15 Best Things to Do in Sedona with Kids: A Complete Guide for Family Fun
Sedona, Arizona is a vibrant destination renowned for its striking red rock formations, rich cultural history, and abundant outdoor activities. While it’s a popular retreat for spiritual seekers and nature lovers, many families are unaware of how kid-friendly Sedona can be. Whether your children are toddlers or teens, the city offers numerous attractions, making it an ideal place for creating lasting family memories.
This guide compiles 15 of the best things to do in Sedona with kids. From outdoor adventures to interactive experiences, these activities promise engaging fun for all ages. Here’s what this amazing destination has to offer.
1. Explore Red Rock State Park
Overview
Red Rock State Park is a haven for families who appreciate outdoor explorations amid majestic landscapes. Famous for its towering red sandstone formations, this scenic area offers plenty of things to do with kids, regardless of their age.
Kid-Friendly Activities
The park is perfect for families with young explorers. There are educational programs such as the Junior Ranger program. Children between 6 and 12 years can participate by completing hands-on activities, receiving an official badge and certificate upon completion—perfect for any young adventurer![4] For families who prefer a more guided experience, park rangers lead nature walks that provide insights into the regional flora, fauna, and geology.
Wildlife spotting is another enjoyable aspect, with opportunities to spot native animals like mule deer, javelinas, and various bird species, such as the great blue heron and peregrine falcons[2]. These add an educational layer to the adventure, making it more than just a sightseeing trip.
Educational Opportunities
The park holds weekly educational lectures that delve into Sedona’s unique ecosystems and geological history. Exhibits in the visitor center help kids understand the delicate balance of nature in this desert environment. Exploring Red Rock State Park is a great way to combine physical activity and education.
2. Visit Slide Rock State Park
Overview
Located within Oak Creek Canyon, Slide Rock State Park is bound to be a hit with the kids, thanks to its unique natural rock water slide. The park provides a natural playground where youngsters can splash, swim, and explore to their heart’s content.
Activities for Kids
The highlight is, of course, its namesake—the natural rock slide. Kids (and adults) can slip and slide down the smooth rocks formed by natural water currents, all while being immersed in striking canyon views[10]. As a historic part of the area, the park also features an apple farm that is still operational today. Visiting families might even get the chance to pick apples depending on the season[9].
Safety Tips
For families with younger children, it’s essential to be aware of safety around slippery rocks. Parents should closely supervise kids, especially where water currents are faster and rocks are more challenging to navigate[9]. Wearing water shoes is also a smart safety precaution, as the surfaces can get slippery.
3. Take a Pink Jeep Tour
Overview
No trip to Sedona with kids is complete without a Pink Jeep Tour. Operating since 1960, these off-road adventures offer an exciting way to see Sedona’s captivating landscapes up close.
Family-Friendly Tours
Pink Jeep Tours cater to families with children of all ages. For families with younger kids, the Sedona 360 tour is highly recommended. This gentle tour offers scenic photo opportunities without the daunting bumpy terrain, making it suitable even for toddlers[6][9].
For older, thrill-seeking children, the Broken Arrow tour offers a more adventurous ride. Expect rougher terrain and challenging jeep routes as you explore Sedona’s backcountry[5][10].
Educational Value
Along the way, expect knowledgeable tour guides to share insights into Sedona’s geology, flora, and history. These tours don’t just show you the sights—they provide an excursion that’s educational and interactive for kids.
4. Hike Bell Rock Pathway
Overview
Introducing your children to the wonders of nature can’t get much easier than a stroll along Bell Rock Pathway. This iconic pathway, with its otherworldly red rock vistas, is one of the most accessible and family-friendly hiking trails in Sedona’s Coconino National Forest[5][7].
Kid-Friendly Hiking Tips
The pathway offers various flat sections that are appropriate for all ages, making it easily walkable for both toddlers and older children. Some portions may even accommodate strollers, although off-road models are recommended for the slightly rougher terrain[5][7].
Pro-tip: Advise older children to try light scrambling along the lower slopes of Bell Rock. It’s an exhilarating challenge that rewards them with stunning panoramas of the surrounding desert.[1]
Tips for Families
During the hike, be sure to pack plenty of water, sunscreen, and snacks. The desert sun can be intense, and there is little shade along the trail. Encourage your kids to bring binoculars for spotting wildlife, or a sketchpad to record their adventure!
5. Visit Out of Africa Wildlife Park
Overview
An hour’s drive from Sedona brings your family to Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Camp Verde. This safari-like experience is a real treat for animal lovers, offering a wholly immersive day for kids excited by wildlife from all over the globe[6][8].
Highlights for Kids
One of the park’s signature attractions is the Tiger Splash show, where trainers safely engage with tigers in playful water antics that are thrilling and memorable for visitors[6][8]. The park also offers the chance to see giraffes, antelopes, zebras, and other incredible animals in natural habitats—often from a safari vehicle where children can feel like intrepid explorers[8].
