Water parks, museums, climbing gyms, swimming pools, and everything in between.
What Reno parents actually recommend — not what the tourism board wants you to hear. Activities for toddlers, kids, and teenagers, sorted by category.
Family events happening in Reno — March through September 2026
Showing 21 events
Huge seasonal consignment sale — kids' clothing, toys, gear, strollers, and maternity items at deep discounts.
Interactive STEM career exploration day with hands-on workshops, demos, and mentoring from women in science and tech.
The pups rescue Adventure City in this live stage show. Multiple showtimes — perfect for little kids.
Design and play brand-new sports using cones, equipment, Tinkertoys, and LEGO. 4:00 PM - 7:30 PM.
AAA baseball season opener! Fireworks, giveaways, and $2 kids tickets on select dates. A Reno family tradition.
Wildlife sanctuary reopens for the season. Wolves, bears, cheetahs, mountain lions. Watch for cheetah run dates!
Three-day jazz festival with headliner concerts and free student clinics. A great intro to live music for older kids and teens.
The waterpark season begins! 10+ slides, wave pool, lazy river, Little Lagoon toddler area, and the famous 'Toilet Bowl' slide.
Tony-winning Broadway musical comedy — clean enough for older kids and hilarious for parents.
Outdoor adventure festival along the Truckee River. Kayak demos, live music, vendors, and kids' activity zones. Summer kickoff!
Themed STEAM day camps — 'Things That Go!', robotics, nature exploration, art & science. Register early, they sell out.
Free summer reading challenge with prizes, weekly story times, LEGO robotics club, art workshops, and family movie nights.
The state fair returns to Reno after 16 years! Livestock shows, 4-H expo, carnival rides, funnel cake, and family entertainment.
The Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the West! Designated family nights with kid pricing, mutton bustin', and Reno Rodeo Cattle Drive.
Outdoor day camp with farming, nature exploration, cooking, and hands-on learning. Disconnected from screens, connected to nature.
A full month of art, music, theater, and dance with hundreds of events — many completely free. Kid-focused workshops and performances throughout.
Comic book and pop culture convention. Great for kids into superheroes, anime, and collectibles. Cosplay encouraged!
The classic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical live on stage. A timeless family experience.
The world's largest classic car event turns 40! Kids love the car shows, neon cruise, and free activities at Casino Fandango.
City of Reno annual back-to-school event with free backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, food, and family fun. Multiple locations.
World's largest FREE hot-air balloon event! Dawn Patrol at 5:30 AM is magical for kids. Pack blankets and hot chocolate.
Tip: Register for Camp Discovery and Urban Roots summer camps early — they sell out by April. The full Reno events calendar has 60+ more events for all ages.
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3 spots locals recommend
Waterpark: Late May - Late September
Sparks' seasonal water park and year-round entertainment complex. The waterpark has 10+ slides, three pools, a wave pool, lazy river, and dedicated kids' areas. Off-season: Coconut Bowl bowling (40 lanes), mini golf, go-karts, arcade, and High Ballocity indoor playground.
"One of the longest waterpark seasons on the West Coast. Cold water even in summer — that's just how it is."
-- r/Reno
Tip: Go early on weekdays to avoid crowds. Tubes are free but rentals available. Lockers recommended.
Visit website →Reno operates 5 public pools — 3 indoor (year-round) and 2 seasonal outdoor. The best budget swim option in the area. Indoor pools have lap lanes, diving boards, and training pools for young kids.
"Wednesday and Sunday discount days are the local move. $2 for kids to swim all day."
-- r/Reno
Tip: Check reno.gov/aquatics for closures — swim meets frequently take over lanes. Free for kids 0-2.
Visit website →Sparks' main indoor public pool with a dedicated tot/family pool alongside the lap pool. Open year-round with open swim, aquacise, and lessons.
Tip: Summer hours extend to 7pm. Call (775) 353-2376 for current schedule.
4 spots locals recommend
Nevada's largest hands-on science center. 67,000 sq ft of interactive exhibits across multiple galleries. Rotating exhibits keep it fresh for repeat visits. Consistently the #1 family recommendation on r/Reno.
"If you have kids under 10, The Discovery is the single best thing in Reno. Period."
-- r/Reno
Tip: Go on a weekday morning to avoid school field trip crowds. Memberships pay for themselves in 2-3 visits.
Visit website →April - November
A wildlife sanctuary housing rescued predators — wolves, bears, cheetahs, mountain lions, birds of prey. Educational tours and special events. The cheetah run is legendary.
"The cheetah run alone is worth the drive. Kids go absolutely nuts."
-- r/Reno
Tip: Check their event calendar for cheetah run dates — they sell out. Bring water and sunscreen, it's exposed.
Visit website →Over 200 vintage and classic vehicles displayed in themed street scenes across four galleries. Surprisingly engaging for kids who love cars and trucks.
Contemporary art museum with rotating exhibits. Free for children under 12. Regular family programming and workshops.
5 spots locals recommend
Nevada's largest indoor climbing facility. Massive bouldering walls of all difficulty levels plus roped climbing. $40 one-week intro package includes gear rental and belay lesson.
Visit website →"Mesa Rim is legit world-class. Kids who climb here get hooked for life."
-- r/Reno
Wall-to-wall trampolines, foam pits, dodgeball courts, and obstacle courses. Dedicated toddler time sessions for the little ones.
Indoor adventure park with trampolines, warrior course, climbing hill, Tubes Playground for toddlers, and dodgeball. Birthday party packages available.
Retro roller skating rink with black light atmosphere. Clean wood floor, games, and skate walkers for beginners. Affordable, fun, and surprisingly good for all ages.
Visit website →"Roller Kingdom is a Reno institution. Kids, teens, adults — everyone has fun here."
-- r/Reno
40,000 sq ft arcade and entertainment complex inside GSR. Video games, bumper cars, bounce activities, laser tag, and a massive prize counter.
2 spots locals recommend
Dedicated indoor playground with toddler area, slides, balloon room, ball pit, climbing structures, and interactive projections. The go-to for the under-5 crowd.
Developmental play gym focused on fine/gross motor skills and sensory play. Parent lounge with coffee and tea. Perfect for rainy days with little ones.
3 spots locals recommend
580-acre regional park with trails, playgrounds, and the Wilbur D. May Museum and Arboretum. The petting zoo and farm area is a hit with little kids. Free entry, free parking.
"Best free family outing in Reno. Pack a lunch, hit the trails, let the kids pet the goats."
-- r/Reno
Tip: The petting zoo has specific open-house days — check washoecounty.gov for schedule.
Reno's premier city park with two playgrounds, duck ponds, a seasonal kiddie train, the Truckee River walk, and Idlewild Pool in summer. The default family outing.
"The default 'what should we do today' answer for every Reno parent."
-- r/Reno
Spring - Fall
Nevada's largest miniature golf course with 66 holes across themed outdoor courses. A Reno classic.
Reno gets 300+ days of sunshine, but when it rains, here's the playbook:
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Recommendations aggregated from r/Reno family threads, TripAdvisor, local parent blogs, and city recreation departments. Prices and schedules are approximate — verify with venues. Updated March 2026.
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