Planning a family getaway and wondering about the best things to do in Palm Springs with kids? This sun-drenched desert oasis in Southern California offers a surprising mix of outdoor adventures, quirky attractions, and relaxing spots perfect for all ages.
From riding the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to exploring interactive museums and splashing in resort pools, there’s no shortage of family-friendly fun. Here’s a guide to the top things to do in Palm Springs with kids.
1. Visit Joshua Tree National Park, California
Looking for the best day trips from Palm Springs? Visit Joshua Tree National Park, just an hour’s drive away, for one of the top outdoor adventures in Southern California. This stunning desert park is a must-see for families, offering some of the best things to do in Joshua Tree with kids, from easy hiking trails and massive boulder formations to iconic Joshua Trees and scenic picnic spots.
On our Joshua Tree day trip from Palm Springs, we explored family-friendly hikes, climbed on giant rocks, and marveled at the park’s otherworldly landscape.
Arch Rock Trail, Joshua Tree National Park
Arch Rock Trail is one of the most scenic and easy hikes in Joshua Tree, ideal for families with young kids. This 1.4-mile loop leads to a stunning natural granite arch, perfect for photos and gentle rock scrambling. It’s a flat trail with minimal elevation, making it one of the top family hikes in Joshua Tree National Park.
Everything you need to know about visiting National Parks with kids
After visiting 20 National Parks with our kids and experiencing their unique beauty, we have put together a guide detailing the essentials of planning and participating in park programs to ensure a rewarding family adventure in the National Parks.
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The rock formations seemed to stretch as high as the sky and made us feel like we were exploring another planet! We had a blast climbing up and squeezing through some of the boulders.
Cholla Cactus Garden, Joshua Tree National Park
Don’t miss the Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail, about 12 miles south of the park’s north entrance. This short, flat 0.25-mile (0.4 km) loop winds through nearly 10 acres of desert filled with teddybear cholla cacti, a sea of spiky plants that look soft but definitely aren’t!
When the sun hits just right, the whole place glows (sunrise or sunset is magical). It’s a quick stop, but one of the most unique and family-friendly things to do in Joshua Tree. Just make sure little ones don’t get too close, those spines are no joke!
💡Good to know: Entrance to Joshua Tree National Park costs $30 per vehicle and is valid for 7 consecutive days. If you’re planning to visit more than two national parks in a year, it’s worth picking up the America the Beautiful Annual Pass.
For $80, you get unlimited entry to over 2,000 federal recreation sites, including Joshua Tree, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and more. It’s one of the best ways to save money on national park entrance fees!
Hidden Valley Trail, Joshua Tree National Park
If you’re looking for a good mix of hiking and rock scrambling, Hidden Valley Trail is a great choice. It’s just a 1-mile loop and has tons of spots to climb, explore, and take in the views.
There are signs along the trail that tell the story of the area (turns out it was once a hideout for cattle rustlers—who knew?). It’s super accessible and one of the most popular family-friendly hikes in Joshua Tree.
We highly recommend visiting Joshua Tree National Park among the things to do in Palm Springs for a fun day of adventure and exploration with kids.
2. Take a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
One of the most unique family-friendly things to do in Palm Springs is riding the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world’s largest rotating tram car! This thrilling ride takes you up the cliffs of Chino Canyon, climbing over 8,500 feet in just 10 minutes. At the top, you’ll find cooler mountain air, scenic hiking trails, observation decks with jaw-dropping views, and even a mountaintop restaurant.
💡Good to know
Tram tickets to Palm Springs Aerial Tramway are $30.95 for adults and $18.95 for kids 3-12.
Only a limited number of pre-booked reservations are available. If your chosen day is unavailable, tickets for that day can still be purchased at the Tram’s Valley Station upon arrival.
It’s the perfect combo of indoor and outdoor fun, and we know our kids would’ve loved the feeling of the tram spinning gently as it glides through the air. Unfortunately, the wait time was over two hours when we visited, so we had to skip it this time—but it’s definitely on our list for next time.
If you’re visiting during peak hours or weekends, consider arriving early or booking tickets in advance to avoid the crowds.
3. Check out the iconic roadside attraction – Cabazon Dinosaurs
Get ready for a mega-dose of dinosaur fun! Cabazon Dinosaurs, an iconic roadside attraction near Palm Springs, includes two giant dinosaur statues: Mr. Rex and Dinny the Dinosaur. We were amazed when we saw Mr. Rex, the massive dinosaur, towering overhead.
The girls couldn’t wait to go inside his mouth and shout “Roar!” at the top of their lungs (yes, you can climb all the way into the mouth of a T-Rex!)
💡Good to know
Admission to see other dinosaur exhibits and climb into T-Rex mouth is:
Adult (13-55) $15.00, Child (3-12) $13.00, Senior (55+) $11.00
The Cabazon Dinosaurs were perfect for dino-obsessed younger kids.
Time spent: 1 hour
At Cabazon Dinosaurs, kids can also explore other outdoor dino exhibits, gemstone mining, exhibit rooms inside, and trails.
4. Visit the Living Desert Zoo in Palm Desert
While we didn’t have the chance to visit the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens on this trip to Palm Springs, our friends with three young kids spent an entire 7-hour day there and raved about it. This unique zoo highlights the deserts of the world, with exhibits showcasing flora and fauna from arid environments.
They said the highlights were getting up close with the giraffes, watching the hilarious antics of the meerkats, and exploring the elaborate model trains winding through recreated desert landscapes.
Their kids particularly enjoyed the nature discovery centers with hands-on activities and the freedom to explore over 1,200 acres of hiking trails immersed in the stunning desert scenery.
Based on their enthusiastic reviews, the Living Desert is definitely on our must-visit list for our next trip to the Palm Springs area to get an in-depth educational and entertaining look at desert life.
5. Take a Murray Canyon Trail to Seven Sisters Waterfall
Pack plenty of water and snacks for this moderate 4.5-mile out-and-back hike through Murray Canyon in the Indian Canyons near Palm Springs. Our hike began in classic Palm Springs desert terrain, leading to a stunning fan palm oasis with a creek.
We highly recommend this trail for adventurous families looking to explore a beautiful desert canyon. Keep hiking past the oasis to reach the narrow canyon and reward of cascading waterfalls! It’s an incredible sight amidst the arid desert landscape.
💡Good to know
- The Indian Canyons park is open until 5 pm, so start your hike early to avoid cutoffs
- Entrance fees are $15 for adults, $7 for kids
- Bring ample water, snacks, and sun protection as it gets very hot in summer
- Sturdy hiking shoes are a must for navigating the rocky terrain
6. Walk the Palm Springs Walk of Stars
No trip to Palm Springs is complete without visiting the iconic Walk of Stars along Palm Canyon Drive. We had fun trying to guess which stars our favorite celebs would have on the walk before finding them.
The girls did great imitating Marilyn Monroe’s famous pose! It’s free to stroll and see the Golden Palm stars honoring celebrities like Elvis, Frank Sinatra, and Lucille Ball.
Bottom line
From hiking among giant boulders in Joshua Tree National Park to riding the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, spotting funky art in downtown Palm Springs, and exploring the Living Desert Zoo, there’s no shortage of family-friendly things to do in Palm Springs. Whether your kids love nature, animals, or hands-on fun, this desert getaway delivers.
We loved how easy it was to combine adventure with pool time, scenic drives, and delicious food. If you’re planning a Palm Springs family vacation, use this guide to build a fun and balanced itinerary the whole family will enjoy.