For older kids (and adventurous parents), the park’s Predator Zip Line allows thrill-seekers to soar over the animal habitats, providing another level of excitement.
6. Discover Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village
Overview
The Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village is designed as a beautiful Mexican-style arts and shopping center. While it may seem like an adult destination at first glance, kids will find plenty of distractions to keep them entertained.
Kid-Friendly Shops and Activities
The Tlaquepaque Toy Town is a toy store housing a range of delightful puzzles, games, and plush toys. Kids can browse through interactive toys while parents enjoy the arts and crafts shops[9]. Art galleries also offer child-friendly exhibits, and occasionally special crafts workshops cater to families with creative kids[10].
Family Bonding in Art
This is a chance for the entire family to slow down and appreciate art. For older kids particularly interested in painting or sculpture, Tlaquepaque can be a source of inspiration—an opportunity to explore new interests in art.
7. Enjoy a Ride on Verde Canyon Railroad
Overview
For a family-friendly, relaxing adventure through Arizona’s wilderness, hop aboard the Verde Canyon Railroad. Starting near Clarkdale, this scenic four-hour train ride immerses passengers in the breathtaking landscapes of Verde Canyon, all from the comfort of cooled or open-air cars.
Family-Friendly Features
Kids will be enthralled by the chance to see wildlife from the train’s panoramic windows or from the breezy open-air cars. Keep an eye out for bald eagles, deer, and other wildlife. On select days, themed train rides are organized, often for holiday celebrations like Christmas and Halloween, adding a bit of extra magic for younger passengers[8].
Educational Opportunities
Throughout the journey, narrations provide background information about the history and ecology of the area, engaging kids in an educational adventure as they learn about the land and its past inhabitants[4][8].
8. Walk the West Fork Trail
Overview
Hidden among the towering cliffs of Oak Creek Canyon, the West Fork Trail is one of Sedona’s most scenic and family-friendly hikes. Famed for its shade, stream crossings, and relatively easy terrain, the trail offers an inviting option for families with both young kids and teenagers[5][7].
Kid-Friendly Hiking Adventures
Parents and children alike will love hopping across small streams, balancing on stepping-stones, and walking beneath shaded trees. These activities turn riskier sections of the hike into fun challenges for your little explorers[5]. Let your kids lead the way as they hear the sound of water trickling nearby, and stop for a break near the creek to dip feet in the cool water.
Seasonal Highlights
The trail is particularly stunning in autumn when cool weather combines with vibrant fall foliage. In the spring, the trail bursts with wildflowers, making for a colorful and refreshing family hike.
9. Visit Montezuma Castle National Monument
Overview
Just a 30-minute drive from Sedona, Montezuma Castle National Monument offers an awe-inspiring glimpse into the area’s pre-Columbian history. This remarkably preserved 13th-century cliffside dwelling offers families a way to combine a day trip with an educational tour about Arizona’s ancient civilizations.
Kid-Friendly Experiences
The Junior Ranger Program here is an in-depth, interactive way for kids to engage with Native American history. Kids are encouraged to complete activities, such as identifying ancient tools or learning about the Acorn harvest traditions of the Sinagua people, earning them official ranger badges by the program’s end.
Easy to Explore
The paved and stroller-friendly paths leading toward the cliff dwellings ensure easy access for families, even those with toddlers or little ones who may need the occasional stroller break.
10. Stargazing in Sedona
Overview
Due to its low light pollution, Sedona is one of the best places in Arizona—and arguably, the U.S.—for gazing at the stars. For families interested in celestial wonders, several stargazing options are available after dark.
Family-Friendly Stargazing Options
You can join a specialized stargazing tour where experts provide the telescopes and knowledge to explore constellations, planets, and moon craters up close[4]. For DIY stargazers, the best spots include Airport Mesa and Boynton Canyon—both offering expansive views with minimal interference from city lights[8].
Bring a telescope or binoculars, set out blankets, and simply point upward. Kids will delight in identifying famous constellations like the Big Dipper and Orion belt.
11. Explore Blazin’ M Ranch
Overview
Located in nearby Cottonwood, Blazin’ M Ranch is a fun-filled, Western-themed experience that transports your family back to the Old West. Enjoy lasso lessons, ride an old-timey tractor, or show off your skills with axe-throwing; there’s something here to please everyone[6][8].
Kid-Friendly Activities
The ranch is a great place for kids to safely “play” cowboy or cowgirl. Tractor rides through a mock-up of an Old West town give kids a chance to learn about what life was like during the pioneering days[6]. They can also test their aim with axe-throwing or try their hands at roping, just like the cowboys they read about in storybooks!
After dinner, the family can partake in the exciting live performance which includes music, comedy, and cowboy storytelling.
