Summer Kid Friendly Activities

There is a multitude of activities available in the Wood River Valley, which is available to younger visitors and local youth.

• Biking
  You can bring your own bikes or rent ones from many of the bicycle shops in the area. Families with younger children will enjoy a simple right along the Wood River Trail which is paved and travels the entire length of the Valley. For older children, they may enjoy one of the many mountain biking trails in the vicinity.
• Fishing
  Fishing is fun for the entire family. Check out the places to go where the “fish are biting” so the kids don’t get bored. Be sure to keep an eye on your kids near any body of water.
• Hiking/Backpacking
  A short day hike is fun for the whole family. Take along a picnic and snacks to enjoy on the trails. Always take plenty of water.
  Older children will enjoy overnight backpacking trips. Many of the trails in the area are rated easy to moderate with little elevation gain.
• Horseback Riding
  Every child dreams of being a cowboy or cowgirl. Make arrangements to take a horseback ride and enjoy the views. Check ahead as most outfitters do have an age limit for horseback rides.
• Horsepack Trips
  Some outfitters and guides specialize in family friendly backcountry horsepack trips. Check the listings here to find the perfect fit for your family.
  Whitewater Rafting
• Whitewater Rafting
  Check out the thrills and chills on a whitewater rafting trip. Youngsters of all ages enjoy splashing through the waves on the local river. Check with the local outfitters as some have age requirements.
• Kayaking/Canoeing
  The pristine alpine lakes are great places for the entire family to paddle around in kayaks or in canoes. Family time together is definitely enhanced by a peaceful scenic paddle on the water.
• Inline Skateboarding
  The Wood River Trail System that extends from Bellevue to Sun Valley allows walking, biking and skateboarding. For those young people who enjoy this activity there are also skate parks in the area.

Fun Attractions for the Family

• Blaine County Historical Museum
  An historical museum featuring displays including school, kitchen, and living room. The museum also has political campaign items, tools, military uniforms, agricultural and mining artifacts.
• Ketchum Ski & Heritage Museum
  The museum is the site of numerous rotating exhibits and outreach programs.
• Ore Wagon Museum
  The original 1880's ore wagons used to transport gold and silver ore has been preserved and are on display. Every year maintenance is done to keep the wagons in shape to be driven in the Wagon Days parade with a team of 18 horses.
• Sawtooth Botanical Garden
  The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is pleased to serve the community as a high altitude/steppe zone botanical garden and an educational center. Over 7,000 people have visited the Garden this year. Several youth groups including Brownies, Girl Scouts and school students volunteer regularly at the Garden and adult volunteers have donated over 1,500 hours this year to plant seedlings, weed, teach workshops, and staff the Bug Zoo, the Garden Tour and Party and the Compassion Garden.
• Sun Valley Center for the Arts
  The Center is a non-profit arts education organization committed to providing high-quality educational and cultural programming that challenges, engages and stimulates our community. We offer programs in the visual arts, performing arts, and humanities.

Winter Kid Friendly Activities

• Skiing
  Sun Valley is the perfect place for children to learn to ski. The Ski School located at the base of Dollar Mountain has a multitude of fun skiing activities just for children. After just a few lessons, kids can take a turn or two with mom and dad on the gentle slopes of Dollar Mountain.
• Snowmobiling
  Most children enjoy a ride on a snowmobile. Age restrictions exist for drivers, but kids can always catch a ride with an adult on the many back country trails and byways.
• Dog Sledding
  Every child loves yapping, furry, four legged friends. Take the entire family on a dog sled tour. A cozy ride bundled beneath a warm pile of blankets with hot chocolate for a treat – what could be better.
• Sleigh Rides
  From one-horse sleigh rides to being part of a group being pulled by a team of horses, the magical atmosphere of a sleigh ride cannot be surpassed.
• Snowshoeing
  Snowshoeing is a great family activity. You can make up games as you travel to keep the kids entertained. Try looking for and identifying animal tracks in the snow. Scoop up freshly fallen snow and pour maple syrup on it for a fresh, sweet treat. The ideas and adventures are endless.
• Ice Skating
  For a special family activity, try ice-skating on one of the two ice rinks in the area.
• Other winter activities
  When the weather is bad, the kids can practice rock climbing on an indoor rock wall, play a game of bowling, catch a movie, or try out their artistic talents at one of the local pottery and/or paint studios. In addition, there are many youth camp programs offered in the Valley.

Winter Fun Attractions for the Family

The Wood River Valley is filled with so many attractions and activities in addition to world class skiing. It's no wonder that Sun Valley Tourism is the mainstay of the local economy.

• Sun Valley Resort
  At the Sun Valley Resort, you will find a game room, a bowling alley and heated swimming pools.
• Elkhorn Resort
  Elkhorn is a self-contained community with all types of entertainment, excellent lodging options, swimming pools, and a spa.
• Parks
  The Sawtooth National Recreation Area offers about 750 miles of trails where you’ll find breathtaking scenery. In addition, you will find the Craters of the Moon, with its strange moon-like landscapes, located just to the south. Bellevue, Hailey, and Ketchum all have city parks and recreation facilities geared to tons of outdoor activities.
• History & Museums
  The area boasts of many museums and exhibits chronicling the early days of the region.
• Scenic Drives
  The Sawtooth Scenic Byway, one of Idaho's most renowned scenic drives, runs directly through Sun Valley, ID, linking Shoshone Falls all the way up to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. This is an exciting and fun trip to take even in the middle of winter.