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Banff With Kids: 15 Best Things to Do for Families
Planning a family trip to Banff and the Canadian Rockies? This area offers an incredible mix of turquoise lakes, scenic drives, easy hikes, and unforgettable adventures that are perfect for kids of all ages. From riding a gondola in Banff and spotting wildlife along the Bow Valley to exploring glaciers near Jasper and enjoying family-friendly attractions in Canmore and Calgary, there’s something for everyone. In this guide, we’re sharing the 15 best family-friendly things to do across Banff, Canmore, Jasper, and Calgary, based on our own experiences, so you can plan a fun and stress-free Rockies itinerary your whole family will love.
1. Banff Gondola (Sulphur Mountain)
This was one of our favorite experiences in Banff with kids. The gondola ride itself was exciting, and once at the top, we loved walking the boardwalks and taking in the panoramic views without a strenuous hike.
Cost: $64 CAD (Adult), $32 CAD (Child 6-15), under 5 free
Check out our full post on Banff Gondola and Sulphur Mountain.
2. Canoeing on Lake Louise, Emerald Lake, or Moraine Lake
This was one of the calmer activities we did. The kids loved helping paddle, even if it was mostly for fun. Being surrounded by towering mountains and bright blue water made it feel like we’d stepped into a postcard.
Cost: About $70 to $90 CAD per hour for canoe rentals
3. Johnston Canyon Hike
Free, with paid parking around $10 CAD.This hike was a total hit with the kids. They loved crossing the bridges over rushing waterfalls and spotting little waterfalls along the trail. The path is easy enough for kids, so they could explore safely while still feeling like adventurers.
Cost: Free with Parks Canada Pass, parking around $10 CAD
Read more about our adventure on the Johnston Canyon hike here.
4. Hike to Lake Agnes Teahouse
The promise of a teahouse at the top kept the kids motivated. Along the way, we stopped at Mirror Lake, which has a great view of the Beehive and made an easy spot for a quick break. Spotting chipmunks and hopping over little streams kept things fun. Reaching the teahouse felt like a real accomplishment, and the hot chocolate was a huge hit.
Cost: Free trail access, food and drinks extra
See our full Lake Agnes Teahouse hike post.
5. Lake Minnewanka Cruise
The boat cruise was a nice break from hiking and the views of the surrounding mountains were incredible. One of the highlights for our kids was getting to take the wheel and be “captain” for a few minutes, which made the experience even more memorable.
Cost: $79 CAD per person
Read more about our Lake Minnewanka Cruise experience
6. Peyto Lake Viewpoint
This stop was quick but worth it. The short walk to the viewpoint was easy for the kids, and the color of the lake really surprised the kids. They also thought it was cool that the lake looks like a wolf from above.
Cost: Free with Parks Canada Pass
7. Athabasca Glacier via the Ice Explorer
Our kids thought the Ice Explorer ride was super cool. Walking on the ice itself was such a unique experience, and they loved learning about the glacier.
See a full breakdown of our Ice Explorer and Athabasca Glacier experience.
8. Columbia Icefield Skywalk
The Skywalk was exciting without being scary or tiring. The kids loved walking on the glass floor and looking straight down into the canyon. Along the trail, we even spotted a bighorn sheep hanging out on the side, which made everyone stop and stare. It was thrilling but short enough that the kids stayed engaged the whole time.
Cost: $51 CAD
9. Mistaya Canyon
Mistaya Canyon is a fun little stop in the Rockies, not too far from the Columbia Icefield. The water twists through the canyon, and the kids loved leaning over to watch it swirl below while we kept a close eye on them. There’s no fence, so supervision is important. The short walk from the parking lot makes it easy for families with little ones.
Cost: Free
See full post on Mistaya Canyon.
10. Kananaskis Whitewater River Rafting
This was one of the more adventurous things we did, but it still felt very family friendly. The rapids were Class 2 to 3, which was exciting without being scary and great for beginners and families with younger kids (5 and older). Our guide did a great job explaining everything and made us feel safe the entire time. At the end, we even got to jump in the river, which the kids thought was the best part.
Cost: $151 CAD per person
Read more about our exciting Kananaskis rafting experience.
11. Wildlife on the Bow Tour
We paddled on a canoe with a group of about 10 people, which made it really fun and relaxed. The kids loved keeping an eye out for animals along the shoreline. We saw a bear and some beavers. Our guide shared stories and random facts along the way, including how beavers build their dams and lodges and what signs to look for near the water. It was one of those activities everyone enjoyed.
Cost: $93 CAD per person
12. Takakkaw Falls
The walk from the parking lot is short, so even little legs can handle it, and you can get really close to the base of the falls. The kids loved feeling the mist and getting splashed, and honestly, we adults had just as much fun.
Cost: Free within Yoho National Park
See full post on Best Places to Visit in Yoho National Park.
13. Downhill Karting at WinSport Olympic Park
Since we were flying out of Calgary, we squeezed this in at the end of our trip, and it was such a fun way to burn off extra energy. The kids had a blast racing the downhill karts, and we even got to check out the Jamaican team’s bobsled from the Cool Runnings movie, which made it extra exciting.
Cost: About $30 to $40 CAD per run.
Read more about our WinSport downhill karting experience.
14. Calgary Zoo
We also squeezed this in since we were flying out of Calgary, and it was a nice slower-paced day after all the hiking. The kids loved checking out the big animal exhibits and interactive areas, and they were especially excited to see the twin pandas. It was a fun way to wrap up the trip without wearing anyone out.
Cost: General admission (16-59) around $35 CAD, Kids (3-15) around $25 CAD, under 3 free.
You can read more about our day at Calgary Zoo.
15. Canmore Caving Tour
Last but not least, the Canmore caving tour ended up being our favorite adventure of the trip. Crawling through narrow passages and discovering underground formations made the kids feel like real explorers. It’s best for adventurous families, and kids must be 10 or older. Definitely something a bit different from hiking, and the kids couldn’t stop talking about it afterward.
Cost: $145 (Adult), $129 CAD (Youth 10-15)
For more details, read more about our experience with Canmore Caving Tour.
Banff and the Canadian Rockies have so many great options for families. From easy hikes to more adventurous activities, there’s something for every age and interest. Take your time, let the kids lead the way, and enjoy exploring at your own pace.
*Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, meaning that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend hotels, tours, and products that I personally use or genuinely believe will add value to my readers. Any commissions earned help support the costs of running this travel blog.
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