12. Visit Chapel of the Holy Cross
Overview
Sedona’s Chapel of the Holy Cross is more than just a religious site—it’s a marvel of architecture that’s perched dramatically against the red sandstone cliffs, offering panoramic views of the city’s most famous rock formations[5].
Susceptible for Families with Kids
A gentle, paved pathway from the parking lot leads easily to the Chapel’s viewing platform, making it stroller-friendly. Once at the chapel, parents can use the opportunity for quiet reflection or simply soak in the picturesque landscapes with their children.
When to Go
Early morning or late afternoon is an excellent time to visit to avoid crowds and intense heat, making the experience more enjoyable for younger children.
13. Spend Time at Grasshopper Point
Overview
If you’re visiting Sedona during the warmer months, spend a soothing day at Grasshopper Point. Located along Oak Creek, this swimming hole offers a cooling reprieve from Sedona’s usually arid temperatures.
Activities
Once there, families with younger kids can enjoy wading in shallow creek areas where it’s safe and fun for splashing around. Older, more adventurous siblings may try jumping off rocks into the creek’s deeper sections under parental supervision.
14. Take a Sedona Trolley Tour
Overview
Sedona can get hot, and walking might not always be suitable for young children. Moreover, kids tire easily, especially in a hilly and rocky environment like Sedona. For families looking for a more relaxed way to sightsee, hop on the Sedona Trolley, offering guided tours that showcase the best of Sedona’s top attractions without wearing out kids’ little legs[10].
Stops Along the Way
The trolley takes visitors to iconic spots such as Chapel of the Holy Cross and Airport Mesa, with scenic overlooks along the way. Stops often include family-friendly locations such as parks or ice cream shops.
15. Visit Sedona Heritage Museum
Overview
Cap off your Sedona adventure with a trip to the Sedona Heritage Museum. Here, families can learn about the region’s pioneer history, as well as Sedona’s role in early western filmmaking.
Kid-Friendly Exhibits
Children will particularly love the historical displays related to the Wild West and Hollywood’s filmmaking legacy. The old wagons, historical artifacts, and reenactments grab the attention of children, turning this historical journey into an exciting educational adventure.
FAQs Section: Based on Google’s People Also Ask
- What are some free things to do in Sedona with kids?
Free activities include exploring hiking trails like Bell Rock Pathway, visiting the Chapel of the Holy Cross, or relaxing at Red Rock Crossing for stunning views of Cathedral Rock. - Is Sedona good for toddlers?
Absolutely! Toddler-friendly activities include easy hikes like Bell Rock Pathway and scenic drives. The Sedona Trolley Tours and tranquil visitors’ spots are ideal for families with small kids. Moreover, many of the parks have accessible viewing areas suitable for strollers. - What is there to do in Sedona at night with kids?
Nighttime activities include stargazing trips at Airport Mesa or Boynton Canyon. Alternatively, get a guided stargazing tour for a more informative experience. - What are some easy hikes in Sedona suitable for kids?
Fay Canyon Trail, Bell Rock Pathway, and West Fork Trail are all family-friendly hiking options. They offer stunning scenery without overly difficult terrain. - Where can I take my kids swimming in Sedona?
Popular swimming spots include Slide Rock State Park and Grasshopper Point—both offer natural swimming holes perfect for cooling down in the summer. - Are there any educational activities for kids in Sedona?
The Junior Ranger Programs at both Red Rock State Park and Montezuma Castle National Monument offer interactive learning opportunities. The Sedona Heritage Museum also showcases local history in a fun way for kids. - What are some rainy-day activities in Sedona with kids?
Rainy-day fun includes visiting the Sedona Heritage Museum, exploring the stores at Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village, or taking a scenic drive through Oak Creek Canyon. - Is there anything to do near Sedona with kids?
Outside Sedona, explore Out of Africa Wildlife Park, Verde Canyon Railroad, or the cliff dwellings at Montezuma Castle National Monument for exciting day trips with educational value.
Conclusion
Sedona offers a rare opportunity for families to bask in the beauty of nature while engaging in a wide range of kid-friendly activities. Whether it be the relaxation of Verde Canyon Railroad, thrilling rides with Pink Jeep Tours, or historical adventures at Montezuma Castle, there’s something for everyone.
By integrating moments of outdoor fun, educational outings, and exciting experiences, Sedona ensures that family vacations here are memorable and rich in discoveries. The blend of nature, history, and adventure makes Sedona an ideal destination for families looking to build lasting memories.
Pack your bags, grab your hiking boots, and prepare to experience the wonders Sedona has to offer—with your kids in tow! Whether your family prefers stargazing, splashing in natural swimming pools, or cowboy-themed shows, you’ll find that Sedona is more than just a beautiful landscape—it’s an incredible playground for all ages.
