15 Fun Things to Do with Kids in Sedona

Sedona is a natural playground with an abundance of free attractions in the great outdoors, over 300 miles of epic trails, amazing desert scenery and endless opportunity to burn off energy, interact with wildlife, explore nature and spend quality family time in the most spectacular setting or red rocks and natural wonders. If you’re looking for the best things to do with kids in Sedona and the Verde Valley, look no further.

Slide Rock State Park

Summer is coming to an end but if you’re looking for somewhere to cool off and enjoy loads of splashy, family fun, head to Slide Rock State Park. Slide Rock is located on a 43-acre apple farm in the scenic Oak Creek Canyon and offers wet and wild adventures for all ages on the cool 80-ft natural water slide and in the shallow 1.5-mile swimming area on Oak Creek. Pack a picnic (and water shoes for the kids) and plan a day of fun at Slide Rock, one of “America’s Top 10 Swimming Holes”. Closer to town, Grasshopper Point tends to be less crowded with fun rock ledges of various heights for the older kids to cliff jump.

Red Rock State Park

A trip to Red Rock State Park is always a fun thing to do with the kids in Sedona. Take a guided nature walks or join a junior ranger program, hike the easy Eagle’s Nest Loop to the highest point in the park, or do a little rock climbing on the Cathedral Rock trail. Rumor has it Walt Disney’s Thunder Mountain was inspired by this scenic area so drive home along Disney Lane and then on past Crescent Moon Ranch to cool off in the Red Rock crossing swimming hole.

Pink Jeep Tours

You’ll see them buzzing all about town and no family vacation in Sedona is complete without an off-road adventure in one of the famous pink jeeps! By far the best fun you’ll have discovering the beauty of Sedona’s landscapes. The Diamondback Gulch and the extreme Broken Arrow trails are two favorites for action packed adventures in Sedona’s spectacular Red Rock Country. If you’re travelling with toddlers, the Sedona 360 tour explores Sedona’s attractions in a fun open air PanoramaVan on the paved roads.

Hike or Bike the Trails

The easy 3.5-mile Bell Rock Pathway is one of the best short walks in Sedona with gorgeous views of Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte. View spectacular fall foliage on the West Fork Trail and Boynton Canyon Trail or for some fun rock climbing, the Devil’s Bridge Trail is easy and popular with young kids with a gentle path and steep stairs to a sandstone bridge arching 50 feet above the ground. The kids love it!

Out of Africa Wildlife Zoo

The Out of Africa Wildlife Park is one of Arizona’s top zoos, only a short drive south of Sedona in the scenic Verde Valley. Safari through the park with over 400 African and exotic animals, experience an exceptional show including Tiger Splash or the Giant Snake Show, enjoy endless animal encounters and take a thrilling ride down the Racing Raptor zip line (ages 13 and up!).

Ride the Railroad

The Verde Canyon Railroad takes you on a forty-mile round trip through the Coconino National Forest and the soaring red rock cliffs of the Verde Canyon. Choose from a variety of unique journeys and kid-friendly events, explore the historic train depot and Rail Museum and pick up some souvenirs at the railroad gift shop.   

Wild West Adventures

For a day of wild west adventures, Blazin’ M Ranch is an authentic dude ranch and frontier town in nearby Cottonwood.  The kids can take a spin around the ranch on a vintage tractor pull or go bull riding, axe throwing, shooting or spend some time as an outlaw behind bars. Enjoy a Chuckwagon dinner, followed by a live western stage show with music, entertainment and a true frontier experience for the whole family.  

The Sedona Trolley

The Sedona Trolley offers scenic narrated tours of the very best of Sedona. This is a fun, family-friendly way to learn the lay of the land, experience local history and view Sedona’s top attractions from the comfort of the open-air trolley.

Take a Scenic Road-Trip

Whichever direction you travel from Sedona you’re blessed with beautiful views! Take a day trip from Sedona along Red Rock Scenic Byway 179 to view Sedona’s iconic natural landmarks and landscapes including Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, Castle Rock, Cathedral Rock  and Snoopy Rock. The scenic 89A boasts views of Coffeepot Rock, Thunder Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain and Chimney Rock - travel north to the Oak Creek Vista overlook or westbound through the charming town of Cottonwood to the authentic, wild west ghost town in Jerome.

Visit the Grand Canyon

If time permits, take a day trip to the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World approximately a two-hour drive from Sedona. Pass through Oak Creek Canyon, forests, red rocks and on through a Navajo reservation and flagstaff to Grand Canon Village on the south rim. Take a break and stretch your legs on the South Rim Trail and continue on the canyon rim to the Desert View Watchtower.

History & Culture

Learn about the fascinating history of Sedona, local indigenous people and diverse cultures at one of Sedona’s fascinating cultural attractions. The Chapel of the Holy Cross, the Sedona Heritage Museum, Montezuma Castle National Monument, Palatiki National Heritage Site and Tuzigoot National Monument are must-see cultural sites for families visiting Sedona.

Shopping

If you’re needing a little retail therapy during your stay in Sedona, there’s plenty of kid friendly shopping options to explore. Kids love the Tlaquepaque Toy Town and Sedona Kids Company inspires kids of all ages!

Kid-Friendly Dining

There are endless options for kid-friendly dining in Sedona with spacious outdoor patios, casual restaurants with kids menus and the famous gourmet ice-cream at Sabrina’s Ice Cream shop at Canyon Breeze in Uptown Sedona is a must.

Sunsets & Stargazing

Watch a spectacular Sedona sunset from the Airport Overlook (it gets busy!) or with sundowners in hand from the kid-friendly patio at Canyon Breeze, then prepare for an evening of stargazing. September to June is the best time of year to experience the spectacular night sky views in Sedona. Book a stargazing tour or prepare smores and hot cocoa, switch off the lights and snuggle under the night skies from the comfort of your Sedona rental.

Stay with Foothills Rentals

Foothills Vacation Rentals have been welcoming families to Sedona for over 30 years! We live local, we know the area and have a diverse selection of family-friendly vacation rental homes and spacious condos with outstanding amenities that cater to the whole family.