Are you looking for things to keep the kids entertained while on vacation here? Well, you've come to the right place—literally. There are fun and educational kids activities in Jackson Hole in spades. Here's our round-up of things that children ages 5 and under, 6 to 12 years old and/or teenagers can do here. There's some overlap in age-appropriate adventures, which is perfect for larger families. Pick your favorites—or try them all!
Family-Friendly Entertainment
BEST FOR AGES 6 AND UP:
The annual Teton County Fair takes place mid-to-late July; a carnival is held in late July. The fair features the full gamut of downhome fun including pig wrestling, carnival rides, clowns, hypnotists and 4-H exhibitions plus the rowdy Figure 8 Races and closing country concert. For the full schedule, visit tetonwyo.org.
Jackson Hole Playhouse. Dinner and a musical show. Adults $115 / youth (13 to 17) $100/ children ages 5 to 12) $80. Show only: Adults $57 / youth $40/ children $40. Visit jhplayhouse.com.
ALL AGES:
Concerts on the Common are held every Sunday for free in summer at 5 p.m. in Teton Village. There are also free special "Alive@5" presentations—such as meeting birds of prey—held almost every weekday on the Village Commons throughout the summer.
Wild West-Themed Kids Activities in Jackson Hole
ALL AGES BUT PRIMARILY 4 AND UP as toddlers may grow restless:
Jackson Hole Rodeo. Held regularly on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays during the summer season at the Teton County Fairgrounds. Kids are usually invited into the ring to go pig chasing!
AGES 5 AND UP:
Horseback Trail Rides. (See: Horseback Riding in Jackson Hole: The Essentials)
ALL AGES:
Bar T 5 covered wagon cookouts: Jackson Hole’s Original Chuck Wagon dinner experience. You will travel by horse-drawn covered wagon for an evening dinner, Western hospitality and great entertainment. Infants and toddlers age 4 and under are free.
Jackson Hole Shootout on Town Square. Watch a lively reenactment of frontier justice on the Jackson Town Square in what is the longest, continuously running shootout show in the country; 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, Memorial Day through Labor Day. Note: The (fake) gunshots may startle younger children.
Horse-drawn stagecoach rides around Town Square. A roughly 10-minute excursion around the square on a real stagecoach.
On (or In)-the-Water Family Fun (Summer/Winter)
AGES 6 AND UP:
Whitewater and scenic float trips. Age limits depend on the season. During most of the summer and early fall, ages 6 and up, and in the early season, ages 14 and up. Check with your chosen outfitter.
Related story: Jackson Hole Whitewater Rafting: The Essentials; Take a Whitewater/Scenic Rafting Trip
ALL AGES:
Renting kayaks or SUP’s (Stand Up Paddleboards) for String, Jenny, Jackson and/or Leigh lakes in Grand Teton National Park, as well as Rendezvous Park (R Park) in Wilson.
Granite Hot Springs Pool. Operating hours during the summer are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Cost is $12/ adult and $7/ child. The pool is only reachable via snowmobile in winter.
Astoria Hot Springs. Open year-round, Astoria is located just 20 minutes south of Jackson. Five soaking/swimming pools, including a dedicated kids pool. Please call ahead or visit Astoria’s website for reservations and more information: astoriahotspringspark.org.
Teton County Rec Center pool. Open year-round, the center’s pool features a water slide. Entry fees: children under age 3 are free; youth ages 3-17, $5; adults $7. Visit tetonparksandrec.org
Swimming pond at Rendezvous Park (or "R Park" as we call it.) This swimming hole is perfect for taking a dip, floating in tubes and lounging on the beach. There are also nature trails to investigate.
Summer Adventures
MOSTLY KIDS AGES 5 AND UP (although younger children will also enjoy some of the following):
The Ropes Course at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, plus the climbing wall and bungee trampoline, mountain bike park and disc golf (these last two are definitely more for older kids/teenagers). Riding the Aerial Tram is great for the whole family.
AGES 10 AND UP:
Via Ferrata is Jackson Hole Mountain Resort's guided climbing experience. This memorable experience takes you above the valley floor, across suspended bridges and along granite walls. Via Ferrata is perfect for families, groups or individuals 10 years of age or older. For bookings and inquiries, please email mountainsports@jacksonhole.com for more information or call 307-739-2797.
Exum Mountain Guides' Family Climbing Adventure really takes things to new heights in Grand Teton National Park, high above Jenny Lake on a rockface next to Hidden Falls. No experience is necessary. Families must have at least one child under the age of 14 to sign up for this program, and kids must be at least 7 years old to go without a parent. Custom Climbing is offered for families with older kids. Visit exumguides.com.
