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10 kid-approved activities to do when visiting Banff

Going to Banff is a fun experience for the whole family but sometimes it can be hard occupying the kids all of the time. This is especially true if you’re not familiar with what there is to see and do. We’ve got 10 kid-approved ideas on how to keep busy with the kids while visiting Banff!

Kid-approved activities to do with kids when visiting Banff

This mix of cheap and free things to do in Banff should give you a wide range of activities in the National Park that your kids will love and talk about for years to come!

1. Kid-Friendly Hikes

Go on a kid-friendly hike at Tunnel Mountain or Fenland Trail.

2. Visit Downtown Banff

Take a walk on Banff Avenue and stop off at the iconic Banff Sweet Shoppe for some of your favourite (and even hard to find) treats.

3. Go on a Pony Ride

Kids 3-7yrs can get up close and learn the basics of horseback riding on a 15-minute Pony Lead. The cost is $20, and worth the splurge.

4. Try Bowling

Check out High Rollers Banff and bowl a couple of games! There are 6 lanes, one with bumpers, a full menu, billiards and arcade games.

5. Biking at the Banff Pump Track

Bring your bikes and check out the Banff Bike Park at Sundance Road and Cave Ave! There are elements for all skill levels! (The pump track is being renovated in 2023 and may not be available this summer.)

6. Enjoy the Hot Springs

Take some time to soak in the hot mineral water at Banff Upper Hot Springs.

7. Summit a Mountain (without hiking)

Go for a ride on the Banff Gondola and explore the top of a mountain or have lunch in their restaurant, Sky Bistro (FYI, the food is delicious).

8. Hit a playground

Burn off some energy as you explore and play at some of Banff’s Best Playgrounds.

9. Go Swimming

Visit Banff’s only Water Park at Douglas Fir Resort (for registered guests only at this time). Other options include checking out the pool at Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation or one of the mountain lakes.

10. Take a Boat Tour

Take a boat tour on Lake Minnewanka and learn about the history, geology, animals, and more.

Are there other activities that we didn’t include in this list that you like to do when you are visiting Banff with the family? Join the conversation on Instagram or Facebook and tell us what are some of the kid-approved activities that you do with your family.

Chip Lake, Alberta

Child standing on the shore of Chip Lake with a large piece of driftwood as a walking stick.

If you’ve ever driven on the Yellowhead Highway around Wildwood and Entwistle, you’ve no doubt noticed a massive lake along the north side of Highway 16. During a recent road trip we actually saw a sailboat on this lake and I was intrigued so, decided to take the kiddies on a road trip to Chip Lake.

I’ve lived in Alberta my whole life, in Edmonton for almost 20 years and I’d never been to Elk Island National Park until this past week.

I know what some of you are thinking. What took you so long? Honestly, I don’t know. Many friends had told me about all the fun they’d had, I’d seen amazing pictures from my photography friends and I always thought to myself that I need to get out there some day. Thanks to my very good friend Allison, who offered to take us out there, 2 moms and 4 kids set out on an adventure.

Looking for more activities? Check out these posts:

We started by going down Bison Loop Road, to see the grazing beauties & stopped at the Big Red Chairs, before driving to the beach to eat our supper.

The lake. It sure is beautiful and was a perfect place for supper.

After supper, we checked out the Living Waters Boardwalk.

We did the loop & hit the playground. Then we walked up and checked out the old house.

The sun was coming down in the sky so we hit the car again to head out for a 2.5Km hike down Amisk Wuche Trail.

The sun was almost down as we finished up the last bit of the hike and it was amazing.

The kids had spent the whole time looking for markers, discussing the fairies that lived under the mushrooms, watching a teeny tiny tree frog hop across the path and generally being as loud a possible.

It was my favourite play date this summer and I highly recommend it! Be sure to check out their events page too. They have sessions running every weekend over the summer.

4 parks to explore with kids in Calgary

Calgary is a destination for many families and sometimes is nice to go somewhere with the kids that’s free and fun! Parks are just that and these 4 are ones that we explored recently!

Updated May 9, 2023

Across the province, Albertans are celebrating the end of a long winter’s nap and relishing this much deserved warm weather. Kids, meanwhile, are still firmly attached to their devices. Did you know there are ways to turn that into an outdoor magnet?

While chirping birds and sprouting buds may be enough for parents to start summer dreaming and into nature but the same can’t always be said for our kids. But phones, cameras, and even some game systems have ways to encourage kids to get outdoors!

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