Napa with Kids: 16 Fun Family-Friendly Activities

Visiting Napa with kids? Discover 16 activities that your entire family will enjoy.

They include both indoor and outdoor options. My top picks include a petting zoo, hiking, and family-friendly wineries.

You can also visit the Old Faithful Geyser, check out the Petrified Forest, and see an old water mill.

Read on to learn more about my top picks.

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1. Old Faithful & Petting Zoo

My list of fun things to do in Napa with kids starts with one of my favorites: the Old Faithful Geyser.

You'll find it at the Calistoga Spa Hot Springs near the northern end of the region.

This natural spring geyser faithfully erupts every 15 to 30 minutes. As you wait between eruptions, you can walk around the gardens or have a picnic lunch.

This is a fun stop for kids, as there is also a petting zoo on the property. It's home to animals such as Jacob's Four-Horn Sheep, Tennessee Fainting Goats, Guard Llamas, and Cameroon Pygmy Goats.

Before you leave, make sure you also stop by their small Geology Museum. You can learn more about the geyser as well as the rest of Napa Valley.

They are open daily. Admission is $15 for adults, $9 for children 4 to 11, and free for children under 4.

2. Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa

One of the best places to stay when visiting Napa with kids is the Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa. It's a unique experience for the entire family.

They feature more than 40 camper van rooms that make it feel like you are sleeping in one, but with all the amenities of a hotel. They also have more than a dozen rooms on the second floor with vistas out over the valley.

I love their three geothermal mineral pools. They are so relaxing after a day of sightseeing.

Their main pool is the largest and the coolest, with temps around 80 degrees. Next, the shallow wading pool is between 90 and 96 degrees. Finally, the Mineral Spa Whirlpool is small, but nice and hot, at around 100 to 104 degrees.

Staying here is more like staying with a community of friends. You will find a ton of games including bocce ball, cornhole, hula hoops, and plenty of traditional board games.

Other fun amenities for the family include complimentary bike rentals and fire pits for roasting s'mores, plus doggy treats for your pup.

It's my top hotel recommendation for those traveling in Napa with little ones.

>> Read guest reviews and check availability for the Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa

3. Connolly Ranch

The Connolly Ranch Education Center has wonderful programs for those staying in Napa with kids. 

They host a Farm Open House one or two Sundays a month, seasonally. You can choose the 1.5-hour slot that works best for your family between 9 am and 1:30 pm.

Kids will spend time with the barnyard animals, play around in the edible garden, and enjoy the Bay Grove. There is also a Mindfulness and Art class at 10 am on these days. 

Additionally, they offer several camps, annual events, and a Playschool for kids ages 3 to 6, all of which are designed to foster a love of nature.

Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are available as space allows.

>> Visit their site for more details and booking options

4. Bale Grist Mill State Park

This state park, located between St. Helena and Calistoga, is home to a three-story water-powered grist mill that dates back to 1846.

Built by Dr. Edward Turner Bale, the mill was originally used to ground corn and wheat into meal or flour. It was a hot spot in Napa in the mid- to late 1800s.

After it fell out of use in the early 1900s, the state bought and partially restored it. Today, you can step inside the mill to learn more and see it's 36-foot water wheel.

It is one of only two water-powered grist mills still around on this side of the Mississippi.

Other things to do at this park in Napa with kids include exploring the hiking trails, the site of the first church in Napa Valley, and the park's historic Pioneer Cemetery.

You may be able to catch a milling demonstration or a historic tour.

The park is open on weekends and Monday holidays from 10 am to 4 pm. 

5. Bothe-Napa Valley State Park

You can combine your visit to Bale Grist Mill State Park with a visit to Bothe State Park. These two sit side-by-side with easy access to each other through the trails.

You can start the day with a visit to the mill and then continue on over to Bothe State Park for a nice picnic and some hiking. 

The park's swimming pool is open during the summer months on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 pm.

If your young ones love camping, there are also campsites, restored Historic Cabins, and fun yurts available to reserve.

Whether you visit during the day or at night, there is plenty of local flora and fauna for your kids to admire, from the towering redwoods and woodpeckers to deer and foxes.

Packing Tips by Month

6. Grove 45 Extra Virgin Olive Oil

This is a fantastic place if you're visiting with kids and want to experience some of Napa Valley's culinary delights without the loftiness of some of the local upscale wineries and eateries.

Check out this woman-owned olive oil business located on the Silverado Trail in Calistoga.

They offer a food-centered tasting visit that is perfect for families, as it includes kid-friendly snacks like popcorn and ice cream. The experience is fun and educational, not to mention tasty!

You'll get to try four different artisan EVOOs and two balsamic vinegars paired with seasonally selected bites. The tasting is free for children under 5.

>> Visit their website for more details

7. Boat Tours on the Napa River

The Napa River runs right through the heart of downtown Napa as well as the wine-producing valley. Spring, summer, and fall are the best times to head out on the water because the temperatures are mild.

Wombat Charters offers boat tours during the day and at sunset. You can also head into the wetlands to see local wildlife or go fishing with them.

They have two boats, one that seats four people and another that seats six. 

All of their personalized tours last a few hours and offer a unique way to experience the outdoors in Napa Valley.

>> Visit their site to find out more

8. Hot Air Balloon Ride

This is one of the more luxurious activities for your visit to Napa with kids. But if budget is not an issue, then the chance to ride in a hot air balloon is something your children will surely never forget.