ALL AGES:
Snow King Mountain Resort was voted one of the top 3 Best Family Activities in Jackson Hole in 2021. Activities include the Teton Boulder Park (free) climbing wall at the base, bungee trampoline (3+), Alpine Slide (2+), Cowboy Coaster (3+), mini-golf and a maze (all ages). The Treetop Adventure Ropes Course and ziplines are for those ages 12 and older; the Flying Squirrel ropes course is for kids ages 7 to 12 only. The entire family should also take the gondola to the summit for an unforgettable view of the town of Jackson, the valley (the "hole") and the Teton Range and can also visit the new state-of-the-art observatory, featuring a large (one meter) Plane Wave telescope that will be available for public observation via on-site staff..
Hiking, fishing, biking and touring in Grand Teton National and Yellowstone national parks. Make some indelible family memories in these two national gems!
Related story: Things To Do in Jackson Hole With Kids in Summer
Grab Some Culture and Education
ALL AGES:
The National Museum of Wildlife Art features a sculpture trail with a special please-climb-on-me bison, a Children's Discovery Gallery that includes a hands-on artist’s studio, life-size diorama, animal costumes, reading nook and puppet theater. The Discovery Center is best for children age 10 and under. Visit wildlifeart.org.
Guided wildlife tours. Generally, all ages are welcome, although each tour provider has its own recommendation regarding how old a child should be to fully appreciate and enjoy the wildlife safari. See: Jackson Hole Wildlife Tours: The Essentials
The Teton Raptor Center Encounter Program offers you the chance to meet eagles, hawks, owls and other birds of prey at 2 p.m. every Thursday through Saturday at Teton Raptor Center in Wilson; book online at tetonraptorcenter.org. You can also mingle and learn about these fascinating birds for free at 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from June through August in Teton Village during the Alive@5 program.
The National Fish Hatchery. Jackson Hole is home to this little-known and fascinating local attraction. Located four miles north of the town of Jackson and adjacent to the National Elk Refuge, the National Fish Hatchery welcomes visitors for free tours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily (except on federal holidays). Observe fish in several indoor tanks and view photographic displays of spawning and stocking.
AGES 5 TO 12:
Junior Ranger Programs. Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks have an official Junior Ranger Program open to children ages 5 to 12. The program aims to introduce children to the natural wonders of the national parks and their role in preserving them for the future. To become a Junior Ranger, families pay a $3 fee for the 12-page activity paper available at any visitor center.
Junior Naturalist Program. The National Elk Refuge has a Junior Naturalist Program. Grab a free booklet and earn a badge by visiting the National Elk Refuge and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center on Cache St.
AGES 6 AND UNDER:
Jackson Hole Children's Museum. This is an interactive museum where kids and their families can play, create, explore and discover through exhibits and hands-on activities. Visit jhchildrensmuseum.org.
Teton County Library storytimes. Visit tclib.org for the schedule as some storytimes are geared towards babies, others for toddlers and some for 3 and up.
Winter Adventures For Families
AGES 4 AND UP:
Snow tubing and riding the Cowboy Coaster at Snow King. Grand Targhee Resort also has snow tubing.
Ice skating in Town Square and in Teton Village. Skating is free but there is a small fee for renting skates.
Horse-drawn sleigh rides on the National Elk Refuge. This is a once-in-a-lifetime activity to see elk and other wildlife truly up-close. Trips depart between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily from mid-December to early April (weather permitting) from the National Elk Refuge and Greater Yellowstone Visitor's Center on Cache St.
AGES 6 AND UP:
Snowmobiling through Yellowstone National Park. Talk about special! Here’s a bucket list item your child can cross off his or her list early in life. A snowmobile tour through America’s first national park is an all-day, 12-hour round-trip adventure of a lifetime. Only 500 snowmobiles are allowed into the park per day so your family can cruise the snow-covered roads up to Old Faithful without coming across any crowds—or cars. For information and reservations visit scenic-safaris.com.
Dog sled tours. Run your very own Iditarod during your time in Jackson Hole! Skimming across the snow behind eight dogs hitched to a handmade wooden sled makes for an exhilarating foray into the outdoors. Adventurers of all ages and abilities can enjoy dog sledding. Visit dogsledadventures.com.
Related story: Things To Do In Jackson Hole With Kids in Winter
Bonus Family Fun
Related stories: Spend a Day on Town Square Multi-Generational Family Fun in the Tetons, 10 Free Things To Do in Jackson Hole Family-Friendly Restaurants in Jackson Hole
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