Fun Things to Do in Palm Springs with Kids

By Tanvi Chheda
December 2, 2024
6 Min Read

Abundant sunshine, pools galore, hiking trails and attractions such as the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, not to mention the relaxed pace and laidback vibe, have all made Palm Springs a favorite among families, especially southern California locals.

Some 107 miles east of Los Angeles, Palm Springs sits at the western edge of the Coachella Valley in the foothills of the San Jacinto mountains. The indigenous Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians have called the area home for millennia (the 48,000-square-foot Agua Caliente Cultural Museum opened in 2023). From the early days of the 20th century, Palm Springs and the surrounding towns evolved into a resort destination where Hollywood’s rich and famous, like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Gene Autry, retreated for solitude and recreation.

Fun Things to Do in Palm Springs with Kids — Surrounding mountains form a dramatic backdrop for Palm Springs proper

Today, the greater Palm Springs area — including nearby Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, La Quinta and Indian Wells — is known for a variety of reasons, from mid-century modern architecture and golf to the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament and proximity to Joshua Tree National Park.

Top Ideas for Fun Things to Do in Palm Springs with Kids

Whether you’re traveling with toddlers or teens, the Palm Springs region makes it easy to do as much or as little as you wish.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Take the rotating gondola up through the cliffs of Chino Canyon to arrive at an 8,516-foot peak in Mt. San Jacinto State Park with gorgeous panoramic views. Known as Mountain Station, the summit boasts two restaurants, observation decks, a museum, a gift shop and miles of hiking trails. The top is often dusted with snow in the winter — kids love the experience of leaving the Coachella Valley heat and arriving to chilly temps in just a matter of minutes. Bring layers!

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

Feed and brush rhinos, ogle wallaby babies snuggled up close to their mothers, and spot big cats (and dogs!) such as cheetahs and mountain lions as well as Mexican wolves. Spread across 1,200 acres, with 80 of them developed as zoo and gardens, the Living Desert in Palm Desert represents some 150 species from the African, Australian and American desert regions. The zoo is also well-regarded for its numerous conservation projects and partnerships.

Dates! Dates! Dates!

The greater Palm Springs area is home to dozens of date fruit farms. Learn all about ornamental palms and date-producing palms at The Packhouse at Aziz Farms in nearby Thermal, where second-generation farmer and former chef Mark Tadros grows vegetables as well as dates and leads private tours upon request. My family pulled up crunchy carrots and sweet rainbow beets, sampled heirloom herbs right off the plant and munched on juicy Medjool dates. You can also try a date shake, a popular local treat, at various places around town.

Joshua Tree National Park

Both the northern and southern entrances of Joshua Tree National Park are about an hour’s drive from Palm Springs. Although it’s ambitious, many families tack on a day trip to the park to scramble among granite boulders and hike amid the namesake trees with their spiky leaves twisting in all directions. Among the most popular trails (for good reason) are the one-mile Hidden Valley loop and the 1.7-mile Skull Rock hike, both easy enough for kids.

We can help you plan an unforgettable California getaway!

Our expert Travel Advisors can design a custom itinerary; arrange private guides, tours and experiences; and book vetted accommodations, often with valuable perks to pass along. Click for more details.

Palm Springs Air Museum

Kids and planes are a perfect match, and the Palm Springs Air Museum is home to one of the largest collections of WWII aircraft in the United States. For older ones, the museum also features exhibits on the role of aviation in the Korean War, the Vietnam War and beyond, with rare planes on display and knowledgeable docents to share the details about their history and design.

Desert Stargazing

With minimal light pollution, the desert is the place to stargaze and ponder the cosmos. There are two International Dark Sky Parks, Joshua Tree and Borrego Springs (in Anza-Borrego State Park), within an hour’s drive of Palm Springs. Local guides offer stargazing tours in both locations; Ciao Bambino Travel Advisors can arrange this experience for you as part of the full vacation planning service.

Where to Stay in Palm Springs

Spread across 13 acres of lush gardens and fruit trees, the Parker Palm Springs remains the place to stay in the desert, nearly two decades on since celebrated designer Jonathan Adler reimagined the property with oodles of whimsy and color. Think mid-century modern, but also cheeky and fun, like a seven-foot-tall bronze banana sculpture on the lawn. The 144 rooms are adorned with plenty of objets d’art, Moroccan textiles, swing chairs and Swedish Dala horse-shaped lamps. Opt for one of the villas, which are well-configured for families with a little extra room to spread out as well as an outdoor hedgerow-surrounded sitting area.

While the historic property isn’t necessarily synonymous with families, we saw several kids and parents on the grounds during our stay with our daughter and son. From swimming to pétanque to clay tennis courts, there’s more than enough to keep children active. Don’t overlook the value of simply enjoying some downtime by a sun-drenched pool with your brood — given the hectic load of activities and schoolwork these days, kids will love splashing and doing cannonballs.

The ubiquitous lemon trees on the property means kiddos can refresh with plenty of mint lemonade. (The amply named Lemonade Stand bar, located near the outdoor activities, specializes in a variety of lemon-infused beverages.) As for meals, indoor-outdoor Norma’s, swathed in bright orange, cheery yellow and turquoise hues, transitions seamlessly from breakfast to lunch to dinner. The menu emphasizes fresh and comforting bites, e.g. Belgian waffles, huevos rancheros, chopped Cobb salad, burgers and tacos.

The design, rooms and grounds certainly set the Parker apart, but ultimately, it is the impeccable service that wins, ensuring that even the youngest jet-setters feel truly welcome.

Relevant Links:

Browse all accommodations and activities in California on Ciao Bambino

Southern California college tour & vacation itinerary

A grand California family road trip itinerary

10 fun things to do in San Diego with kids

Photos courtesy of Visit Greater Palm Springs except where noted.

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.

Preferred Family

Start a Discussion

1 Comments

Curtis says:

11 years ago at 2:55 pm

Hello:
We love the Palm Desert! We lived in a small town called Forest Falls on the east side of Big Bear lake and would go to the desert all of the time. Joshua Tree is an amazing surreal place. It is a must if you are in the area. There is also a really nice zoo called the Living Desert that is worth a visit. Definitely take the tram up San Jacinto Mountain. Ahh, fond memories… Thanks!

Reply