11 Things To Do In Yosemite With Kids

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Yosemite National Park is located in central California in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

It was designated federally protected land in 1864 by President Lincoln and officially became the nation’s 3rd national park in 1890.

Long before that, it was hired to indigenous tribes like the Ahwahneechee and the Miwok who named Yosemite which means “those who kill”, referring to the Aheahneechee people whom they deemed a bit “aggressive”.

Though most people only encounter the 1,200 acres of valleys, Yosemite is a whopping 760,000 acres, almost the size of Rhode Island.

Known for its wonderful waterfalls, it’s also home to one of the world’s tallest at 2,425 feet.

The park is also home to over 90 mammal species including black bears, mountain lions, and big horn sheep.

In 2021 the park welcomed 3.3 million visitors to enjoy the natural beauty and history of the area, including the giant Sequoia trees.

When visiting, you should know that the weather is quite variable depending on the time of year.

It is usually snowy and cold from December through March.

The rest of the year can be hot, rainy, or cool.

If you’re looking for things to do with kids In Yosemite, read on for some adventurous ideas.

Things To Do In Yosemite With Kids

1. Visit Glacier Point – Yosemite, California

This magnificent overlook will take you 3,200 feet above Curry Village inside the park.

The best part is that it’s only a short trail walk that’s easy to navigate and wheelchair accessible.

Once there, you will see spectacular sights like The Half Dome granite structure (that was formed over millions of years) and Yosemite Falls.

Ranger-led tours are available to learn more about the history of the area.

It’s a nice stop on your way to other activities and does not take more than an hour to enjoy.

2. Sugar Pine Railroad – Yosemite, California

This 1 hour excursion is for ages 3, and up.

From April through November, families can hop aboard the comfortable, steam-powered train and see the beautiful sites of Yosemite.

Afterward, enjoy panning for “gold”, visit the rail museum, and stop by the railway café for a bite to eat.

Sugar Pine Railroad was a 2023 Travelers Choice destination.

3. Tenaya Lake – Yosemite, California

 Nestled between the giant granite domes, Tenaya Lake is the largest in Yosemite.

The crystal clear, shallow water makes it a popular place for swimming, canoeing, spitting wildlife, and having a picnic.

The breathtaking views are even better at sunset, so consider sticking around until dusk.

The area is open from May through November.

Restroom facilities are available.

4. Ice Skating At Curry Village – Yosemite, California

Since 1928 the ice rink at Curry Village in Yosemite has been bringing families joy and fun.

Tickets purchased are good for a two-hour session that includes all the supplies you need to make S’mores around the cozy fire pit.

Skate rentals and hit drinks are available.

Training bars are located on the perimeter of the rink for new skaters.

The rink is open daily from late November through March.

5. Mariposa Grove – Yosemite, California

Mariposa Grove can be found in the southern part of Yosemite.

It’s a must-see for the over 500 giant Sequoia trees.

Families can hike the easy-to-moderate trails and take in the natural wonders.

The grove is open from April through December and guided tours are available.

A free shuttle will take you to the area, and restrooms are available at the visitor’s center.

6. Fishing – Yosemite, California

Yosemite has some of the most scenic and enjoyable fishing in the world.

Fish from the shore or a boat as long as everyone ages 16 and older has a permit (which can be purchased at the Mountain shop in Curry Village).

Some of the most caught fish include Rainbow trout, Smallmouth bass, Brook trout, and Brown trout.

The best fishing spots in Yosemite include Tenaya Lake, Merced River, and Tuolumne River.

Fishing is a great family activity, and younger kids just starting out will learn a lot.

7. Hiking – Yosemite, California

One of the best activities in Yosemite, hands down, is hiking.

Families will enjoy taking in the sights and sounds of nature while getting fresh air and exercise.

Explore historic sites and giant sequoias.

Stop along the way for a picnic lunch.

If you’re new to hiking or are worried that the kids might not keep up, no worries, as plenty of easy, kid-friendly hikes are available.

Some of the best include the Lower Yosemite Trail (1.2 miles and ranked easy), Sentinel Meadow (2 miles and ranked easy), Mirror Lake (2 miles and ranked easy), and Glacier Point (0.6 miles and ranked moderate). 

8. Yosemite Visitors Center – Yosemite, California

A starting point in Yosemite is the Visitors Center.

The Ranger staffed center is your one-stop shop for all the information you’ll need about the park.

The kids may enjoy the looped film at the entrance that details the park’s history, plants, and wildlife.

There’s also a bookstore with some great reads about the park.

Within the center, you’ll find many interesting places to stop, like the Yosemite Indian Museum.

The museum houses many artifacts, examples of plants, and geology.

There are also live demonstrations of traditional skills.

After the museum you can tour the Wilderness Nature Center which houses many interactive displays, has a children’s activity corner, and workshops for all ages.

9. Camping At Curry Village -Yosemite, California

Although rent and RV camping is an amazing adventure, (and allowed just about everywhere in the park) there’s something to be said about having some amenities, especially when you have kids in tow.

Curry Village gives the perfect combination of the great outdoor camping experience while allowing you to have reliable shelter, restrooms, and electricity at your fingertips.

The village has been a popular camping spot in the park since 1899 and has continued to grow with the times.

There are over 400 accommodations to choose from including canvas tent cabins, motel rooms, and cabins with private baths.

All sites have either a deck or patio and daily housekeeping is provided.

In addition to these basics, the grounds have an amphitheater that hosts entertainment, bike and raft rentals, a coffee shop, an ice cream stand, a dining pavilion, grills, and a swimming pool.

10. River Rafting At Whitewater Excitement – Yosemite, California

Since 1978, Whitewater Excitement Tours has been providing exciting whitewater rafting adventures in a safe and secure fashion.

All instructors are experienced, certified, and in top athletic shape.

This is a great bonding activity for parents and teens (as the age requirement is 14).

The 5-hour outing begins with some warm-up rapids, and they get more intense from there.

But no worries, they have trips for beginners, intermediate, and advanced.

Halfway through your adventure, you’ll pull over for lunch at an outpost called Briceburg.

Waiting for you will be a buffet feast guaranteed to fill you.

You’ll then jump back in your raft to finish the most exciting part of the rapid.

Bans will be waiting with cold drinks and snacks to take you back to the parking lot.

Photos of your day are included.

11. Ranger Walks – Yosemite, California

Kids ages 4 to 12 are invited to become junior rangers, by completing a set of activities.

They can pick up a booklet at the visitor’s center.

Inside the booklet, kids must complete a series of fun activities throughout the park.

The tasks will help them learn about nature’s neighborhood by listening, looking, smelling, and touching.

When all the activities are completed they can return the booklet to a ranger for their official badge.