Straddling the line between California and Nevada is a popular destination, Lake Tahoe.
Lake Tahoe is more than just a scenic spot for water sports, it’s the largest alpine lake in North America.
The fun doesn’t stop at the lake, either.
There are multiple national forests and things to do nearby that are exciting for all ages.
In fact, on both sides of the border, there are so many nature-related places to go, that it’s hard to narrow down the list.
What does that mean for kid’s activities, though?
Here, we’re going to go through the list of the best things to do with the children in your life!
10 Things to Do in Lake Tahoe With Kids
1. The Gondola at Heavenly
If heavenly is in the name, it’s got to be good, right?
The Gondola at Heavenly is a bit of adventure wrapped in good scenery.
This ride up Heavenly Mountain is in an enclosed glass space exposed to the elements.
All around is nature’s bounty.
From bottom to top, the ride is just under 2.5 miles and takes about 20 minutes.
On the way up, there is a stop for those interested in looking out at the observation deck.
Don’t wait until the return trip to take advantage, there are no stops.
For the kids who are not scared of heights, there just might be enough awe to keep them quiet.
During the 20 minutes, at least.
2. Granlibakken Ski and Sled Area
At Granlibakken, you get a blast from the past and access to some great skiing.
Don’t want to haul equipment?
Everything necessary is available for rent when you arrive.
Are your kids ready for their first time on the slopes?
There are lessons here for all ages as well.
Fans of winter sports have been drawn to this spot for a century, making it the oldest resort in Lake Tahoe.
Many also refer to it as the most affordable ski lift around.
If you want to practice your strides here, the season starts in late November and runs through the beginning of the year.
3. Emerald Bay State Park
Glacier-shaped rocks line the shoreline at Emerald Bay State Park.
To get an up-close view, visitors have to walk from the parking down to the shore, about a mile in length.
In addition to finding your new happy place, other common activities here include camping, swimming, boating, and hiking.
Spend a whole day here by bringing a picnic, then walking the calories off on the nearby trails.
Don’t worry about potty breaks, there are restrooms available.
Also, no need to worry about the bears.
Food lockers are on site and are bear-resistant.
Pack an extra snack for departure, the walk back up to the parking lot is a tad more strenuous.
4. Tallac Historic Site
Would you like to check out the grandest resort in the world?
While technology won’t allow us to go back in time, what we can do is visit Tallac Historic Site.
100 years ago, prominent families built a resort and took summer escapes to their mansions on the property.
A restoration of the homes and resort was completed and now people come from all over for a taste of the finer things way back when.
After checking out the homes, there are trails and picnic areas to get a better view of the land.
You can walk around all year, but the buildings can only be viewed from the end of May through September.
5. Palisades Tahoe Aerial Tram
Is there really such a thing as too many cable car rides in majestic places?
To prove the answer is no, the Palisades Tahoe Aerial Tram has been in business since the late 60s.
From bottom to top, this ride is a mile and a half with a ride time of 10 minutes.
On the way up, passengers get to see a unique mountain of granite and waterfalls.
6. Treetop Adventure Parks
If everyone in your group is at least six, Treetop Adventure Park is waiting!
There are actually three parks to choose from around Lake Tahoe.
Each option has a variety of rope bridges and zip line courses to master.
Before booking an experience, be sure to check out each course, so it’s appropriate for the age getting harnessed up.
It takes about two hours to get through, so be sure to mark this as a first-thing type of activity.
7. Vikingsholm
Tucked away in Emerald Bay is the 38-room mansion referred to as one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the US.
Vikingsholm was built a century ago by the hands of 200 workers.
The design might have been inspired by a trip to Europe, but the mansion was brought to life by local products.
In fact, by the end, a majority of materials were from the Tahoe Basin.
The attention to detail, both interior and exterior, alone makes Vikingsholm worth the visit.
However, if any group member has medical or mobility issues, you might want to do more research.
The mile trail up to the building is quite steep.
This is even more true during the winter since there’s no cell phone service if you need help.
Mansion tours are only from Memorial Day through the end of September.
8. KidZone Museum
30,000 annual visitors can’t be wrong!
The goal of this museum is to inspire learning through creative play.
Basically, it’s the kind of place you would move to Lake Tahoe so your kids could experience it throughout the year.
There are hands-on exhibits, a calendar of events, festivals, bilingual singalongs, puppetry, and even summer camp.
9. Narrated Bus Tours
Want to learn more about Lake Tahoe and Squaw Valley?
A bus tour would be a great activity the day after a very physically demanding day.
Essentially, this is a full-day tour that gets your group well acquainted with the area.
All in all, it’s a relaxing ride of wonder.
10. Donner Memorial State Park and Emigrant Trail Museum
As educational and interesting as this museum is, it has the ability to get awkward.
Depending on how old your child is, you might want to be careful how the Donner Party is explained.
Although to be fair, it does highlight a part of what it means to be an emigrant.
Aside from info about the Donners, the museum explains the Chinese construction of the railroad, local Native Americans, and more about the land.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lake Tahoe known for?
Not only is the area a well-known tourist destination, but Lake Tahoe is also the largest freshwater lake in Sierra Nevada.
In total, the lake has 72 miles of shoreline and is the 17th deepest lake in the world and the 2nd deepest in the US.
That is a large part of why an entire town is built around it.
The land is beautiful and offers many opportunities for outdoor activities.
Part of the reason Lake Tahoe is so scenic is the purity of the water.
Residing far from cities, there’s little pollution.
The granite basin also is a natural filter for the water, so the quality stays top-notch.
Fun fact, the lake is big enough to completely submerge the Empire State Building and could cover California.
Is it safe to drive in Lake Tahoe during winter?
How comfortable are you with driving in harsh conditions?
Someone from Georgia might have a more difficult time with the roads than, say, someone from Wisconsin.
If this is your first time driving in a winter wonderland, you may want to do some research and get supplies.
Most importantly, driving slowly is the best thing you can do for everyone in your vehicle as well as those around you.
Slowly is even more imperative if there’s ice on the road or the snow is so heavy you can’t see far into the distance.
When does the snow start in Lake Tahoe?
To be on the safe side, if you’re heading out to get a good glimpse of the snow, plan to be there in early December.
Snow will be coating the ground by that point and you can have fun.
If you’d like to see the transition between autumn and winter, early November would probably be a sweet spot.
Technically, snow can begin falling as early as late mid-October, but there’s no guarantee.
If you’re looking to ski, maybe waiting until January would be good since the snow is heavy and there will be fewer people.
Definitely worth considering the crowds and weather forecast before booking a hotel.
When is the best time of year to visit Lake Tahoe?
Technically, Lake Tahoe is considered a year-round destination.
There are unique activities each season that keep visitors coming back.
So, before planning a trip, it would be best to ask yourself what kind of things you’d like to do upon arrival.
For example, if you’d love to ski, the best time to come would be November through April.
If you’d like to have trails to yourself before it gets cold, come out after Labor Day through Halloween.
Lake Tahoe just so happens to be one of those places where you can stay busy all year long in a way that will keep you excited to be there.
Perhaps that’s reason enough to plan multiple trips to the area to make the most of the experience.
Lake Tahoe is a beautiful and exciting destination for all ages, with its stunning lake and surrounding national forests providing endless opportunities for outdoor activities and its various attractions offering something for everyone.