Give your family a sunrise unlike any other as you soar above the vineyards of Napa Valley and take in the breathtaking beauty of Mount St. Helena.

Kids should be at least 6 years or 48 inches tall to fly. Your one-hour adventure will be guided by an experienced pilot.

>> Find more details and book your unforgettable tour

9. The Petrified Forest

Another fun thing to do in Napa with kids is a visit to the Petrified Forest. This is also on the northern end of the valley in Calistoga.

This ancient forest has well-maintained trails that allow you to get a close-up look at these wonderfully preserved trees.

The trees are fossilized redwoods that were buried 3.4 million years ago by ash from the explosion of a nearby volcano that today is Mount St. Helena.

Charles Evans owned this land and stumbled upon a hollowed-out and preserved tree on his property in 1870. At the time, many scientists were fascinated by his find and traveled to Napa to check it out in person.

After changing hands several times, Ollie Bockee purchased the property and began turning it into a park in 1914. 

You can visit on your own or join a guided tour. Both give you the chance to see these magical trees up close.

They are open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, but recommend you arrive by 4 pm so you can complete the walk before closing.

>> Learn more about visiting on their website

10. Bike Rentals

Head over to Napa Valley Bike Tours to rent bikes for you and the kids.

Their guided biking tours include stops at wineries, so your best option for the family is the self-guided bike rental option.

Before you leave, they will give you some advice as to where to go. You will also receive a map of some routes that are great for all levels and wineries that are family-friendly.

This includes a car-free path called the Vine Trail that takes you from southern Napa all the way to Yountville.

They have rental offices in both downtown Napa and Yountville. You can rent the bikes for the day or longer.

There are small kids bikes as well as tag-alongs and trailers available. These are limited, so reservations are recommended.

All rentals come with helmets, bike locks, and airless tires so you don't have to worry about flats.

>> Visit the Napa Valley Bike Tours site for more details

11. Skyline Wilderness Park

Head over to Skyline Wilderness Park for a day of hiking, biking, or fishing. You can also enjoy disc golf, a picnic, or just the simple serenity of nature.

The park has more than 25 miles of trails and fire roads. The Manzanita Trail is great for beginners. It's a 1.31-mile hike (one way, but you can turn around anywhere) with just a few up and down sections.

If you want something a little more serious, head out on the River to Ridge Trail. It offers 3.4 miles of hiking (one way) with quite a bit of steep uphill and downhill sections. It ends at Kennedy Park near the Napa River.

You can also check out the Martha Walker Native Habitat Garden. Here you can learn more about native flora from all around California.

12. Kayaking

Spend the day on the Napa river on a kayak. You can either head out on a guided tour or rent the kayaks to go out on your own. 

You can enter the river in the heart of downtown Napa. From here, you can soak in the activity of the waterfront businesses. You will then enter areas surrounded by vineyards and wineries.

The water along the river is fairly calm, so it is perfect for beginners.

Your rental includes the kayak, paddle, and lifejacket. 

Deals on Tours and Rentals in Napa with Kids

13. Sharpsteen Museum

Another fun stop is the Sharpsteen Museum in Calistoga, which showcases the beauty and history of this region.

Built by Disney animator and producer Ben Sharpsteen, this museum is full of interactive and interesting displays, including a stagecoach, barn, and working model train.

You can visit the 30-foot diorama to get a close-up view of what Calistoga was like in 1860, and learn about the city's founder, Sam Brannan, and the development of the city's famous hot springs.

Also make sure to ask about the scavenger hunt for little ones.

They are open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas, from 12 to 3 pm on weekdays and 11 am to 4 pm on weekends.

This is one of the best free activities in Napa with kids (though donations are appreciated).

>> Visit the museum website for more information

14. Nimbus Arts

While visiting Napa with kids, spend some time crafting colorful art at Nimbus Arts in St. Helena. This community-owned non-profit offers kids' classes, free community events, and so much more.

The best part is they have art classes for kids of all ages.

Their toddler classes allow the littlest ones to get into the paint and have fun as they create.

Their classes and camps for kids range from painting and drawing to ceramics to mosaic arts and more.

Finally, they offer more advanced experiences for teens, including fire arts like bladesmithing. At the end, they will take their masterpiece home with them.

There are also adult classes. That way, you can create something unique while your kids are doing the same.

>> Check out Nimbus Arts' current offerings

15. Kid-Friendly Wineries

If you want to do a little tasting while you are here, you will find several kid- and family-friendly wineries. These wineries go out of their way to make sure you and your family have a great experience.

Some of them have picnic tables and outdoor activities like cornhole, while others offer juice and coloring books to your little ones while you taste.

Some allow kids on their basic tours and others offer snacks and drinks while they wait.

>> Check out my list of the 10 best family-friendly wineries in Napa

16. Carolyn Parr Nature Center

Another one of the best things to do in Napa with kids is to visit the Carolyn Parr Nature Center. This natural science museum is a great place to learn more about local animals and vegetation.

You are welcome to stroll through the museum on your own or call ahead to book a guided tour. There are also special events with live animals, a library, and several hands-on displays.

All plants and animals here are indigenous to the region.

It's open Wednesdays from 10 am to 4 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 1 pm to 4 pm. This museum is free for you and your family to visit.

>> Visit the website for more information and upcoming events

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