uniquely thrilling experience for both kids and the entire family. During the 20-minute bumper car sessions, you can play tag, race each other, and see who can spin the fastest — it’s truly a unique and fun experience!
Want to double the fun? Kids can also try ice skating and ice hockey. Everything is clean and well-maintained, with a focus on safety, friendly staff, and reasonable rates.
Heads up: making a reservation is recommended as spaces fill up fast!
3. Get a taste of the authentic West at Saddleback Ranch
Saddleback Ranch is a sprawling 8,000-acre cattle ranch steeped in Colorado tradition and brimming with kid-friendly activities — all offering a taste of the authentic West. This is a true off-the-beaten path just a quick ride from Steamboat Springs.
Kids will enjoy a cozy sleigh ride dinner, or even attempt a (safe!) lasso lesson with a friendly cowboy.
They will also have a blast exploring the ranch on horseback, and riding through breathtaking mountain meadows — a fantastic summer activity!
During the winter months, Saddleback Ranch turns into a snowy wonderland, perfect for exhilarating snowmobile tours or a thrilling ride down Yee-Haw Tubing Hill. The latter is a hit among the little ones.
Whether you crave a relaxing horseback ride through stunning scenery or a day filled with family fun, Saddleback Ranch offers an unforgettable escape for all.
4. Relax, rejuvenate, and make a splash at Old Town Hot Springs
For over a century, Old Town Hot Springs has been a Steamboat Springs institution for outdoor recreation. Now, you might be thinking, how can hot springs be fun for kids? Well, wait until you see their kid-friendly amenities!
While you relax in one of the eight hot spring-fed pools, kids will spend all their energy playing on water slides. That’s right! They've brought a piece of a water park to their space so that people of all ages can have fun. But that’s not all. Another popular activity kids love is the 37-foot climbing wall where they can challenge themselves. Adults can also get active and join fitness, Zumba, and yoga classes.
The community pool and picnic tables are where everyone comes together to spend quality time with family and chat with friendly locals.
5. Experience the magic of nature in full bloom at Yampa River Botanic Park
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Colorado Rockies, Yampa River Botanic Park offers stunning natural spaces for you and your family to explore together. The park's expansive area along the Yampa River features several manicured gardens showcasing a variety of plants and flowers — from medicinal herbs and native species to roses, tulips, and flora from around the globe.
Families with kids particularly enjoy visiting the botanic park because the Children's Garden, which also houses the Fairy Garden displays several fairy houses created by local children in the annual Fairy Garden House Contest. These gardens are ideal places for kids to play, learn, and embrace nature in a fun and magical way. Kids also love the ponds where adorable ducks leisurely float.
A great idea is to join one of the free tours where passionate guides will provide you with valuable information about the many plants and share secrets about the park. If you're visiting during summer, Yampa River Botanic Park transforms into a hotspot for cultural events such as live concerts and kids' workshops.
Heads up: The park is closed for the entire winter season.
6. Unwind in riverside bliss at Burgess Creek Beach
Did you know Steamboat Springs also has small beaches where you and your kids can soak in the sun during summer? At the base of Steamboat Ski Area, you’ll find Burgess Creek, where you can sunbathe while kiddos play in the sand and cool off in the water.
With the snow melting because of the heat, a natural stream flows from the mountains and meets soft sands where small beaches are formed for the delight of everyone. Refreshing and shallow waters provide lots of fun, and Adirondack chairs lining the creek are perfect for relaxation. There are also mini waterfalls where kids love to play and explore. The best part of all? Everything boasts the ever-present mountain background that makes Steamboat Springs so special.
7. Discover endless family fun amid nature at Steamboat Lake State Park
Just a short drive from downtown, Steamboat Lake State Park is a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, offering endless adventures for families with kids.
Surrounded by majestic pine trees and stunning mountain vistas, the park's centerpiece is its shimmering lake, perfect for water activities like motorboating, kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. Thrill-seeking kids can even try their hand at water skiing for an extra rush of excitement.
On land, sandy beaches beckon for sandcastle building and splashing in shallow waters, while kid-friendly hiking trails wind through meadows teeming with wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for deer, moose, elk, and bald eagles, and if you're lucky, you might even spot a majestic mountain lion.
8. Explore, create, and embark on literary adventures at Bud Werner Memorial Library
The Bud Werner Memorial Library is one of Steamboat Springs' best-kept secrets. You’ll find a fantastic free reading space with views overlooking the Yampa River, comfortable chairs, and a wide variety of programs and events happening in the library.
Some of the kid-friendly activities include story times and hands-on activities, such as Sunday Stories, an interactive singalong; Crafty Tales, where kids listen to stories and create small crafts; Music and Movement, a program for kids to stretch, sing, dance, and explore music with rhythm instruments; and Adventures and Obstacles, combining storytelling with movement through obstacles inspired by a certain book.
However, the most popular activity for kids is the StoryWalk, a fun way to engage in a children's storybook while exploring the outdoors.
Little Explorers: Top 8 Activities for Kids in Steamboat Springs, CO
When traveling with children, it’s important to include them in all the fun. In Steamboat Springs, they’ll certainly have a blast visiting the places we mentioned above — from natural wonders to fun activities, there are always great opportunities to provide the little ones with unforgettable experiences.
Want more tips on Steamboat Springs, CO? Then head to our destination blog, where we cover everything from a full guide on family-friendly outdoor activities and the best places to grab coffee in town to the top activities to enjoy on a rainy day. And there's much more coming, so keep an eye out for future blogs!
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Retreatia offers luxury properties, ski-in/ski-out options, and downtown lodgings, some pet-friendly. Staying in one of our properties, we guarantee you'll have nothing less than a 5-star experience, something that will enhance your Steamboat Springs vacation.